The Annual San Lorenzo Seminary Gala
"Running for Vocations"
A Celebration Supporting Capuchin Vocations

The Annual Gala (No-Show again this year) will Commence this September and Fundraising will Continue through the end of the year
Fundraising Goal -- $50,000

Running for Vocations
Running for Vocations
​Want to join us in making a difference? The San Lorenzo Foundation is raising funds for the San Lorenzo Seminary and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.

We are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the renewal of San Lorenzo Seminary as a Novitiate. Our fundraising theme this year is Project Anniversary Upgrade. In addition, as part of this fundraiser, Fr. John Celichowski, OFM Cap, Director will be participating in the Santa Barbara Half Marathon on October 23rd. Fr. John is a runner and offered to help us raise funds for our Gala this year. He is "Running for Vocations" - a subtheme of this year's fundraiser.

More information about San Lorenzo Foundation: The San Lorenzo Foundation is the fund-raising entity for the San Lorenzo Seminary. The Seminary is located in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. It is an international novitiate for the Capuchin Franciscan Order. See our Mission and Vision statements on the Home page.

The San Lorenzo Foundation , a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation, founded in 1984, specifically helps with the needs of the San Lorenzo Seminary.

In 1960, the Hourihan family generously donated the 28 acres of land on which the Seminary was built. The family home still sits on the hill overlooking the Seminary and is now used for visitors to the Seminary. You can read about the history of the Seminary by clicking on this link - San Lorenzo Seminary About Us.

Through the years, the Foundation has held various fundraising events -- Day in the Country, St. Patrick's Day Dinner, etc. -- and, for well over 30 years, the Foundation has held an annual fundraiser to support the Seminary and its needs.

Why do we do this, you may ask. It is and always will be, to support, materially, the ongoing needs of the Seminary in their formation of new men for the Capuchin Franciscan order throughout the United States and other countries. Reactivation of the novitiate occurred in 2011. It is international in scope. The North American Pacific Capuchin Conference (NAPCC) was formed and San Lorenzo Seminary was selected as the novitiate for all Capuchin novices in English and French-speaking North America, Guam, and Australia.

Last year, the Foundation held the Gala virtually for the first time. Because of the continuing impact of Covid-19 and unknowns about what we can do, the Foundation decided to hold another virtual Gala this year.

For the year of 2021-2022, we are supporting 10 men who will be discerning their vocation. See the picture, at the right, of the new novices for this year and the provinces from which they come.
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During this year of discernment, the novices perform various outreach ministries throughout the Santa Barbara region. From Catholic Charities in Lompoc to Atterdag Village of Solvang and the Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria plus many other places, the novices bring their peace and love to all  those that they meet. This is all part of their discernment year -- to be of service to our fellow human beings with the gifts that God has given them.

Last year, in over the last 30+ years and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation held a virtual Gala. The history of the Foundation's annual event started with a Luau around the pool in 1990. In 2003, the event became a themed Gala in which various countries, towns, etc. were picked as the theme that year. In 2017, the Foundation began its New Novices Gala where we honor the new novices who will reside at San Lorenzo for one year in discernment of their vocation. The year 2021 continues to be an issue with the continuation of the Delta variant of COVID-19. Early in the year, when we had to decide if we were going to do a physical Gala, it was decided to do another virtual gala. We hope to be able to have, in some form, a physical gala in 2022. 

The pictures below show some of the areas on the Seminary grounds. They depict some of the projects that the Foundation has been able to fund over the years.  Thank you for all your help in getting these projects done. Last year we were able to provide funding for a standby generator. Earlier in 2021, it was installed and is now functioning. It will provide backup power if we lose power from PG&E. The solar panel system, completed in 2020, provides for electricity for the Seminary needs thus reducing the costs from the power company. If there is a power failure, the solar panels are automatically disabled. That's the reason for the standby generator. The vineyard was planted in 2014 with financial support from the Foundation. The large building was completed several years ago and it now houses storage for both the Seminary and Foundation. In addition, it has an exercise room for the novices to use. The building with the tractor was funded from the 2016 Gala.

We ask that you consider giving a donation toward our goal of $50,000 for the needs of the Seminary. This year, as part of Project Anniversary Upgrade, we have identified several items that are in need of replacement/repair. The existing AC units for the classroom and meeting room in Marian Hall are no longer supported and need replacement as parts cannot be found, addition of stand-alone fans in each of the novice rooms, the replacement of window coverings, etc.

To donate, simply go to our Donation page or click here to go there. You can select the donate button and donate whatever amount you would like or select a preset amount noted. You may also become a Sponsor and you will be recognized on our website on the Sponsor page. Click here to go to the Sponsor page to make your donation. Your donation will go a long way in supporting the San Lorenzo Seminary and Novices; and it is tax deductible to the extent that the law provides. The San Lorenzo Foundation's Tax ID number is 77-0080695.

Pax et Bonum
    Jim Patin, Treasurer
​    San Lorenzo Foundation
If you have any questions, please click here to go to the Contact page.
The 2020 Novice Class
​They have finished their Novitiate as of this July and have gone back to their respective Provinces.
The Incoming 2021 Novitiate Class
​They have arrived at the Seminary and are starting their ministries. Please plan on attending Mass some Sunday to meet these new men who have decided on this year's journey to discern their vocation. Again, an international group who will continue to Make the World a Better Place.


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Map to San Lorenzo Seminary
Map to San Lorenzo Seminary. Click on the map for a Google Map
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Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon
Fr. John "Running for Vocations"
In support of this year's No Show Gala
Here are the pictures that Jim Patin took of Fr. John's participation in the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon race held in the Santa Ynez Valley on 10/23/2021. See the race course below.
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Fr. John stated that he had two goals -- One was to finish the race and he did! The other was to finish under 3 hours. He finished with a time of 2 hours 19 minutes! He met both goals.
Congratulations Fr. John!!
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