The theme for the event was "light," and as guests processed in, St. Rose Auditorium was alit in a festive and faith-filled atmosphere.

The crepe paper streamers, a sun with large rays – each containing the name of a priest or pastoral minister — a stage with a park bench, stone angel and outdoor park light, and passages on each table referring to light, decorated the room. Greeting guests with a corsage, boutonniere and halo was Sister Celeste Albers, OP.

"I’d like to begin by recalling the story of Samuel…" said Pam Vainer, director of religious education at St. Rose Parish, and one of the organizers of the event. She said that when the Jewish priest, Eli, was an old man, one night "Samuel was lying in the sanctuary of the temple, and the Lord called Samuel by name. The boy answered, ‘Here I am’ and ran to Eli, because he thought the priest was the one who called.

"Eli told Samuel to go back to bed, because he had not been called. Again Samuel hears his name called and again runs to Eli."

Again Samuel is told to go back to bed, and again he is called.

"…This time Eli realized that the boy was being called by the Lord," Vainer said. "Eli then instructed the youth that the next time he hears his name called, he should respond, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’

"These men and women that we honor here today," she told those gathered, "have responded to that call and said, ‘Yes, Lord.’"

Each event of the evening seemed steeped in symbolism, as even receiving their dinner (the potluck was provided by the Altar Society) was a form of prayer.

The priests lined up for supper first, because "it is from their hands that we receive the precious gift of body and blood," Vainer said.

Then went the Sisters, because "these lovely women have offered us the precious gift of their lives, so that the Catholic Church might flourish and grow."

Following the meal, the lights were dimmed and Pat McCluskey and his son, Patrick, sang and played guitar. Jim Bennett provided a Power Point presentation (a bit like a slide show, only with music and animated graphics) that highlighted the priests and pastoral ministers of the Diocese of Dodge City.

Vainer then urged those gathered who were not priests or pastoral ministers to "make a little more effort this year to be a source of strength and light to our priests and religious. It’s so easy for us to continually take from our clergy and forget to give back. Tonight we honor them and in a small way; we attempt to give back a tiny bit of what they gave us."

The priests and pastoral ministers were then asked to stand and await an escort of a child holding a candle, who led them to the center of the room, where they were serenaded by the more than 100 people in attendance.

Vainer thanked all those involved with the event, including the Altar Society, Dave Vainer, who worked the recorded music, Pat and Patrick McCluskey, Jim Bennet and all others who were involved.