Archbishop Thomas of Las Vegas is keynote speaker for this year’s Bishop’s Dinner

Friday, Aug. 15, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — This year’s Bishop’s Dinner will present the Most Reverend George L. Thomas, first archbishop of Las Vegas, as the guest speaker.

The dinner, in its 21st year, is an annual fundraiser for the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Attendees come not only from the Catholic community throughout Utah but also the wider community.

The fundraiser supports “everything from community events to the maintenance and restoration of the building itself,” according to the invitation to the event.

Archbishop Thomas was appointed Bishop of Las Vegas by Pope Francis on February 28, 2018, and was installed on May 15, 2018. When the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Las Vegas was created in 2023, Pope Francis named Archbishop Thomas as the first archbishop. 

The Province of Las Vegas was created in May of 2023; it includes the dioceses of Salt Lake City and Reno as suffreagan sees, which accept assistance from the metropolitan archbishop as permissible by canon law.  

Archbishop Thomas serves on numerous boards and committees, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on Health Care, the Vatican’s Treasures of History Foundation, Catholic Mutual Group, Catholic Extension Mission Bishops Committee, CLINIC, Relevant Radio, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Peter Claver.

In addition to welcoming Archbishop Thomas, those who attend the Bishop’s Dinner will have the opportunity to meet, if they have not yet, Father Christopher Gray, who was appointed rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine effective Aug. 1.

In keeping with tradition, those who attend the dinner will also view a video produced by cathedral staff. This year’s theme is grace, and the cathedral’s community was involved in the production.

“Our community members have been asked the question, ‘What is your take on grace?’” said Patricia Wesson, the cathedral’s director of development.

Bishop Oscar A. Solis also extended his invitation for all community members to attend the dinner.

“We appreciate the support of all the members of our community truly making it a cathedral for all the people,” he said.

 In a video invitation, Fr. Gray added his encouragement for people to attend, saying that the cathedral “is the mother church of the Catholic community in Utah, and it also stands as a beacon of faith in our city. … I look forward to sharing this evening with you.”

WHAT: Bishop’s Dinner: Benefit for the Cathedral of the Madeleine

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 2. The social hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner.

WHERE: The Grand America Hotel, 555 S. Main St., SLC

COST: $200/individual seat; tables of eight available

For reservations or information, visit thebishopsdinnerslc.org.