How Legates can assist pastors

Chairman Tom Monaghan writes that Legates should be their pastors’ helpers . . .

Thomas Monaghan

I’m sure you have heard the old adage: It’s not just what you do, but how you do it! We all know this to be true, but sometimes we need to be reminded.

In my last column, I talked about the important role that we, the laity, have in the Church and some practical things we can do to live out the Legatus mission. I concluded by suggesting a couple of ways Legates could help their pastors or bishops. This time I will touch a bit on how we might go about doing this.

As previously mentioned, Legates can be extremely helpful to our pastors and bishops — and not just by financially supporting their projects. I would suggest as a first step that you find out the birthday and ordination anniversary of your pastor and bishop and then when these days approach, send them a card letting them know that you appreciate them and are praying for them. These seemingly small acts of kindness can go a long way.

Next, when you have the opportunity, simply approach your pastor or bishop and let him know that if there is ever anything he needs help with, to let you know. Obviously there will be times when he will ask you for fiscal support, but that’s not what I am talking about.

When it comes to how we help our pastors, there are some things that we should avoid. For example, it’s not a good idea to try and persuade him to do something that he may not want to do, thinking that he will go along with it because of your influence.

It’s also not usually a good idea to donate money with strings attached, which may in effect be telling your pastor or bishop how to do his job. It may be a natural tendency for us CEOs to want to exert control or push our own agenda because we feel so strongly about something, but this is not usually a good idea.

By the nature of the work we do, Legates have a lot of managerial experience that may benefit a pastor or bishop, but it’s important to remember that when it comes to helping them, they are the boss.

As Legates, the welfare of our parishes and dioceses should be a very high priority for us. So if you are asked to help with something, I encourage you to respond positively.

THOMAS MONAGHAN is Legatus’ founder and chairman. He is a member of Legatus’ Naples Chapter.