Nearly 100 supporters of Catholic education attended a kick-off event Nov. 2 for the Alleluia Ball, scheduled for Oct. 28, 2023 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
Mike and Mary Lynn Silvestro are chairpersons for the ball, which is the largest diocesan fundraiser for Catholic education. Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet, hosted the kick-off event at the Flexjet hangar at the Cuyahoga County Airport in Richmond Heights. His wife was ill and unable to attend.
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He welcomed the group to the kick-off and reminded them of the importance of Catholic education and the need for financial support so it can remain widely available to those who desire it. Silvestro also mentioned an experience he, his wife and a few others – including Bishop Edward Malesic -- enjoyed the previous weekend: a private brunch with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, cardinal archbishop of New York. The brunch was auctioned off as a fundraiser at the last Alleluia Ball. The winners flew to New York and attended Mass celebrated by Cardinal Dolan and concelebrated by Bishop Malesic at St. Patrick’s Cathedral before lunch. Ashley Nemeh, a well-known recording artist from Cleveland Diocese, was cantor for the liturgy.
“It was a wonderful experience,” Silvestro said. Reflecting on the upcoming Alleluia Ball and the continuing need for support of Catholic schools in the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland, Silvestro said he and his wife accepted the opportunity to chair the event “because when the bishop asks, you say yes.”
He also noted that many employers have said their best employees are the products of Catholic schools.
“We are all called to be disciples,” Silvestro said, explaining some answer the call through prayer and others through action. “This is a time for action.”
He introduced Father John Betters, pastor of SS. Robert and William and St. John of the Cross parishes in Euclid, who offered an opening prayer at the Nov. 2 kick-off event. Father Betters also introduced two junior high school students from SS. Robert and William School, Glory and Cecelia, who recited original poems about Catholic education and Catholic Schools. They were accompanied by their parents, Patrice Garuckas, an English and religion teacher, and school principal Martha Dodd.
Bishop Malesic offered some remarks about the state of Catholic schools in the diocese, noting, “Our Catholic schools did more than survive during the pandemic – they thrived. Catholic education is an incredible gift. Today, we are inviting you to help make this gift available to all children in Northeast Ohio.”
Last year, the Education Office received more than 7,000 applications for tuition assistance, the bishop said, adding “The need is great. However, because of the generosity of people like you, we were able to distribute approximately $3.7 million in tuition assistance to more than 4,000 students.”
The Fund a Dream program, which matches donors and students through a $2,500 scholarship, has grown from 100 supported students in the last two school years to more than 200 students in the next two years, he added. Many of those supportive dollars are a result of the Alleluia Ball.
“Catholic education is key to the evangelizing mission of the Church,” Bishop Malesic said, affirming Silvestro’s earlier remarks that many employers say their best employees are from Catholic schools. “We have a good thing going in our schools. Our administrators, teachers and staff, as well as parents and students, continue to be amazing – especially through the changes and challenges of the last few years. That says a lot about the heart of our Catholic schools, which is student-focused and community-focused, with their eyes always focused on Jesus Christ. Congratulations to them al. We truly owe them a debt of support for their remarkable work,” the bishop said.
“Together, we can take our support of Catholic education in the Diocese of Cleveland to new heights with the wind of the Holy Spirit beneath our wings. We’re blessed to be a blessing for others and I’m giving you that opportunity tonight,” Bishop Malesic said, again adding his thanks to the Silvestros for stepping up to chair the Alleluia Ball.
Patrick Grace, executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation, the fundraising entity of the diocese, reiterated what the bishop and Silvestro said about the importance of Catholic schools in the diocese, noting they make a difference thanks to the support of many generous benefactors.
Click here to learn more about the Alleluia Ball 2023, including sponsorship opportunities.