Annual Benefit 2026
NEW Auction Experiences coming soon! Make your sponsorship donation by October 2 to be included in event program and onsite media.
29th Benefit to Support Saint Luke Institute
Friday, October 16, 2026 - 6:30 p.m.
Columbia Country Club
7900 Connecticut Ave.
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Co-Hosts:
Rev. Patrick J. McDevitt, CM, PhD, President & CEO
Sr. Salvatrice Murphy, DC, LCSW, Board Chair
Event Sponsors: Tim & Mary Harper
Event will include the presentation of the Saint Luke Award and the Inauguration of our 50th anniversary celebration.
“Why Saint Luke Institute Needs YOU”
SLI President & CEO, Rev. Patrick J. McDevitt, CM, PhD, shares about the mission of Saint Luke Institute (from our 2025 Annual Benefit).
Learn More & Share
Sponsorship Opportunities
Join us as we celebrate Saint Luke Institute’s healing ministry and the vital support we give to the men and women serving the Church. Your sponsorship helps us offer the highest quality psychological and spiritual care to the clergy and religious we serve, and foster important awareness and education in the Church around mental health needs. Your gift is not just a financial contribution; it is also an expression of your care for those who give their lives in service to the Church.
Learn more about the work of Saint Luke Institute from recent supporters. Share this video.
All sponsor levels recognized in Benefit program,* on this website page, and other media.
Click each area for additional details about that specific level of sponsorship.
Ticket numbers listed include ticket for donor / sponsor.
* Response and initial payment required by August 21 to be included in the formal Benefit invitation, and by October 2 to be included in printed Benefit Program and on-site materials.
Secure online payment is available by credit card (for all levels) and by electronic bank transfer (up to $10,000).
Click for a fillable form to print and mail your sponsorship donation or pledge.
Questions? Please contact Christina DiMeglio Lopez by email at christinal@sli.org or by phone at (240) 483-5445.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are grateful to our 2026 Annual Benefit sponsors for supporting our ministry of comprehensive mental health and spiritual care.*
Charity Care Champion ($50,000+)
Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word
SLIconnect & Education Sponsor ($25,000+)
Congregation of the Mission, Western Province
Mission Sustainer ($10,000+)
Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hora
Healing Advocate ($5,000+)
Hospital Sisters of Saint Francis
Mary and Daniel Loughran Foundation, Inc.
National Council of the US Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Ministry Ally ($2,500+)
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Belford
Mr. & Mrs. David S. Brown
Brian M. Mulholland
Waldorf Risk Solutions
Friend of SLI ($1,000+)
Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Graham, III
Ms. Rita M. Myer
Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Bellaman, Co.
St. Anselm's Abbey, Washington, DC
Anonymous
*List will be updated approximately weekly until the Benefit.
Purchase Tickets or Donate
Come join us for an evening of fellowship in support of the healing work of Saint Luke Institute, or make a one-time or recurring donation!
Ticket Options
- Standard Ticket: $300 each
- Young Adult Professional Ticket (age 40 and younger): $150 each
You may purchase tickets for guests and provide their names.
Purchasing more than $1,000 in tickets? Consider a sponsorship instead.
Not planning to attend the Benefit? Use the donation button instead.
No physical ticket will be provided. Guest names will be held at the door for check-in.
Secure online payment is available by credit card (all amounts) or by electronic bank transfer (up to $10,000).
Click for a fillable form to print and mail in your payment via check or with credit card information.
Support the Benefit without purchasing tickets. For gifts under $1,000.
Questions? Please contact Christina DiMeglio Lopez by email at christinal@sli.org or by phone at (240) 483-5445.
Benefit Auctions
This year we are pleased to announce two brand-new ways to support our Annual Benefit - a silent auction leading up to and concluding at the Benefit on October 16, and a live auction available only to on-site participants the evening of the event.
Photos for illustration purposes only. Actual auction items will differ. Not all items are available at all auctions. See details below.
Online Silent Auction (October 1 - 16)
Anyone can sign up | Bid from around the world!
Our first-ever online silent auction will feature an exciting lineup of experiences, gifts, and one-of-a-kind treasures curated for our SLI community and supporters. You will be able to browse the online auction beginning October 1.
Whether you love friendly competition or simply enjoy discovering something special, this is your chance to jump in early, place your bids, and keep an eye on your favorites. The final bidding will continue online up to October 16 and conclude during the Benefit, so get ready for a little excitement and a lot of fun!
Silent auction items that will be available online include:
- Tickets to Georgetown University basketball and other DC-area sports events
- Gift cards for dining
- In-person prepared dinners once per month for one year
- Pickleball gear
- One-of-a-kind pieces of art
- and more!
Details
Silent auction bids will be completely online. You do not need to be present at the Benefit to win an item in the silent auction. Registration on our auction platform and credit card entry is required to bid. You may view our auction site and register now as items are added, but not all items may be visible before October 1. Additional details will be provided near auction launch date.
Credit card entry required to bid. Auction opens October 1. Not all items may be displayed before that date.
In-Person Live Auction (October 16)
Benefit Event attendees ONLY | Live bidding for premium experiences
Our Benefit event will also include a live paddle-raise auction, led by a professional auctioneer, for a fewer number of premium products and experiences, including:
Details
This auction is only available to those who are registered and participating in the Benefit on-site at the Columbia Country Club on October 16, 2026.
You must be present to bid and to win live auction items.
Registration of paddle number and receipt of a paddle will take place at check-in to the event.
Items may be listed on silent auction platform for viewing only in advance of bidding on October 16, but no bids will be accepted for live auction items prior to the start of in-person bidding at the event on October 16.
You do not need to register to bid online for the live auction or to view the items on the silent auction page.
Additional details will be announced at the Benefit.
Live In-Event Fundraising (October 16)
In addition to the auctions, a paddle-raise will be held to garner additional funds for the mission and work of SLI. In-person and around-the-world participants will be able to publicly support the work of fostering healthy ministers for a more vibrant Church at any level of support - from $10 to $100,000!
Questions? Please contact Christina DiMeglio Lopez by email at christinal@sli.org or by phone at (240) 483-5445.
2026 Saint Luke Award Honoree
Sister Mary Bader, DC
Having served vulnerable men, women and children throughout her years in ministry, Sister Mary Bader, DC, has seen the crucial role mental health and other support services play in transforming lives.
A Lifetime of Care and Service
A native of Washington, D.C., Sister Mary serves as a Provincial Councillor for the Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise, based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Prior to her appointment as Provincial Councillor, Sister Mary served as Chief Executive Officer at St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families in Hyattsville, Maryland - a role she served in for nearly 20 years, from 2005 to 2023.
A Georgetown Visitation High School graduate, Sister Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Study at Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts and her Master of Arts degree in Education from The Catholic University of America.
She joined the Community of the Daughters of Charity in June 1991. Following initial formation, she served as an Elementary School Teacher at St. Patrick School in Richmond, Virginia, then as a Teacher, and later as Principal at Mother Seton Academy in Baltimore.
Sister Mary has served as a member of numerous boards for Washington, D.C.-based nonprofits, including Providence Hospital, St. Anselm’s Abbey School, and So Others Might Eat (SOME). In her religious community she has served on various committees, including those for addressing needs related to homelessness and insecure housing. She serves on the Daughters of Charity Commission for the community's 2026 Provincial Assembly, and previously served as the local superior for the Sisters residing at St. Ann’s Residence in Hyattsville from 2014 to 2023.
Gratitude for SLI's Mission of 'Healing the Healers'
Speaking about the work of Saint Luke Institute, Sister Mary said: "During my years of ministry, I have known many religious and clergy, especially religious sisters, who have turned to SLI for the uniquely important mental health care and spiritual support its staff provides. The longstanding partnership of the Daughters of Charity and SLI is mirrored in the service each provides – compassion, mercy, and deep respect for every person.
"Today, as societal and economic pressures increase, women and men religious, clergy and church ministers are front-line responders to the vulnerable and the marginalized. SLI supports these crucial leaders through its efforts to 'heal the healers.'
"Further, I know SLI works hard to meet the mental health and spiritual care needs of sisters' congregations who, due to financial burden, are unable to pay for the services they provide. The generosity of SLI's donors will help ensure their services reach these communities and others that most need them."
During my years of ministry, I have known many religious sisters who have turned to SLI for the uniquely important mental health care and spiritual support its staff provides.
- Sr. Mary Bader, DC
About the Award
The Saint Luke Award is given annually to someone whose professional life or charitable works embody the ideals of the Institute: the rebuilding of the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual life of those in need. In undertaking these tasks, the honoree is motivated by the Gospel ideals of compassion, charity and a belief that all persons are brothers and sisters in Christ. The award is bestowed each year on or around the October 18 Feast of St. Luke.
Recent recipients
Rev. Msgr. William ('Bill') English | Cardinal Christophe Pierre | Rev. Quinn Conners, O.Carm. Ph.D | Sr. Margaret Crowley, SHCJ, LCSW-C | Rev. David Songy, OFM Cap. STD, PsyD | Rev. Msgr. John Enzler | Archbishop Timothy Broglio | Cardinal Wilton Gregory | Bishop Barry Knestout | Bishop Joseph Kurtz | Jeanette & Raymond Brophy | Bishop Paul Loverde | Jane Belford | Sandra Andreas McMurtrie | B. Francis Saul, II
2026 Annual Benefit Committees
Benefit Chairs
Rick & Julie Kincaid
Sr. Salvatrice Murphy, DC*
Terry O'Donnell*
Benefit Planning Committee
Christina DiMeglio Lopez, Chair**
Ann Marie Beins**
Carolanne Bellaman
Tony Buehrle
Shirley Domenech
Gigi Metz
Maxine Nwigwe**
Dr. Javier Orozco*
Katie Pesha*
Janie Worch
* Denotes member of the SLI Board of Directors | **Denotes SLI Staff
Contact
Highlights from our 2025 Annual Benefit
Honoring Rev. Msgr. William ('Bill') English & Rev. Kenneth Phillips, TOR, MS
"There is nothing better than helping people know that they are loved by God. To me, that is the core of the Gospel, and we are called to share that love with others. We cannot do that if we don't experience that love ourselves. We cannot do that well if we are struggling with significant emotional or spiritual challenges. Saint Luke Institute helps a person become free enough to experience that love of God, and to share it in joy."
– Msgr. William English
President & CEO of Saint Luke Institute, Rev. Patrick J. McDevitt, CM, PhD (left), with Saint Luke Award recipient Rev. Msgr. William ('Bill') English & Staff Recognition Award recipient Rev. Ken Phillips, TOR, MS at the 2025 Annual Benefit