OMAHA,NEB.—“Restoring the Sacred: St. John Cantius,” a StoryTel documentary about the inspiring and stunning revival of a Chicago parish that first aired last month on EWTN Global Catholic Television Network, struck such a powerful chord with viewers that requests for DVDs of the program poured into StoryTel’s email and phone lines for several days after the broadcast. The program is the first in a series of made-for-television documentaries, called ON ASSIGNMENT, produced by StoryTel Foundation. EWTN aired the documentary again on July 1, 2009 at 11:30 PM EDT (8:30 PM PDT), and clips of the documentary were aired during an EWTN Live interview entitled “Rebirth of a Dying Parish.” The EWTN Live program aired July 1, at 8 PM EDT (5 PM PDT), in which Father Mitch Pacwa interviews Most Rev. Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Chicago; Fr. Frank Phillips of St. John Cantius Church.

An encore (re-broadcast) of the EWTN Live interview will air on Thursday, July 2, at 1AM and 9AM Eastern time and again on Sunday, July 4, at 4 AM Eastern time.  An encore broadcast of ON ASSIGNMENT’s “Restoring the Sacred: St. John Cantius” will air on Saturday, July 4, at 5 AM Eastern, (4 AM Central, 3 AM Mountain,  2 AM Pacific).

In the television documentary, produced by StoryTel in association with IHS Productions and EWTN Global Catholic Network, ON ASSIGNMENT investigates how St. John Cantius, an all but abandoned, slated for the wrecking ball, historic church with less than 200 parishioners, became a beautiful, thriving parish, a destination point for visitors from all over the world, commonly referred to as “a treasure of Chicago,” with more than 3,000 parishioners and home to a growing new religious order, six choirs, regularly scheduled full orchestra Masses and much more — all because of the remarkable vision of one man who inspired many others around him.

Once an integral part of Chicago’s Northwest side, the parish had fallen victim to numerous street and freeway expansions. For nearly 30 years the old church attracted more pigeons than people. Salvation from utter destruction came at the eleventh hour when Fr. Frank Phillips, a priest with no parish experience, was appointed pastor. Fr. Phillips, in cooperation with God’s grace, changed the course of Chicago history.

“What’s so exciting about this story,” says Don Carney, the film’s producer and director, “is that a viewer is transformed and inspired himself as he witnesses the stunning changes that took place, the way people came out of nowhere to participate, overcoming all setbacks along the way…It’s a compelling story that happened because one person said ‘yes’ to God.”

“We are pleased with the audience response,” adds Mr. Carney.  “It points to the hunger in our communities for inspiration, beauty and spiritual purpose. We are delighted that people will be able to see the program again on EWTN.”

Masterfully filmed and presented, with key scenes underscored by the hauntingly beautiful sacred music of St. John Cantius orchestra and choirs, ON ASSIGNMENT’s visual telling of this incredible true story will leave viewers believing in miracles.

A radio interview with StoryTel founder and producer, Don Carney, will re-broadcast on Barbara McGuigan’s “The Good Fight” on EWTN radio, on Saturday, July 4, from 2 PM - 4 PM Eastern (1-3 PM Central,Noon 0 2 PM Mountain, and 11 AM - 1 PM Pacific).  In the radio interview, Mr. Carney discusses the influence of St. Joseph, Fatherhood, the new StoryTel Foundation and its work, its ON ASSIGNMENT premieres, and more. Mr. Carney and his brother, Chris, will be interviewed on “The Catholic Business Hour” in the Fall.

For more information about StoryTel Foundation, go to StoryTel.org.

About StoryTel Foundation:  StoryTel Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating compelling productions that tell the uncommon stories of those entities and individuals who restore the sacred, inspiring reverence to God and the things of God. The Foundation’s new “On Assignment” series, produced for television, capture dramatic, transformative and true stories of the Divine at work in the world through the humble “yes” of men and women today and throughout history. These stories uplift the human spirit and inspire others to greatness. To learn more, go to www.StoryTel.org.

On Assignment, produced by StoryTel Foundation, is an investigative television series that spotlights true stories of God’s work in our world.

by Tom Loarie

The effort of St. Isidore parish in Danville, Calif., to help those in career transition first began as a result of the dot.com implosion in 2001, and now, with the economic meltdown of 2008, it has become a model for parishes in Northern California and elsewhere. The parish outreach, called St. Isidore’s Networking Group (SING), will be featured on “The Catholic Business Hour” radio show, in an encore broadcast on Saturday morning, July 4,, from 11AM – Noon ET (8– 9AM PT) on the EWTN Global Catholic radio network which includes 130 AM/FM stations nationwide, Sirius Channel 160 and streaming audio.

Today’s column provides detail on this valuable initiative in the hope that readers will reach out to those who are in job or career transition within their own parishes and create similar ministries.  I have had the privilege of being involved with this valuable ministry at St. Isidore parish since 2002 and now serve as one of its four parish facilitators, and I feel it is important to share its structure and inner-workings to you since it has been such a help to many people.

For any of us who have been in a job search, or who are helping those in the midst of career or job change, perhaps the first and most important thing to realize is this:  You are never unemployed…You are, instead, in transition to God’s next assignment!

The Buddy System

Remember back in grade school when the teacher asked you to hold hands with a friend on field trips? The idea behind the buddy system is that it is much harder to get lost if there are two of you traveling together. When you get into trouble, your buddy can help you out, or find someone else who can.

SING is based on this principle – provide a buddy or a group of buddies that can help you with career and job search advice. The constant challenges you encounter while building a career, or seeking out new job opportunities makes one’s path difficult to travel alone, and it is very easy to get lost.

Teaming up provides:

Spiritual Support – A stream of readings relevant to the situation, prayer, and retreats.

Emotional Support – Space to complain or celebrate out loud, with people who really care about your progress. If you’re facing a roadblock, grousing about it for a few minutes may be all you need to get back in action and in alignment. And having understanding people to share your success with can make it much sweeter.

Perspective – A different point of view on your progress or challenges. Just hearing your problem restated by another person can give you new insight that will help in finding a solution.

New Ideas - A partner for brainstorming and an extra pair of eyes and ears to spot opportunities. You can double the amount of knowledge and experience at your fingertips.

Accountability – Someone other than yourself to whom you are accountable – who will ask you once a week, or as often as needed,

• Where have you been?
• Where are you going?
• What can I do to help?

Who should participate?

Two types of people form an essential and integral part of a ministry like SING: 1) those seeking career and/or job transition advice and 2) those experienced professionals at all levels seeking to “give back” by helping others.

How do we network?

• Internet-based communications 24/7

o Google Group email is used for announcements, spiritual inspiration, tips on job search, job postings, recommended books, and requests by individuals seeking assistance on specific target companies.

o LinkedIN Groups (SING) is used for career profile posting and for postings that are not time limited (eg. suggested subscriptions to various on-line sites providing valuable information)

• Meetings are held once a week at our parish ministry center on Monday night from 7-9pm. Meetings often include outside speakers addressing topics like: effective networking; using job boards; how to manage anxiety; how to manage finances during transition; tips for mature executives; creating a resume and cover letter for maximum impact.

• One-on-one meetings with members to role play prior to an interview, to have a resume critiqued, or to network happen as needed and requested. Sub-groups have also been created for those with specific domain expertise, eg. life sciences, tech, etc.

From 2001 to 2005, we helped more than 200 people get through the dot.com crash. Today, we again have more than 200 people in the SING network, with 35 to 50 people participating at any given meeting. Members include senior executives, technology professionals, sales professionals, and administrative professionals from a number of business segments including high tech, life science, consumer, and financial services. These individuals come from medium to large corporations, development stage (ventures) companies, and family-run businesses.

SING Guidelines:

This is Catholic Organization – We welcome people from other faith traditions but without compromising our Catholic identify.

Confidentiality – What happens within SING stays within SING.

It’s I, not you – Validate yourself and allow others to make decisions based on information presented to them. Never tell someone “here is what you ought to do.”

Success is up to you –  No matter what, the bottom line is that the amount of time and energy that you (or anyone) invests in a project or task will ultimately determine the timing and significance of your (or his or her) outcome.

Keep on topic – Keep meetings and communication focused on job search, career issues, and issues related to transition.

Pain is pain – Validate everyone’s experience. No one can say one person’s loss is greater than another’s.

The truth will set you free - You must identify and free up that gift that is uniquely yours to give to the world, and when you do, you will know you are in the place you were meant to be and will be joyful and at peace with circumstances.

Be a resource to others unconditionally - Get to know people. Most people are concerned with people knowing them rather getting to know others. Take the time to get to know people and help them where and when you can.

Give back – Once you have found your next assignment, stay in the network and help others find theirs.

Transitions can be a time of incredible growth and fulfillment for all involved - both those in-transition and those providing support.  Ministries like SING are an excellent way for Catholics to put their faith to work in the workplace.  And, believe me, the benefits received of giving to others – which everyone in the group tends to do – are enormous and unexpected!  God is, ultimately, never outdone in generosity!

Share your experiences with others reading the Catholic Business Journal in the comments section below!  I look forward to hearing from you!!

On Saturday, July 4, from 11AM - Noon EDT (8-9 AM PDT) Listen to live call-ins and an encore interview with Catholic Business Journal columnist Tom Loarie, CEO of Mercador MedSystems, as he discusses with The Catholic Business Hour Host Dick Lyles the importance of local Catholic business clubs and ways to reach out to those in job transition.

The Catholic Business Hour is produced by the Catholic Business Journal and airs weekly on the EWTN Global Catholic Network, which includes 130 AM/FM stations, Sirius Channel 160, and streaming audio online.  To find a Catholic station near you, or to listen by streaming audio, go to EWTN.com , and choose “radio.”

Show sponsors include The St. Michael Institute of Sacred Art, a ministry of St. Edmund’s Retreat located on Enders Island in Mystic Connecticut, and AdvantageTech , an award-winning nationwide IT staffing firm with abundant IT jobs and placement services.

by Fr. Bernard McCoy, O.Cist.

Once a year we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, the beloved saint who sang the praises of Lady Poverty.  There are few saints who have had such a profound effect on the Church and the world at large.  And certainly among his gifts was raising the awareness of the world to not only the needs of the poor, but also the virtue of embracing detachment to material goods.

For most of us, we aren’t in a position to literally give up everything and live in what we might term strict poverty.  But we can strive for a detachment from the things of this world.  Monks do not take a vow of poverty.  The evangelical councils, as we term the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, are a relatively “new” thing in the Church, at least from a monk’s perspective.  They only date from about the 13th century.  Monks go back a thousand years previous.  It was with the mendicant orders, the beggars who lived off donations, especially the Franciscans and Dominicans, that a spotlight was shone on the value of poverty.

Since monks are self supporting, since we have always been involved in various enterprises and commerce, the value of private property and what we might term Christian Capitalism is a fundamental aspect of our life.  Probably a better term than “private property” is property stewardship.  We’re really just called to be stewards of certain portions of creation for the Creator, our ultimate CEO.

Monks do not have any personal possessions, and so de facto live the vow as the newer congregations live it.  But our monasteries have possessions and all the tools necessary to live our life well.  Ours is not a poverty of “lack,” but rather a poverty of simplicity that avoids superfluity – we have and use what we need in order to do what God has called us to do.  Any wealth that remains is used for two purposes: almsgiving and prudent foresight/preparation for future needs.  This is perhaps a good model for everyone in the world.

But I think we can, and should, extend this to our businesses.  My monastery’s business, LaserMonks, promotes “Commerce with Compassion.”  Wouldn’t this be an apt motto for all our enterprises?  Incorporated businesses are considered a juridic person by the government.  Shouldn’t they be held to the same standards to which God holds each of us as individuals?

  VIDEO: UK Guardian compilation (click on photo to go to video)

by Mark McElrath

As the street protests in Iran move into their second week we must wonder, just what is it, that is taking place?  There are so many questions and so little information from commentators with the experience to tell us just what it is that is happening.  The first question that comes to mind is, just why does this matter and what has it got to do with me?  Ok, Iran is where the oil comes from, but other than that, what’s the impact on my life and that of my family?  After all, there are 70 million Iranians and there are just 17,000 Catholics there.

Well, for starters, these people are human beings.  The social teaching of solidarity requires that we recognize the value and dignity of each human person as a reflection of God’s divine creation.  At the minimum we should be praying for them and all our fellow human beings who do not live in free societies where they are guaranteed certain freedom’s that represent the bare minimum of human rights.  Freedom to assemble, to speak your mind, to exercise your faith tradition are rights that we in the United States take for granted but which ordinary Iranians are denied.  In a very real way, the street protests have been a spontaneous outpouring of response to the decades long repression of those rights.  The obvious occurrence of the vote rigging that took place during the presidential elections, thus the disenfranchisement of the right to have their votes counted is what sparked the response from all levels of Iranian life.  From student to merchant, the people are in the street saying, “We won’t take this anymore”.

Next, Iran is a key player when it comes to the struggle in the Middle East.  As the home to the largest population  Shia Muslims, Iran has been ruled for over thirty years by clerics whose end game is control of holy places of Mecca and Medina, currently under the protection of the Saudi royal family, practitioners of Sunni Islam. Every day life in the middle east is caught up in one way or the other with this struggle.  Iran’s rhetoric of hatred toward the US and the modern state of Israel is merely window dressing for the fact that Arabs, Iran is culturally Persian and has never accepted Arabic culture, control the holiest of places in the Muslim world. It is further challenged by the fact that that rule was established by the then British empire and maintained by its support from the US.

To this end, the ruling regime in Iran has sought for thirty years to destabilize the Saudi royal family by destabilizing its neighboring Arab states.  Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian Authority, Iraq all have revolutionary movements being funded by and influenced by Iranian leadership.  The civil war in Bosnia was largely influenced by the Iranian involvement in arming the Bosnian Muslims and was a gathering point of the so called “Holy Warriors” who later became part and parcel of the terror network known as Al Qaeda.  While Al Qaeda is made up primarily of Sunni Muslims, they share the goal of removing the Saudi royal family from the throne and so, ally themselves with the regime in Tehran.  All of these countries are home to significant populations of Christian communities, many of them in communion with Rome and as such members of the Roman Catholic Church and those not in communion share much of the same cultural heritage that we Roman Catholics do.  Almost all of the Christian communities in the Middle East and the Holy Land exist as members of a persecuted minority and as such require our assistance.  A free and democratic Iran, one that is no longer an exporter of violence  could mean an opportunity for real reconciliation in the Middle East and hope for our Christian brothers and sisters who struggle daily to eke out a living in these countries so preoccupied with security measures and just trying to survive the day.

Next, the price of oil.  Iran is a key member of OPEC.  As we saw just 8 months ago, any significant interruption in the stability of the oil producing cartel has the direct effect of spiking the price of oil futures and thus driving the cost of all energy consumption and related pricing through the roof.  In this time of global recession the last thing the world economy needs is a spike in energy costs due to the political struggle in Iran which will keep taking place until Iranians have a government that acknowledges the human rights of its citizens.

So, what do we do about it?  What can we do about it?  The answer is as simple as it is difficult to do.  Pray. Particularly the Rosary.  Each of us, by virtue of our Baptism,  belongs to the mystical body of Christ, the church militant. God has called us to a life of holiness and yes, to be our brother’s keeper.  The first step in any good work is to pray.  In this case it seems obvious that  we are called to pray for a peaceful resolution in this ongoing drama on the streets of Tehran, but also we are called to conversion in our personal life, that is to turn our hearts to God and to try and serve Him as He would have us serve Him with our individual life.  The message of Fatima is one of conversion, and it seems particularly clear that Fatima is the key Marian apparition of the last 100 years.  In each of Her six appearances, the Mother of God called us each individually to prayer, the rosary in particular, and conversion that is deeper love of God.    While most of us have interpreted Fatima down through the years as a struggle between the free Christian West, and the poor enslaved people of the Communist world, funny, they were praying for us as well, the third part of the Fatima mystery, the part being played out very dramatically these past 10 years has been the violent encounter between Muslim and Christian.  Isn’t it curious that the name of that small Portuguese village carries the name of Mohamed’s favorite daughter?  Isn’t it curious that Mary is revered in the Koran as a holy lady  and that Fatima is one of the shrines in the world most visited by Muslims?  Wouldn’t this curiosity alone spark an interest in and deeper study of the Fatima message in light of the times we are living in?

And what about Medjugorje whose anniversary we observe this Wednesday June 24, the Feast of  the Nativity of  John the Baptist?  Isn’t it curious that when the alleged apparitions were first said to have taken place this village was a humble backwater town whose name was unpronounceable and whose rulers were, what were they called again?  Oh, yeah, Communists, a political ideology that does not even exists anymore.  What is the unique thing about Medjugorje?  The three faith communities that make comprise that village are Roman Catholic, Serbian Orthodox and Muslim.  And somehow they have found a way to live together.  The message of apparitions?  Peace through prayer, particularly the rosary  and personal conversion to holiness.

And what about the name of the defeated candidate for President in Iran.  The guy, whose candidacy has tipped off this whole movement?  Mir Hossein Mousavi? What are the chances that his first name, Mir would also be the Croatian word for peace?

So yes, this thing in Iran does matter.  It matters a great deal as is evident by the people risking their lives in the streets of Tehran.  So, for our brother’s in harm’s way and living in a repressed social system, I ask us each to pray, pray the rosary, pray for conversion, pray for peace.

by Randy Hain

My wife and I are blessed with 2 wonderful boys, Alex and Ryan, who are 11 and eight respectively.  The catalyst for this article occurred Wednesday night when we all went to dinner to celebrate my birthday.  We went to a nicer restaurant than usual because of the occasion, which also served to elevate the anxiety we felt about the boys showing good manners.  Our dinner was delicious, but we were a little worn out after continually saying “put your napkin in your lap”, “no elbows on the table”, “say thank you to the waiter” and “say excuse me before you reach over my plate to get something!”  I am certain most parents can relate to this scene.

Our sons’ future has been weighing heavily on me lately and this dinner served to clarify for me that our children need us in their lives.  Being good parents is not just about “showing up”- it is about being truly present and engaged.  They need love, time, guidance, discipline and boundaries.  They need to learn about values, virtues and the importance of a strong work ethic.  The kids need to understand what’s really important in life and how to be responsible.  We want them to be kind, generous, selfless and a good friend to others.  They need to learn manners, courtesy and how to be gentlemen.  They need to be taught about God, the importance of prayer, to value all life and to love attending church. Our children must learn all of these important lessons from us and our example-not from the government, school, friends or the Internet.

Our boys are smart and they are listening to what we say, but also watching what we do.  If we “walk the walk and talk the talk” they are more likely to do the same.  With the stresses and challenges of today’s world, it is impossible for any parent to be perfect and goodness knows we all make mistakes.  But, we have to do our best, even when we find it difficult.  We don’t get any “do-overs” with raising our kids and every day with them is a gift and an opportunity to help them on their journey to becoming quality adults who embody all the wonderful traits and characteristics I listed in the second paragraph.  As I write this, I am both nervous and excited about the incredible parenting responsibility that was first laid at our door 11 years ago when our first son was born.  Cast your thoughts back to when your children were first placed in your arms just minutes after their arrival into this world and you may feel the same way.

Now, it has been my intention thus far to stir up some warm feelings and a clear understanding of the responsibilities we have as parents.  It is that responsibility which I hope will serve as a wake-up call for parents.  We are locked in a never ending battle with the world and today’s culture to keep their negative influences away from our kids.  Turn on the television, surf the internet, open a magazine or listen to what their peers at school are saying and you will see what I mean.  Author and Developmental Psychologist Thomas Lickona wrote in his book, Character Matters: How to Help Our Children Develop Good Judgment, Integrity, and other Essential Virtues: “The sexual corruption of children is arguably the most insidious attack on their innocence and character, but the media culture warps their values in other ways as well. Many parents are distressed by how materialistic their children are, never content with what they have. Increasingly, youth seek their self-esteem and identity in clothes or cars.”  Our sons are not ready to be adults, not yet ready to lose their innocence and certainly not ready to be fully exposed to the evils of sex, drugs, violence and materialism that kids face today.  It is obvious that the world in which we live appears to value children less and less with each passing year.

Sound harsh?  Think about your own childhood.  Life was simpler back then and we didn’t face nearly as many pressures as our children do today.  We can all see the obvious pressures our children face and the great news is we can fight back…if we show courage and resolve.  Our kids, as the saying goes, are the future and we need to take the very best care of this important investment.   Much of what I am about to recommend is potentially unpopular, even old-fashioned, but ask yourself if gambling on today’s culture being a better parent than you is a safe bet or a recipe for disaster?  As author and former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett said, “Society needs to affirm once again the message that having a child is the most important thing a person will do in life, and that act entails certain obligations. Some may argue otherwise, but there is simply no substitute for parental and moral guidance: logging lots of time, doing chores and errands together, playing together, reading together, and patiently explaining the way the world works and the way people ought to live.”

My wife and I don’t come close to having all the answers and we are clearly not degreed experts with decades of expertise.  But, maybe that is a good thing.  I am not so sure all of the so called experts have the answers either.  All I know is we love our children very much, we have had over 11 years of hands on experience, we truly want what is best for them and we are willing to make the necessary sacrifices for their well being.  Trusting our instincts and intuitively knowing we are trying to do the right thing counts for something as well.

I want to share with you six simple actions that we are trying very hard to pursue in raising our children.  We often fall short, but we keep trying because shirking our parenting responsibilities or delegating the job to others is not an option.  For your consideration:

•  Teach your children to have faith and to love God.  Your children will love God and have strong faith only if you do.  They will only pray…if you do.  They will only be joyful about attending church…if you are.  My wife and I are devout Catholics and for us, the greatest vocation is our family and raising our children to love and serve Christ and follow our Faith.  The white paper Religious Involvement and Children’s Well-Being by Lisa Bridges and Kristin Moore (www.childtrends.org) reports that young people who frequently attend religious services and say their faith is important to them exhibit higher levels of altruism and lower levels of drug and alcohol use and sexual activity than those of little or no faith.

•  Love, love, love!  Showing your children you love them and more importantly telling them you love them is incredibly important.  We hug our kids and tell them every chance we get.  But, love is also caring enough to be tough, candid and providing limits.  It is also about loving each other.  Want to give the kids a good example to follow?  Show your spouse affection in words and deeds as often as possible.  “Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other — it doesn’t matter who it is — and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.” –Mother Teresa of Calcutta

•  Teach them Manners and to Respect others.  These are words that don’t often get discussed anymore, but they are so critical to our children’s development.  Teaching please, thank you, you are welcome and to open the door for ladies and senior citizens are important for our children to learn and can’t be considered antiquated.  Teaching kids to respect themselves, you and your spouse and others is also very important.

•  Teach them Morality and Virtue.  Morality is one of our biggest concerns and we spend a great deal of time discussing right and wrong with our sons.  Think long and hard about the moral decay around us and you will double your efforts to teach your children this important lesson.  Lastly, consider the merits of teaching virtue to your children as these vital concepts are rarely discussed.  The Cardinal Virtues of Prudence (Wisdom), Justice, Fortitude (Courage) and Temperance (Moderation) and the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity are the guiding principles by which we all should live.

•  Time-Our children need our time.  Put down the Blackberry, turn off the television, cancel the golf outing and let’s spend more time with our kids!  Quality time is the key-actively engaged in talking or doing something with them is what they need…not reading a magazine while they watch Sponge Bob.  Also, dinner time must be sacred.  There is tremendous value in coming together for a family meal at least once a day.

•  Teach them Responsibility and Stewardship.  Helping our children learn responsibility at a young age and teaching them to have a good work ethic is a great foundation for them to build upon as adults.  Teaching them to serve and give back will help them be better human beings.  This isn’t classroom stuff-they will only learn from our example.

Every family dynamic is different.  Some of you do not have children yet, but want them.  Some of you are raising children alone.  Many of you have lost your jobs in this recession and face enormous financial pressures.  Our oldest son Alex has high-functioning autism and giving him what he needs to navigate through life is a daily struggle.  But, I hope we can all agree that children are a wonderful blessing from God.  They are deserving of our love and desperately need us to actively teach and guide them through a world that will never care for them as much as we do.

I know there are wonderful examples of good parents everywhere and I am blessed to know many of them in my own circle.  I also believe inside every parent there is a GREAT parent waiting to come out!   Being GREAT parents is a worthy aspiration for all of us which requires dedication, vigilance, selflessness, commitment and courage.  You may find that the closer you get to this goal, the more you detach yourself from the world.  Your own children may not appreciate what you are doing and will often resist your well intended parenting efforts.  But, if they are like me (and probably you), they will find themselves with kids of their own one day and realize how grateful they are to have had parents like us.  Our kids need us to rise to the challenge-their future, and ours, depends on it.

Imagine the impact families could make on our communities if we simply focused on building their faith, showing them love, investing in their moral virtue and then sent them into the world to do the same. How would our world be different? We as parents hold the keys.

Vatican Spokesman Notes Objectives

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The priesthood is a gift for humanity, but it is enduring more than a few difficulties, and the newly inaugurated Year for Priests aims to address that, says a Vatican spokesman.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, spoke of the Year for Priests during the most recent edition of Vatican Television’s “Octava Dies.”

“The priest’s service is of fundamental importance in the life of the Church,” he said. “But it is a mystery that today endures not just a few difficulties.”

Father Lombardi affirmed that the Year for Priests, which began Friday and runs through next June, responds to struggles caused by various factors: “the general climate of secularization in vast regions of the world, a lessened appreciation for the role of the priest in society, the deep wounds inflicted on the public image of priests due to unworthy behavior by some of them, and even the worthy valuing of the lay vocation in the Church.”

Faced with these difficulties, the spokesman continued, “the Pope does not respond with socio-religious considerations, but by promoting a commitment to interior renewal on the part of all priests, so that their Gospel testimony in the world of today is more intense and weighty.”

Benedict XVI’s letter to priests, with which he inaugurated the year, “does not begin from the external, but from the heart of the priestly vocation, from the concrete model of priestly sanctity that is offered us by the holy Curé d’Ars, St. John Vianney,” Father Lombardi observed.

“It can almost look like a provocation to present as a spiritual reference point to priests of all the world this pastor who lived in a small French town of 200 people, who died 150 years ago,” he contended. “But if the priest truly lives from the Eucharist and from service to the reconciliation between God and man, that is, from the manifestation of the mercy of God, then time and place become secondary.”

That’s why the Pope’s letter to priests, Father Lombardi said, “has a deep touch of spirituality, a great feeling of love for Jesus and for people, particularly for those that are spiritually far from God or in difficulties.”

“Is it not true that there is an urgent and tremendous need for this love that tries to make itself present in the heart of every person?” he asked. “That’s why the Pope speaks of the priest as a gift to the Church and to humanity itself.”

by Randy Hain

I have been leading people since I was a 16 year old in high school working at a restaurant in the town where I grew up.  Leadership has always been a passion for me and after years of study, reading dozens of leadership books, listening to mentors and accumulating great experience on the way to a successful career I have come to understand one thing: I can still learn something new about leadership.  In my case, the best source of ongoing leadership lessons is my 11 year old son Alex, who has high functioning autism.

With roughly 1 in 166 children diagnosed with autism, it is likely you have parents in your extended circle of family and friends who are raising a child on the autistic spectrum.  For clarification and perhaps education purposes, you should be aware that people suffering from autistic spectrum disorder will always present differently. These wonderful people are all unique and their symptoms can range from very low-functioning and non-verbal to very bright and verbal.  A disorder that includes such a broad and varied  range of symptoms is often called a spectrum disorder; hence the term “autism spectrum disorder.”  The most significant and commonly shared symptom is in the area of social communication, which includes challenges with direct eye contact, normal conversation, communicating ideas, empathy and reading facial expressions or social cues.

I have not written specifically about Alex in the past and do so reluctantly now.   My wife and I love Alex and his younger brother Ryan more than words can say and have always tried to protect them as best we can.  We have both discussed Alex’s condition and challenges openly with friends since his diagnosis 9 years ago, but I feel compelled to share with others how he has inspired me to be a better person, a better father and certainly a better leader.

It dawned on me the other day after playing his favorite game of Trivial Pursuit and listening to an endless series of questions about my favorite baseball players, favorite songs and favorite Sponge Bob episodes that the way I interact with and “lead” Alex has strong parallels to leadership in the business world.  The skills I have developed and the lessons I have learned in working and communicating with Alex have been spilling over into my professional life for years.  So, I would like to share with my peers, friends and clients 7 vital leadership lessons I have learned from my gifted son.

1. Be Patient
Children with autism are just like any other children and they can try your patience!  Peers, friends and co-workers can try your patience as well.  Does losing our cool every really accomplish anything?  Gaining an understanding of the motives or causes of the behavior that is causing your impatience will help you remain calm and achieve a faster resolution of the problem.

2. Be a Clear Communicator
Being unclear and ambiguous in communicating with kids like Alex is incredibly frustrating for them.  It is a sure bet that our team members feel the same way.  Be clear in sharing your thoughts, don’t send an email that can be misinterpreted, have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish in your communication and always, always, always avoid ambiguity and vagueness.  Having a trusted proof reader around can be helpful!

3. Be Fair
Kids on the autistic spectrum require a lot of attention.  Driving to therapists, providing structured and predictable days, facilitating appropriate conversations with others, dealing with a limited diet…the list is endless.  Making sure our other son gets “equal time” and attention is a constant source of concern in our home.  This has made me very sensitive to fairness in the workplace.  Don’t play favorites, listen to all sides of an issue, give equal time, etc.  An even-handed approach in your business and personal relationships will earn you trust and credibility over the long term.

4. Honor Commitments
If you say you will do something you can bet kids with autism will remember…and hold you to it.  We have to be very careful about announcing everything from future family events to what we are having for dinner.  This has taught me to be very careful about honoring my commitments in the workplace.  It is difficult, but colleagues and the people on our teams deserve this courtesy.  Alex relies on my commitments, why shouldn’t everybody else?

5. Celebrate Diversity
Alex is different and we have learned to celebrate his differences and recognize the special gifts he has to offer the world.  Look around your organization.  There are people with special skills, who come from different generations, who have different ethnic backgrounds and celebrate different religions.   I am describing something bigger than traditional race and gender diversity.  Our organizations are filled with unique and special people who have great value to offer, just like Alex, and we must celebrate their differences and harness their potential.  My hope is that one day the world will advance enough in its thinking to welcome, celebrate and find the great value in Alex and other children with autism, too.

6. Speak Up and Get Involved
Having a child with special needs will fundamentally alter your outlook on life-ask anyone who is raising one of these gifts from God and I believe you will hear a similar view. Alex has helped me recognize that he can’t defend or speak up for himself without my help.  Therefore, for the last few years I have been outspoken about autism and educating anyone who will listen.  I also speak up and have gotten involved in a number of causes and issues that affect me, my Catholic faith, my family and our community.  How about you?  What catalyst exists in your life to motivate you to speak up, get involved and make a difference?

7. Practice Selfless Love
I love Alex unreservedly as a father should love his child-this type of love was called storge by the ancient Greeks and is the love that exists in families, often between parent and child.  But, another kind of love exists between us which is called agape, or selfless and charitable love.  Alex needs my unconditional and selfless love with no strings attached.  I have learned to apply this type of love in the workplace as well.  As a leader, I am here to serve my team, my company and my clients selflessly, thoughtfully and with a servant’s heart.  Try putting all of your actions through the filter of selfless love and it will positively change you, your team and your organization for the better.

All of us could stand to learn important lessons from our children.  Alex is a child with special needs, but first and foremost, he is a special child.  The heroism he exhibits each day by simply interacting with a world that is often alien and unfriendly is a source of ongoing inspiration for me and the others who have gotten to know him.  I am grateful that I have gained the humility to recognize that over the years I have been Alex’s father and supposedly the teacher in our relationship, he has been teaching me the entire time.

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Randy Hain is Managing Partner and Shareholder of Bell Oaks (www.belloaks.com), a nationally-recognized executive search firm. He has played the lead role in hiring, training and developing one of the most successful search consultant teams in the industry, and has earned a reputation as a values-based leader who invests heavily in his colleagues, candidates and clients.  Randy is on the boards of the Atlanta Union Mission, TROVE Inc., the Atlanta St. Vincent de Paul Society and Ethikos.  He is a co-founder of the Atlanta Catholic Business Conference and is a very active parishioner of St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell, GA.  He can be reached at rhain@belloaks.com.

As you know, today, Friday June 19, 2009, is the 150th Anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, known by many as the beloved Cure d’Ars and the patron saint of parish priests.  Today is also the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In light of these converging monumental and historical truths, Pope Benedict XVI carefully chose today to declare the beginning of the Year of the Priest.  The Year of the Priest will conclude on June 19, 2010, marked by an international gathering of priests in Rome with the Holy Father.

Deacon Keith Michael Esshaki, a deacon of the Chaldean Rite Catholic Church, shares with Catholic Business Journal readers these two powerful reflections by Sts. John Vianney and Therese of Lisieux in honor this gift of the Year of the Priest.

From St. John Vianney, a simple reality-check on the gift of the Mass:

“Martyrdom is nothing in comparison with the Mass, because martyrdom is the sacrifice of man to God, whereas the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man.”

And from St. Therese of Lisieux, a powerful prayer for priests: 

O, Jesus, eternal Priest,
keep your priests within the shelter
of Your Sacred Heart,
where none may touch them.

Keep unstained their anointed hands,
which daily touch Your Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips,
daily purpled with Your Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.

Let Your holy love surround them and
shield them from the world’s contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit and
may the souls to whom they minister
be their joy and consolation,
here and in heaven their beautiful
and everlasting crown. Amen.

—

Deacon Keith Esshaki is a Chaldean Rite Catholic and founder and CEO of GTC Systems, Inc. in San Diego, CA.

  by Mark McElrath

Here in the United States, we are preparing celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday June 21.  This traditional holiday celebrates the unique contribution to the stability of our society that fathers make in their every day mission of guiding their families.

We Catholics understand that the family is the individual building block upon which an ordered society rests and that fathers have an indispensible role to play in helping to maintain that society.

We Catholics also understand that the home is so important that it is literally a small church, a community of believers; the term for this home church is domus ecclesia.  The geographic boundaries of a certain region that encompass these home churches is under the canonical jurisdiction of a Bishop, this is called a diocese or Episcopal See or a particular church and the fullness of the ministerial priesthood is present in the person of the Bishop, the successor of the original apostles.

But a Bishop cannot see to the sacramental needs of each of his flock on a daily basis and for that reason he organizes his see into smaller geographic regions called parishes, and relies on priests or presbyters to assist him in ministering to the needs of the faithful.  This person, the priest, is where we Catholics most often come into contact with the person of Jesus since it is the priest who administers the sacraments and offers the daily celebration of the Eucharist.  Further, the priest is uniquely empowered, in virtue of his having received the Sacrament of Holy Orders, to substantially change ordinary bread and wine into the real living presence of Jesus; body, blood, soul and divinity.

This person, the priest, is so important, so critical to our life as Catholics that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has on this very day, Friday June 19, 2009, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the 150th anniversary of the passing of St John Marie Vianney, patron of parish priests, inaugurated the Year of the Priest and has set forth his reasons in a letter released by the Vatican yesterday.

The Holy Father’s letter, addressed to his brother priests, is a beautiful reminder to us laity of just how important these men are.  It is worthy of reading by all the faithful and can be accessed at the following URL  http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=96115

As we gather in our parishes for Mass this Sunday, June 21st the day we Americans celebrate as Father’s Day, why not take a special moment to reach out to the priest in your parish and wish him a Happy Father’s Day.  Who knows, we might event give him a card.  But the important thing is for us to acknowledge the special sacrifice that he, and every priest, makes of his life each and every day for each of one of us.

And to all my brothers and Catholic professional colleagues who are the head of their own domus ecclesia, I say to each and every one of you, Happy Father’s Day!

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Mark McElrath is vice president of DaRue of California, and president of Catholics at Work OC (Orange County, CA chapter).