Father Peter Drilling (from left), Kathleen Heffern and Father Gregory Faulhaber are the 2016 Curé of Ars recipients.

Christ the King Seminary will host its annual Curé of Ars Awards dinner on Thursday, Oct. 6, at The Atrium @ Rich's in Buffalo. This year's event will honor Father Peter J. Drilling, Father Gregory M. Faulhaber and Kathleen Heffern as award recipients.

The program will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Msgr. Richard Siepka, seminary director of spiritual formation, is this year's chair, and Susan Santandreu, community volunteer and long-time supporter of the seminary, is vice chair. Maid of the Mist and Aries Transportation will be sponsoring the event.

Father Drilling is being recognized for his leadership in various parishes throughout the Diocese of Buffalo, including in his current position as rector of St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo, his wisdom in teaching systematic theology and pastoral studies at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora; and his guidance during his tenure as CKS' past president-rector.

Father Faulhaber is being honored for his roles he held as professor of moral theology, director of formation and vice rector at the seminary for many years before becoming pastor of Queen of Heaven Parish in West Seneca in 2015. He is also being recognized for his tireless commitment to several councils and committees throughout the area, including the Diocese of Buffalo's Task Force on Health Care.

Kathleen Heffern is receiving an award for her dedication in advocating for the continuing education of lay ministers in her position as diocesan director of Parish Life, as well as her tireless social justice activism throughout her life and in her retirement.

Father Joseph Gatto, president-rector of Christ the King Seminary, said this year's honorees richly deserve recognition for their ongoing commitment to CKS and devotion to the faith and education of God's people in the Western New York community.

"Fathers Drilling and Faulhaber, and Kathleen all serve as shining examples of the commitment to vocations, ministry, faithfulness and holiness so beautifully brought to life by St. John Vianney, a humble and holy man who barely succeeded in becoming a priest, but went on to convert thousands, and - in the words of Pope Benedict XVI - became a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ's flock," said Father Gatto.

For more information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities for the Curé of Ars Awards dinner, visit www.curedinner.com or contact Laura DeMizio, coordinator of special events, at 716-847-8373 or ldemizio@buffalodiocese.org.