AtonementOnline: Ambassadors in the marketplace...

13 July 2010

Ambassadors in the marketplace...

The members of the San Antonio chapter of Legatus will be at the parish this evening for Mass, and afterwards I'll be speaking to them about the Anglican Use, the Pastoral Provision, and Anglicanorum coetibus.

This is from the Legatus website:

Since the inception of Legatus on May 7, 1987, its mission has been to bring Catholic business leaders and their spouses together in a monthly forum that fosters personal spiritual growth.

The organization offers a unique support network of like-minded Catholics who influence the world marketplace and have the ability to practice and infuse their faith in the daily lives and workplaces of their family, friends, colleagues and employees.

Groups such as Legatus have an important role in the Church, by assisting the laity to take seriously the responsibility of every Catholic to know and practice the Faith, and to influence the world by living in accordance with the Truth revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ.

"With all my heart, I bless you and your people..."

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."