Supporters from across the Diocese of Saginaw joined Bishop Robert Gruss at the annual Bishop’s Charity Golf Classic and Banquet to support seminarians on Sept. 14 and 15 at the Swan Valley Golf Course and DoubleTree by Hilton in Bay City.

The golf classic included 160 golfers in two flights, and 245 guests joined the banquet and silent auction. All proceeds from the events support seminarian education and vocations. As the approximate average expenses for the 2022-23 academic year are $53,142 per seminarian, each participant played a valuable role in supporting our future priests.

While our seminarians were unable to join the event, their life-sized cardboard cutouts were present at both events to greet guests.

Highlights of the banquet included a song by Father Stephen Blaxton parodying “I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers sharing the life of a priest in the rural Thumb. “I would drive 500 miles, and I would drive 500 more, just to be the priest who offers Mass for you!” he sang. Father Marc Hopps, Father Nate Harburg and Father Tony Smela of the Diocese of Lansing accompanied him for the song.

Diocesan priests also provided unique hospitality as waiters wearing aprons customized with a Scripture verse or religious quote. While some were serious or spiritual, others were humorous, such as Father Marcel Portelli’s “‘John ate locusts’ (Mark 1:6) so ‘Eat what is before you’” (Luke 10:2). The aprons were auctioned off at the end of the night.

The Diocese’s five seminarians are Deacon Matthew Gembrowski and Jacob Hugo, studying at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois; Daniel Christe, studying at Sacred Heart Seminary in Wisconsin; Joshua High, studying at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and Charles Warner, studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Bishop’s Charity Golf Classic Winners

Morning flight:

Knights of Columbus winners: Father Artman Council #5280:  Al Arends, Larry Stoinski, Dan Smith and Keith McCauley

Mixed Team Winners: Ruger/Siers:  Mary Catherine Siers, Bill Ruger, Matthew Siers and Eric Ruger

Flight Winners: Mail Room Services:  Dick Blazejewski, Lou McKalg, Scott Carmona and John Blehm

Straightest Drive: Scott Carmona

Longest Putt: Mike Hughes

Closest to the Pin (Men): Matthew Siers

Closest to the Pin (Women): Sandi Neering

Longest Drive (Men): Scott Schatzley

Longest Drive (Women): Sandi Neering

Afternoon Flight:

Knights of Columbus: Bay City Council #414:  Steve Pawlak, Scott Pawlak, Rick Bukowski and Jerry Leinberger

Mixed Team Winners: St. Mark Parish:  Colleen Snyder, Sheree Wiltse, Allison Wiltse and Anita Shillair

Flight Winners: Fr. Loren Kalinowski & Team:  Fr. Loren Kalinowski, Greg Starry, Bill Myler Jr. and Todd Olivieri

Straightest Drive: Lynn Stamiris

Longest Putt: Mike Farella

Closest to the Pin (Men): Mike Farella

Longest Drive (Men): Josh Galonska

Longest Drive (Women): Lisa Pijaszek