walkways, and landscaping. Following the reception, guests moved to the grand ballroom of the hotel where they were able to spend time meeting other guests and friends of the College in an hors d’oeuvres reception. Emceed by EWTN’s Marcus Grodi, the gala dinner began with a beautifully moving rendition of the National Anthem sung by world-renowned Irish tenor Mark Forrest. During the first course, the attendees were treated to the premiere of Christendom’s latest informational video, created by 2007 alumnus Julian Ahlquist (now viewable on the College’s website).
Irish Tenor Mark Forrest sings the National Anthem.
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Wurster dance the night away.
Former US Ambassador to the Vatican James Nicholson and his wife, Suzanne.
Mr. and Mrs. Cuddeback speak with the Cardinal.
Cardinal Arinze tells the band to play “My Way.”
“It is a joy for me to be associated with whatever has to do with the good of Christendom College,” began Cardinal Arinze. “This is good news in our time! It is refreshing to see a Catholic college where the parents can send their children and not get worried whether they will get serious Catholic education – without discount – just as it is.” He then read the message from the Holy Father, as written by His Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone.
One of Christendom’s founding faculty, Dr. Kristin Burns, with her husband, Mike.
Dr. and Mrs. Damian Fedoryka. Damian was Christendom College’s second president.
Following dinner, Cardinal Arinze, Dr. Navarro-Valls, and College President O’Donnell gave remarks.
EWTN personality Marcus Grodi was the Emcee.
“Your Eminence, the Holy Father has been informed that on 19 April 2008, you and Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls will co-chair a dinner marking the 30th Anniversary of Christendom College in Front Royal, VA. His Holiness asks you to convey his greetings to those present together with the assurance of his prayers for all associated with the educational mission of the college. As a pledge of wisdom, joy, and peace in the Lord, he cordially imparts the requested apostolic blessing.” The evening continued with the guests dancing the night away to the music from the Yesterday Swing Orchestra, while others partook of cordials and cigars.
Bob Hambleton was one of the first 26 students to attend Christendom. He and his wife, Amy (Francis), met at Christendom and are the proud parents of 17 children, 5 of whom have already attended Christendom.
On Sunday morning, Cardinal Arinze celebrated a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at Christendom’s Chapel of Christ the King during which he delivered the homily. “For thirty years Christendom College has
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