By Deacon Sal Lema
It was the hottest day ever recorded in a September in Arizona, but as they say, “the show must go on”…and it did!
On Saturday, September 28, over fifty volunteers came together to put on the Second Annual Seton Classic Trifecta, an event that brings the community together to enjoy the sights of classic cars, a craft fair and fantastic food.
We started with Mass. Fr. Gregory; our vicariate dean was our principal celebrate at our 7AM morning Mass. The choir, musicians, and all who participated did an outstanding job. They fought the early times and the outside heat and did it all so that our parishioners could receive the Eucharist and pray for the success of the event.
During the weekend prior to the Trifecta all of us were enjoying mild temperatures and looking forward to a momentous event to come. But the forecasters were signaling a different scenario for the next weekend. It was going to be a record, the hottest day ever recorded in September. With a week left to prepare, changes were made for the outside area, to provide for the classic car part of the event. The car show hours were reduced by two hours, and volunteers would pull wagons full of ice-cold water to distribute to the car owners. As a result, fifty-four cars attended. The Best of Show, Chevy Nova, will be featured on next year’s dash plaque and flyers.
Inside the cool air-conditioned parish hall, the place was bustling with people everywhere. There were over thirty tables of crafters filling our library, Deacon Tone Room, and half of the hall. They had many different handmade items for purchase.
The third leg of our Trifecta was the food. This year the event was blessed to receive volunteer Chef’s from The American Culinary Federation Chef’s Association. Five chef’s made ordinary pancakes into luscious blueberry pancakes; they made a common cheeseburger to rival burgers from Five Guys or Red Robin. These professionals turned our common kitchen into a gourmet restaurant. The chefs who normally volunteer once a month for SVdP volunteered for our parish Trifecta event. And as a result, there were appreciative smiles everywhere filling the tables and enjoying the tasty food.
The event featured several ways for visitors to take a chance on items that were on display in colorfully wrapped baskets. Twenty baskets with items from various shops and restaurants such as Chick fi A, Hand & Stone Massage; even a workout trainer had a basket for the healthy and our own deacon offered to wash and wax a car. New this year, was also a silent auction, with gifts such as a $500 gift card to Discount Tire, and tickets to a Cardinals football game.
Despite the warm weather this year’s Trifecta was a remarkable success. Plans are in the works for next year, with the Trifecta moved to October 18, 2025, where the weather will be more comfortable.
We thank, Fr. Williams our parochial administrator, Fr. Gregory our dean, Sylvia Cabrel, my wife Beth, St. Vincent DePaul, The Knights of Columbus, all the social groups, the parish staff, and over fifty volunteers that prepared for and worked at the event, giving their time, talent, and treasure. The proceeds of the event will be divided equally between the SVdP Chapter and the Knights of Columbus.
See you next year!
