Outgoing rector, successor and others say Sacred Heart’s commitment to forming hearts and minds after Jesus is key to mission

DETROIT — Patrons, seminarians, priests and deacons gathered on a warm evening Friday, June 11, in Chevrolet Plaza outside of Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit to support and celebrate Sacred Heart Major Seminary during the 24th annual Archbishop’s Gala. 

Far removed from last year’s gala, which was held virtually because of COVID-19, this year’s event saw a much-welcomed return to in-person festivities as those gathered reflected upon the evening’s theme: “Credo,” or “I Believe.”

“Everything is done better in person, and as Catholics, we really are committed to the Real Presence –– whether it be in the Eucharist or something like this where we are showing our support,” said Fr. Jeffrey Day, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of Detroit.  

Attendees enjoyed a sit-down dinner and open bar, live music by Cosmic Groove, a $25,000 cash raffle sponsored by Weingartz and a rousing, violin-forward rendition of “Be Thou My Vision” performed by the seminarians. 

While eating dinner, attendees were invited to watch videos showing the impact of the seminary on its students and surrounding community, ending with the tagline, “I Am Sacred Heart.”

“I was thinking of how privileged I am to be able to repeat the tagline in the video: ‘I Am Sacred Heart,’” Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron said in his address to those gathered. “I think how privileged you all are to be able to say, ‘We Are Sacred Heart.’ By your support and your friendship and above all your prayer, and all the ways you support the seminary, you are very much a part of what God is trying to accomplish.”

The Archbishop’s Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for Sacred Heart, which forms and educates more than 100 seminarians studying for more than a dozen dioceses and religious communities, as well as hundreds of lay students. 

When Archbishop Vigneron first walked into the seminary building as a 13-year-old in 1962, he said, he was afraid he would never find his way out of the labyrinth of hallways and classrooms. 

“In some sense, I never did find my way out,” the archbishop quipped. “But this trusteeship is important to me because of how important the seminary is to the kingdom of God. I am very grateful for your support.”

In addition to celebrating the seminary and its supporters, the gala served as a send-off for one of the MCs of the evening, Msgr. Todd Lajiness, who has served as rector of the seminary for nine years and on its faculty for 19 years. Msgr. Lajiness, who has been reassigned to serve as administrator of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth, will be succeeded by Fr. Stephen Burr as Sacred Heart’s 14th rector on July 1. 

“There is a real sense of gratitude for what God has done over these 19 years,” Msgr. Lajiness told Detroit Catholic. “I’ve seen God’s grace at work through the faculty and the students. The support of our benefactors on an evening such as tonight is unbelievable. The clearest sense I have on a night like tonight is just a deep gratitude for what God has done.”

Msgr. Lajiness said he will miss being part of the formation team that prepares seminarians and lay students for ministry. Fr. Burr told Detroit Catholic he is grateful for Msgr. Lajiness and hopes to carry the mantle as beautifully as his predecessor did. 

“At Sacred Heart Major Seminary, we are formed after Jesus Christ, and it is our role to make happy, holy, healthy priests and ministers for the local Church and beyond,” said Fr. Burr, who currently serves as vice-rector. “We get to do that through all the pillars of formation: through the human, spiritual, pastoral and intellectual. We have the greatest faculty around.”

All of this formation is done because of the theme of the evening, “credo,” Msgr. Lajiness said in his remarks. 

“‘Credo’ is at the heart of who I am and who you are,” Msgr. Lajiness said. “We are who we are because we believe. We do what we do at the seminary because we believe.”

Msgr. Lajiness’ words were echoed by seminarians and students who attend and support the seminary because of their deep belief. 

“The seminary is one of the best ways to get to know Jesus Christ himself,” said Evan Sekerak, a second-year seminarian for the Diocese of Toledo. “That is what we are here for; we are here to grow in virtue and to grow closer to him, and I don’t think there is any better way to do that.”

Eileen Newell is a student at the seminary, currently finishing her thesis for her master’s in theology. She said being a student at the seminary is a way for her to deepen her faith. 

“I serve in the Church in various capacities. I sit on the Archbishop’s Catholic Schools Council and a few other organizations and communities throughout the church,” Newell said. “Attending Sacred Heart is a way to deepen my ability to be able to serve the Church.”

For Dan Weingartz, whose family owns and operats Weingartz, an outdoor power equipment supply company and is the longtime sponsor of the gala’s raffle, supporting the seminary is a blessing. 

“We are honored to be a part of the formation that happens there,” Weingartz told Detroit Catholic. “I really believe that there are miracles happening at the seminary every day.”