BRAINTREE -- On Sept. 22, the Archdiocese of Boston will host the Celebration of the Priesthood, its third annual dinner in recognition of priests, at the Seaport World Trade Center.

The proceeds of the event will directly benefit the Clergy Funds, which supports the health, financial and retirement benefits of the nearly 700 active and senior priests in the archdiocese.

CatholicTV president Father Robert Reed will emcee the event that includes as speakers dinner co-chairs Doug and Joanie Kingsley, executive director of Clergy Benefits for the archdiocese Joseph D'Arrigo, Catholic Memorial School theology teacher, football and swimming coach Christopher Boyle and Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley.

Three years ago, Cardinal O'Malley made the financial stabilization of the Clergy Funds one of his top priorities. Since that time, the funds climbed from a $10 million deficit in fiscal year 2008 to close to a break-even operation in fiscal year 2011. Aggressive deficit reduction strategies were implemented to control operating expenses and new sources of funding were explored to boost revenue, including three annual Mass collections and the priesthood celebration dinner.

"The Celebration of the Priesthood is an annual event that honors the priests who serve in our parishes, ministries, and communities. They bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our Catholic family and ask for little in return. We owe it to them to continue to do what we can to raise the critical funds that support the costs associated with maintaining their health and well-being throughout their ministry and into their senior years," said Father Richard Erikson, former vicar general and moderator of the curia for the archdiocese.

Tickets for the event can be purchased for $500 each and all sponsorship opportunities are listed at www.CelebrationOfThePriesthood.org.

Please contact Event Manager Claudia Cuscianna at 617-779-3733 or events@rcab.org for further information.