A night of faith and fellowship: community supports seminarians at annual Card Party
04/25/2025
The St. Mark Seminary Auxiliary’s annual Card Party once again brought the Erie Catholic community together in a powerful show of support for the future of the church. Held on Thursday, April 24, the event welcomed more than 400 attendees who gathered in fellowship to support the seven seminarians currently studying at St. Mark Seminary—two of whom are from the Diocese of Erie.
Established nearly 80 years ago, the St. Mark Seminary Auxiliary has long supported young men discerning the call to the priesthood through prayer, friendship and fundraising. Led by Auxiliary President Kathy Holland, the annual Card Party has become the highlight of the year. The event is meticulously planned by a dedicated committee chaired by Sue Vandeveld and Katy Gregory, along with several subcommittees who ensure every detail is in place.
This year’s card party offered a welcoming and joyful atmosphere with gift raffles, the always-popular money tree and a gift auction featuring hundreds of donated baskets. A light dinner was served, accompanied by snacks, soft drinks and coffee. The seminarians played an active role throughout the evening—greeting guests at the entrance, selling raffle tickets, serving meals, distributing prizes, assisting with cleanup and even escorting guests to their cars as needed. Most importantly, they spent the evening interacting with attendees, offering a warm sense of hospitality and giving parishioners a meaningful opportunity to get to know them.
Father Scott Jabo, Vocation Director for St. Mark Seminary, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming community support: “Our seminarians are incredibly encouraged when they see this kind of turnout. It affirms that they are not alone on their journey—that the people of the Diocese are walking with them, praying for them and rooting for their success. This support means more than words can express.”
The funds raised from the evening directly benefit both the seminary and the seminarians. Proceeds help meet a variety of needs—from chapel vestments and room furnishings to personal items and seminarian apparel. The Auxiliary also provides gift cards at the start of the school year and at Christmas to help seminarians purchase necessary supplies. This year, part of the funds will help support a special summer pilgrimage to Italy, enriching the seminarians’ spiritual formation and global understanding of the Catholic Church.
More than just a social evening, the Card Party is a vibrant reflection of the community’s investment in vocations and the future of the church. It is an opportunity to meet the men who are preparing to serve, to offer encouragement and to ensure they have what they need to succeed.
If you were unable to attend this year’s event but would like to support the seminarians of the Diocese of Erie, donations can be made online at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZNWV/campaign/C-158SG. Every gift helps nurture the next generation of faithful and compassionate priests. Thank you for walking with them on their journey.
Below you will find a few photos from the event:
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