MASHPEE — The 20th annual FACE Summer Gala to support Catholic school students in the Fall River Diocese is set for Friday, July 14, at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee.

With a delicious multi-course dinner, entertainment by the BobKat Celtic Trio, an auction and more, an enjoyable evening for all is planned with proceeds going to FACE, or the Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Education.

FACE provides need-based scholarships to children attending Catholic schools on Cape Cod and throughout the Fall River Diocese.

Boston TV personality Billy Costa, host of WGBH-TV’s High School Quiz Show, and NESN’s Dining Playbook, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Summer Gala, which will begin with a 6 p.m. cocktail reception featuring flutist George Machon and harpist “Cy” Cynthia Gordon O’Neill.

This year’s Gala program will include the inaugural presentation of two awards established in memory of two longtime dedicated supporters of FACE and its predecessor, the St. Mary’s Education Fund. To recognize the “commendable years of service” offered by each, this year the first annual Sheila Dunne Feitelberg Award and first annual Al Makkay, Sr., Award will be presented to their respective spouses, Joseph H. Feitelberg of Westport and Maureen Makkay of Centerville, and their families.

Going forward, on an annual basis, the Sheila Dunne Feitelberg Award will be presented to honor a volunteer or philanthropist from Cape Cod who has contributed in an extraordinary way to Catholic education. The Al Makkay, Sr., Award will be presented each year to recognize meritorious service of an educator or student from a Catholic school on Cape Cod.

Marstons Mills resident and longtime Summer Gala planning committee member Kelley J. Spodris is serving as chairperson for this year’s event.

In his letter of invitation, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., writes that the FACE Summer Gala is an opportunity for friends “to come together and demonstrate their love and support for Catholic education.”

He points out that through the generosity of supporters of FACE, the Fall River Diocese “has been able to provide scholarships to many children who would otherwise not be able to attend a Catholic school,” adding that, “the need continues to grow.”

For ticket information or to find out about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jane Robin of the FACE Cape Cod office at 508-759-3566 or by e-mail: janer@dioc-fr.org.

Diocese of Fall River
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