Two couples from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will receive the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the National Catholic Educational Association for their support of Catholic education. The awards will be given Oct. 4 during the 20th annual Seton Awards ceremony at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Lee and Penny Anderson of New Brighton have been major benefactors to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, providing funds for scholarships at the School of Law and support for university humanitarian activities in Cuba and for Cuban students.
Frank and Judy Sunberg of Lilydale have supported Cretin-Derham Hall School through the school’s “Promoting the Vision, Preserving the Values” capital campaign and the “Access to Excellence” matching gift initiative. A graduate of Cretin High School, Frank currently serves on the school’s investment committee. The couple also has created a scholarship program at the University of St. Thomas to promote diversity in admissions.
The Elizabeth Ann Seton award is the NCEA’s highest award and honors philanthropy, leadership and service to Catholic education.
Red Mass set for Sept. 26
Stephen Kelly, an attorney with Wick & Rowe, LLC, said he recalls attending the annual Red Mass with his father when he was a child. He plans to continue the tradition by taking his children to the 60th annual Red Mass at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, in St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel at the University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul.
The tradition of the Red Mass, Kelly noted, is rooted in the 13th-century European custom of asking divine assistance for lawyers, judges, civic leaders and academics in their professional endeavors. The Mass and a brunch are sponsored by the Lawyers’ Guild of St. Thomas More. For more information, contact Liz Pojar at (651) 962-6437.
Honoring Archbishop Flynn
The Little Sisters of the Poor will honor Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn with the St. Jeanne Jugan Award Oct. 19 at a gala in St. Paul. The dinner, which begins with cocktails and a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m., will be held at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront Hotel. Tickets are $125 per person. For reservations, call (651) 227-0336 or e-mail dvstpaul@littlesistersofthepoor.org.
All proceeds from the event benefit chapel sanctuary renovations.
New principal
Jennifer Cassidy has joined St. Jude of the Lake School in Mahtomedi as principal. She taught third grade at St. Matthew School in St. Paul for many years and was also assistant principal there. She held various positions at St. Bernard School in St. Paul, including director of the early childhood program, grade school principal and high school principal. She most recently served as president and principal of St. Bernard School, which closed last year.
Monastic profession
Brother Michael-Leonard Hahn of Robbinsdale made his first profession of vows Sept. 14 at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville.
Brother Michael-Leonard attended Sacred Heart parish and school in Robbinsdale and Benilde-St. Margaret’s School in St. Louis Park. After graduating from St. John’s University in 2005, he taught at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J., for three years. Most recently before joining St. John’s Abbey, he taught at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud.
