Frequently Asked Questions

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This is the one event we focus on for our largest fundraising effort of the year.  We have a silent auction, buffet, bar, notable speakers, and DJ.

The doors will open at 5:30pm for Check-In, the silent auction will begin then, the bar will open. The buffet will start at 5:45.

Remember to bring cash or your checkbook to purchase raffle tickets & Heads and Tails beads.

We will using our messaging leading up to the event to outline the timing of the events for the night of.

We have a different theme each year that allows attendees to dress the part of the theme, dress up, or simply be comfortable.

Your ticket purchase helps to offset the cost of running the event.  It includes a bidding number, access to the main event, buffet meal, free craft beer and wine, soft drinks, DJ, later night sandwiches, and late night pizza.

Bring cash as bead necklaces are sold to be used in our heads or tails game we play for a prize.

We do a 50/50 split raffle, you will 50% and we keep 50%.  Tickets are for sale or requested and payments are in cash or check only.

This is where we ask for straight donations to benefit the focus for the year.  We work with the school to determine needs we feel we can meet. We do the Fund a Need during our live event portion of the night. Each year the focus items or areas are promoted out through messaging.  A portion of the amount raised goes towards these items and a portion goes to the school's scholarship fund.

Check back here to peruse the Auction Catalog when it is released in early April.

• Bidding Links will be texted to the mobile phone number(s) and the email address that were provided when you purchased registration to the Early Auction and Silent Auction.  
• If you registered before the Early Auction begins, you will receive a bidding link before that auction begins. 
• If you are registered the date of or after the Early Auction begins, you will receive the bidding link within 48 hours of your purchase. 
• If you register on the night of the event, you will receive a bidding link at the time of registration for participation in the Silent Auction.

• Some items are available for Early Auction bidding on April 13th through April 22nd.
• Silent Auction items will be open for bidding the night of the event, Saturday, April 26th.

• To kick off festivities and get everyone excited for the Night of Spirit, the Early Auction offers a select number of items such as gift cards/certificates, and a number of other great items.
• Bidding for these items begins approximately one week prior to the event
• You must register to attend the gala or purchase an online bidder number only.  This will allow you to have access to the online early auction.

Hosting a gathering or party is a fun way to donate to the Night of Spirit and anyone can host one.  You can choose to host by yourself, or as most people do, with a group of friends, parents, or parishioners.  Gatherings are a great way to build community, while raising funds for Holy Spirit school and Holy Spirit's youth development programs!

The Idea 
The idea is that hosts take on the cost of the gathering (which is tax-deductible), and at the auction, people purchase tickets/seats to attend the party on your designated date.

Pick a Theme 
Think of a fun theme that would attract people to buy a ticket to your gathering or party. Some ideas that have been done over the years include: school grade-level party, bowling, backyard barbeque or movie nights, swim parties, block parties, progressive dinners, Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest, dinners, etc. Have fun and get creative!

Hosting
Think about if you want to host a party alone or want to do it with a group of people. Hosting it with a group of friends is more fun, and can offset costs and responsibilities for parties/events.

Pick a date
This is important.  There will be other great parties donated by others, and a date must be set for two reasons:  to avoid date conflicts with other parties and to inform auction patrons of the date before they commit to purchase a ticket.

Guest List (how many people can you accommodate?) 
Think about how many people your party could accommodate. Many people have an initial number of people they want to invite. If your offering sells out, be prepared ahead of time to know what the maximum number of people your party/gathering can accommodate so more seats can be offered in a 2nd offering (if possible).

Per Ticket Charge?
Hosts determine an amount to charge per person or per family, depending on the theme. Remember, the point is to raise money, so don’t underestimate the lure of your party.
For a party that would include dinner and drinks, a price of $40+/person would be appropriate.
If you have a party that costs more to host (such as a private chef cooking dinner for a select number of people or having a special wine or scotch tasting), a higher price certainly would be appropriate for the unique experience of the event.  
If you’re hosting an end of year class party that will be more casual (like pizza) and will include families, a lesser amount would be charged per person or you may choose to charge by family.

General Guidelines on Hosting Costs:
As a general rule of thumb, it should not cost hosts more to host a party than what is raised in ticket sales. One measure is that the party should cost 40%‐60% of what ticket sales can raise (# of seats x ticket charge) .

• Item pick up is at Holy Spirit (515 Albert Street South, Saint Paul, MN 55116) 
• Item pick up will occur on the Sunday after the event from Noon to 2pm.  Items can also be picked up from the school office for a week after the auction between 9am-4pm
• All physical items won at the auction MUST be picked up within one week of the event or you risk forfeiting your items