University of St. Thomas Mardi Gras Ball chairs Kelli Kickerillo and Phyllis Mandola had set the goal high for the 62nd annual Fat Tuesday fundraiser honoring Archbishop J. Michael Miller. "A million for Miller" was their credo as they set about to establish a chair in honor of the former UST president and to raise mega bucks for scholarships. By night's end, they had succeeded.

They also succeeded in creating a lavish, lively Mardi Gras bash filled with New Orleans-style music, miles of carinval beads, oodles of feather boas and more than 500 guests celebrating the university. The InterContinental Houston will never be the same.

Among those guests were rock stars of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, an impressive coterie of clergy beginning with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and including Archibishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza, newly-named Auxiliary Bishop George Sheltz, Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson, Msgr. Frank Rossi of St. Michael Catholic Church,the Rev. T.J. Martinez of Cristo Rey Jesuit and more. And they were treated like rocks stars as guests flocked to have their photos taken with them and to have a few private words with the church leadership.

During the cocktail hour, guests placed their bids on the Big Board and rather than bid on silent auction items, they bought strands of elaborate Mardi Gras beads and dazzling boas.

The program included introduction of the Mardi Gras king and queen — John Ruff and Rosemary Tran — seniors selected for their scholarship and school leadership. UST president Bob Ivany introduced Archbishop Miller, who flew in from his post in Vancouver for the gala.

Among UST supporters celebrating at the black-tie dinner dance were Mary and Vincent Kickerillo, Todd Forester, Tony Mandola, Alice and Keith Mosing, Marianne Ivany, Raye White, Denise Bush Bahr and Philipp Bahr, Isla and Tommy Reckling, Elizabeth and Zack Fertitta, Alice and Philip Burguieres, Maryanne and John McCormack, Elyse and Bob Lanier, John Poindexter and Trini Mendenhall Sosa and Frank Sosa.