View the post event website page for information, photos, and videos from our 31st annual Celebration of Mundelein.

2024 Celebration of Mundelein

Thursday, April 18, 2024

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Join us at the Union League Club of Chicago for an evening of honor, community, and support at our annual Celebration of Mundelein. This year, hosted by Very Reverend John Kartje and Cardinal Blase Cupich, we are thrilled to recognize two outstanding individuals whose dedication and contributions have profoundly impacted the community: Reverend Dennis Holtschneider, past president of DePaul University and Dr. Joe Paprocki, National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press. Their unwavering commitment to faith, education, and service embodies the spirit of Mundelein Seminary.

Mr. Stefan Holt, co-anchor of NBC 5 New Chicago, will emcee the evening.

Award-winning journalist Stefan Holt returns to his hometown to anchor the NBC 5 News every weeknight at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

He anchors with Marion Brooks, and Allison Rosati.

Holt rejoins the NBC 5 news team after spending more than four years working for WNBC-TV in New York. Prior to that, he was in Chicago for nearly five years, where he anchored the NBC 5 News Today with Zoraida Sambolin.

Holt was born in Chicago and spent his childhood growing up in Lincoln Park.

Stefan is the recipient of several Chicago and New York Emmy Awards, and was recognized with a national Edward R. Murrow Award as part of team coverage during the deadly 2019 police standoff in Jersey City, New Jersey.

He was one of the first U.S. journalists to report live from Havana following the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro. He also co-anchored news coverage from the 2017 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Stefan’s career in local news began in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he served as a weekend anchor and reporter for WPBF-TV.

An avid aviation enthusiast, he is an instrument-rated pilot and frequently reports on the airline industry and transportation safety.

Stefan graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast telecommunications and a B.A. in political science from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

That is where he met his wife, Morgan, while both were attending the university.

The couple is thrilled to be back in Chicagoland with their two sons.

This event serves as a cornerstone in supporting the future of our seminary and nurturing the next generation of parish priests. Your support directly impacts the training and formation of our seminarians, empowering them to carry forth the light of faith and service.

Join us at our annual Celebration of Mundelein and enjoy an evening filled with entertainment by our seminarian musicians, excellent food and an opportunity to join the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic community in supporting our men who are following Christ’s call to the holy priesthood.

See photos from last year’s Celebration

Registration

Register, sponsor or donate

Sponsorship Opportunities

We hope you will be able to join us and invite your parish priest to attend with you as well. It will be a wonderful evening to reflect with gratitude on the history of Mundelein Seminary and to look forward with hope to the continued formation of parish priests who serve as a holy bridge between Christ and His people.

Includes:

  • Underwriting patron for the full cost of the dinner
  • Four premier tables of 10 at the event*
  • Private dinner with Fr. John Kartje for up to 10 guests at USML
  • Special recognition during program at the event dinner
  • Full-page color ad in printed program
  • Special recognition within printed program
  • Special signage and recognition adjacent to the program stage

*Table includes 10 people per table seated with a seminarian

Includes:

  • Three premier tables of 10 at the event*
  • Private dinner with Fr. John Kartje for up to 10 guests at USML
  • Full-page color ad in printed program
  • Sponsorship recognition within printed program
  • Special signage and recognition adjacent to the program stage

*Table includes 10 people per table seated with a seminarian

Includes:

  • Two premium tables of 10 at the event*
  • Full-page color ad in the program
  • Signage at the event
  • Recognition in the printed program

*Table includes 10 people seated with a seminarian

Includes:

  • One preferred table of 10 at the event*
  •  ½ page color ad in the program
  • Recognition in the printed program

*Table includes 10 people seated with a seminarian

Includes:

  • One preferred table of 10 at the event*
  •  ¼ page color ad in the program
  • Recognition in the printed program

*Table includes 10 people seated with a seminarian

Includes:

  • Full page color ad in program
  • Recognition at cocktail hour
  • Recognition in program

Includes:

  • One table of 10 at the event*
  • Recognition in the printed program

*Table includes 10 people seated with a seminarian

Includes:

  • One table of 10 at the event*
  • Recognition in the printed program
  • Table must be sponsored through your parish ONLY.

*Table includes 10 people seated with a seminarian

Includes:

  • Two tickets to event dinner
  • Recognition in the printed program

As Those Who Serve Award

About Fr. Holtschneider

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M. is president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU).  He served as president of DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the United States, from 2004-2017.  Before that, he served as executive vice president of his alma mater, Niagara University; Clinical Associate Professor of Higher Education at SUNY Buffalo; and Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Higher Education Policy at St. John’s University, NY.

Fr. Holtschneider holds degrees in mathematics and theology, as well as a doctorate in higher education policy from Harvard University where he presently lectures on university strategy and governance.  He latest study of the future of Catholic university governance was published by the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) in Summer of 2023.

He has served as board chair and then chief operations officer of Ascension, the nation’s largest non-profit health system.  He presently chairs the Secretariat of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) as well as the boards of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California and The National Pastoral Migratoria which provides services to recently arrived immigrants in various U.S. cities.  He is also co-founder and board chair of The Institute for Global Homelessness, addressing worldwide street homelessness in partnership with the United Nations.

Christo Gloria Award

About Joe Paprocki, D.Min.

Joe Paprocki, DMin, the National Consultant for Faith Formation for Loyola Press, has been in pastoral ministry for over 40 years, has authored over 20 books (including his most recent, 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith), and presented in over 150 dioceses in North America. Joe received his Masters Degree from the Institute of Pastoral Studies (Loyola University of Chicago) and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein Seminary). Joe blogs about his catechetical experiences and insights at www.catechistsjourney.com. He and his wife of 41 years, Joanne, live in Evergreen Park, IL. They have two grown children and 4 grandchildren.  

For more information or to become a sponsor contact Jillian Frick or click HERE to register, sponsor or donate.

  • Valet parking is available at 312 South Federal
    • 0-3 Hours: $39
    • 3-10 Hours: $45
    • 10-24 Hours: 59
  • Self-park is available at 318 South Federal
    • 0-3 Hours: $29
    • 3-10 Hours: $34
    • 10-24 Hours: $39
  • Guests can get their parking ticket validated at the front desk on the first floor