MARCH 2023 PENANCE AND HOLINESS ISSUE OF BTEHNEERDUICLTE WHAT THE LATE POPE TAUGHT ON BUSINESS AND JUSTICE APOSTLE AND ‘A SINNER’: HUMILITY OF ST. PATRICK CRYPTOCURRENCY ETHICS AFTER THE FTX SCANDAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE SOUL Fr. Thomas More Garrett, O.P. FRUITS OF THE POISON TREE Joseph Meaney SLEEP MORE FOR BETTER HEALTH Richard H. Cartabuke, M.D.
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03•23 INSIDE 16VOL36•NO3 THE HUMILITY OF ST. PATRICK, ‘A SINNER’ by Rachel Hoover The Apostle to Ireland exemplifies a key virtue for Lenten conversion 10 20 24 CRYPTO-ETHICS ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/EGAL POPE AFTER THE HELPING BENEDICT OTHERS FIND ON BUSINESS FTX SCANDAL THE WAY HOME by Judy Roberts by Gerald Korson by Jim Graves The shocking developments spark On economic matters, priority is Once lost, now found, Mark Prather justice and the common good 5a prude|ntleignavtues.sotrgors reaches out through his radio show March r2e02c3ko|ning for
Pistachio Kebabs MORE COVER 08PRESIDENT’S DESK 38 PHOTO Stephen M. Henley: A clear path to holiness 42BEST PRACTICES Pope Benedict XVI at Ash Wednesday Mass 09EDITOR’S DESK Brent Pohlman: Be a great chapter president in St. Peter’s Basilica on February 13, 2013, Gerald Korson: New words and old words 48FIVE MINUTES WITH the last liturgical 26BUSINESS ETHICS Andrew Comiskey, Rediscovering Our Lost Fullness event of his papacy. Fr. Thomas More Garrett, O.P.: Improving the soul 50 MEET THE CHAPLAIN CNS photo/Paul Haring 28CULTURE OF LIFE Fr. Jim Fenstermaker, C.S.C., South Bend-Elkhart Chapter PAGE PHOTO Joseph Meaney: Poison fruits of contraception Joe Micatrotto Sr. 30FAITH MATTERS recommends these delightful pistachio Fr. Wade Menezes, C.P.M.: Approaching Confession kebabs from his 32ENGAGING THE FAITH travels to the Holy Land. Valentin Tomberg: Serving like Martha or Mary 35WHAT TO SEE Soul of a Champion: Gil Hodges, Hall of Fame Catholic 36HEALTH MATTERS Richard M. Cartabuke, M.D.: Sleep and good health 38 FEEDING THE FOODIE Joe Micatrotto Sr.: Palestinian pistachio kebabs BOARD OF GOVERNORS Berni Neal Randall W. Hammond Diana Parent President Thomas S. Monaghan Orange County Denver Fort Wayne Stephen M. Henley Ann Arbor Secretary Advent Capital Parke Group International Chaplain Legatus Troy L. King S. Craig Henry James P. Sarni Bishop Frank Caggiano Founder, Chairman & CEO Orlando Lafayette-Acadiana Pasadena Bishop of Diocese of Bridgeport Dentistry for Children Bradford Food Group Payden & Rygel Ecclesiastical Advisor Christopher S. McMahon Treasurer Jerry R. Jones Mark R. Scalise Archbishop José H. Gomez Pittsburgh Sean J. Bellew Indianapolis Jupiter-Palm Beach Archbishop of Los Angeles MFA Wealth, LLC Philadelphia Cannon IV Scalise Industries Corporation President, United States Conference Vice Chairman Bellew, LLC of Catholic Bishops LEGATUS MISSION STATEMENT: Communications Director Christine V. Owsik Comments, queries and address changes: Legatus magazine is published 12 times per To study, live, and spread the Editor Gerald Korson Legatus Magazine year by Legatus, a membership organization Catholic faith in our business, Design Shawna Kunz, Lime Design PO Box 444 of Catholic presidents and CEOs. professional, and personal lives. Contributing Writer Judy Roberts Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0444 © 2023 Legatus Contributing Writer Jim Graves [email protected] All rights reserved Contributing Writer Rachel Hoover Phone: 866-534-2887 Contributing Writer Trent Beattie Copy Editor Nancy Carabio Belanger To advertise, contact: [email protected] Advertising Sales Representative Joe Giacalone
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PRESIDENT’S STEPHEN M. HENLEY ST. AGNES OF BOHEMIA DESK (1211-82) Fasting and penance clear path to holiness FEAST DAY: MARCH 2 CANONIZED: NOVEMBER 12, 1989 IN THE FALL OF 2021, I TRAVELED However, this rule of fasting is worth pondering to Medjugorje with members of even if we are unable to carry it out. While on PATRON OF CZECH REPUBLIC Legatus for a pilgrimage. It was pilgrimage at Medjugorje, I picked up a book, Fast my first visit to the town where with the Heart by Fr. Slavko Barbarić. I heartily Saint Agnes was daughter Mary has been appearing since recommend it. In the book, Fr. Barbarić explores to the king and queen of 1981. Every Lent since then, the history of fasting, the scriptural roots of Bohemia. She had multiple I am reminded of the message fasting, and how fasting can improve our spiritual suitors who sought to marry that Mary has delivered at health. The book left me with some key questions. her for political reasons, Medjugorje: fasting is a way to Are we fasting from those items and pleasures including Frederick II, the purify ourselves and should we do not need? What sacrifices are we offering Holy Roman Emperor. It was be practiced regularly. Her up to God for ourselves, loved ones, strangers, her desire, however, to enter words are a reminder peace in the world, and other religious life. Rejection of that fasting leads us intentions? Are we fasting such a proposal in that time to penance. As we “Are we fasting out of love and generosity? could have led to war, but at observe Lent this year, it is important to from those In a hymn attributed to Agnes’ request remind ourselves that items and St. Ambrose, we are Pope Gregory fasting and penance reminded “to purify our IX spoke to are keys to deepening pleasures we inmost soul, by spare use Frederick about her and enriching our do not need? of meat and drink, our rebel desire. Frederick relented and said he was not offended that Agnes COMMUNION OF preferred the SAINTS King of Heaven to himself. spiritual lives and passions to control.” During Agnes used her position to drawing closer to God. Lent, we are hopefully build a hospital for the poor taking steps to give up and two Franciscan friaries. The Catechism of the unnecessary attachments. She began an affectionate Catholic Church states that We need to make this a commitment throughout correspondence with St. Clare the year, to bring about our interior conversion of Assisi, an early follower of The interior penance of the on a daily basis. This engenders humility, which St. Francis and founder of the Christian can be expressed in turn brings us to the sacrament of Confession, Franciscan community for in many and various ways. which beckons us to Holy Communion. women known as the Poor Scripture and the Fathers Clares. Agnes joined the Poor insist above all on three “Outstanding among the saints is Mary, Mother of Clares in Prague in 1236 and forms, fasting, prayer, and the Lord and mirror of all holiness,” Pope Benedict served as abbess. almsgiving, which express XVI explained in his encyclical letter Deus Caritas conversion in relation Est (God Is Love). She seeks always to bring us to She embraced a life of prayer, to oneself, to God, and to her Son and wants us to follow the most direct obedience, mortification, others. (1434) path to Him. One of Mary’s recent messages at and strict adherence to the Medjugorje was to “pray and sacrifice your days community’s vow of poverty. At Medjugorje, Mary has been by fasting and penance, that God may give you She had the gift of miracles, clear that fasting is an essential peace.” Let us remember this message throughout predicting the victory of her part of the path to holiness. Lent and throughout the days of our lives. It could brother Wenceslaus over the She asks those who are able convert us, and the world, and lead so many to duke of Austria. Although she to have only bread and water heaven. L was superior of the community, on Wednesdays and Fridays she embraced its lowliest throughout the year. That level STEPHEN M. HENLEY duties, such as cooking for the of fasting indeed surpasses the is president of Legatus. other sisters and mending the minimum the Church asks of clothes of lepers. L us. Not every Catholic is capable of fasting to this extent, and for — Jim Graves many, it would be unwise. 8March 2023 | | legatus.org
MARK YOUR EDITOR’S GERALD KORSON CALENDARS DESK CATHOLICS AT New words and old words THE CAPITOL In the Order of Penance MARCH 13-14, 2023 BEEN TO CONFESSION YET THIS Interestingly, the Holy See also has approved an WASHINGTON, D.C. Lent? There are a couple of 11th form of the Act of Contrition — one that has changes in the lead-in to the been in use in the United States at least since the SOLD OUTBURGUNDY: words of absolution that might Baltimore Catechism was published in 1885: escape notice. DECANTING THE FAITH O my God, Starting on Ash Wednesday, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, APRIL 18-25, 2023 this prayer was tweaked and I detest all my sins because of your just BURGUNDY REGION OF FRANCE in ways that may seem punishments, insignificant at first. The but most of all because they offend you, my God, MEXICO FAMILY changes result from a vote who are all good and deserving of all my love. PILGRIMAGE of the U.S. bishops in 2021 to I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, revise the English translation to sin no more JUNE 9-12, 2023 of the Order of Penance and and to avoid the near occasions of sin. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO subsequent approval from the Amen. PILGRIMAGES.COM/LEGATUS Holy See last year. I have used this form (using thee and thy) FATHER & SON WEEKEND Whereas the priest used to pray exclusively since my first Confession in 1967 that “God, the Father of mercies, without realizing it lacked formal approval. No JULY 24-26, 2023 … sent the Holy Spirit among matter: penitents have long been permitted to CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RESORT, us for the forgiveness of sins,” express contrition in their own words anyway. he now says poured out rather NOTHERN MICHIGAN than sent. Its language is rather inaccurate in my case. My contrition is perpetually imperfect, much COOPER CLINIC That may be a more vivid more out of fear of hell than pure love of God. term. Sent works, but poured Do I therefore sin a little every time I recite it as EXECUTIVE PHYSICAL out connotes a generous written, or is that just me being overscrupulous? AUGUST 2-4, 2023 abundance, as in DALLAS, TX an outpouring of My favorite Act of Contrition the Holy Spirit or an “My contrition is one I pray dozens of times LEGATUS.ORG/COOPER23 outpouring of grace. is perpetually each day, a form of the Jesus It’s an apt image for Prayer: Jesus Christ, Son of MEDJUGORJE & the forgiveness of imperfect God, have mercy on me, a CROATIA CRUISE sins obtained in the sinner. I’ve yet to use it for the SEPTEMBER 25–OCTOBER 7, 2023 Sacrament of Penance. sacrament, however. It seems PRIVATE YACHT ADRIATIC CRUISE too quick and easy, and it PLUS MEDJUGORJE AND SARAJEVO The second tweak comes a lacks the statement of firm resolution that I find line later. Whereas the priest so essential to a good Confession. FOR MORE INFORMATION: formerly asked “may God give [email protected] you pardon and peace,” the However one expresses contrition, the key is to word give has been changed confess frequently, ask and receive absolution OR CALL 866-534-2887 to grant. God gives grace through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and freely, but grant more strongly firmly resolve to “sin no more.” L suggests God’s response to our petition for mercy. GERALD KORSON is editor of Legatus magazine. Still, these changes may fly under the radar for all but the most alert observer. 9March 2023 | | legatus.org
THE RULE OF BENEDICT: LOVE AND TRUTH IN CARITAS IN VERITATE, THE LATE POPE STRESSED THAT HUMAN INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING BUSINESSES, MUST SEEK JUSTICE AND THE COMMON GOOD ABOVE ALL BY GERALD KORSON March 2023 | 10 | legatus.org
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POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI PASSED WHENFROM THIS LIFE ON DECEMBER 31 OF LAST YEAR, HE LEFT BEHIND A BODY OF BRILLIANT THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION DATING FROM HIS TENURE AS A UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR IN HIS NATIVE GERMANY THROUGH HIS RETIREMENT YEARS FOLLOWING HIS SHOCKING RESIGNATION FROM THE PAPACY IN 2013. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/BRIAN A JACKSON And following in the tradition of popes dating back more principles of social doctrine they “[take on] practical form in than a century, he continued to develop Catholic social the criteria that govern moral action,” the Pope said, adding teaching, particularly regarding the role of all persons and he would focus on two criteria critical to development in a human institutions — including businesses and financial globalized society: justice and the common good. markets — in fostering justice and human flourishing. Justice “is inseparable from charity,” he wrote. “Only in The Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century advanced charity, illumined by the light of reason and faith, is it the free-market economy but coincided with the rise of possible to pursue development goals that possess a more socialist thought. These colliding interests led Pope Leo XIII humane and humanizing value.” to write his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which insisted Charity demands justice but also transcends it. “The earthly that an economy must be based in justice, essentially city is promoted not merely by relationships of rights and calling business and government leaders to the practice of duties, but to an even greater and more fundamental extent the natural virtues. by relationships of gratuitousness, mercy and communion,” Later popes would mark significant anniversaries of Rerum Benedict wrote. “Charity always manifests God’s love Novarum by applying its principles to the modern world. in human relationships as well, it gives theological and In the latter 20th century, Pope John XXIII commemorated salvific value to all commitment for justice in the world.” its 70th anniversary with Mater et Magistra (1961); for its centenary, Pope John Paul II wrote Centesimus Annus HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (1991). Between these, Pope Paul VI penned two social encyclicals, including 1967’s Populorum Progressio (On To serve the common good includes working toward the Development of Peoples), which signaled another “integral human development,” wrote Pope Benedict, a significant development in Catholic thought on global concept proposed by Pope Paul VI in Populorum Progressio. economic issues. The Church does not propose technical solutions for how this development is to happen, but notes that everyone is LOVE AT THE HEART called by God to work for human development, he said, “The truth of development consists in its completeness: Like previous social encyclicals, Pope Benedict’s Caritas If it does not involve the whole man and every man, it is in Veritate (Love in Truth), issued in 2009, called for the not true development.” practice of justice in economic and social issues. But it went Benedict wrote Caritas in Veritate during the global further to assert that the exercise of this natural virtue of economic crisis of 2007-2008, which undoubtedly justice — like the commandments themselves — must be factored into his reflections. He observed, in effect, that a rooted in the supernatural virtue of love. technological society cannot be trusted to self-regulate or “Charity is at the heart of the Church’s social doctrine,” set realistic goals; instead, the world “needs to rediscover Benedict said at the top of his encyclical. Charity — fundamental values on which to build a better future” — or love — “gives real substance to the personal relationship among these justice and love infused with truth. with God and with neighbor; it is the principle not only of “Today’s international economic scene, marked by grave micro-relationships (with friends, with family members deviations and failures, requires a profoundly new way of or within small groups) but also of macro-relationships understanding business enterprise,” he said. (social, economic and political ones).” Charity and truth are inseparable, and as the guiding 12March 2023 | | legatus.org
AN ETHICS OF ECONOMICS The vision is not merely to create ethical sectors, “but to ensure that the whole economy — the whole of finance — When he turned to concerns involving free enterprise, he is ethical, not merely by virtue of an external label but by addressed one of its dangers when it loses sight of these its respect for requirements intrinsic to its very nature,” the fundamental values. Pope said. “The Church’s social teaching is quite clear on the subject.” In economic matters, he said, “once profit becomes the Elaborating on this in a 2010 address, the Pope noted exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and that some businesses had weathered the global crisis by without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks adhering to “moral behaviors” and being aware of local destroying wealth and creating poverty.” needs. Enterprises, he said, can be “vital and produce ‘social The common good, therefore, requires shielding persons wealth’ if the businessmen and managers are guided by a from these excesses, Benedict said. The rights of workers far-sighted view, that prefers investment in the long term to need to be protected. Universal employment should speculative profit and that promotes innovation instead of become a priority. Ensuring food and other goods necessary for life are available to everyone is essential. ‘‘thinking of accumulating riches only for itself.” “The economy needs ethics in order to function correctly LIKE PREVIOUS SOCIAL — not any ethics whatsoever but an ethics which is people- ENCYCLICALS, POPE centered,” he stressed. BENEDICT’S CARITAS IN VERITATE (LOVE IN TRUTH), ISSUED IN 2009, CALLED FOR THE PRACTICE OF JUSTICE IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES 13March 2023 | | legatus.org
Business leaders attentive to the common good “are always THE ECONOMY NEEDS called to see their activity in the framework of a pluralistic ETHICS IN ORDER TO whole,” the Pope said in the address. “Such an approach generates — through personal dedication and a fraternity ‘‘FUNCTION CORRECTLY expressed in concrete economic and financial decisions — — NOT ANY ETHICS a market that is more competitive and, at the same time, WHATSOEVER BUT more civil, animated by a spirit of service.” AN ETHICS WHICH IS Expertly, Caritas in Veritate dovetailed social teaching with PEOPLE-CENTERED Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life), thereby linking respect for human life with integral human development. CNS PHOTO/JESSICA RINALDI, REUTERS 14March 2023 | | legatus.org
“Openness to life is at the center of true development,” ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/PEEPO Benedict wrote. MIXED RESPONSE As might be expected, Caritas in Veritate received mixed BUSINESS reviews even among some orthodox Catholic observers. EXECUTIVES’ Among those who greeted it with a measure of skepticism was author and social analyst George Weigel, who in a DILEMMA: National Review commentary characterized the encyclical THE NEED as a “hybrid, blending the pope’s own insightful thinking TO PLEASE on the social order with elements of a Justice and Peace INVESTORS approach” favored by more liberal influences within the Vatican. “The net result is, with respect, an encyclical that Without doubt, one of the greatest risks for resembles a duck-billed platypus.” businesses is that they are almost exclusively While the “Benedictine sections” of the encyclical are answerable to their investors, thereby compelling in linking charity with truth and makes many limiting their social value…. keen observations about the global economic situation, the parts that seem shaped by “Justice and Peace” thinking are Today’s international capital market offers “simply incomprehensible,” “clotted and muddled,” with great freedom of action. Yet there is also more talk of “redistribution of wealth than about wealth creation,” Weigel added. increasing awareness of the need for greater social responsibility on the part of business. He advised readers to focus on the Benedictine parts of the encyclical, including “his extension of John Paul II’s Even if the ethical considerations that signature theme — that all social issues, including political currently inform debate on the social and economic questions, are ultimately questions of the responsibility of the corporate world are nature of the human person.” not all acceptable from the perspective of the Church’s social doctrine, there is In support of Caritas in Veritate, Catholic historian and nevertheless a growing conviction that theologian Matthew Bunson called the encyclical an business management cannot concern itself “elegant synthesis of Catholic social thought and Catholic only with the interests of the proprietors, but moral teachings.” must also assume responsibility for all the other stakeholders who contribute to the life Pope Benedict, he said, “has given the world a profound of the business: the workers, the clients, the assessment of authentic human development. … This is suppliers of various elements of production, a significant moment in Catholic social teaching, and the encyclical will be the source of fruitful reflection for many the community of reference. years to come.” — Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 40 Despite the discomfort of some with parts of Caritas in Veritate, it could be said that the keywords of this encyclical’s title, love and truth, underlie all the late Pope’s theological thought, which was profoundly Christological and ultimately oriented toward our hope and desire for eternal life. After the encyclical’s release, some saw Benedict as a “social democrat,” but “such labels had no meaning for him,” journalist Glenn Argan wrote recently in National Catholic Register. “His thought and his life were rooted in a deep faith in Christ as our sole redeemer,” Argan said. “Our lives on this side of paradise will always be incomplete, and we can only find completeness through the ongoing exercise of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.” L GERALD KORSON is editor of Legatus magazine. 15March 2023 | | legatus.org
‘I, Paatsriinckn,er…’ Known from his Confessio for his great humility, the Apostle of Ireland models a key Lenten virtue by Rachel Hoover 16March 2023 | | legatus.org
Saint Patrick on the Hill of Slane in County Meath, Ireland, with ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/DERICK HUDSON panoramic views of the Irish countryside in the background. March 2023 | 17 | legatus.org
Every year, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated pray before dawn in snow about himself, he acknowledges his on March 17 with parades, green and ice and rain. I never felt limitations, but demonstrates great trust clothing, Irish music and dancing, and the worse for it,” says Patrick that “with God, all things are possible” of course, plenty of green beer. But who in the Confessio. (Matt 19:26). was the real St. Patrick? The picture that emerges is that of a profoundly humble This went on until God gave Patrick “was painfully Philip Freeman man — and a model for a virtue necessary Patrick a dream, telling aware of his own for one’s conversion and repentance during him to escape on a certain educational shortcomings the season of Lent. ship. He did so and arrived and his lack of expertise in Saint Bernard of Clairvaux defined humility home. But a few years later, Latin,” said Philip Freeman, as “a virtue by which man, knowing himself another dream would call professor of humanities as he truly is, abases himself.” St. Patrick him back to the land of his at Pepperdine University knew the truth about himself and abased captivity. and author of The World of himself—not by groveling to other people, St. Patrick and St. Patrick of but by giving all the credit for his success In this vision, Patrick Ireland. to God. received countless letters Patrick’s calling from the Irish people and Patrick also acknowledges his own According to current research, Patrick was heard their cries: “They sinfulness, introducing himself in the probably born somewhere in England in called out as it were with Confessio as “a sinner, a simple country the early fifth century. According to his one voice: ‘We beg you, holy person, and the least of all believers.” Confessio (“Confession”), or autobiography, boy, to come and walk again He believed his enslavement was a he was kidnapped by pirates at about age 16 among us,’” he recalls in the punishment for not keeping God’s and sold into slavery in Ireland. He worked Confessio. commandments. But he also saw suffering as a shepherd for several years in harsh as a tool God used to “straighten me out,” conditions. But prayer sustained him. He studied to become a in Patrick’s own words. “More and more the love of God increased, bishop, then spent the and my sense of awe before God. Faith grew, rest of his life granting the Patrick allowed God to make up for these and my spirit was moved, so that in one day request of the Irish people. shortcomings. “He learned to rely on the I would pray up to one hundred times, and grace of God in a way that is hard for most at night perhaps the same. … I would rise to Reliance of us to imagine,” said Freeman. on God Of course, this reliance on God came about Patrick gave all the credit through constant conversation with God in for his work to God. Writing prayer—100 times per day and night, as he says in the Confessio. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/D. LENTZ ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/WIRESTOCK Aerial view of Saint Patrick Purgatory church in Donegal, Ireland. 18March 2023 | | legatus.org
“I think this was the secret to Patrick: this reserve that for what needs Pat rick, continual prayer, many times … like arrows to be said; he’s well able to the servant going up, as opposed to big, long prayer fight, but it’s not everything leader times. This gave him humility,” said Fr. Neil that he fights about,” said Xavier O’Donoghue, translator of St. Patrick: Fr. O’Donoghue. “Servant leadership” is a bit of a His Confession and Other Works and lecturer buzzword, but it originates from a at the Pontifical University at St. Patrick’s A model profound concept: people follow a leader College in Maynooth, Ireland. to follow who serves their best interest rather than his own, be he CEO or bishop. Standing How can one grow in the Saint Patrick’s servant leadership for truth kind of humility St. Patrick started quite literally with forced modeled? servitude. But he voluntarily served the Sometimes, Christians mistakenly think same people again later, giving up a life humility requires passivity or even making Father O’Donoghue of luxury and wealth to do so. ourselves seem worse than we are. This is recommends getting to “He worked there [in Ireland] for not Patrick’s example. know St. Patrick as a real decades, using up whatever resources Father O’Donoghue explained the Confessio person, particularly by he had left, and refused to leave when is not a confession of guilt, but Patrick’s reading his Confessio. things got tough,” said Philip Freeman of defense of himself against false charges. “It is a window into his soul, Pepperdine University. “He was a saint who knew himself,” said and we can see a very real Freeman also stressed that Patrick’s Fr. O’Donoghue, echoing St. Bernard’s person with real struggles sacrifice extended beyond wealth. “He definition of humility. and real problems,” he was dedicated to giving his all to spread Even more importantly, Patrick was zealous said. “That can allow us to the gospel, even if it meant his own in defending others. Father O’Donoghue approach him and ask for death,” he said. cited the example of another work by his intercession.” “I can’t imagine a pastor more devoted to Patrick, the Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus, his mission than Patrick,” said Freeman. in which the saint chastises a British The priest also shared Christian who captured Irish Christians that he is not opposed to and took them as slaves. Patrick corrects the parties and parades him with forceful words, even calling the that celebrate St. Patrick, soldiers of Coroticus “fellow-citizens of as long as we also see the demons, because of their evil works.” real person of St. Patrick Freeman also mentioned that St. Patrick beneath it all. was devoted to helping the enslaved and abused women of Ireland. This “surely “I think that sometimes earned him much abuse from those in we make the saints too far power in Ireland,” said Freeman, but Patrick away, too different from us, stayed the course. too strong, too powerful. For Patrick, humility meant knowing when And to see that they are to stay silent and when to speak up. “He’s real people who are able to well able to say the truth, but he came to lean on God, I think this is a big help for us, and can allow us to really approach them properly,” said Fr. O’Donoghue. “Sometimes, Christians Saint Patrick would mistakenly think be the first to say that humility requires he is not so much passivity or even stronger or more making ourselves powerful than we are. seem worse than But God is. Patrick we are. This is not ends his Confessio by Patrick’s example saying that “whatever little [he] did or made known to please God... was a gift of God.” L RACHEL HOOVER is a contributing writer for Legatus magazine. 19March 2023 | | legatus.org
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WNHOATW, CRYPTO? In the wake of the financial scandals of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, economy experts weigh in on questions of regulation and investor prudence by Judy Roberts 21March 2023 | | legatus.org
C atholic investors who seek to manage their assets “If you’re in financial markets and you’re doing proper through the lens of their faith know to exercise due diligence of any firm, you would look at things like prudence and due diligence in decision-making and assessing governance structures and reports,” Gregg said. “I think we risk, but the latest financial scandal involving the FTX crypto can say in retrospect that FTX’s governance structures were exchange raises questions about whether that is adequate. at a minimum unclear and that transparency was not the strong point of FTX.” Samuel Gregg, an affiliate scholar at the Acton Institute and a distinguished fellow Jason Reed, assistant chair of the finance in political economy at the American department at the University of Notre Institute for Economic Research, said that Dame, said he thinks even risk-averse investing in cryptocurrency is like any investors would have been fooled by FTX other investment product. founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and the messages he was relaying to investors. “You need to look at the substance of “Without independent auditing of financial what you’re investing in and to try and statements, Bankman-Fried and FTX could Samuel Gregg understand how it works,” Gregg said. “If get away with the high level of fraud that you don’t understand it, then you probably they were committing.” Jason Reed shouldn’t be investing in it. If you have no conception of how a particular industry or a sector of the financial market functions, that’s probably a good reason not to invest in the Underregulated first place.” industry Michael Pakaluk, professor in the Busch Pakaluk characterized cryptocurrency investing as “pretty School of Business at Catholic University much a Wild West. It’s not well regulated, and that is part of of America, concurs. Especially when it the ethic of crypto.” comes to something as speculative as People involved in crypto are concerned about what’s called crypto, he remarked, prudent investors “monopoly currency,” he added, and therefore prefer it should not invest in anything they can’t remain unregulated. afford to lose. Michael Pakaluk Forsaking due Yet that, said Reed, is also one of the dangers. diligence? “Because of the decentralized nature and lack of regulation in crypto, consumers looking to invest in crypto should be Still, many investors who supposedly understood crypto prepared to shoulder the immense risk that comes with that and thought FTX was a strong name — and one of the most space,” he explained. “Right now, I don’t know if consumers transparent crypto operations — were taken in and lost can tell the difference. That’s a little scary.” money when the $32 billion exchange collapsed and more Even in such an environment, however, many investors than $1 billion in customer funds disappeared recently. considered their money safe in Bankman-Fried’s hands. Although Tesla CEO Elon Musk famously said he backed out A high-level example of this was Sequoia Capital, which has of a partnership with the FTX founder because he “set off apologized to its fund investors for losing $150 million on my B.S. detector,” other prominent, seemingly responsible FTX. The company’s partners have said they believe they investors were caught up in a kind of hysteria. were misled by FTX and will enhance their due diligence in the future. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/SALARKO March 2023 | 22 | legatus.org
Gregg said that in financial markets there can be a “Basically, anybody would have made money on crypto tendency toward this sort of herd mentality. “But even so, it four years ago, but now it’s a very difficult market and doesn’t excuse you from doing your due diligence as far as institutional investors are moving away from it,” he said. you can,” he pointed out. “Some used to say that some portion of your portfolio should be in crypto, but no one is ‘‘Such frenzied following of the pack was If you don’t saying that now.” understand it, Nonetheless, he added, the market common in the 1920s, Pakaluk said, is doing its work and going through and led to the Great Depression. That in a self-correction. turn spawned the Securities Act of 1933, which requires that before investing in any company offering shares for sale across state lines, investors be given then you Gregg agreed: “We should allow the a prospectus with audited financial probably market to test crypto’s effectiveness, statements along with a transparent and if it turns out it doesn’t live up to explanation of what the business is and its promise, the market will tell us its risks. shouldn’t be that.” For now, he continued, “Some Still, he continued, although people investing in it see it as one possible option while others won’t touch it with a barge read those prospectuses for a time after pole. I expect this will be the case they were mandated, few bother to look for some time.” at them now. “People are buying stocks on smartphones because of hunches, tips, and momentum,” Pakaluk warned. Reed said he thinks that imposing stronger protections for “It’s a dangerous place for society to be at in general.” consumers and investors will lower the associated riskiness with crypto. “We may end up seeing more crypto investing and adoption if regulators begin to lay down consumer- A cryptic future protection regulations,” he suggested. Gregg said he would like to think that financial advisers If crypto is to be regulated, however, Pakaluk does not think were looking beyond the smoke and mirrors of FTX when the government should do it. it was making enormous donations to political campaigns, securing a sponsorship agreement for the Miami Heat “FTX was good old-fashioned embezzlement, and I don’t L arena and doing Super Bowl advertisements. Rather than think that in itself raises questions about the nature accepting the exchange’s prominence as a sign of financial of crypto or cryptocurrency,” he said. “Just ordinary health, he said, advisers might have investigated to make due diligence and prudence and good sense should be sure that appearances matched reality. sufficient.” As for what effect FTX’s demise will have on crypto JUDY ROBERTS is a contributing writer for Legatus magazine. investing’s future, Reed said, “I think that the crypto markets will weather the storm but will lose some of the Crypto-virtue independence that makes it attractive.” signaling? Pakaluk said after an initial rush and bubble and a lot of new entrants into the crypto space, a shakedown is now When it came to a virtuous guided by EA, along with its going on, and valuations will decrease with it. image, FTX seemingly ESG ratings, was attractive had it all – high ESG to many. (Environmental, Social, But “the more you look and Governance) ratings at EA and ESG, you and a CEO who donated soon discover that it’s to progressive causes and internally incoherent was interested in Effective and methodologically Altruism (EA), which seeks deeply suspect,” Gregg to identify and solve the explained. “Yet these things world’s most pressing have acquired a type of problems. virtue-signaling function Yet, that may have blinded so that people thought some investors to the that by investing in these problems that led to FTX’s companies, they were not demise. just making a good return, Samuel Gregg of the but they were also letting Acton Institute said FTX’s everyone know that they presentation of itself as were being a good person as well.” March 2023 | 23 | legatus.org
Having found his way, he calls others home Mark Prather’s reconversion to his Catholic roots was helped along by a series of ‘miracles.’ Now he co-hosts a radio show in hopes of inspiring Catholics to more fully embrace the practice M ark Prather sees his life of their faith by Jim Graves Mark Prather (right) with Ralph Linzmeier as a series of miracles — ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/JESSICAHYDE leading first to his return radio/podcast program in which people tell the stories of the limit” to succeed at his to the Catholic Church and God acting in their lives. business, he explained, then to his efforts to draw and stress took a toll on Catholics back to a stronger Big questions his health. One morning, commitment to their faith. as he was getting dressed Although baptized Catholic, When he was 18, despite growing up without religion, after working out, he felt he grew up in an agnostic Prather began his adult life by asking himself two big a minor burn in his chest household not practicing questions. Does God exist? And what possibilities do I have that became increasingly the faith, but has since for my life? He sought to answer the second question by intense. His wife called 911, gone through a conversion. immersing himself in the real estate industry and founded and paramedics confirmed He became a devout a mortgage company at the young age of 22. He worked he was having a heart believer and evangelist long hours and was driven to succeed, but miraculous attack. after experiencing what events in his life kept him returning to ponder the existence As the paramedics wheeled he believes are a series of of God. him away on a gurney, Mark miracles in his life. As his My Testimony of Miracles YouTube video relates, uttered one quick prayer Today, the member of a series of miracles helped convince him there is a God. before passing out: “Not Legatus’ Orange County Once, when he was 28, he dozed off while watching his yet.” While in recovery, he Chapter in California is young children. He was awakened by the sound of running was a candidate for a heart committed to sharing his water — miraculous, he believes, as no water fixtures were transplant. Four months faith using the talents he turned on — only to discover that two of his small children later, his doctor revealed has acquired after a lifetime had gotten into the pool area and were at risk of drowning. that his heart had returned in the real estate industry. to normal, and there was no He has teamed with fellow ‘Fill my church’ medical explanation. “It was chapter member Ralph a miracle,” Prather opined. Linzmeier to produce Another incidence occurred at age 49, when he experienced “My heart healed itself.” Finding Your Way, a Catholic a major heart attack. He was always pushing himself “to But he said the most amazing thing occurred later when he was in church March 2023 | 24 | legatus.org
and heard the voice of a Repaceonsntv‘aesrnesccieoonnd’ man say in his ear, “Fill my church.” He looked around, Christ’s call to conversion but there was no man continues to resound in nearby. Prather believes he the lives of Christians. had heard the voice of Jesus This second conversion Christ speaking to him. is an uninterrupted task “When I tell that story, both for the whole Church who, believers and unbelievers “clasping sinners to her alike look at me funny,” he bosom, [is] at once holy admitted. and always in need of purification, [and] follows Since that moment, constantly the path of Prather has eagerly sought penance and renewal.” This opportunities to share endeavor of conversion is his faith. It was while not just a human work. It is presenting his story to the movement of a “contrite one local group that he heart,” drawn and moved met Linzmeier, a longtime by grace to respond to the Legatus member of the merciful love of God who Orange County Chapter. He loved us first. (Catechism of invited Prather first to speak the Catholic Church, 1428) to the chapter on “What Is Possible for Your Life?” and Interior repentance is a later invited him to join radical reorientation of Legatus. Today, Linzmeier our whole life, a return, is retired from a career a conversion to God with in the financial services all our heart, an end of industry and is membership sin, a turning away from chairman of the chapter evil, with repugnance while Prather serves as its toward the evil actions program vice-chair. we have committed. At the same time it entails T he call home the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with Another Orange County hope in God’s mercy and Chapter member, Deacon Ralph Linzmeier co-hosts trust in the help of his Steve Greco, founder of Finding Your Way with grace. This conversion of Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry, Mark Prather. heart is accompanied by a launched a radio/podcast salutary pain and sadness outreach featuring free Prather said the guests’ stories of faith have been which the Fathers called Catholic programming interesting and some have even “gone viral.” One of these animi cruciatus (affliction and asked Linzmeier and was an interview with Doreen Campbell, who spoke of how of spirit) and compunctio Prather to host a regular her faith helped her cope after her young adult daughter cordis (repentance of show. Finding Your Way Katie died in a traffic accident. heart). (CCC, 1431) aptly describes their guests’ accounts of following Linzmeier, who had worked as a DJ in high school, relishes God’s lead through life’s co-hosting the program as a “chance to work in front of an challenging times — and it audience again.” fits Prather’s own journey “as well. For Prather, the radio show and his speaking engagements are perhaps an answer to the voice he heard urging him to “fill my church.” Mindful of the Prather began his adult life by conversion back to the practice of his Catholic faith that he experienced in his own life, he noted asking himself two big questions. with alarm how Catholic attendance at Mass has Does God exist? And what declined dramatically in recent generations. possibilities do I have for my life? “Evangelization is desperately needed,” he said, “and Finding Your Way is one small opportunity to do our part.” L JIM GRAVES is a contributing writer for Legatus magazine. March 2023 | 25 | legatus.org
BUSINESS FR. THOMAS MORE GARRETT, O.P. ETHICS Launch continuous improvement plan for the spiritual life of the soul DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE A to the life of the soul. Any adaptation continuous improvement plan? of a quantitative exercise to the realm A commitment to continuous of prayer and friendship with God improvement is often the mark would seem like a fool’s errand. After of a successful enterprise. all, holiness is not something that lends Inculcating a persistent drive itself to easy measurement. Is saying to be better requires the four Our Fathers always more efficacious resolute resolve to set new than three? Which is better, more time ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/PARRADEE KIETSIRIKUL goals and achieve them with spent in meditation or in spiritual regularity. Several notable reading? How would one compare the business leaders have offered holiness of St. Thérèse of Lisieux with strategies for improving that of St. Thomas Aquinas? the likelihood of generating tangible results. Nonetheless, several saints from different eras have adopted practices One, popularized by Intel’s that share the specificity and practical improvements. Whatever our Lenten practices former chief Andrew Grove, goal-orientation of OKR. Saint Anthony of may be, they should contribute to our spiritual is OKR, or Objectives and Key the Desert is said to have encouraged the growth. Results. In brief, OKR consists maintenance of a list of faults upon which one of identifying a clearly defined could meditate for the sake of improvement. Consider which of your faults is most responsible goal along with three to five At the start of each day, St. Bernadette and a for your failing to mirror the example of Christ intermediate key results companion identified works they would both in your own life. Identify the elimination of that that track the progress of accomplish and avoid. The two would consult fault as a key result. Create initiatives that would achievement. their lists in the evening, and if they failed in one allow you to grow beyond its limitations. Keep or more respect, they would perform some sort track of how often you engage in the act each For OKR to be successful, of penance to exercise their souls and condition day. Meditate on what is leading to each failure the key results and themselves for and consider the preventative initiatives you initiatives undertaken better results. might take. to pursue them must “Lent is a time for For each, the be specific, concrete, making improvements. recording of Like St. Bernadette and her companion, develop some sort of spiritual exercise designed to and measurable. Whatever our Lenten shortcomings improve future results. Track your improvement Assessments must practices may be, they facilitated the over time. While it might be impossible to generate clear identification measure your holiness, you will at least have outcomes and of habitual some sense as to whether you are growing more determinations. should contribute to mistakes and or less imperfect in some respect. Did sales increase our spiritual growth provided an 10 percent on a quarter- impetus for to-quarter basis or improvement. The language of successful management can not? Did overhead be adapted to the pursuit of something more decline relative to In his book The meaningful than business improvement. production? Has the product Ways of Mental Prayer, the Cistercian monk Following the example of the saints and with penetrated a new market this Vitalis Lehodey urges his readers to focus on the help of God’s grace, a results-oriented prayer year? The proper measurement eliminating just one or two faults that are most life makes the highest objective come into closer of the results will vary, but significant or regular in occurrence. After view. L only through some form of making progress in one area, the individual evaluation can improvement moves to the next. FATHER THOMAS MORE be tracked and verified. GARRETT, O.P., is a Dominican friar at Something like a plan of continuous Providence College in Rhode Island, where he is a At first blush, OKR would improvement can be operationalized within member of the management faculty in the School appear to have little to offer the spiritual life. Lent is a time for making of Business and serves as associate vice president and associate general counsel. March 2023 | 26 | legatus.org
March 2023 | 27 | legatus.org
CULTURE OF JOSEPH MEANEY LIFE Abortion, contraception: Fruits of the poison tree POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II MADE A inherent in the very important and perceptive ‘contraceptive point in his encyclical letter mentality’ — Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel which is very of Life) when he stated that different from “despite their differences of responsible nature and moral gravity, parenthood, contraception and abortion lived in respect are often closely connected, as for the full truth fruits of the same tree.” of the conjugal act — are such It is common to hear from that they in fact certain groups, especially strengthen this those with an interest in temptation when ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/TRILOKS promoting birth control, that an unwanted increased access to and use life is conceived. of contraception will reduce Indeed, the the numbers of abortions. pro-abortion This is a prediction that can be culture is checked. A very good article especially strong precisely where the Church’s So, what is the poison tree that gives by William Newton in the teaching on contraception is rejected.” It is very contraception and abortion as its fruits? It is May 2015 Linacre Quarterly interesting to note that Dr. Malcom Potts, former sexual impurity. Chastity is a beautiful virtue pulled the data together. Spain medical director of the International Planned that must be lived by all — married or single, lay had a 30 percent increase in Parenthood Federation, essentially agreed, or religious. When lust and disordered sexuality contraceptive use from 1997 stating, “As people turn to contraception, there enter a person’s life, it is spiritually deadly. As to 2007 and an even higher will be a rise, not a fall, in the abortion rate.” people are sucked into sexual immorality, they growth in abortions (48 percent become hooked on contraception and abortion. increase) in that same time With higher contraceptive prevalence, the There is a vicious circle that leads to a “culture period. In England and Wales, amount of promiscuous sexual activity goes of death,” another memorable phrase coined by contraceptive use among up, and since all methods of birth control John Paul II. A selfish pursuit of pleasure results sexually active unmarried have a failure rate, unplanned and unwanted in the slaughter of innocent preborn children. women grew from pregnancies 26 percent to 97 “With higher contraceptive result in The good news is that the cycle of sexual percent from 1970 prevalence, the amount significant hedonism leading to abortion can be broken to 1990, and the numbers. Babies by the practice of virtue and reverence for the abortion rate grew of promiscuous sexual conceived out sanctity of human life. Raising children and by over 100 percent, activity goes up of wedlock young people to save sex for their marital life is from 8.8 to 19.9 and despite a wonderful blessing. Rejecting contraception in abortions per 1,000 attempted marriage also strengthens them immensely, as women in fertile contraception seen by the low rates of divorce among couples ages. are at grave using natural methods of fertility regulation. risk for abortion. It is heartbreaking to read the Even those unhappy to be pregnant can be John Paul II provided a strong testimonies of former Planned Parenthood helped — as thousands of pregnancy centers do reason in Evangelium Vitae workers who affirm that this giant organization every day — to see the beauty and humanity of to explain why the abortion promotes contraception and sexual promiscuity our preborn brothers and sisters and so be saved rate has risen in many places among young people knowing very well that from the pain of abortion. L parallel to an increase in there will be high failure rates, especially among the use of contraception. He teenagers, and that this will then feed their JOSEPH MEANEY, PH.D., said that “the negative values abortion numbers. is president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. March 2023 | 28 | legatus.org
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FAITH FR. WADE MENEZES, C.P.M. MATTERS Approaching Confession with comfort and hope “FATHER, I HAVE SINNED against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:18–20) Do not despair of his mercy, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/BANKSPHOTOS no matter how great your sins, for great mercy will take away great sins. For the Lord is gracious and merciful and prefers the conversion of a sinner rather than his death. (St. Jerome, Commentary on the Book of Joel) What, exactly, do the there would be no [hope of] restoration and it will only be venial sins that will need to be Sacrament of Penance and everything would already be lost, it is not so with confessed, as the person will have habitually God’s mercy have in common? God. The miracle of divine mercy restores that grown in virtue to shun every mortal sin. Our Lord Himself gives us soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who a beautiful answer to this do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s Regarding those persons who may be fearful question in something He told mercy! (Diary, 1448) of Confession — for example, out of fear or St. Faustina Kowalska, the shame — our Lord relayed to St. Faustina these Divine Mercy seer: This passage should provide each one of us comforting words: “Pray for souls that they be with great comfort and hope. In the Sacrament not afraid to approach the tribunal of My mercy. Write, speak of My mercy. Tell of Confession, our Blessed Lord is ever ready to Do not grow weary of praying for sinners. You souls where they are to look welcome back the truly repentant sinner—the know what a burden their souls are to My Heart. for solace; that is, in prodigal son or Relieve My deathly sorrow; dispense My mercy.” the Tribunal of Mercy “[O]ur Blessed Lord daughter. This [the sacrament of is ever ready to sacrament is So, let us always approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation]. There where we take our Penance with confidence, a word which, in the greatest miracles mortal sins to be its Latin breakdown – con fide – means, “with take place [and] are welcome back the reconciled with God faith.” Thus, to have confidence in something is incessantly repeated. truly repentant sinner and are welcome to precisely to be with faith in that same something. To avail oneself take our venial sins Let us foster this truth with holy Confession. L of this miracle... it as well. suffices to come with FATHER WADE MENEZES, C.P.M., faith to the feet of My In fact, for those is a member of the Fathers of Mercy, an itinerant representative and to reveal who partake of the sacrament of Confession missionary preaching order based in Auburn, KY. to him one’s misery, and the faithfully and regularly — for example, once miracle of Divine Mercy will a month, say, in honor of the First Friday He is host of EWTN Global Catholic Radio’s be fully demonstrated. Were a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or on Open Line Tuesday. This article is adapted from soul like a decaying corpse so the First Saturday of each month in honor of a chapter in his latest book, Catholic Essentials: that from a human standpoint, the Immaculate Heart of Mary — hopefully A Guide to Understanding Key Church Teachings (EWTN Publishing). March 2023 | 30 | legatus.org
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ENGAGING THE VALENTIN TOMBERG FAITH Friends serving Jesus, but in different ways LAZARUS BELONGED NEITHER And again, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/DUNCAN1890 CATECHISM For a to the circle of the twelve Martha’s 101 Christian, disciples who accompanied sister Mary, believing in Jesus on his travels nor to “who [had] God cannot the wider circle of seventy anointed the be separated disciples, but occupied another, Lord with oil special, position in relation to and dried from believing in the One he the Master and the apostles. his feet with sent, his ‘beloved Son’, in whom This special position was her hair,” the father is ‘well pleased’; similar to that of Nicodemus, received him God tells us to listen to him. Joseph of Arimathea, and in Bethany The Lord himself said to his Nathaniel: properly speaking, with the disciples: ‘Believe in God, although spiritually intimate words: “Lord, believe also in me. with the Master, they stood if you had outside the circle of onlookers, been here, Catechism of the but as friends. This is why Jesus my brother Catholic Church, #151 said to his disciples: “Our friend would not Lazarus has fallen asleep.” have died” SCRIPTURE …Blessed are (John 11:11) (John 11:32), 101 the eyes that It is characteristic of all those in which see what you in this other circle that they words the certainty and security of insight speaks, see. For I say were, so to say, “in the know”: going far beyond mere pious hope. to you, many they had not only been vigilant in awaiting the coming of the Martha and Mary. These two sisters belonged prophets and kings desired to Messiah but had also alertly to the circle of friends or helpers not because see what you see, but did not recognized him when he came. they were also “in the know,” but because they see it, and to hear what you In the case of John the Baptist placed themselves entirely at the service of the hear, but did not hear it. this is obvious enough, but the Lord. … [Martha] took on the task of offering conversation between Martha hospitality to him who had come from heaven. … Luke 10:23-24 and Jesus just before he entered Mary did what, though not “needed” outwardly, Bethany (John 11:21-27) shows was yet inwardly valuable beyond measure: she that she, too, recognized him surrounded Jesus with soul warmth. Anointing as the “one who had come,” his feet with precious aromatic ointment and for she said: “Yes, Lord; I have then drying them with her hair was of course come to believe that you are the entirely “unneedful” (as Judas objected), but Christ, the Son of God, he who is these acts offered human warmth to him who coming into the world.” had come to die on the cross. This assuaging Martha does not say that “only warmth made it humanly less daunting for him now” does she recognize and to accept his approaching task — his death on the believe Jesus to be Christ, but cross — and fortified him in his mission. L that she has “come to” believe him to be the Son of God. The Excerpted and adapted from Lazarus: The Miracle of Resurrection in World History, by confession that, in Peter’s case, Valentin Tomberg (Angelico Press, 2022), pp. 117-120. was called forth from him like a flash of revelatory lightning had, VALENTIN TOMBERG (1900-1973), a in Martha’s case, been borne Russian-born convert to Catholicism, lectured inwardly over a longer period: “I and wrote on Christology, Christian mysticism, have come to believe,” she said. and other theological topics in the Netherlands, Germany, and England. During World War II he and his wife protected Jews and were active in resistance movements against the Nazis. March 2023 | 32 | legatus.org
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WHAT TO READ Cathonomics: How Catholic and private sector would work Dame, Muffet McGraw led her enough, Tradition Can Create a More together for the common teams to 26 NCAA tournament and in this Just Economy good, with government bids and two national handy Anthony M. Annett charged with guaranteeing championships. Now retired, volume Georgetown University Press, the fundamentals for she makes use of her record of Fr. Héctor 336 pages human flourishing, greater success to encourage women R.G. Pérez worker representation and to overcome any barriers or provides Catholic social teaching is all shareholding in businesses, struggles in confidence to a concise about serving the common and measures to promote achieve greatness in life and teaching on good. In his comprehensive ethical globalization leadership. “This isn’t the senior the value of the sacrament new book, former International and sustainability. It’s a prom,” she writes. “Stop waiting as well as a helpful guide Monetary Fund economist challenging model that to be asked. You don’t need for preparing to receive it. Anthony M. Annett sides with provides much-needed food anyone’s permission to reach He goes over the elements for thought. the top.” She expertly illustrates of Confession, why it is Pope Francis her points with anecdotes from necessary, the difference that true Expect More! Dare to Stand working with players and her between perfect and solidarity is Up and Stand Out philosophy honed during her imperfect contrition, and necessary Muffet McGraw coaching years. A brief but why it is good to confess to protect Ave Maria Press, 128 pages insightful book. sins frequently. He also has people from tips for making a thorough the excesses In her Sacrament of Confession: examination of conscience, of the free- 33 years What It Is and How to Receive a thoughtful, full, and market as head It Well honest Confession, and good system. He women’s Fr. Héctor R.G. Pérez, C.S.L.J. reparations for sin afterward. identifies the 10 core principles basketball Sophia Institute Press, 96 pages Appendices provide relevant of Catholic social teaching and coach at the supporting texts as well. An proposes a “moral economy” University The importance of regular excellent book to consult built around these principles. of Notre Confession cannot be stressed before every Confession. L In this economy, the public March 2023 | 34 | legatus.org
WHAT TO SEE The Gil Hodges Story: Honoring the ‘soul of a champion’ IT TOOK A HALF-CENTURY stirring profile of the devoutly basemen but also as a The Gil Hodges Story: after his death for Gil Hodges Catholic Hodges as a player great American and an Soul of a Champion to be inducted to the National but more so as a man who exemplary human being, Gil Hodges, Vin Scully, Baseball Hall of Fame. earned the admiration of someone who many of us Despite his eight All-Star fans and fellow players alike. were in awe of because Tommy Lasorda, Art Shamsky Game appearances and three Produced by Spirit Juice of his spiritual strength,” 30 minutes • Unrated World Series victories — Studios in collaboration with legendary sportscaster Vin including managing the 1969 Catholic Athletes for Christ, Scully wrote in an online legacy stands as proof that one “Miracle Mets” to the world it uses archival footage and essay before the 2021 does not need to check one’s championship — committee modern-day interviews to Hall of Fame vote. “I often Catholic faith and values at the votes always fell short paint a portrait highlighting heard Dodgers players door regardless of profession.L because he had never led his character, integrity, and refer to Gil as a ‘saint.’” the league in any statistical leadership. The documentary discusses GERALD KORSON category. But baseball’s Hodges’ playing career Hodges’ World War II service is editor of Legatus magazine. Golden Era Committee was solid but perhaps and his abiding friendship finally saw fit to elect him unspectacular. Over an 18- with teammate Jackie to the Hall in 2021, and that year career mainly with the Robinson, the first black player year’s documentary Soul of Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, in the Major Leagues, whom he a Champion: The Gil Hodges he batted .273, hit 370 home defended from the racism and Story is said to have played a runs, and was a reliable fielder. rejection of other players. role in influencing that vote. But he was so much more. His sudden death of a heart The 30-minute film, available “Gil stood out as not only attack in 1972 at the age of 47 on YouTube and at www. one of the game’s finest first was widely mourned. But his gilhodgesfilm.com, is a March 2023 | 35 | legatus.org
HEALTH RICHARD H. CARTABUKE, M.D. MATTERS Advice from latest research: Sleep more for better health I WORK IN GERIATRICS. according to age. For many years, when my You’ve probably older patients would tell me seen this by now. they were getting only five or Infants need 12-15 six hours of sleep and waking hours of sleep; up feeling refreshed, I would Preschoolers respond by saying, “Sure. need 10-13 hours; That’s part of the normal aging Teenagers need process and to be expected.” eight to 10 hours; Adults need seven But starting a few years ago, to nine hours. I had to adjust my response. Once you hit 65, It used to be we thought that the recommended starting around age 65, people amount of sleep required less sleep because of drops to seven to ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/WAVEBREAKMEDIA how their sleep architecture eight hours. That’s changes — meaning the as low as it gets. amount of time spent in various And yet, 40 percent stages of sleep. But now we of adults don’t even know that’s not true. Older get the minimum adults need —wait for it — seven seven hours. to eight hours of sleep. Sound familiar? It’s not much different What I’m about to say might sound like an the studies, the findings are consistent. So my from when you were 30. extreme statement — or, depending on your recommendation to everyone reading this: viewpoint, it might seem simple and obvious. sleep more. A panel of experts from Ready for it? different fields I know that’s hard advice for busy executives to in science and The single most hear. You’re traveling, working long hours, plus medicine was “There’s research coming effective thing 99 maintaining a family and social life. But the stakes are too high to ignore this advice. There’s research convened several out all the time linking percent of people coming out all the time linking chronic insufficient years ago. They of any age can sleep to a range of health problems, including reviewed hundreds chronic insufficient sleep do to instantly heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, substance abuse, dementia, and even increased risk of death. of research studies to a range of health improve their related to sleep problems overall health is duration and its to sleep more. relation to a variety Maybe you feel like you don’t have time to sleep of health outcomes Sure, we could seven hours a night. I’m quite sure you don’t — everything from talk about how to have the time or desire to deal with those kind of heart disease to fall asleep faster, health problems! L depression. how to overcome insomnia, how to improve the quality of your sleep, how to take supplements RICHARD H. CARTABUKE, M.D., Then they came out with and medications to aid sleep, and so on. But by practices internal medicine and geriatrics at recommendations for how far the most data we have in the area of sleep is much sleep people need related to duration, and across the board in all the Cleveland Clinic and is medical director of Healthnetwork Foundation. HEALTHNETWORK is a Legatus membership benefit, a health care “concierge service” that provides members and their families access to some of the most respected hospitals in the world. One Call Starts It All: (866) 968-2467 or (440) 893-0830. Email: [email protected] HEALTHNETWORK FOUNDATION connects business leaders to the world’s best health specialists and creates customized medical philanthropy opportunities. For more information, contact fellow Legatus member and Healthnetwork president Megan Frankel at [email protected] March 2023 | 36 | legatus.org
March 2023 | 37 | legatus.org
FEEDING THE JOE MICATROTTO SR. FOODIE A Palestinian dining delight in the land of Christ’s birth TO LIST ALL THE WONDERFUL One of the families we were blessed to know of the meats, descriptions of the birthplace of owns and operates the newest and most exciting seasonings, and our Lord would be impossible, restaurant in the heart of Bethlehem: Cascada grilling, never to borrow a page from St. John Rooftop and Lounge. Lifelong Palestinian overcooking. (Jn 21:15). This December, we Christians, Dr. Michele and Lina Raheel have The kebab, spent nearly three weeks in assisted their son Francis to open this elegant like rice, can Bethlehem on a project for our restaurant. Francis is a graduate of Bethlehem’s be a carrier of Equestrian Order of the Holy University Hospitality School, which is well exquisite flavors. Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and known for this area of study. The menu, like the It’s bolder than this became evident each day. city of Bethlehem, is diverse in offering and bold rice but still The people of Bethlehem have in flavors. allows for the had as much “cultural-social grilled meat to Francis and Lina Raheel gyrations” as nearly any ethnic The choice for a meal is not an easy one, but be savored and for the other flavors to convey group in human history. What is when in the Middle East our cravings lean to their dynamic tastes. Thus, the pistachio is so marvelous is that they have the grilled meats of Palestinian, Lebanese, and wonderfully present while the grilled juicy remained loyal to their faith and Jordanian specialties. The pick is often kebabs, kebab makes a perfect foundation. family despite this chaos. but saying “kebab” is like saying “pizza,” as there are endless varieties and toppings. The mainstay As we left Cascada and gazed at the city lights After annual trips for nearly is a top-shelf ground-beef-and-lamb mixture and that clear December sky, we could easily a decade, Connie and I have (70:30 ratio). For my selection on this evening, I imagine the star that heralded His birth. grown to realize, as the true chose the pistachio kebab, described as the beef- Bethlehem is a city and a people prepared by local Palestinians say, “This lamb mixture coated with ground pistachios God to welcome Emmanuel, from the lowly is your home.” Certainly, our and glazed with tahini sauce. It was served with shepherd boys to the kings from the East. The Lord’s birth made a loaf of sesame manger was His first earthly throne. Please visit, this a reality over “The key to the recipe is bread and an gaze upon the fields of Bethlehem, and dine at 2,000 years ago. proper blending of the eggplant aioli. Cascada for a blessing beyond measure — from The House of your family in Palestine. L David had little These are truly idea that this meats, seasonings, and Palestinian JOE MICATROTTO SR., K.C.*H.S., has been a founder “bread basket” city grilling, never overcooking kebabs. The key and CEO in the restaurant industry for more than 45 years, would produce the to the recipe is Bread of Life. proper blending including among his credits Bucca di Beppo, Panda Express, and MRG Marketing & Management, Inc. (Micatrotto Restaurant Group). He and his wife, Connie, are members of Legatus’ Las Vegas Chapter. PISTACHIO KEBABS • MAKES 8-10 KEBABS Ingredients: Directions: a metal skewer in the 6. Place these fantastic • 2 lb. fresh ground beef 1. In a food processor, blend middle. Pack this mixture Middle East “wonders” on • 1 lb. fresh ground lamb all ingredients except beef, tightly. top of almost anything you • ½ cup finely chopped lamb, and pistachios. 4. Put kebabs on an wish: rice, garlic mashed parsley 2. In a medium bowl, by outdoor grill or indoor potatoes, or pastas of • 4 cloves garlic hand, thoroughly mix the broiler at medium heat. your choice. Or go “Middle • 1 medium yellow onion beef and lamb with the Roll gently as the meat America” and get your • 1 tbsp. tahina seasoning processed ingredients until browns and complete favorite crispy bread or • 1 tsp. ground pepper evenly blended into meats. within 8-10 minutes. brioche buns, toasted • 1 tbsp. salt 3. Now the fun begins as Do not overcook. and buttered, and make • 2 tbsp. Arabic seven spice you form three-to-four- 5. Garnish heavily with a home for a pistachio • 1 cup finely crushed inch-long “fat fingers“ pistachios. kebab sandwich. pistachios of the kebabs and slide March 2023 | 38 | legatus.org
March 2023 | 39 | legatus.org
U.S. BRIEFS WAR OF WORDS: AP STYLE One seminar involved a lecture said, noting that the results are UPDATED TO UNDERMINE USE on how DEI (diversity, equity, “comparable” to a similar poll OF ‘CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER’ and inclusion) programs “divide taken last January before the U.S. NEW YORK — The Associated Press people and poison organizational Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision added an entry to its style guide culture rather than uniting people overturning Roe v. Wade. in November directing journalists and cultivating sensitivity and In addition, more than 90 percent to put the term “crisis pregnancy understanding,” said professor Allen of respondents said they support center” in scare-quotes, and to use Mendenhall, who runs the program pregnancy resource centers, the “anti-abortion center” instead, to through the Manuel H. Johnson poll said. convey that “the centers’ general Center for Political Economy. CLASSY WEB DEVELOPERS: aim is to prevent abortions.” The goal of the growing program, TECH STUDENTS HELP MAKE he said, is to “teach future business PRAYER APP FOR BURMESE The guide, the most commonly used leaders about the virtues of INDIANAPOLIS — When Paul Hinn, in news journalism, warns writers commerce and the morality of pastoral associate at St. Barnabas against “potentially misleading honest profit.” Parish, mentioned his vision of a terms” like “pregnancy resource K OF C/MARIST POLL REVEALS prayer app for Burmese Catholic centers or pregnancy counseling VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS refugees in the Hakha Chin centers.” SUPPORT ABORTION LIMITS language, Clint Meinerding went In a December “Abortion Topical POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Almost to work. The teacher at the parish Guide,” the AP prohibits terms such 70 percent of Americans support school recruited four of his best as “pro-life” and “fetal heartbeat” limiting abortion to the first three eighth-grade technology students as well as the phrase “late-term” in months of pregnancy, a survey by to create the app, now available on regard to abortions. the Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll the internet and for download. “It’s disgraceful that so-called released in mid-January revealed. journalistic professionals succumb Sixty percent of the survey’s The students took coding skills to pro-abortion political activists respondents said they oppose using learned in Meinerding’s classes and to do their bidding,” commented tax dollars for abortion services developed pages for the website Thomas Glessner, president of the domestically, while 78 percent oppose and app, often using their lunch National Institute of Family and funding abortion services abroad. and recess periods. Life Advocates. “Nearly 7 in 10 Americans believe ALABAMA UNIVERSITY SEES abortion should be limited,” Marist The website (www.hakkacatholic. SUCCESS WITH ‘ANTI-WOKE’ Poll director Barbara L. Carvalho BUSINESS SCHOOL PROGRAM TROY, AL — A Troy University com) and app (Hla & Thlacamnak business school program that trains Catholic) now have hundreds of students to combat wokeness in the prayers and songs to serve this corporate world flourished in its ethnic group in the United States first semester last fall. and in their native Myanmar. Some Nine students completed the 20,000 Hakha Chin have resettled Free Enterprise Scholars training in the Indianapolis area, many of program by participating in about a them Catholic. L dozen activities including reading groups and a speaker series. SOURCES: Catholic News Agency, The College Fix, The Daily Signal, UCANews March 2023 | 40 | legatus.org
WORLD BRIEFS POPE FRANCIS TO FR. MARTIN: it was 69 percent. The level of Kishida, a conservative leader who ‘EVERY SEXUAL ACT OUTSIDE attendance in Nigeria is notably took office in 2021, said he intends OF MARRIAGE IS A SIN’ high given the high number of to launch a new government agency VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis violent attacks against Christians to support children and families. has written a letter to clarify across the country in recent years. According to Asia News, a Catholic his comments on sin and CARA researchers used data from news site, Kishida has endorsed homosexuality from a January the World Values Survey (WVS), direct economic support to families Associated Press interview. a major international study of with dependent children, stronger In the AP interview, Pope Francis religious belief. CARA’s polling data child care services, and the reform had said that being homosexual indicated that the only 17 percent of of Japanese working habits to allow “is not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin. U.S. Catholics attend Mass weekly working parents a better work-life Fine, but first let’s distinguish or more. balance. between a sin and a crime.” JAPAN’S BIRTHRATE DOWN: ‘BLACK NAZARENE’ IMAGE, LEADER SAYS NATION IS PROCESSION DRAWS 100,000 “When I said it is a sin, I was simply ‘STANDING ON THE VERGE’ IN POST-COVID PHILIPPINES referring to Catholic moral teaching, TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister MANILA — More than 100,000 which says that every sexual act Fumio Kishida has warned that faithful gathered to venerate the outside of marriage is a sin,” the Japan’s historically low birthrate “Black Nazarene” in the Philippines pope wrote to Jesuit Father James is not sustainable and that the after a two-year suspension of the Martin, a vocal supporter of LGBT ongoing population decline in the traditional procession due to the rights, in response to a request for country poses an urgent risk. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. clarification. “Japan is standing on the verge Francis said he was trying to say in of whether we can continue to The venerated image of the Black the interview that criminalization function as a society,” Kishida Nazarene was processed in of homosexuality “is neither good said in a January speech before early January from the Quirino nor just.” Parliament. Grandstand to St. John the Baptist STUDY: NIGERIANS, KENYANS Church in Manila, also known FAR OUTPACE U.S. CATHOLICS as the Church of Quiapo, with IN WEEKLY MASS ATTENDANCE an estimated 103,277 faithful WASHINGTON — According to the participating in one of the most Center for Applied Research in the important religious celebrations in Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown the Philippines. University, Nigeria and Kenya have the highest proportion of Catholics The Black Nazarene dates to who attend Mass weekly or more. 1607, when the wooden image Ninety-four percent of Catholics representing Christ bent under the in Nigeria say they attend Mass at weight of the cross was transported least weekly. In Kenya, the figure on a ship from Mexico to Manila. was 73 percent, and in Lebanon ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MONZENMACHI According to tradition, the ship caught fire, but the image was miraculously spared. L SOURCES: Catholic News Agency, OSV News Service, Asia News 41March 2023 | | legatus.org
BEST BRENT POHLMAN PRACTICES Chapter presidency offers chances to lead and grow TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE top business leaders in our community. Omaha Chapter was a goal It is quite a privilege to call meetings when we first joined Legatus to order and know that I am in a safe in 2017. It is very humbling community that shares the same to be part of a dynamic Catholic values. group of business leaders I believe it is important to recognize and executives who put their members’ birthdays and anniversaries Catholic faith into practice in and to share any prayer intentions their professional work and concerning members. Through such personal lives. interaction, I have learned so much I’d like to share some best about members’ businesses, family practices that I’ve tried to activities, and church events. I have implement in my position as found such communication to benefit chapter president. my personal growth and relationships. Consult and collaborate. I Apply what you learn to your encourage all Legatus chapter own executive position. This experience of about my own faith life, both in personal prayer presidents to work closely with leadership in a Legatus chapter has helped me and in sharing my faith. If you visit the front their chapter administrators, in my current professional role as well. I believe office of my firm, you will see a prayer wall to the chaplains, and other officers. serving as chapter president has empowered left where employees, clients, and visitors can Presidents should invite me to better lead and understand the needs of write and post their prayer petitions, knowing all officers and the employees there is a group of us who will pray regularly for members to offer I work with on their concerns. Living our Catholic faith every assistance where “I believe serving as a daily basis. day helps me stay focused on priorities, and needed and to share There is great ultimately forms me as a servant of the Jesus their thoughts and chapter president responsibility in who first showed us how to love and care for our ideas in meetings. has empowered me leading a team of neighbors. I also encourage employees and presidents to to better lead and their families, and In addition, this position has helped me become participate in understand the needs I truly value the a better father by listening more closely to Legatus’ quarterly challenge to bring my own grown children and their vocational webinars and to of the employees I work them on board, to experiences. communicate with on a daily basis help them provide frequently with for their families, My mantra for facing each day: their regional vice and to achieve presidents. their personal Work hard, pray harder. dreams. Get to know the members. Have faith. Be strong. As president, I have enjoyed My employees know where my values are. This getting to know chapter knowledge helps them realize that they can Love and serve our great God. members and interacting with place their trust in me and our leaders and them at our monthly meetings. directors. It also assures them that we have their Have an amazing day! L The best part about the job, best interests at heart at all times. in fact, is that opportunity to BRENT POHLMAN, owner and CEO of lead the monthly meetings. I Allow it to infuse your own faith and practice. Midwest Laboratories in Omaha, NE, is president am humbled to know that I am Being president of a Legatus chapter has helped of Legatus’ Omaha Chapter. interacting with some of the me become aware that I need to be intentional March 2023 | 42 | legatus.org
March 2023 | 43 | legatus.org
CHAPTER Paini entertained the Pasadena size sculpture that depicts a group of NEWS members with stories of communist migrants and refugees from different Poland, her journey to the U.S., and cultural and racial backgrounds PASADENA her love of this country and the and from diverse historic periods of In January, Legatus’ Pasadena opportunities it offers. She also told time standing shoulder to shoulder, Chapter met at the Valley Hunt the fascinating account of how she huddled on a raft. The second Club and heard an impassioned had felt St. Padre Pio directing her to sculpture, “Let the Oppressed Go speech by Mariola Paini, a globally return to her art and begin drawing Free,” depicts St. Josephine Bakhita, a renowned artist, art teacher, and pencil portraits of saints. victim of trafficking herself, opening book illustrator. CLEVELAND up the gates of the underworld and A native of Poland, Paini received Meeting in January at the Canterbury allowing those enslaved by human her master’s degree in fine arts at Golf Club in Beachwood, OH, the trafficking to be set free — including the University of Krakow before Cleveland Chapter heard an inspiring a child bride, young beggars, and undertaking further studies in presentation from sculptor Timothy some in forced prostitution. Florence, Paris, New York, and Schmalz about his art. The Summit The Cleveland Chapter is Abuia, Nigeria. A contributor to the 2022 speaker focused primarily considering the possibility of FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design on two of his sculptures, which he bringing the human trafficking & Merchandising) Museum board, describes as “visual prayers.” sculpture to the Cleveland area she has participated in exhibits “Angels Unawares” is a bronze life- to raise awareness of the dark around the world and continues her practices of human trafficking. passion for handcrafted religious fine art, including her Salt to Saints online gallery. PASADENA. Mariola Kasprzak Paini displays some of her artwork as she CLEVELAND. Sculptor Timothy Schmalz (far right) was the guest speaker as the Cleveland Chapter met in speaks to the Pasadena Chapter in January. January at the Canterbury Golf Club. With him are (from left) Angie Coyne, guest Erin Hathaway, and Karen Hostoffer. Hathaway is director of Zelie’s Home, a local pro-life charity to which Schmalz donated his stipend for the evening. PASADENA. The Pasadena Chapter inducted new members Michelle and Tom Doud in January; ANN ARBOR. Dr. Kristin Collier gave a dynamic talk to the Ann Arbor Chapter at at far right is Kathie Lund. the January meeting on “Conversion, Courage, and Conviction.” She is known for the “White Coat Walkout” which occurred at the University of Michigan last July when March 2023 | 44 dozens of incoming medical students walked out of their white coat ceremony in protest of Collier’s pro-life views because the assistant professor of medicine was invited to speak at the event. | legatus.org
CHAPTER NEWS ST. LOUIS reception. The dinner program The St. Louis featured a panel discussion of four Chapter met in mid- clergymen moderated by Fr. Fadi January at Kenrick- Auro, a member of the seminary Glennon Seminary faculty. The panelists shared their to pray with the personal journey of discernment seminarians and leading to their elevation to the enjoy a festive diaconate and the priesthood. ST. LOUIS. A panel of clergymen participated in a moderated discussion on their vocation discernment at the January meeting of the St. Louis Chapter. GREENVILLE. At the Commerce Club in early January, the Greenville Chapter installed its TAMPA BAY. Thomas Carroll speaks to the Tampa Bay Chapter in January on the 2023 officers. From left are Roger Quesnel, treasurer; Gary Hediger, president; Craig Hudak, vice need to be bold in faith and his mission of “putting the ‘Catholic’ back in Catholic president; Mary Dudley, program chair; and Fr. Jonathan Duncan, pastor. Guest speaker for the schools.” He has been superintendent and secretary of education for the Archdiocese evening was Dan Cellucci, CEO of the Catholic Leadership Institute. of Boston since 2019 and brings a mix of academic, public policy, and development experience to the position. DALLAS. Father James Sichko, a full-time preacher, evangelist, and motivational speaker based in the Diocese of Lexington, shares stories based on his experiences as a traveling “Papal Missionary of Mercy” commissioned by Pope Francis. The event was held at the Park City Club. March 2023 | 45 | legatus.org
CHAPTER NEWS MEMBERS IN THE NEWS based in Boca Raton, FL, that Montse Alvarado, a member of provides aid to impoverished the Washington, D.C. Chapter, was children and families in developing recently named the new president countries. and chief operating officer of EWTN News, Inc. Phil Hayes (far right) In her role as president, Sagarino Alvarado comes to the role from their formation and attended will direct strategic planning and her position as executive director additional workshops and retreats. daily operations as well as oversee and chief operating officer at the Hayes and his wife, Claire, had gone the nonprofit’s charitable efforts. Becket Fund, a renowned nonprofit on a pilgrimage to Fatima in 2017 “It’s an honor and a blessing to public interest group that defends when he felt a calling to “do more serve as president of Cross Catholic religious freedom. She also is the for the Church instead of trying to Outreach,” said Sagarino, a member founding host of EWTN’s News In maximize the almighty dollar at of Legatus’ Jupiter-Palm Beach Depth program. work.” He soon turned in his one- Chapter. “I look forward to continuing year retirement notice, and four to guide Cross Catholic Outreach’s Montse Alvarado months later learned of the diocese’s efforts to bless as many people as “The team at EWTN is remarkable diaconate program — which would possible with food, water, education, and called for such a time as this begin formation the very week of housing and other life-transforming to respond to the need for truth in his planned retirement. blessings in Christ’s name.” journalism,” Alvarado said upon He said that serving the community Outgoing president Jim Cavnar, her appointment. “I look forward is the most important part of being who has served in that role since to leading this team of news ordained a deacon. co-founding the organization in professionals to play our necessary “In our lives, we spent 25 years 2001, will now serve as CEO. He is part in bolstering civil society in education and then work and a member of the Fort Lauderdale through the free press.” family and providing for the family,” Chapter. David Adams, also of Phil Hayes, a member of the South explained Hayes. “All that time the Fort Lauderdale Chapter, has Bend-Elkhart Chapter, was one of we’ve been blessed. Now I have the moved from vice president of 18 men ordained as permanent opportunity to give back to international programs after 16 deacons in early January for the God for all the wonderful years there to vice president of Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. things He’s given to us.” missions emeritus. The candidates gave up 24 Saturdays each year for four years to receive Michele Sagarino has Michele Sagarino (rear) been named the new president of Cross Catholic Outreach, an official Catholic ministry LOUISVILLE. Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville made his first-ever visit to a Louisville Chapter meeting when he spoke to members at the Seelbach Hotel in January. Installed in Louisville last March after having served as bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, he spoke about his transition from life in Louisiana to life in Kentucky. March 2023 | 46 | legatus.org
CHAPTER NEWS BUCKS COUNTY. Enjoying the festivities at December’s 2022 Northeast Gala at the Union MIAMI. In December, the Miami Chapter welcomed Archbishop Thomas Wenski League Club in New York City are (from left) Bucks County Chapter members Randy Reardon, for their Christmas Social, where he celebrated Mass and offered a reflection. Mary Reardon, Linda Carl, and Floyd Carl. New members Armando and Maria Cosio, seen here on either side of Archbishop Wenski, were invested that evening. At far left is past president Angel Gallinal. SOUTH BAY OF LOS ANGELES. Members of the South Bay of Los Angeles Chapter gathered in December for a Christmas party at the home of Nick and Judy Martin — its first in three years. The chapter had not been able to have a Christmas gathering since 2019 due to Covid restrictions. NEW ORLEANS NORTHSHORE. Members of the New Orleans Northshore Chapter gathered for a December Mass at St. Stephen’s Basilica in New Orleans. March 2023 | 47 | legatus.org
5 MINUTES JIM GRAVES WITH Chastity is key to a sexually integrated individual AUTHOR SURVIVED A HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE AND LATER EMBRACED CATHOLICISM ANDREW COMISKEY, FOUNDER What is sexual integration? them for sharing, but then we must move on with of Desert Stream/Living the business of becoming chaste. As Catholics, we Waters Ministries for those It is chastity. It is the intersection of our human all should be seeking to become more chaste. We struggling with sexual sin, longing and need to connect with one another, in are all called to move in the same direction, even if is author of the 2022 book particular with a person of the opposite gender we have different starting points. Rediscovering Our Lost for the purpose Fullness: A Guide to of easing our What are some of the unhealthy Sexual Integration. As aloneness and attitudes about sex that you’ve he details in the book, creating human life, observed in your ministry? as a young man he was with the spiritual involved with the “gay” hunger we all have lifestyle, but later he for the Ultimate, I was counseling one couple, and the husband embraced evangelical for God, seeking came out of a conservative, Christian home. Christianity and married a union with Him His education in sexuality was based on his wife Annette, with as our creator and prohibitions (“Don’t do that!”), rather than on whom he has four redeemer. the glorious vision Pope St. John Paul II offers us children. He converted to in his theology of the body: my body directs me Catholicism in 2011. Besides my story, positively to become a gift for my wife. my book tells You share your own the stories Also, I disagree story in your book. of many people I’ve met who have made “The Catholic Church with the belief progress in sexual integration, often having has such a treasure that I should Yes, the first two chapters are begun from places of great disintegration only share my autobiographical, but I did that and shame. Some well-meaning Christians to offer the world in sexual sin and to set the stage of a Catholic might tell them that this disintegration the area of teaching brokenness in the understanding of human is a cancer on their resumes merely to be confessional with sexuality coming from my contained, but, in fact, God comes into our on human sexuality the priest. I believe Protestant perspective. I then begin to explore the question lives to transform us. in Confession of what is sexual integration, and go regularly and how does Catholicism help Your book speaks of how some myself, but we can a person integrate his or her in the Protestant community have also benefit from having walking partners who sexual identity. compromised in the area of sexual can help us overcome our sin and wounds. We morality, in particular telling same- can mobilize in small group settings, keeping one I also talk about sexual sex-attracted people that homosexual another’s secrets safe, and learn how to listen to disintegration, Catholic people and treat them with great dignity. anthropology and morality, and how it is relevant and behavior is acceptable so long as it is You believe that Confession and dynamic in a person’s quest Communion are important aids in living for wholeness. The Catholic with a single, committed partner. Church has such a treasure to chaste lives. offer the world in the area of teaching on human sexuality, Yes, but chastity rejects that compromise. In fact, and I want to help readers chastity rejects the notion that anyone is LGBTQ. Yes. The confessional makes us live lives of understand how it is helpful. That is a social construct of the 21st century not accountability and walk in the light, and the rooted in the Father’s good will for our sexuality. Eucharist is God offering Himself to me at the most profound level. Both impact our sexuality When people express that they believe they are in a positive way, giving us a spiritual power to LGBTQ, we must deal with them lovingly, thanking live sexually integrated lives. L March 2023 | 48 | legatus.org
March 2023 | 49 | legatus.org
MEET THE JIM GRAVES CHAPLAIN Holy Cross priest urges joy in faithful witness ‘INTERACTING WITH PARISHIONERS’ AMONG ‘LIFE-GIVING’ ASPECTS OF HIS MINISTRY FATHER JIM FENSTERMAKER, life experience. I left the community for two Our priests and brothers have touched the C.S.C., is pastor of Holy Cross years to teach high school and live in my own lives of many students. After they graduate, Parish in South Bend, IN, and apartment but later decided to re-enter. At that they return to ask our priests to preside at their is in his second year serving point my mom was 100 percent supportive, and weddings and baptize their children. Also, a good as chaplain of Legatus’ South both my parents couldn’t have been more proud. number of our vocations to our community, or Bend-Elkhart Chapter. He is the diocesan priesthood and other communities, from Long Island, attended What are some of the successful come from our Holy Cross colleges, particularly Holy Cross High School in programs you have at Holy Cross Parish? Notre Dame and Holy Cross College. Queens, and entered the Congregation of We’re located in a What are your joys and challenges Holy Cross after lower socio-economic of being a priest? being impressed by community, so to help the “joyful witness” struggling residents You never have a boring day as a priest! It is an of their priests and we launched a incredible privilege to preside at the Eucharist: brothers. Since Neighborhood Mutual at the words of institution I usually have to force ordination, he has Aid Program to offer myself to place the host and the chalice back on served in parishes interest-free loans the altar, as it is such a powerful moment. in three states and through a local credit as vocation director union. Additionally, our The most humbling aspect of the priesthood and director of school has grown from is hearing people’s confessions and being campus ministry at 200 to 365 in the past six an instrument of healing. Interacting with Stonehill College in years because we offer parishioners is one of the most life-giving Massachusetts. a Two-Way Immersion aspects of the priesthood. Program (English and Spanish) that helps Tell me about your Spanish-speakers master the Spanish language The most challenging thing is finding the time upbringing. and helps non-Spanish speakers learn Spanish. to respond to all who are in need of pastoral outreach — and, in smaller parishes, finding My father began as an off- How does your congregation help volunteers for all the ministries and programs Broadway actor but became ensure the Catholic character of Notre the parish should provide. a police officer to provide a steady income for his family. Dame and Holy Cross College? What advice do you like to offer Legatus After an injury, he became an insurance adjuster. Both of my At Notre Dame, over half the members? parents were faithful Catholics active in their parish. I have men’s residence halls are run by “The most challenging Be joyful in the witness of your three younger sisters. Holy Cross religious, including some fourth-year seminarians Christian faith. My second- What did your parents as assistant rectors. Holy thing is finding the favorite Scripture is John 15:11: think about you Cross religious also serve as time to respond to all “I have told you this so that my joining the Holy Cross teaching professors (having joy may be in you and your joy community? CSCs on faculty is key), campus who are in need may be complete.” My favorite is My father was thrilled, but my ministry staff, administrators, 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is mother was hesitant, as she and chaplains. Every residence sufficient for you.” Pope Francis thought I didn’t have enough hall has a chapel with regular reminds us that we can’t be Masses and adoration as credible witnesses of the gospel well as Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. and disciples of Jesus unless people see the joy of Confessions are offered daily in the basilica. the gospel in our lives and actions. L March 2023 | 50 | legatus.org
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