Click here to view a gallery of photos from the 2025 Gala, including portraits!
2025 Fundraising Gala Recap
Parishioners and guests launched themselves back in time as we celebrated our annual parish gala at the historic Centro Asturiano in Ybor City. The theme of the evening surrounded our church’s 120th Anniversary, with members of our Historical Society in period dress greeting attendees as they arrived.
Nearly 250 joined the friars, deacon, and staff for this important fundraiser, with proceeds targeted for the continuation of preservation work begun in 2024, specifically on the church dome. Guests were entertained by live music throughout the night, including a surprise appearance by choir member and cantor, Alexis Setteducato! More than 70 lots were on display as part of the silent auction, featuring staycations, art, date night packages, sports memorabilia, and more. Our live auction, led by choir member and reader Mark Louie, saw bidders compete for a dinner with the friars, or a night at the Straz Center with Fr. Steve!
The friars, deacon, and staff of Sacred Heart thank all who attended, volunteered, or donated as part of this year’s gala. Fundraising information related to the gala will be published in the coming days.
The Aim for Our 2025 Fundraising Gala
As we reflect on that anniversary, the parish staff, clergy, and various volunteer committees have been hard at work to ensure our stewardship of this ecclesiastical jewel of our community is fruitful for another 120 years and beyond. In 2024, Sacred Heart began a multi-phase preservation project to address numerous areas of concern around the church building, which given the harsh heat and heavy thunderstorms of our region, require delicate and deliberate maintenance.
Initial phases of our preservation efforts are at or near completion, including the repointing each individual marble slab of the front façade, the reinforcement of the central rose window, the restoration of the steeple cross and statue of the Sacred Heart, and the preservation of our main doorways. All of these are elements are original to the church’s 1905 opening.
Next on the list of our preservation efforts are repairs to the masonry and the cleaning of our church dome, situated at the heart of the transept of the building. Rainwater intrusions have resulted from the degradation of the mortar and seals around the dome’s façade, and threaten to erode structural elements along the centerpiece of the church. In order to move forward with these preservation efforts, additional funds need to be raised.
While the gala is certainly a time for our parishioners to gather in celebration, we know that this year’s event will have a lasting impact long after the band has struck it’s last chord, or the gavel falls to close our auctions. The friars, deacon, and staff of Sacred Heart hope you have the opportunity to join us this fall, as we continue this important work. Be sure to check back soon for tickets and additional details on auctions and the schedule of events.
The Details
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- The theme celebrates our 120th Anniversary, with proceeds from auctions, advertising, and ticket sales being directed to the next phases of our parish preservation projects, which includes the dome at the center of the transept of the church.
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- After several years celebrating our parish on the waters of Tampa Bay on the Yacht StarShip, our venue for this special anniversary gala will be another historic Tampa venue, the Centro Asturiano. Thanks to our friends of the StarShip for their help on the high seas. You can learn more about the Centro and its history here.
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- Dinner, dancing, and our live and silent auctions will be highlighted with live music from the Butch Ryan Band, a wine pull, and a bourbon & cigar lounge.
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- While you won’t need to arrive in period appropriate dress like our Historical Society docents at their annual Christmas tour of our church, the Gala will be black tie optional.
Sponsor Information
The parish Event Planning Committee is already meeting for this year’s gala and would be happy to add you as a volunteer in advance of the event, assisting with sponsorships, acquiring auction items, or preparing elements of the event.
Sponsorships are currently available, with options available to fit any business’s budget. Be sure to visit or share our sponsorship page with the decision makers at your business.
Sponsor an element at the gala! | Our goal is to operate the event as close to net-zero as possible, to ensure all revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, auctions, and donations directly aid the needed preservation of our church dome. Consider sponsoring an event element for to feature your business.
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- Trip Raffle Sponsor | $5,000
- Bourbon & Cigar Lounge Sponsor | $2,500
- Print Material Sponsor | $1,200
- Signature Drink Sponsor | $1,000
- Décor Sponsor | $1,200
- Gifts and Favors Sponsor | $1,000
