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The Leo House Announces The Second Annual 2018 Pope Leo XIII Fundraising Gala

2018 Pope Leo XIII Fundraising Gala
23 Jul

Press Release: The Leo House Announces The Second Annual 2018 Pope Leo XIII Fundraising Gala

NEW YORK CITY, NY – Michael P. Coneys, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 129-year old, historic Catholic Guesthouse, The Leo House (332 West 23rd Street New York Cityproudly announces its 2nd Annual 2018 Pope Leo XIII Fundraising GalaThis year’s Gala honors Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, O.F.M., Cap., Archbishop of Boston.  Joining Cardinal O’Malley in the spotlight will be famed author, Mary Higgins Clark, who will be presented with the inaugural lay person recognition, the St. Raphael Society Award. William Ouweleen, Head Vintner and Founder of the O-Neh-Da (Eagle Crest Vineyards) will become the first recipient of The Leo House Mission Partner Award.

The Leo House’s premier fundraising event will be held Monday evening November 5th, 2018 at 6:00pm at The Yale Club in midtown Manhattan (50 Vanderbilt Avenue).  The evening’s keynote speech will be given by Mother Dolores Hart, OSB, of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT. She has been a frequent guest speaker at The Leo House and former Hollywood film actress who became a Benedictine nun.

Fr. Jonathan Morris will once again take over the reins as the master of ceremonies. He is the popular FOX News religious commentator, Program Director at SIRUS XM’s “The Catholic Channel and pastor of Mt. Carmel Church in the Bronx.  Dom Flemons, “The American Songster,” Grammy-award winning musician and Smithsonian Folkways artist will bring a down-home entertainment performance for all to enjoy.

About the 2018 Pope Leo XIII Fundraising Gala Awards

The 2018 Pope Leo XIII Fundraising Gala Awards are administered by The Leo House Board of Directors through its Board Selection Committee. Each award highlights a special categorical recognition of a highly accomplished individual.

  • The Pope Leo XIII Award to a clergy or religious who best embodies the values and accomplishments most exemplified by Pope Leo XIII.
  • The St. Raphael Society Award to a lay person who has personified an exemplary Catholic life of personal accomplishments and influence.
  • The Mission Partner Award to an outstanding business partner who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the mission of The Leo House through the donation of goods and/or services.
  • The origin of the 2018 Pope Leo XIII Fundraising Gala Award traces back to the Archdiocese of Chicago and Bishop Bernard J. Sheil (1888-1969) founder of CYO in 1930, who created the Award.  After Bishop Sheil’s passing in 1969, the Award became dormant but was discovered in the Chicago archives by Fr. James Heyd. The Leo House adopted the Award, which was formally transferred at the inaugural 2017 Pope Leo XIII Gala event last December, and the first recipient was Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York.

About Pope Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) is the oldest serving Pope to date (reigning until his death at the age of 93) and holder of the third longest pontificate behind his predecessor Pope Pius IX, and St. Pope John Paul II.  He championed intellectualism and attempted to define the Catholic Church in modern thinking.  Known as the “Rosary Pope,” he issued eleven Papal encyclicals on the rosary.  He stood up for the rights of workers and fair wages, safe working conditions and the formation of labor unions.

Pope Leo XIII influenced Roman Catholic Mariology (the systematic study of the person of Mary, mother of Jesus) and was a faithful proponent in inspiring the Catholic faith in the youth around the world.  He was a tireless friend and sensitive protector of German immigrants arriving in the United States, specifically through the port of New York.

Pope Leo XIII currently has nine antiquities, sent from The Vatican, displayed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art world renowned exhibition: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” This remarkable exhibition at The Met will be on display until October 8th.

About The Leo House

The Leo House is a non-profit, historic Catholic guesthouse and the oldest art gallery in Chelsea offering affordable, temporary accommodations. Old world charm is expressed through unique branding of the “Art of the Welcome.” The Leo House welcomes people of all faiths, nationalities and races including clergy and religious, person visiting the sick, students and international and US travelers. They have all found it a safe haven embodying spiritual solace.  The history of The Leo House originates 1889 by papal certification by Pope Leo XIII, in the Battery Park in New York City near the old Castle Garden (predecessor to Ellis Island).  Then in 1926, The Leo House moved to its present location on West 23rd Street in Chelsea, one of the liveliest and safest neighborhoods in New York City.

For further information on The Leo House and/or the Pope Leo XIII Award Gala, please contact David J. Smith, Executive Director (Phone:  212-929-1010, Ext. 203) or by e-mail, [email protected].