What Legatus means to me...

Legatus members from across the country explain how Legatus has affected their lives . . .

From the beginning of the organization, Legatus has been focused on the faith development of its members. Legatus exists to help its members learn, live and spread the faith. As we reflect on the last 25 years — and look ahead to the next 25 — we asked members from across the country to tell us what Legatus means to them.

Bob Pliska

In a word, Legatus is the best. As a member for almost the full 25 years of this great organization, I have been truly blessed in learning to “study, live and spread the faith in my business, professional and personal life.”

When I originally joined as the young president of a publicly held commercial real estate company, it was a great opportunity to sharpen my skills as a businessman, be a good family man, and be social, all the while practicing and spreading our great Catholic faith. This made the sharing of business information, networking, and the faith experiences exciting and fun with the many dedicated and quality members of Legatus.

This great experience was only heightened when, after having been a member for several years, I became widowed at a very early age. I was left with two major challenges — a family to raise and a business to run at the same time. With the help of Legatus, I truly lived and put into practice the four key elements of Legatus: faith, family, business and social. I went from a very tragic situation to a very fulfilling experience.

The camaraderie of Legatus members and the quality of its many programs — all with similar faith, family and ethical business objectives in mind — have provided a rewarding successful life experience. Thank you, Tom Monaghan. And thank you, Legatus!

Bob Pliska
Detroit Chapter
Member since 1989

——————

Tim & Steph Busch

We joined Legatus 22 years ago during its infancy. By Divine Providence, the only chapter west of the Mississippi was in Orange County, which is where we lived.

The mentorship of Tom Monaghan and fellow member Catholic CEOs and spouses has greatly directed our faith formation. I returned to attending daily Mass and we were inspired to co-found two private Roman Catholic schools: St. Anne School and JSerra Catholic High School in South Orange County. It further inspired us to participate in the founding of 10 other chapters in the West. Through those efforts, hundreds of friends and acquaintances became members of the various west coast chapters.

Steph converted to Catholicism in 2000. Our children have witnessed our commitment to the faith, which will pay spiritual dividends for many generations to come. We are forever indebted to Tom Monaghan who, through the direction of the Holy Spirit, created such a fabulous organization.

Through Legatus we met the amazing Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Legatus’ former international chaplain. With him we co-founded the Magis Institute, a great ministry focused on spiritual life, especially the relationship between faith and reason. And by attending Legatus Summits, we were inspired to found the Napa Institute. Its mission — “Equipping Catholics in the ‘Next America’” — is elaborated at the Institute’s annual conference, held each July at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa.

Tim & Steph Busch
Orange County Chapter
Members since 1990

——————-

Patrick & Andrea Molyneaux

Legatus is an incredible grace that helps us become the best version of who God wants us to be. If we could summarize Legatus in one scripture verse, it would be “iron is sharpened by iron, one person sharpens another” (Prov 27:17). The Legatus relationships we’ve established with like-minded Catholic leaders bring out the best in us. These relationships sharpen our encounter with Jesus Christ through His Church.

An example of that sharpening process happened in March 2011 when a fellow Legate invited us to put our pro-life convictions into action by praying with him in front of a Planned Parenthood operation the following Saturday. I agreed, and for the first time in my life I prayed in front of an abortion clinic. The surreal experience of watching pregnant women pass by and walk through a door to kill their babies changed me forever.

It was a wake-up call that made me realize I needed to do more to defend life. A few months later I felt inspired to leverage my network and influence and reach out to Bishop David Zubik and the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Pittsburgh to organize a significant pro-life event in front of Planned Parenthood. Together we organized Pittsburgh’s first “Mass and Prayer Walk for Life,” scheduled for April 28, 2012.

This is the first pro-life initiative of its kind in Pittsburgh history. Our prayer is that it will become an annual event. The seed was planted by a Legatus member whose faith and convictions sharpened the faith and convictions of fellow Legates. Faith is indeed contagious, and Legatus helps it spread.

Patrick & Andrea Molyneaux
Pittsburgh Chapter
Members since 2009

——————-

Larry & Mary Anne Eagan

We’ve received just so many gifts and blessings from being members over the past five years. But one of the greatest and most personal of all these gifts, I’d have to say, is having the sacrament of Reconciliation made available at our monthly meetings. It’s a sacrament we long for.

And our chaplain, Monsignor Chris Connelly, gives voice to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the gifts of good counsel, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He gives voice to them through both the confessional and Mass.

For us, Legatus has brought that Biblical verse about “the way of love” in 1 Corinthians 13 truly alive. This is especially true in relation to the sacrament of Marriage. Through Legatus, we have come to share more deeply in our search for God’s peace. We witness the faithful love of our fellow Legatus couples, and this helps strengthen our own commitments to love — love for the Holy Trinity and Our Mother Mary, for each other, for our family, our community and the world.

The sharing and enrichment of our faith at the monthly meetings and the Summits have inspired us to work diligently to develop ourselves further spiritually. Legatus magazine gives us a blueprint to explore our faith further through books, media and stories of inspiration.

Larry & Mary Anne Eagan
Western Massachusetts Chapter
Members since 2006

——————-

John & Jennifer Feltl

I first heard about Legatus from a business contact, but it was a few years before I actually made a meeting. When I did, an historian-theologian priest gave a talk on the history of Catholic education in the United States. I came alone, but the next time I brought my wife. A date night with rosary, Mass and a speaker is the best date night on the face of the earth.

Before I joined, I was a cradle Catholic who took the faith for granted. The more we can learn and be trained in our faith, the better. The world today is so confused and in such need of evangelization.

Legatus is a real gift that is easy to make time for, including attending Summits. It’s a great way to help us all become better Catholics, better people, better husbands, fathers, owners, better everything. As a business person, I never had the tools or the forum to talk comfortably with other business people about our faith until Legatus. Now I’m not sheepish or ashamed at all to ask, “Do you know about Legatus?”

Legatus is also helping us do a better job of passing on the faith to our kids. Legatus gives us clarity through solid catechesis, especially through our monthly speakers and the two priests who serve as our co-chaplains: Fr. William Baer and Fr. Michael Keating. The spiritual direction they give is another reason why Legatus is so important to us.

John & Jennifer Feltl
Twin Cities Chapter
Members since 2009