Chicagoland six-chapter event delights with spiritual, business messages

On Tuesday, November 14, the six Legatus chapters of the Chicago area gathered together for an inspiring evening at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Over 160 members attended from the chapters of Chicago, Downtown Chicago, St. Charles, DuPage, Rockford, and from the developing chapter of Northwest Chicago. The evening began by offering a breakout session  with special guest Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, the well-known author of 33 Days to Morning Glory and Consoling the Heart of Jesus. Fr. Gaitley shared his personal experience of the Marian consecration and Divine Mercy and emphasized the transformation these can bring to our lives. Prior to the celebration of the Mass, five priests heard confessions while members led the rosary. Officially kicking off the evening, Fr. Gaitley served as the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass with four concelebrants from the Chicago area, all clad in the signature Legatus vestments.

After the spiritual enrichment of the sacraments and following the cocktail reception, Tim Rivelli, DuPage County president, welcomed the attendees. Father Andrew Wawrzyn, chaplain of the Chicago Chapter, led a blessing of the meal and Stephen Henley, Legatus executive director, offered opening remarks. Once dinner concluded, Tim Rivelli introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Tim Busch, for his presentation titled “Principled Entrepreneurship.” A member of the Orange County Legatus chapter and featured speaker at the 2017 Legatus Summit, Tim Busch founded The Busch Firm, Pacific Hospitality group, the Magis Institute, the Napa Institute, and Trinitas Cellars in Napa, CA. Most recently, the Catholic University renamed their school of business and economics to honor Tim and Steph Busch’s support of business education informed by the principles of Catholic social teaching.

This event was the second of two six-chapter events to be held in the Great Lakes Region of Legatus during 2017, the first of which took place in Michigan in June. Amy Dillon, Great Lakes regional director, shared the importance and power of these events for the members and the region: “These multi-chapter events offer the members an opportunity for greater fellowship within the Legatus community. It’s inspiring to see a room full of not only incredible business leaders and spouses, but leaders and spouses who share the Catholic faith and are committed to the Legatus mission to study, live and spread the faith. Many members have already mentioned how much they are looking forward to next year’s event, and I’m excited to see these events continue and grow in the Great Lakes Region.”