Gala - Oblates of the Virgin Mary

The 2023 Annual Gala was a success!

April 29th, 2023 • Boston’s Seaport Hotel

Each year, we gather for an evening of cocktails, dinner, an auction and fellowship to support OMV Seminarians! The 2023 Gala was a celebration of community and commitment, honoring those who are called to serve and sharing in the mission and history that brought us together.

Grow the Gala’s Seminarian Fund

There’s still time to help provide financial support to our seminarians on their path to ordination. Please consider making a gift in honor of the gala and their lifelong commitment.

DONATE NOW

Watch the full Gala here

Keynote Speaker

We’re excited to welcome Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV, as this year’s keynote speaker. Fr. Mark is the Director of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat and Spirituality Center in the Diocese of Venice, Florida.

He grew up at the New Jersey shore, the youngest of 10 children. After earning a Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Anatomy, he entered the formation program of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained a priest in 2000. He has since served as Associate Pastor at St. Andrew’s Parish in Avenel, NJ, completed his certification in spiritual direction through the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence, and spent nine years as a missionary in the Philippines. He has also served as a member of the faculty at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, MA.

Gala Co-Chairs

Joey and Emilie are thrilled to be co-chairing the Gala in support of the seminarians and the future of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.

Emilie and Joey George live in Quincy, Massachusetts with their two children, Lucy and Dominic. They first met in 2004 at Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine in Boston and for many years were involved in the young adult community there. Their shared love for the Eucharist, fostered by the Oblates, drew them together. When St. Clement launched perpetual adoration in 2009, Emilie was a key organizer and Joey was a regular adorer at night. In 2013, they were married, and Fr John Luong, OMV, presided at their wedding. Emilie now serves on the board of advisors for the Oblates.

Joey leads the software engineering team at nTopology, a startup building next-generation design software for mechanical engineers. Emilie is a Human Resources Senior Manager at Boston Consulting Group. She supports North America staff in addition to leading internal HR operations projects and performance management programs.

The Oblates have accompanied Joey and Emilie on their spiritual journeys and through many life changes. They were instrumental in helping each of them discern their vocations and have been spiritual guides, friends and prayer warriors, especially as they most recently navigated the adoption of their two children. They are thankful for the Oblates’ guidance and friendship over the years.

Sponsorship

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Seminarian Scholarship Fund, providing our young seminarians with the financial support they need on the road to ordination and lives of service. Help us to continue the mission of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary by becoming a corporate sponsor or making a donation to the seminarian fund.

Become a Gala Sponsor

There are a variety of sponsorship levels and recognition for the 2023 Annual Gala, and we welcome you to learn more about making a commitment this year.

Donate to the Seminarian Fund

Support Oblate seminarians preparing for the priesthood. Your contribution covers the costs of education, spiritual formation and housing as they answer God’s call. To share a message or promotion within the program at the event, we invite you to place an Ad or Tribute.

2023 Annual Gala Sponsors

Thank you to all of the Gala sponsors! Your support enables current and future seminarians to pursue a lifetime of service.

St. Ignatius Province of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 04-2596681