It took months of planning to implement Novemberfest 2025, a fundraiser benefiting the student activities fund for Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, The event, which included an Italian dinner, was Nov. 8 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. The nearly 500 attendees enjoyed 120 pounds of meatballs made from scratch, 40 gallons of homemade pasta sauce, 100 pounds of penne pasta, 120 pounds of Italian sausage, 30 pounds of Parmesan cheese, 80 pounds of tossed salad, 500 bread sticks, plus cannoli, donuts and other desserts.
Alex Demko, executive chef at the CPL, said his staff and seminarians worked to prepare the feast. Members of the propaedeutic program cut the sausage into bite-sized pieces and made the meatballs. Mark Callahan, who works at Catholic Charities’ Bishop Cosgrove Center during the week and helps at the CPL on weekends, was stirring sauce and helping with other kitchen duties during the event. Phil Guban, CPL/seminaries’ chief operating officer, also lent a hand in the kitchen.
A steady stream of guests purchased dinner tickets in the CPL lobby then headed to the adjacent Aula where they could buy tickets for the raffle baskets, items from the bake sale – including dozens of pies baked by Father John Paul Kuzma, OFM Cap with help from seminarians – and seminary swag. The next stop was the Founder’s Room. Taking turns serving food were seminary faculty members, including Father Andy Turner, president/rector. Father Joe Koopman, vice rector, Father Mick Joyce, OFM Cap of the Capuchin formation program, and others. Seminarians sold 50/50 raffle tickets.
Seminarians Johannes Benninghoff, Saint Mary, and Stephen Vavro, Borromeo, who have helped with the event in the past, served as co-chairs this year. Traditionally, one student from each seminary serve as co-chairs and the other seminarians assist with the event. (With Phil Guban, COO and Treasurer)
Benninghoff, a II Theology student, said he used his previous 9½ years of experience as an Ohio (Army) National Guard human resource officer (prior to entering the seminary) to create a detailed operational plan for the event, breaking down all categories and duties. “I connected with the team leaders,” he said, to ensure things were moving according to the plan that night.
“I am so grateful for the diocese. They never let us down. We get great support from the Church of Cleveland,” Benninghoff said.
“It’s beautiful to see how many people showed up,” Vavro said, noting at times the crowd was so large there were not enough seats in the Founder’s Room. “But that’s a good problem. We like total surrender. We placed our total trust in the Lord.” Vavro is a fifth year/Discipleship II student.
Father Turner said Novemberfest has been a popular seminary event for more than three decades. “Proceeds benefit the student activity fund, which allows seminarians to enjoy activities and events outside of their regular formation. It funds things like transportation, church tours, cultural events such as orchestra performances, sports events and dinners.”