Near-record crowd at 2025 Bishop's Dinner, fundraiser for the cathedral

Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of people, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, attended the 21st Bishop’s Dinner, the annual fundraiser for the Cathedral of the Madeleine, held Oct. 2 at the Grand America Hotel.

The dinner was “a wonderful opportunity” for people throughout the state to gather and “experience the true essence of our communities here in the Salt Lake Valley,” said Monsignor Joseph M. Mayo, master of ceremonies.

Among those attending were the Very Rev. Rick Lawson, rector emeritus of the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark in Salt Lake City; Chris and Sandy Hemmersmeier, representing Jerry Seiner Dealerships; Paul Burdiss, president and CEO of Zion’s Bank; Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh; Bishop Christopher Waddell, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Carol; Rabbi Samuel L. Spector from Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City; and Rev. Dr. Curtis Price, pastor at First Baptist Church in Salt Lake City.

Many clergy from the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City also attended, including Bishop Oscar A. Solis; Father John Evans, vicar general; Father Christopher Gray, rector of the cathedral; and Deacon John Kranz, chancellor, and his wife, Teresa.

“Since 2002 this dinner has been more than just a fundraiser,” said Fr. Gray, who became rector of the cathedral on Aug. 1, in his welcoming remarks. “It has been a gathering of friends, a celebration of family, of you, of your faith, of your hope, and your love for our cathedral, and for her people and for her Lord – a celebration of your heroic generosity. You ensure the cathedral remains a place of wonder and of worship, a center of beauty, of truth and charity; a true community, a sanctuary for all to receive the world’s greatest treasure: the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.” 

An estimated 640 guests were seated at 80 tables, making it the second largest dinner following the 2009 event, which was a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the cathedral, said Patricia Wesson, the cathedral’s director of development, in an email interview. She added that Fr. Gray encouraged every parish to participate, “so much of the increase of tables reflects the larger percentage of Catholic churches attending.”

Donations from the dinner go toward the cathedral’s maintenance and operating costs. 

The Most Rev. George L. Thomas, first Archbishop of Las Vegas, was the guest speaker for the dinner. He peppered his talk with humor. For example, he noted that his city is one of the fastest-growing Catholic areas in the United States: three of its parishes have more than 40,000 members each, another baptizes 30 children a week, and another had 1,500 first communicants.

It is “a holy, grace-filled town, despite our sordid reputation,” he said to laughter and applause.  

Archbishop Thomas focused his talk on 10 qualities and characteristics that are common in effective pastoral leadership, noting that “these qualities can be replicated; they can be widely shared and taught to other pastoral leaders, laity and clergy alike, through systematic mentoring and attentive formation. In the process, the entire pastoral community is strengthened and the quality of pastoral life galvanized and deepened in parishes and dioceses alike.”

An effective pastor creates an atmosphere of welcome and ensures that the Eucharist is the center of the parish community, the archbishop said, and also ensures that homilies are well prepared and represent the teaching of the Church. In addition, a good pastor collaborates with the parish community, creates “a community of missionary disciples who assist him in the ministry of evangelization,” and actively seeks out those who have left the Church, gives a special place at the table to young people and their parents;  promulgates a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness; is aware of the need to reach beyond his parish to the wider community; and is characterized by a spirit of joy and laughter, he said.

The archbishop ended his talk with the admonition to “always keep the eyes of your heart fixed on the Lord Jesus, who is here, ever in our midst, as one who serves.”

In the event’s closing remarks, Bishop Solis extended profound gratitude to those present for their “generosity and support of the Cathedral of the Madeleine,” which “allows us to keep the doors of the cathedral wide open as a house of prayer and a refuge for everyone, including our brothers and sisters helped by the Good Samaritan ministry and other charitable outreach of the mother church of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.” 

He also thanked them for gathering “in a spirit of fellowship, in a spirit of unity and solidarity, in one common mission – a mission of love, a mission of charity.”

Regardless of a person’s politics or theology, “Charity – love – reflects the truth that every human being matters,” the bishop said, adding that “for the poor, the marginalized and the forgotten in our society, you all are the light that shines bright in the brokenness in our world.”

The dinner ended with Bishop Solis leading those present in standing and joining hands to sing “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hands).”