November 7, 2011
National Chairman Bob Schweizer from Horseshoe Bay, Tex., (left) Father Ruben Patino, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Chapel in Horseshoe Bay; Tom Gibbons Sr. from New Jersey and Deacon Tom Gibbons Jr., prepare for the beginning of play at the Grand Harbor Golf Course in Vero Beach, Fla.
They played. They prayed. They supported the Paulist Fathers.
The Paulist community was blessed with a third successful Paulist Open Golf Weekend, held Nov. 4-5 in Vero Beach, Fla. About 150 Paulists, Paulist Associates, Paulist collaborators and Paulist supporters took to the links of the Grand Harbor River Course.
The Paulist ability to take the Word of God and connect it to contemporary life is one of the things that made Bill Curtis want to serve as chairman of the Paulist Open in Vero Beach. He even considers several Paulists personal friends.
“Every Paulist I have ever met has been awesome,” he said. “It means the world to me that the Paulist Open was here in Vero Beach. The Paulists have definitely made a difference in my life.”
The Paulist Open included optional time on the links of the Grand Harbor as well as a deep sea fishing expedition on Nov. 4. That evening, participants enjoyed a clam bake on the pool deck of the Costa d’Este Beach Resort. Father Dave Dwyer, CSP, and the crew from the Busted Halo Radio Show (heard weeknights from 7-10 p.m. on Sirius-XM satellite radio channel 129) were on hand to broadcast live from the opening festivities.
The putting greens were busy on the morning of Nov. 5, as Paulist Open players practiced their skills before the 9 a.m. gunshot start. Players took to the links for the scramble-style round of golf, unknowingly writing themselves into Paulist history through their support.
The day concluded with a celebration Mass at Holy Cross Church, one of the three Catholic churches served by the Paulists who live in the community’s senior residence in Vero Beach since 1986.
“We thank you for the warm welcome we have received in Vero Beach for the Paulist Open,” said Paulist President Michael McGarry at the beginning of Mass. “The support we have received has been a blessing to the entire Paulist community, as the funds we raise here go to support Paulist ministries across the country.”
Paulist Vice President Father Sean Foley leads grace during the Third Annual Paulist Open welcome clam bake at the Costa d’Este Beach Resort in Vero Beach, Fla., Nov. 4.