Donnell and Shelly Rehagen to co-chair steering committee for 2010 VIP event

By E. Jane Rutter

Since the first Vocation Investment Partnership (VIP) dinner and auction was held in 2000, the "An Evening With the Bishop" event has raised $1,357,649 for vocations. That's a powerful testament to the people of the Jefferson City diocese and their commitment to the priests and religious who serve them. It is also due to the efforts of the all-volunteer steering committee that works year-round to plan and execute the evening.

Bishop John R. Gaydos is pleased to announce that Donnell and Shelly Rehagen have agreed to serve as Steering Committee co-chairs for the 2010 "An Evening With the Bishop" event. "We are honored to be invited to lead such an important fundraising effort of the diocese," said Mr. Rehagen. "All of us as Catholics should be keenly interested in fostering vocations here in our home diocese."

Both Mr. and Mrs. Rehagen were raised in Jefferson City and are long-time members of St. Peter parish, where they were married 19 years ago. Mr. Rehagen served on the building committee for the recent school addition, has been a member of the school board and has served on many committees throughout the years. Mrs. Rehagen volunteers for a range of activities at St. Peter School. Mr. Rehagen is the chief operating officer for the National Biodiesel Board, which (interestingly enough) is headquartered in the former Catholic Chancery building on Clark Street. Mrs. Rehagen is an accountant for GFI Digital. The couple has two boys and two girls ranging in age from 7 to 15.

"Those who we help today will be our future priests, sisters and brothers," Mr. Rehagen said of his and his wife's new role as committee co-chairs. "We should publicly thank those who have served and are serving us currently through their vocation. This annual "An Evening With the Bishop" event allows us to do that. The VIP is a hands-on effort that all of us can participate in to help."

The people of the Jefferson City diocese extend warm thanks and gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Rehagen for their service and support of priestly and religious vocations. The next "An Evening With the Bishop" dinner and auction will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Jefferson City.