A Little 'Slice of Heaven'

The beautiful sunny skies on a mid-September day was only one reason Ed Miller, chairman of the 16th annual Slice of Heaven Charity Golf Classic, was elated. The tournament - co-sponsored by the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception based on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass., and the Catholic Youth Center of Pittsfield - on Sept. 17, at the Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield, Mass., was a great success.

Miller said the turnout this year exceeded prior years in players and in funds raised. The partnership with the CYC has also matured and should be even better in the future. Miller added, "The challenge is to bring players back in future years and that gives us reason to be very optimistic."

Slice of Heaven was started by the Marian Fathers 16 years ago as a means to support local charities and provide a venue for Marian suppliers and vendors to enjoy a day of fun with their business partners. In 2008, several changes were made. The Marians asked the CYC to co-sponsor the event and to share the proceeds equally. The outing was moved to a private club to attract golfers who have limited opportunity to play such a course.

In 2008, Slice of Heaven also selected its first honoree, an individual who supports the values of the Marian Fathers and the CYC and has made a significant contribution to the Berkshire community. This year's honoree was Thomas N. Bowler, Sheriff of Berkshire County.

Thomas Hamel, a member of the CYC Board and Slice of Heaven committee, presented a silver bowl to Sheriff Bowler. "He was very pleased to be honored," Miller said. "He promised to support this event next year."

The event raised approximately $36,000, which will be shared by the two charities. This is a 10-percent increase over previous years. The funds will be used to benefit CYC programs and the Marian Fathers' Seminarian Campaign. However, that wasn't the only benefit of the day.

"We had a nice turnout from the Marians," Miller said. "Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC (director of the Association of Marian Helpers), Fr. Mark Baron, MIC (director of Formation), Fr. Matt Lamoureux, MIC (Pastor of a parish in Illinois and member of the Provincial Council), and his father George Lamoureux played in one foursome. The Provincial Council changed its schedule so for the first time a foursome from the Marianapolis Preparatory School, including Fr. Tim Roth, MIC (a member of the Provincial Council) got to play."

The Very Rev. Fr. Kaz Chwalek, MIC, the Marians' Provincial Superior for the United States and Argentina, also played and presented the golf awards to the event's winners.

"The five novices who helped with Slice were extremely valuable to the organizers," Miller said. "The day also provided them a nice break from their normal routine."

The event was energized by a "Hole-in-One" shot by Guy Pannesco, who was playing with the Wendling foursome. Guy will receive a set of Cleveland Irons, the 2nd best prize in the Hole-in-One contest sponsored by Haddad Motors Toyota Dealership of Pittsfield, Mass.

Organizers also recognized Fran Bourdon, executive director of the Marian Helpers Center. Miller praised Bourdon for his outstanding support of all 16 Slice of Heaven outings and presented him a silver bowl saying, "Fran bleeds Marian blue."

Since its inception, Slice of Heaven has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for charities in Berkshire County and the Marian Seminarian Campaign.

The Catholic Youth Center on Melville Street in Pittsfield advances the moral, intellectual, social, and recreational interests of Pittsfield youth. It provides a safe environment and array of activities for children. The Marian Fathers are a world-wide congregation of some 500 priests and brothers serving in 20 countries. There are nearly 30 young men in formation for the priesthood in the United States.

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