New Jersey Benefit Banquet
On June 18, 2012, nearly 200 guests attended the 2nd Annual Saint Paul’s Outreach New Jersey Banquet. This year’s banquet, which honored Congressman Mike Ferguson, was held at the Mayfair Farms in West Orange, NJ. Congressman Ferguson, who served New Jersey for two terms, was
identified by the Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Newark as “a fearless defender and advocate for life.” Congressman Ferguson spoke about SPO and its mission with sincerity and a real call to action for the guests in attendance.
Congressman Ferguson was presented with the Second Annual Saint Paul’s Outreach Servant Leadership Award.
This year’s banquet was emceed by James Dill, a close friend of SPO NJ. Three students gave speeches: Brian Byrne, Bridget Sloan, and Joe D’Amato, who each spoke about the lasting impact of SPO on their spiritual and personal lives. Joe D’Amato announced that he will be making a two-year commitment to serve SPO as a full-time Mission Leader at Benedictine College in Kansas.
Seton Hall University Alumnus, Brian Byrne has this to say about SPO:
“What SPO offered me during my following college years was an opportunity to live out my faith with the support of other students with shared values. That sense of community, in knowing that I was not alone in my spiritual journey, was a tremendous pillar of support during a time when societal pressures could have derailed me and prevented me from becoming the person God called me to be. SPO kept me from a living a life of spiritual mediocrity.”
Bridget Sloan, Seton Hall University SPO Student Missionary, shared the following:
“College for me is no longer simply working hard during the week so I can have fun on the weekends; it’s a mission field for me to share what I have received. Looking back I have realized that it was not the college experience that I was searching for my freshman year, it was something so much bigger and greater. SPO brought me to the Lord Jesus and to a new life and for that I am so blessed.”
John Miller, who is one of the newly-appointed board members for SPO, introduced Congressman Ferguson, his close friend and colleague. John Miller is the only east-coast board member serving SPO, and it was truly an honor having him and his wife Nancy present to support the evening.
Archbishop John J. Myers, while he was unable to attend the banquet, wrote a letter which was read aloud and contained the following: “Tonight as we gather in prayer and celebration, we should be even more thankful than ever before that the young men and women of St. Paul’s Outreach are working to bring the Gospel message to their peers at the college level, and helping to foster the formation conscience and moral values based on the words and actions of Jesus, His Apostles, and the Magisterium of the Church.”
Overall, it was a truly remarkable night. We wish to thank our donors and supporters who attended the banquet and believe in the work that our young men and women are doing on college campuses throughout New Jersey. The proceeds from the banquet will continue to support the work of Saint Paul’s Outreach New Jersey. If you would like join us in spreading the Gospel through the efforts of the New Evangelization, please consider supporting the work of SPO NJ by clicking on the link below.
