On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the board of trustees of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora will honor Bishop Edward M. Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo and the Vincent and Harriet Palisano Foundation at the Curé of Ars Awards Dinner. The annual dinner will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Buffalo at 5:30 p.m.
Bishop Grosz, who celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood earlier this year, is being honored for his dedicated service with a genuine priestly heart to God and His people.
Over the years, he has served as parish priest, department head and diocesan leader. In October 1988, the bishop was appointed chaplain to his holiness and given the title "monsignor." Less than two years later, in February 1990, Pope John Paul II named him auxiliary bishop of Buffalo. Bishop Grosz currently serves as vicar general for the diocese, is a member of the College of Consultors, a member of the Finance Council and vice chairman of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, NY.
The Palisano family and their foundation are being honored for their generosity to the seminary as well as the Diocese of Buffalo. Their donations have provided tuition assistance for seminarians, supported various parishes, Catholic schools and colleges, and the restoration of St. Joseph Cathedral and the Catholic Center, both in downtown Buffalo.
Established in 1962 by Vincent Palisano, the Vincent and Harriet Palisano Foundation initially was 
aimed at providing assistance to college students. Following the death of Vincent and his wife Harriet in 1972 and 1984 respectively, the foundation evolved into offering scholarships to secondary school students as well as funding research and supporting projects throughout Western New York.
The Curé of Ars Awards was established by the seminary’s board of trustees in 1985 to honor individuals and organizations whose lives reflect the qualities of Christian dedication and services that marked the life of St. John Vianney, the parish priest of Ars, France, and patron saint of priests.
For more information about the dinner or for tickets, contact Susan Burns, coordinator of special events, at (716) 847-8373.
Maid of the Mist is the event sponsor for this year’s dinner.