The auction has been a St. Bede tradition for four decades. Can you believe it? A 40-year milestone is a remarkable achievement represented by a ruby gemstone, symbolizing passion, protection and prosperity – all themes that can relate to the St. Bede Auction and its mission. In honor of this significant anniversary, we are opening this year’s event with a 14K marquise ruby necklace. This fine piece of jewelry is adorned with 2 PT diamonds and would be the perfect gift for, perhaps, a 40^th year wedding anniversary or July birthday for that someone special. To sweeten the presentation, we’re topping off this stunning piece with a dozen red roses.

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

Stained glass windows tell us a story through their symbolism and artistic features carefully crafted in each sheet of glass. Have you ever taken the time to look carefully at the story being depicted? Here is an opportunity to learn about the stories hidden in plain sight. Join Fr. Dominic Garramone, OSB and nine of your friends or family on this one-of-a-kind educational tour exploring symbolism, religion, art and history. Fr. Dominic has been studying and photographing stained glass windows for the past 20 years and that, combined with his extensive knowledge of church history and art, assures you of a deeply meaningful tour.

¨Your journey begins at the new St. Bede Abbey monastery chapel, where Fr. Dominic will lead a presentation featuring the best stained glass images in his extensive photo collection from around the state and beyond. You’ll then have an opportunity to view two windows in the chapel that were rescued from St. Benedict’s Church in Ladd before it was demolished in 2012.

¨You will then proceed by mini bus to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sublette, whose breathtaking windows, designed by Emil Frei Studios in St. Louis, MO, are a hidden gem in North Central Illinois.

¨After the visit in Sublette, you will enjoy a casual lunch at JoJo’s Pub and Grub in Cherry, owned by Jolene Plankenhorn ’91 and her husband, Tim. This village is the site of the 1909 Cherry Mine disaster. Time permitting, the group will make a quick visit to the shrine in the cemetery honoring those whose lives were lost in this great tragedy. Hear how St. Bede played a role in the relief efforts that were provided to the families following the disaster.

¨The journey will continue to St. Patrick’s Church in nearby Arlington, which is home to stunning windows produced by Tyrolese Art Glass Company in Innsbruck, Austria around the turn of the 19th century. Also view Art Deco style windows from the 1920s in the church’s sacristy.

¨The journey ends back at St. Bede where each participant will receive a souvenir gift of homemade cards, crafted by Fr. Dom, showcasing his finest stained glass photography.

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

Here’s your chance to bid and win a great package in one of the three suitcases displayed. 

Each suitcase will contain a different trip/package listed below. No one will know what package is in what suitcase. That’s the fun, and suspense! The bidding will start and give you a chance to purchase a suitcase of your choice. If you’re the highest bidder, you can choose any suitcase, but you will also have the opportunity to purchase two suitcases at 2x the money or even all three at 3x the money. No one will know which prize was won until all suitcases have been sold. Here’s an example. You are highest bidder at $2,000 to choose a suitcase. Now, you can choose whatever suitcase you would like at $2,000 or you as the top bidder can choose two suitcases for $4,000 or take all three suitcases at $6,000 guaranteeing all three of these amazing trips/packages are yours. We will continue to auction the remaining suitcases in the same manner till they are all sold. Once all suitcases are sold, they will be opened and given to the corresponding winner.

CHOICE A: GRAND OLE OPRY 3-NIGHT STAY FOR 2

Take in the sights and sounds of music city Nashville, hometown of country music and birthplace of bluegrass. Stay three nights at the Club Wyndham Nashville, located just one mile from the Grand Ole Opry near the Cumberland River. Club Wyndham Nashville is a charming vacation resort convenient to local attractions and transportation. Not far from Club Wyndham Nashville, you’ll find key destinations like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Nashville Zoo. Also included in this package are two tickets to see a performance at the Grandy Ole Opry. Donated by Max & Linda Halberg, Wyaton Hills

CHOICE B: BLACKBIRD VINEYARD

Discover Napa Valley wines taken to new heights. Your package includes a complimentary tasting for six adults with credentialed Sommelier Aaron Horwitz. “Every wine in the Blackbird collection is a true expression of the Napa Valley, with each possessing extraordinary structure and finesse. These limited production wines display the complexity extracted from the highest quality fruit and devoted winemaking techniques.” – Aaron Pott, Winemaker

Also included will be six bottles of Blackbird wines: 2019 Illustration, 2019 Paramour, 2019 Contrarian, 2019 Arise, 2021 Dissonance and 2021 Arriviste. Donated by Blackbird Vineyard

CHOICE C: HERITAGE HARBOR EXPERIENCE

Looking for adventure close to home but feels a world away? You will want to bid on this exciting Starved Rock Country Adventure package. This fun package includes a great opportunity to experience all that Starved Rock Country and Heritage Harbor Ottawa have to offer. Includes a two-night stay in a quaint two-bedroom cottage, two-hour boat rental, $50 gift certificate to Red Dog Grill, a Heritage Harbor sweatshirt, bottle of August Hill wine and a map for hiking at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Pack your suitcase up for some local adventure. Donated by Heritage Harbor

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

St. Bede Academy is hosting a 1920s murder mystery party at Speakeasy on 1st in downtown LaSalle this November. At this party, you will truly step back in time the minute you walk through the door. It’s an art deco era where gangsters rule the streets, prohibition is in full force and the flapper look sets the fashion stage.

The mystery is set among two gangster families coming together for the wedding of the year. Becoming one, however means someone is bound to lose power and a life. Dress like the cat's meow for this mafia wedding and get ready to solve the mystery – your guess is just a shot in the dark.

Why be just any guest at this party, when you and your sleuth friends could be the elite in the speakeasy’s Billionaire's Club. Receive special attention and sit among high society in a roped off area that comes with three private velvet sitting lounges set behind curtains that can be drawn when deciphering clues. Receive the Al Capone treatment in this exclusive club that comes with its own bar, where the champagne will flow and three free drinks will be served to each club member. The Billionaire’s Club also receives its own flapper waitress who will pass around the hor d’ouevres and offer one free mystery clue under the table.

This package is for all 20 seats in the Billionaire’s Club. The party takes place from 5-9 p.m. November 18, 2023, at the Speakeasy on 1^st in LaSalle.

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

See the Chicago Bulls in action with these floor seats. Head to the United Center for a Bulls basketball game in seats you'll never forget. Start off with VIP parking right by the stadium! Quick in, quick out … in CHICAGO. This package includes four tickets on the floor, right at the corner of the court in Section 116, Row AA, Seats 1-4. Experience an unmatched view and the courtside perspective on how the game is played. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) ordered from a designated menu by your own in-seat wait service throughout the game. Don't miss this opportunity to be so near to the players and action.

Also with this package, enjoy access to the member's only Ketel One Club, located across from Section 119. The Ketel One Club serves a wide range of entrées from burgers to filet mignon, and features exciting specials each night. Open before, during and after Bulls games. Reservations are accepted beginning two hours prior to the game. This opportunity is for the 2024 season and based on a mutually-agreed-upon date.

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

A Croatian cruise is an incredible way to see this beautiful country. With thousands of miles of seafront and more than a thousand islands, Croatia's coastline is Central Europe's Riviera. Cruise to the walled Dubrovnik, the labyrinth-like Split, the island of Korcula or reenact scenes from Mamma Mia 2 on the island of Vis. See Croatian medieval cities, with palaces and castles among clusters of orange rooftops. Explore limestone cliffs, canyons and caves, sandy and pebbly beaches. The scenery is a major draw for tourists and even movie producers (you might even recognize some locations from Game of Thrones). History buffs will have packed agendas full of amazing attractions. Walk the massive walls of Dubrovnik or visit the Roman Palace of Diocletian in Split. Like everything else in the country, Croatia’s food is extraordinary. Adriatic cuisine must be tasted to be believed, from the day’s breakfast of strong coffee and pastries to a late dinner of fresh-caught seafood paired with fantastic regional wine.

The 2024 programs are not finalized but don't let that stop you from this fantastic package. For an example of options visit the Kompas website. https://www.kompas.net/programs/adriatic-cruises/

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

Nothing says exclusive quite like this ultimate Napa Valley experience where four guests will enjoy a day of leisure, savoring outstanding wines from the Duncan family of Silver Oak. With a long family legacy at St. Bede, Silver Oak Proprietor David R. Duncan has generously donated this auction item in honor of his late father, Silver Oak Co-Founder and 1948 graduate of St. Bede, Raymond T. Duncan. We are truly blessed by their generosity to offer this fantastic package once again.

Four lucky people will join David for a beautiful hike through the family’s estate vineyard, Soda Canyon Ranch. Planed to the five Bordeaux varietals that create the layered flavors and complexity of the Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Soda Canyon Ranch is also home to the Duncan family’s newest brand, Timeless Napa Valley - a single vineyard proprietary red blend that was dedicated to Ray and released last fall.

Following the hike, guests will be treated to well-earned refreshments in the cool shade of the ranch barn before returning to the Silver Oak Napa Valley Winery in Oakville for a delicious, seasonal lunch with a tasting of the Silver Oak Alexander Valley and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, plus Timeless Napa Valley. The private meal will be prepared by Winery Chef Dominic Orsini and his culinary team using local ingredients, plus herbs and vegetables from the onsite garden. You don’t want to miss this priceless opportunity.

The Duncan family has a special relationship with the Napa Valley. Since its founding in 1972, Silver Oak has exclusively crafted Cabernet Sauvignon aged in American oak barrels and continues to be family owned. It is now operated by David and his brother, Tim. The Duncan family also founded Twomey in 1999 and opened a second LEED Platinum-certified winery in the Alexander Valley in 2018. In April 2020, the facility became the first winery to ever receive Living Building Challenge certification in all seven performance areas, or “petals,” from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). Experience this wonderful opportunity of a lifetime and enjoy the warm Duncan hospitality of Silver Oak. To be scheduled in advance for a mutually-agreeable date. Package is valid Monday through Friday and expires June 10, 2024. Subject to availability.

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

Your foursome will enjoy world-class, unlimited golf with five-star accommodations and fabulous meals for two nights and three days. This priceless weekend package also includes carts, caddies, cart coolers, plus access to an indoor practice arena. In addition, experience a one-of-a-kind guided tour of the Auto Museum - a personal, private collection of more than 65 vintage automobiles owned by Jerry Rich. Each car has a story to tell, whether it is a rare or limited-edition model, has a famous previous owner or a unique history. This weekend package is exclusive to the St. Bede Academy Auction and can be reserved based on a mutually-agreed date from June to October. Not only is this opportunity a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but Jerry Rich will also match the winning bid (if the $15,000 reserve is met). A HUGE win for St. Bede!

Tucked between wetlands, forest, farmland and Illinois prairie grass, Rich Harvest Farms, located just west of Chicago, is a natural wonder set in Sugar Grove and is a breathless masterpiece unlike any other. It is an experience all its own with a staff that consistently provides world class service and amenities experienced by few. Since opening in 1999, Rich Harvest Farms has been a premiere destination for golfers from all over the world. The ultra-private, members-only facility is home to the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois and the NIU Huskies Men's & Women's Golf Teams. The course has earned many distinct honors, including consistently being named one of the Rolex World's Top 1000 Golf Courses and Golf Digest America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Rich Harvest Farms was the first repeat host of the 2021 Palmer Cup and is proud of its prestigious list of amateur and professional golf tournaments.

https://www.richharvestfarms.com/

The Liv Golf Tournament returns to Rich Harvest Farms Sept. 22-24, 2023.

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

Imagine taking that first sip of coffee in the morning while digging your toes in soft, sugar-white sand as your watch the gentle blue waves roll into the shore. Orange Beach, Alabama, touts itself as the place where “life is better.” Why not see for yourself?

In honor of St. Bede Monks Fr. Bernard, Fr. Arthur and Br. Luke, a former student has generously donated his gorgeous waterfront condo at Caribe Resort in Orange Beach.

Stay eight days and seven nights. Take the whole family, take a group of friends or plan a trip for just you and someone special. The condo sleeps up to six people. You won’t have to go far to enjoy luxuries such as a lazy river, pools, slides, saunas, hot tubs, tennis courts and much more. Staying in this lavish condo includes access to all Caribe amenities and comes with a complimentary boat slip. As home to one of the largest charter fishing fleets in the Gulf, there’s no shortage of adventure that awaits you on the water.

Orange Beach is located just 10 miles from Gulf Shores and an hour from Pensacola International Airport. At this condo, you’ll have everything you need with a sleek kitchen equipped with stainless steel KitchenAid appliances, an electric wall oven with a built-in microwave and a sizable refrigerator. Enjoy a king master suite adorned by wall-to-wall glass doors that open into a scenic balcony overlooking Perdido Bay. Take in the gentle sea breeze while reclining on the comfortable patio furniture. The condo also comes with a bedroom with a queen-size bed and one bedroom with two twin beds. These beachy modern bedrooms all showcase cozy beds, a TV and private bathrooms. (https://cariberesort.com/)

This package is based on availability which you will coordinate with the owner whose details will be provided to the successful bidder and can be reserved through December 31, 2024. Please contact the owner ASAP after the auction.

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.

Madonna: The Celebration Tour will be in Chicago Wednesday, August 9, and you could have two premium VIP Lounge package tickets that have already sold out everywhere and can no longer be purchased.

Here is what’s included in this VIP package:

·Two premium reserved tickets in the first 10 rows.

·One VIP parking space per order.

·Exclusive access to a VIP preshow, which includes hors d'oeuvres, dessert bar, beverages including beer, wine and signature Madonna-inspired cocktails, Hotpoint music video experience & green screen photo booth to share on your socials, interactive games, cellphone charging stations and more.

·Limited edition Madonna VIP gift pack.

·Official VIP Lounge laminate.

·Hassle free, preshow tour merchandise shopping opportunity.

·Red carpet photo opportunity in front of the VIP backdrop.

·Dedicated VIP check-in and merchandise pick up location.

·VIP concierge team and onsite hosts.

Madonna is a best-selling female solo touring artist, best known for her hits, “Material Girl,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” “Open your Heart,” “Like a Prayer,” and many, many more. Hop on Madonna’s artistic journey that extends four decades with this package.

If you are unable to attend the auction but wish to bid on this LIVE item, fill out and submit this proxy bid form tinyurl.com/2tf5ybzs.