Live and silent auctions to beat them all. It’s the luck of the Irish – and hugely competitive – tradition at the Catholic Charities St. Patrick’s Day Gala.

Coordinated by event chairs Vicki Dimond, Betsy Sobral and Judy McCarty, this year’s March 17 bright green event at Cheyenne Mountain Resort set a new gold standard, raising $350,000 for the nonprofit’s work. It was a perfect evening for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado’s 50th anniversary with 490 guests.

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado has grown into more than 75 programs and services and has four campuses: Castle Rock, Pastoral Center, Family Connections at Helen Hunt Campus and the Marian House Complex with programs including the soup kitchen.

Supporting the work of the nonprofit, the auction action was enthusiastic. There were live auction ohs and ahs over a Tiffany gold and diamond necklace from the estate of Stephen Hart, a stunning emerald and 214-diamond bracelet donated by Deborah Harney, a chefs table dinner for 10 by celebrity chef Brother Luck and a spotless 2008 Volkswagon Jetta SD with only 7,835 miles.

The necklace brought a final $10,000 bid from Chuck Murphy, with the whole Murphy clan cheering him on, as a birthday gift for his wife of 61 years, Mary Lou. The bracelet raised $10,000, the Jetta went for $10,200 and dinner with Brother, $7,500.

A Broadmoor Galleries Deborah Copenhaver-Fellows bronze sculpture of a cowboy “Giving Thanks” set off a final-stages paddle-raising competition, spurred by auctioneer Kevin Patterson, between Jerry Grage and James Miller of Larry H. Miller Toyota, with Miller the $5,500 winner.

The gala’s honorary patrons were Diane and Roy Clennan. Margaret Sabin was honorary committee chair.

It was an evening for a traditional Irish Blessing, said Bishop Michael Sheridan:

“May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer.”