Legatus Annual Summit

The faith comes to life at the Legatus Summit this February in Dana Point, California . . .

With Christian values under attack at every turn, Catholic leaders across the country are calling on the faithful to renew their commitment to the faith — and to look even more deeply to Christ as the answer to society’s ills.

Culture wars

Patricia Heaton

Hearts and minds are won or lost in the culture wars, says Kathleen Eaton, chair of the 2010 Annual Legatus Summit to be held Feb. 4-6 in Dana Point, Calif. “We’re rallying the troops,” she says with regard to the theme “Challenging the Culture.” Eaton has already spoken to several Legatus chapters to build momentum for the event.

“We’re facing a cultural battle like we’ve never seen before when it comes to our faith and being able to live as Catholics,” says Eaton, a member of Legatus’ Orange Coast Chapter. “Our country is going down an uncertain road, and we’re called by God to be a light to the world — to know our faith and speak out even though it’s going against the culture.”

Frank Hanna III

More than a dozen well-known speakers at the event will bring light and depth to the battle for souls in the culture wars. Headlining the annual gathering are Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George; New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan; Emmy-award winning actress Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond); entrepreneur Frank Hanna III, author of What Your Money Means; Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and Father Robert Spitzer, SJ, chairman of the Magis Institute.

Thomas Donahue

Beyond the exciting lineup of speakers, the Summit will be held at the stunning St. Regis Resort at Monarch Beach — less than a day’s drive for nearly a thousand Legatus members in Las Vegas, Phoenix and up and down the California coast. With its oceanfront allure, Tuscan style and timeless attentiveness, the St. Regis is the only California resort to receive the prestigious Mobil five-star rating.

The Summit will also feature Mass at the historic Mission Basilica of San Juan Capistrano, says Laura Sacha, Legatus conference director. “The basilica is just breathtaking,” she says. “Cardinal George will celebrate Mass for us there, so it should be an unforgettable experience.”

The basilica features a Grand Retablo — a 42-ft high, 30-ft wide, 16-ton altar-backing carved in cedar and covered in gold leaf. It is stylistically reminiscent of 17th- and 18th-century Spanish colonial and Mexican colonial retablos.

Countercultural

With the weak economy, a pro-abortion administration in Washington and a hostile mainsteam media, Eaton says things will not get better for faithful Christians until every single one of them stands up and makes their voice heard.

“We live in a culture of death,” she explains. “We can change it into a culture of life, a culture of hope by standing firm in our faith.”

The most important aspect of a Legatus summit, Eaton says, is the way it builds community among members and how it lights a fire under members’ faith.

“I’ve been a member for two years and have been to three Legatus conferences,” she explains. “These events give me hope. They help me to see that I’m part of a larger movement. When you come together with strong, dedicated Christians, you experience such spiritual growth. When I share my faith with others, I walk away with great hope for our country and the world.

“There’s a great feeling across the country that the battle is lost,” Eaton says. “But I leave Legatus summits feeling like I’ve put on my armor to fight the good fight right where God has planted me. The necessity to get our armor on and stand firm in our faith has never been greater.”

Patrick Novecosky is the Legatus Magazine’s editor.

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Three ways to register:

Call: (866) LEGATUS (534-2887)

E-mail: [email protected]

Online: legatus.org