The Pontifical College Josephinum’s 2025 Good Shepherd Dinner on April 28 was a remarkable event of support for its mission and its seminarians. This year’s signature fundraising event brought together more than 250 friends and supporters and many honored guests, including numerous bishops, religious, and lay members of the Josephinum’s Board of Trustees.

The Josephinum was privileged to present its annual Good Shepherd Award – the highest honor it bestows – to Bishop Steven Raica.

First conferred in 2009, the annual Good Shepherd Award is presented to a member of the clergy who exemplifies in his life and ministry the qualities of a good shepherd, especially in the promotion of vocations and in support of the Josephinum and its seminarians. The conception of this award considers how Jesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd, exhorted the Apostles to lay down their lives for the sake of love (cf. Jn 15:12f). 

At the event, Father Kevin Bazzel, Birmingham’s Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and member of the Josephinum’s Board of Trustees, offered words of testimonial to Bishop Raica. 

“Bishop Raica has been such a tremendous supporter of the Pontifical College Josephinum,” he said. “Having served on the Board for many years, currently as Vice Chair, he has also entrusted to the staff here seminarians from the Dioceses of Gaylord and Birmingham, so that they might be formed to be good men, good Catholics, and holy priests, conformed to the Good Shepherd.” 

Father Bazzel centered much of his testimonial around Bishop Raica’s episcopal motto, Lift up your hearts. “No shepherd can ask a flock to lift up their hearts without first comprehending the sacrifice of the Lamb and allowing that sacrifice to transform his heart,” he said. “Therefore, it is fitting that the Josephinum presents this award to one who has sought, as a faithful member of the flock, to offer his heart to the Lord and, as a shepherd, to convincingly exhort others to do the same – Bishop Steven Raica.” 

In graciously accepting the award, Bishop Raica expressed gratitude to his family and the many people who have accompanied, supported, and prayed for him throughout his life of ministry. “Most importantly, I give all glory and thanks to God, our true Shepherd, Who equips the called, gives strength to the weary, and reminds us daily that whatever we do for ‘the least of these’ we do for Him,” he said. “I accept this award as a reminder that it is the Lord’s work we do. May God continue to bless you all and the extraordinary mission of the Josephinum.”

The Good Shepherd Dinner is the culmination of months of planning and preparation by seminary staff and many dedicated volunteers. Seminarians take part in the event in many roles, from greeting guests and assisting servers, to leading prayers and offering toasts. A talented group of seminarians performed beautiful vocal pieces throughout the evening. 

Seminarian Deacon Max Gallegos of Birmingham (who will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Raica later this month) offered a reflection on his time at the Josephinum. “I have met some of the best people of my life at the Josephinum,” he said. “I have experienced men fighting for their vocation through fasting and prayer, men who inspire me in ways they don’t even know. I have experienced bishops who protect and nourish their flocks and are filled with hope for the Church’s future. I have experienced priests who are willing to give themselves entirely out of love for me and the Church. All of these experiences have formed me in preparation to receive the greatest gift a man can receive: the priesthood.”

The success of the Good Shepherd Dinner is made possible by the many dioceses, parishes, organizations, and individuals who sponsor the event, as well as by the great generosity of those who attend. Proceeds support the seminary’s mission to form holy, generous, adaptable, and resilient priests for the 21st century.

“We gather here tonight in a spirit of joy and in celebration of this great pontifical, national, and independent seminary,” said Father Steven Beseau, rector and president. “The Josephinum’s mission would not be possible without the success of this event. Thank you for your support of our seminarians. Not only are they men of deep faith; they are men of character, conviction, and courage. It is an honor for all of us in this House of Saint Joseph to witness their daily ‘yes’ to discerning a call to the holy priesthood.”