The seminarian fundraising dinners in the Salina Diocese have become so popular that yet another location was added this
year. Now, the dinners will be held at four locations, rotating between two sites each year.
This year a dinner was held in Manhattan for the first time, along with one in Hays. Next year’s sites will be Salina and Colby, then back to Hays and Manhattan in 2027.
“These dinners are such a great way to give people a chance to come together to show their support for the seminarians and to meet the seminarians and learn more about them,” said Corrina Hudsonpillar, donor relations and communications manager for the diocese’s Catholic Foundation.
In addition to financial assistance, seminarians also need strong prayerful support. “We are so happy this is in Manhattan this year,” Manhattan resident Mary Todd said. “Our seminarians need our prayers more than anything in the world.” Fr. Gale Hammerschmidt served as master of ceremonies, leading a lively and faith-filled program, with vocation directors Fr. Andy Hammeke and Fr. Brian McCaffrey also speaking. All the seminarians were introduced—either in person or by video—and
each shared a little about themselves.
Attendees enjoyed a special treat: hearing about the trip to Italy taken by three newly ordained priests. Fr. Kade Megaffin and Fr. Adam Urban told how they, along with Fr. Jesse Ochs, attended the General Audience in Rome and even blessed Pope Leo XIV.
Seminarians sat among the guests—often strangers at first, but friends by the end of the night. In Hays, Gabriel Friess shared how he graduated from Benedictine College and entered formation, and that his older brother, Deacon Luke Friess, will be ordained a priest in June 2026.
Gabriel also shared that he likes being called Gabriel in honor of Archangel Gabriel. “My life as a seminarian is just beautiful,” he said. Fr. Gale spoke of the Year of Hope, telling attendees, “Something special is happening here in the United States, and the center of this fire is the Salina Diocese. Why the Salina Diocese? But then again, why Bethlehem? Why not Salina?”
Eight seminarians were present at both dinners, with a combined attendance of over 350 people. The eight who couldn’t attend shared video clips, including four new seminarians from Vietnam: Trung Nguyen, Dung Dau, Tien Nguyen and Phong Tran. After a year learning English at Cloud County Community College, they will begin seminary formation this year and will remain in the diocese after ordination.
Also joining this year are Adam Bates (Beloit), Kale Kuhlman (Stockton), and Ed Schmeidler (WaKeeney). Three current seminarians hail from St. Frances Cabrini in Hoxie: Deacon Luke Friess, Gabriel Friess and Ethan Weiner. Collin Thielen (Park) and Max Megaffin (Hays) left for Rome this summer to study at the Pontifical North American College.
Others in formation include Kyle Pfeifer, Joseph Schones, Holden Giefer, and Gus Hanson. The seminarians are studying at
several seminaries, including those in Denver, St. Louis, Wichita, and Franklin, Wisc.
Some attendees also were honored at both locations for celebrating special personal occasions. Marcella Steinhauser
from Abilene attended the Manhattan dinner on the eve of her 101st birthday, and Hays residents Gene and Theresa Flax celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on July 31 at the Hays dinner.
An amount of $120,000 has been donated as a challenge to the rest of the Diocese of Salina. Any donation to the seminarian
education fund will be matched dollar for dollar while funds remain. Anyone wishing to donate to the education fund can visit bit.ly/semsofsalina.