Bishop Cozzens to Speak at Night of Light

The Most Reverend Andrew H. Cozzens, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and archdiocesan vicar of education, will serve as the keynote speaker at the Aim Higher Foundation’s 7th annual Night of Light celebration on September 27, 2019.

“We are honored that Bishop Cozzens has accepted our invitation and will join us in celebrating the children we serve through Catholic schools,” said Jean Houghton, president of the Aim Higher Foundation.

“Bishop Cozzens has been a champion for Catholic education across the Archdiocese and for our mission to help more children access Catholic schools through student-based scholarships. His tireless commitment is an inspiration to all of us seeking to reinvigorate Catholic schools and to strengthen the pathways to access them.”

Photo credit: Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit.

A key leader for Archdiocesean Catholic schools and the Roadmap for Excellence in Catholic Education, Bishop Cozzens will offer remarks at the Night of Light, the Aim Higher Foundation’s premier fundraising event, and the only in the Twin Cities directly supporting the children at all K-8 Catholic schools. Because of the recent success of the event, the Aim Higher Foundation has been able to award the largest number of tuition-assistance scholarships in its history, supporting more than 1,300 students in the Archdiocese.

The Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, bishop of Des Moines, was previously scheduled to attend the Night of Light as special guest and speaker. On July 18, 2019, Pope Francis accepted Bishop Pates’ resignation effectively allowing Bishop Pates to retire and return to his home in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Bishop Pates’ successor, Bishop-elect William Joensen, will be ordained and installed as the new bishop of Des Moines on September 27, 2019, the same day as the fundraiser.

“While I am disappointed I cannot attend the Night of Light this year,” said Bishop Pates, “I look forward to joining in years to come and, in particular, to supporting the important work of the Aim Higher Foundation and its effort to help more children reap the many wonderful benefits of a Catholic education. I am delighted and grateful that Bishop Cozzens has accepted the invitation to speak this year.”

The 2019 Night of Light will take place at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront beginning at 6pm on September 27, 2019. A VIP reception for premier-level sponsors and guests of the speaker begins at 5pm. Tickets and sponsorships are available at https://nightoflight.info.

About the Aim Higher Foundation: The Aim Higher Foundation provides student-based, tuition-assistance scholarships so that more children in the twelve-county Twin Cities metro area can experience the life-changing benefits of a Catholic education. Since 2012, the foundation has provided more than 8,000 scholarships—worth over $6.4 million—to children to attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.