GALA 2026
Gala Dinner 2026
Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Guadalupe requests the pleasure of your company as our guests for an inspiring evening of faith, fellowship, and celebration.
Join us for a special gala dinner featuring Joe Heschmeyer — author, speaker, and apologist with Catholic Answers — as we gather to support the mission and growth of our school.
Date & Time
Saturday, February 14, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location
The Palazzo Grande
54660 Van Dyke Avenue
Shelby Township, MI 48316
Evening Highlights
Gourmet dinner and fellowship with our Chesterton community
Keynote address by Joe Heschmeyer
Opportunities to support Catholic classical education through giving
About the speaker
Joe Heschmeyer is a Catholic apologist, author, and speaker from Kansas City with Catholic Answers. A former attorney and seminarian, he holds degrees in law, history, philosophy, and theology.
Before joining Catholic Answers in 2021, he taught at Holy Family School of Faith, forming educators for the Archdiocese of Kansas City. Joe has authored Pope Peter and hosts The Catholic Podcast. He lives in Kansas City with his wife, Anna, and their children, and enjoys reading, podcasts, and puns.
Host Committee
Neal and Geneva Cole
Senior Associate, Booze Allen Hamilton
David and alejandra miller
Founders of Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Guadalupe
ERIC AND CARRIE BACKMAN
Financial Advisor, Backman Wealth Management
CLARK AND SUSAN DURANT
Co-founder and former CEO Cornerstone Schools
ELIZABETH AND JOHN WILLIAMSON
Sr. Vice President, American Community Developers, Inc.
DR. THOMAS AND ANNE GRAVES
Family doctor and Co-Founder of HART