At $250 per ticket, the Centennial Celebration doubled as a fundraiser for the formation and education of the up and coming young friars of Christ the King Province.  Currently there are eight young men in various stages of formation with the community.

On a beautiful Friday night, one thousand people turned out, including four archbishops and four bishops, Edmonton’s Mayor Steven Mandel, and thirty friars from around western Canada, Montreal and the United States.  Alberta’s Chief Justice Allen Wachawich, and his son David, were the Masters of Ceremonies. Being the eve of St. Francis’ feast day, the evening began with a scaled down version of the traditional Franciscan Transitus liturgy, which was followed by dinner, speeches, and a live auction. 

While the friars are pleased that the event raised money for their formation program, their sentiments that night highlight other successes.  “The main thing is that people went home happy and that our charism and spirituality were communicated to those present at the Gala”,

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remarked Don MacDonald, ofm, after the event. “Ideally, we are a hospitable people, who hold that creation is good, people are good, and that we approach life with a positive outlook”, said Dave Norman, ofm, “and that’s the message we hope to get across”.  By all accounts, that message got across. 

Folks went home well fed, and in jovial spirits, while friars beamed with gratitude for all the support and encouragement they received from Edmontonians and the western Canadian Church.