Frangoulis, who is often referred to as one of Greece's "national treasures," “filled the event with positive energy, love, and pride for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, resulting in raising more than $765,000 for St Catherine’s,” according to the organizing committee, co-chaired by Barbara Tagaris-Alavi, Amalia Tagaris-Busuioc, Pauline C. Pappas, MD, Areti Sakellaris and Cathy Papoulias-Sakellaris. The event was underwritten by George & Cathy Sakellaris along with Arthur & Betsy Sakellaris, enabling all proceeds to go to the church to help reduce its mortgage, fund its ministries, and support the Iconographic Decoration program of the beautiful new church, according to Fr. Philippe Mousis, the Pastor of Saint Catherine’s, who thanked the Sponsors, Great Benefactors, Donors, Supporters, faithful parishioners, volunteers and friends for their generosity and untiring efforts.

According to Evie Hasiotis, a Leadership 100 Executive Committee Member, "when one attends a Mario Frangoulis Concert, he expects to enjoy the event. The Resounding Spirit concert was so much more. Mario Frangoulis' opening remarks touched each of us with his humble appreciation for our attendance and his sincere respect for the clergy and volunteers of the Diaspora who keep our faith and culture vital. Then, his voice enveloped the audience as he drew us into each musical selection. By intermission, the crowd was electrified-friends joyously greeted friends and strangers became friends as we all shared a universal enthusiasm to be connected, united and inspired. The printed word does not do justice to the extraordinary effect Mario Frangoulis had on all who were fortunate to attend. This will be one of my fondest memories. BRAVO and THANK YOU to all who created this phenomenal evening, especially the Sakellaris families."

George and Cathy Sakellaris are noted for their philanthropy and support of numerous community and national organizations. While both are prominent members of Leadership 100, Cathy, who sits on its Board of Trustees and is Chair of its 21st Annual Conference, announced that Mario Frangoulis will highlight the event, which takes place February 9-12, 2012 at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach in Manalapan, Florida, with a special concert on Friday, February 10, at The Harriet Himmel Theater, the cultural centerpiece of CityPlace, in neighboring West Palm Beach.

Frangoulis, who sings in Italian, Spanish, English, French and Greek, enabling him to truly connect with audiences around the world, has performed with some of the world's greatest artists, including Placido Domingo, Lara Fabian, Sarah Brightman, Justin Hayward, and Natalie Merchant, in addition to collaborating with Greece's most famous composers, Mikis Theodorakis and Yannis Markopoulos, and world-acclaimed singers, George Dalaras, Alkistis Protopsalti, and Glykeria, to name a few.

The benefit program, designed by Frangoulis and Panagiotis Liaropoulos, was international and diverse with music ranging from Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis and Yannis Markopoulos, to international classical-crossover pieces that Frangoulis is known for, such as Vincero, Perdero and Jose Maria Cano’s Hijo de la Luna. Also included were the inspiring standard Somewhere from West Side Story, the debut of two new songs written by acclaimed composer Stephan Moccio, and Un Jour, Un Enfant by Emile Stern and Eddy Marnay. The title of the concert, Resounding Spirit, was inspired by the famous poem, “Vox Sonora Nostri Chori”, written by the 12th Century poet Adam of St. Victor.

A short film, directed by Mary Chiochos and dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, set the tone for the evening, showing a series of the most famous paintings and photographs reflecting the brilliance, beauty, and martyrdom of the saint. While the film was running, excerpts from “Vox Sonora Nostri Chori” were read by British born actress, Sara Delima, while the Greek Chamber Music Ensemble led by Panagiotis Liaropoulos played an orchestral piece from Manos Hadjidakis’ famous Gioconda’s Smile.

Frangoulis noted: “Those of us who live and work outside of Greece represent some of the strongest power that Greece has. That is why we must join our voices – and conviction – as Saint Catherine did, to stand up for what we know is right and true.”

The chamber orchestra accompanying Frangoulis was comprised of some of the most accomplished musicians from Greece and the US. With two encores and audience participation in the singing of more traditional Greek songs, the two and a half-hour concert was filled with true Resounding Spirit!