2018 Annual Benefit a Success


On September 30th, friends of the Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius gathered with priests and brothers of the order for an elegant meal, lively entertainment, and one another’s company all with the cause of supporting the mission of Restoring the Sacred.


Fr. Thelander speaks on behalf of all the Canons Regular

The event was held in the famous Gold Coast room of the Drake Hotel in the heart of Chicago. This year’s event smashed the record for highest attendance at the Annual Benefit Dinner, with a total of 260 attendees!

Canons Regular Benefit 2016
Click here to view all photos of the Annual Benefit in a new window »


We had the pleasure of being in the company of our old friend Fr. Regis Barwig who gave a beautiful prayer of benediction to start the dinner.

A special guest of honor was The Very Rev. John Kartje, rector of University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, where six of our men are studying to be priests. Fr. Kartje gave a few words about our seminarians and thanked our benefactors and patrons for supporting our seminarians and their study at Mundelein.

Our Superior ad interim, Fr. Scott Thelander, gave a stirring speech on behalf of all of us. He spoke about our charism and how it is lived out in each of the members of our community and what it means to live the spirit of the founder. A particularly moving moment was seeing all the members of the order gathered at the podium.

Live piano music was provided during the cocktail hour by the Director of the Schola Cantorum Gregory the Great, Mr. Joseph Urbaszewski, who delighted his listeners with popular piano music, ranging from ragtime to classical. During the dinner, live chamber music was provided the Anthony Kawalkowski Orchestra who took requests from each table.


At the conclusion of the meal, patrons enjoyed bidding on the auction items to help raise additional funds. These funds go toward the coverage of tuition costs for the seminarians as well as medical and insurance costs for all the members of the Canons Regular.

The brothers and priests of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius thank those in attendance for their ongoing support as well as those whose efforts made the evening a success, especially Ms. Delphine Michalik, the benefit committee, and Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Romanuik. Another special thanks to Mr. Justin Sheffield of Ashland Addison Florist for the beautiful table arrangements. We also thank Mrs. Esther Jula of EsteeG Photography for the beautiful photos of the event.


Bidding in the Live Auction

All of your contributions, large or small, are greatly appreciated and will continue to help us support our men in formation as we continue our mission to restore the sacred.


Ad Book 2018


Click below to look through the program booklet for the dinner. A very special thank you to all our patrons who sponsored an ad in our 2018 Benefit Ad Book. You helped make this event possible.

Also, a special thanks to all those individuals and organizations listed below that donated items for the various auctions to help the cause. We couldn't have done this without you!


    PRIVATE DONORS

    Ms. Andrea Eisenberg
    Anita Kuhn
    Dr. & Mrs. Anthony Caruso
    Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R.
    Mr. Jed Gibbons
    Mr. Gerry Buzas
    Karyn O’Connor
    Ms. Lois Loumis
    Mrs. Luci Major
    Mr. Mark Leger
    Mr. Michael Burny
    Melody Vasquez
    Mr. Michael Foltz
    Mrs. Pam Ahearn
    Mr. & Mrs. Peter Nordlund
    Rev. Sebastian Glentz, O.S.B.
    Sharon M. Sikora, D.D.S.
    Terry Sullivan


    ORGANIZATIONS

    10 Pin Bowl
    III Forks
    312 Chicago
    Anthony Cristiano Salon
    Arc Light Cinema
    Barry Butler Photography
    Beatrix Restaurants
    Beauty & Balance Salon
    Carnivale Restaurant
    Chicago Architecture Foundation
    Chick-Fil-A
    D4 Irish Pub
    Emerald Loop Bar and Grill
    Fleming's Prime Steakhouse
    Francesca’s Restaurant
    Friends of the Chicago River
    Frontier Restaurant
    Gaylord Indian Restaurant
    Glasses, Ltd.
    Grand Lux Café
    Greek Islands Restaurants
    House of Kahn Estate Jewelers
    Hub 51
    Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
    Bar & Grill
    Les Nomades
    London House Hotel
    Maggiano’s Little Italy
    Mariano's - New City
    Mario Tricoci Salon
    Nando's Peri Peri Of New City
    Noodles & Company
    Northwest Cutlery
    Offshore Adventures
    Osteria Via Stato
    Piccolo Sogno
    Pheasant Run Resort
    Portillo’s
    Quartino Ristorante
    Remington's
    Ruth Durkin Photography
    Ruth's Chris Steak House
    Salon Echo
    Sayat Nova
    Slurping Turtle
    SPiN Chicago (Ping Pong)
    St. Augustine Academy Press
    St. John Cantius
    Stanley's Fruits & Vegetables
    Sunda New Asian
    Tavern on Rush
    Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland
    The Bees of St. John Cantius
    & Christ the King Abbey
    The Capital Grille
    The Drake Hotel
    The Kennison
    The Spice House
    Tortoise Supper Club
    Trio Salon
    Vin Chicago
    Yard House