Bishop's Dinner returns to in-person format

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SALT LAKE CITY – Friends and patrons of the Cathedral of the Madeleine will gather on Sept. 8 at the Grand America Hotel for the annual Bishop’s Dinner benefit.

This year’s keynote speaker will be the Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, Conn., who is chairman of Catholic Relief Services’ board of directors. In 2018, he was one of five American bishops elected by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to represent the United States at the XV Ordinary General Assembly: Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment at the Vatican. 

At the dinner, Bishop Caggiano will share his thoughts on the Church’s universal mission to serve the poor and needy, a mission that all Catholics are called to fulfill.

“While each local Church lives this mission in a variety of ways united around its bishop, (in the Diocese of Salt Lake City around Bishop Solis and symbolized by the Cathedral of the Madeleine), so too does the universal Church live this mission united with our Holy Father, Pope Francis,” Bishop Caggiano said in an email interview. “On the national level, our Church is doing extraordinary work to meet this mission through Catholic Relief Services. CRS serves the immediate human needs of those who are struggling with food insecurity, poverty and other obstacles in over 110 countries. It also seeks sustainable programs that foster human and societal development in many countries in the developing world. As chair of CRS, I will offer stories of how we as American Catholics, united together in mission, are transforming lives throughout the world.”

“During this time of growing division and polarization, it seems to me that we need as Catholics to focus upon, celebrate and live what unites us in faith,” he added. “I believe that the mission Christ has given us to bring his message of love and hope to our sisters and brothers in need can and should unite us together in celebration.”

In keeping with tradition, those who attend the dinner will view a video produced by cathedral staff. In this year’s video, Director of Development Patricia Wesson interviews several members of the cathedral community, including Bishop Solis; Ralph Woodward, director of the Salt Lake Children’s Choir; The Madeleine Choir School Principal Megan Randazzo; Darren Williams, director of the Good Samaritan program; and others about their experiences during the pandemic and what they have learned from them.

Bishop Oscar A. Solis and the cathedral staff have a goal of raising $350,000 at this year’s dinner. These funds will be used to restore the cathedral’s outside doors and to begin an internal refurbishment of the cathedral. 

Prior to the dinner, there will be a social hour in the courtyard. The event will follow the social distancing protocols recommended by the health department at that time.

“We invite those who can to join us; we hope to see you,” Wesson said. “If you don’t feel comfortable in such a public setting, we hope you will at least consider supporting the Bishop’s Dinner in your own way with a gift.”

Online registration information is available at thebishopsdinner.org.

WHAT: Bishop's Dinner: Benefit for the Cathedral of the Madeleine

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 8, 6-9 p.m.

WHERE: The Grand America Hotel, 555 S. Main St., SLC

COST: $175/individual seat; tables of eight available

For reservations or information, visit thebishopsdinner.org.