Threshold Winter 2009

Furthering the Mission: A Night of Dreams
by Bridget Dickason, OSB

On November 22, the KIC Expo Center felt the jo of the feast of Christ the King, as over five hundred finely dressed family, friends, and benefactors of the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica celebrated their thirteenth annual Night of Dreams. This annual fund-raising dinner and auction assists the sisters with their financial needs and ministries.

Good weather, a surprise victory of the Chiefs, and an improving economy helped boost the festive mood of the evening. As sisters mixed and mingled with the guests, everyone moved from table to table of silent auction items to bid on their favorite treasures. Tables were grouped by similar items; bountiful baskets of books, breads, and wines greeted the attendees as they arrived at the Night of Dreams. Other tables held home decorations, sports items, gift certificates, or tickets to games or entertainment events. All the tables led to the coveted corner of the sister’s hand-crafted-items: baby quilts, art works, full size quilts, knitted christening outfits and puppets, afghans and the ever popular tea towels.

While mingling and bidding, the guests were informed about the sisters and their ministries. Two jumbo screens featured pictures of the sisters at the monastery and at their work outside the monastery. Before the dinner, Sister Anne Shepard, prioress, introduced a showing of the PBS segment on “Religion and Ethics Newsweekly” that had recently been aired across the nation. It showed vignettes of the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica and spoke of the value of monastic life. DVD copies of the segment, along with six other shorter pieces about the community, also done by PBS reporter Judy Valente, were given to the guests as they left the Night of Dreams.

The evening included not only complimentary drinks, but a meal fit for a king: steak and salmon, oven roasted potatoes, crisp asparagus, preceded by a salad and dinner roll and accompanied by tea, water or wine. Several regular patrons commented that “It was the best meal ever.” They were amazed at how so many people could be served such a fine meal.

After the dinner and final bidding on the silent auction items, the oral auction began. Dreams came true with the purchase of vacation trips, memory building sporting events, and special items, including the customary offering of a quilt handmade by the sisters.

The evening culminated in the raffle drawing with the choice of a car or $15,000 cash as the grand prize of the evening. The lucky winner, Patty Tackett was not in attendance. However, she was thrilled by the phone call she received Monday morning from Sister Mary Agnes about her winning ticket. Patty is from Los Osos, California, and chose the 2010 Prius for her prize.

Deepest thanks go to the many hands that make such an event a success. Sisters, development advisory board members, and oblates put in hours of preparation for the Night of Dreams. Every year it is a social event that many look forward to – visiting with the sisters and the sisters with them. As the Rule of St. Benedict says. “Greet all guests as Christ.” Christ the King was well served in the greeting, sharing, and night of dreams come true!

Carol Shomin checks out the baskets.


Peg and David Ekerdt check out the program.

See lots more photos.