ALLEGANY, N.Y. — The 12th annual Mountain Auction to benefit Mt. Irenaeus will be held on Nov. 3 in Doyle Hall at St. Bonaventure University.
This year’s auction features more than 200 gifts, the majority offered by silent auction. Attendees can bid on a variety of items, including four involving the friars of Mt. Irenaeus — a hike and lunch with Joseph Kotula, OFM, homemade blueberry jam made by Kevin Kriso, OFM, currant bread baked by Louis McCormick, OFM, and home-brewed beer by John C. Coughlin, OFM.
Other gifts donated by friends and alumni of the Mountain include use of a condo at Little Oak Island near Charleston, S.C., a week’s stay in the White Mountains of Arizona, an archery-hunting package at Mt. Irenaeus, a family membership to the Cuba Lake Yacht Club, electronics, golf passes, autographed items from the Buffalo Sabres, and basketballs signed by members of the men’s and women’s 2011-2012 St. Bonaventure University basketball teams.
The auction aids the Franciscan Mountain Retreat’s endowment and supports its general operating fund. In past years, the auction has raised an average of $25,000 per year. In a Bona Venture article written by Annie Riley, Kevin mentioned how money collected from past auctions replaced the windows in the Mountain’s chapel after water damage ruined the old ones.
Approximately 500 St. Bonaventure students, faculty and staff members travel to the mountain in West Clarksville, N.Y., each semester, according to the article. The mountain also ministers to the local community and alumni.
The auction will be held at 6 p.m. following a 5 p.m. Mass in the university chapel. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until the auction is sold out. Tickets are $50 per person and include cocktails, a buffet, hors d’oeuvres and dessert. To make a reservation, contact staff member Michelle Marcellin at 716-375-2096.
— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province.