In September 2022, Hilbert College is excited to celebrate two very notable occasions. We celebrate the 125th Anniversary of our founders, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, and the 65th Anniversary of Hilbert College. As part of this 125th/65th celebration, we are delighted to invite you to join us at the 125th/65th Anniversary Gala which will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. on the Hilbert College campus.
This very special creative black-tie event will serve as the exciting finale of a week-long celebration of festivities and events celebrating the FSSJ and the College. Most importantly, this event will raise essential scholarship funds in support of the Hilbert Student Scholarship fund. Over 90% of our Hilbert students qualify for financial aid and scholarships. These funds are essential in supporting our current and future Hilbert students and their academic success.
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Location: Hilbert College Campus
Pricing: Individual Ticket $150; Table of 8 Ticket: $1,500
Sponsorships: Choose from Top, Promotional, and Program Book Advertisement Packages
Schedule
6 pm | Cocktail Hour
7 pm | Dinner & Program; Musical entertainment provided by the Bobby Millitello Quartet
History
In September 2022, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph celebrate 125 years of service to God’s people. Hilbert College will join the Sisters that founded us to acknowledge and pay tribute to their vast and humbling legacy, which we endeavor to sustain each and every day.
On September 8, 1897, Mother Colette Hilbert adopted the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis as their way of life in God’s service, and the following year Pope Leo XIII granted permission and blessing and Sister Colette became the first Superior General of the newly established congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph. The congregation moved to Corpus Christi Church in Buffalo, NY in summer 1898. Our calling to serve the needs of students began with the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph. Having dedicated themselves to education and charitable works, particularly for Polish immigrants and their children, the Sisters sought to strengthen their vocation as educators.
Therefore in 1957, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph founded Immaculata Teacher Training School within their Motherhouse in Hamburg, NY in dedication to education and charitable works.
In 1969, under the visionary leadership of Sr. Edwina Bogel, FSSJ, the Sisters built an impressive four-building complex beside their Motherhouse, where Immaculata College was renamed Hilbert College as tribute to Mother Colette, the selfless missionary educator to whom the Sisters owed their existence. Sr. Edmunette Paczesny, FSSJ became President of Hilbert College in 1975 and served in that role for 31 years during which time Hilbert began to offer four-year degrees, and widely expanded its athletic programs by joining the NCAA.
For 65 years, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph have served and supported Hilbert College as students, faculty, staff, presidents, trustees, alumni and benefactors. Their ongoing generosity has sustained Hilbert in and through the FSSJ Field Complex, our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, the Assisi Pilgrimage Program, and generous contributions to support the formation and education of students, faculty and staff.
The greatest and most precious gift given to Hilbert College has and will always be the Sisters lives of simplicity, servanthood, and joy, whereby the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph give witness to the beauty of their Franciscan charism and inspire others to live, as Mother Colette Hilbert did, by living according to her motto, “In all things charity”.