St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, will hold its 49th annual Spring Gala June 2 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Princeton Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The gala is the primary fundraiser for the SFMC Foundation, which supports the hospital financially. The SFMC Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 entity that is governed by a board of trustees comprised of local community leaders, business leaders and religious leaders who value St. Francis Medical Center’s commitment to being a transforming, healing presence in the community.  The Foundation was established in 1992 and actively supports SFMC with fundraising opportunities and events. 

Last year’s gala had nearly 400 people in attendance and raised over $150,000. SFMC is expecting a similar outcome for this year’s event.  Using the theme, “An Elegant Evening,” this year’s attendees can look forward to a silent auction, dinner and dancing. 

Congressman Chris Smith (R-4) is the honorary chairman for the gala, and Msgr. Walter E. Nolan, the recently retired pastor of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, and widely known moderator of The Catholic Corner– which is produced by the diocesan Department of Radio and Television– will be honored with the prestigious Spirit of St. Francis Award.

“We are very appreciative to the supporters of St. Francis Medical Center who donate to our mission and assist in keeping our community healthy,” said Jerry Jablonowski, president and CEO of St. Francis Medical Center. 

“This celebration is a great way to have a wonderful night out and support the medical center simultaneously. We are looking forward to an elegant evening.”

Tickets to the gala are available online at www.stfrancismedical.org or by calling 609-599-5659.

Msgr. Nolan was born in Jersey City in 1933. Prior to becoming a priest, he attended the College of Pharmacy at Fordham University, New York, and spent 10 years working as a pharmacist.

In 1965, he enrolled in Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Mass., and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop George W. Ahr on May 31, 1969, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. He was then assigned to St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, as parochial vicar. The following year, he was named moderator of the Mercer County Catholic Youth Athletic Center and Mercer County vocational director.

Msgr. Nolan joined the faculty of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, in 1971. He was also appointed pro-synodal judge of the diocesan tribunal in 1980.

On June 12, 1981, Msgr. Nolan was named associate pastor of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, and became chaplain of Rider University (College at the time), Lawrenceville, and Mercer County Community College, Trenton.

In 1984, Msgr. Nolan was appointed to a three-year term as assistant director of priest personnel. He then went on to serve two three-year terms as director of priest personnel. He also served as coordinator of campus ministers for the diocese, chairman of the continuing education committee and a member of the Engaged Encounter Team.

Other diocesan positions Msgr. Nolan held were serving as a judge in the tribunal; a board member of the seminarian recruitment for vocations; chairman of the continuing education committee; a member of the diocesan College of Consultors and dean of the Northern Mercer Deanery.

On Sept. 14, 1993, he received the title of Monsignor and was named pastor of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, on June 13, 1997. As pastor, he oversaw the completion of an addition to St. Paul School and encouraged this development of new ministries to increase the parish’s outreach efforts.

Msgr. Nolan retired as pastor of St. Paul in 2011, and still continues to serve as host of The Catholic Corner.