Legates urged to defend the faith

Seattle conference highlights politics, education and business

Despite the economic downturn and election of a pro-abortion president, Legatus members must continue to build a culture of life and defend the Catholic faith in all sectors of society, attendees of the Legatus Fall Summit heard from a wide array of speakers.

With the theme of “Developing Your Catholic Identity in Education, Business and Politics,” faculty members challenged Legates to defend the Christian ideals upon which the United States was founded.

“Win or lose [on Nov. 4], we move forward,” syndicated radio host and author Michael Medved told Legates during the Oct. 2-4 gathering in Seattle. “But we do so with confidence that we try to live God’s will — not just in private, but in public.

“We must try to draw closer — not just as individuals, but as a community, as a nation — and commit ourselves for the sake of our fellow citizens to continue the status of the United States of America as the greatest nation on God’s green earth,” he said.

Other speakers included actor and economist Ben Stein; Ambassador Alan Keyes; FOX News correspondent Fr. Jonathan Morris; author and talk show host Rabbi Daniel Lapin; and Legatus’ former international chaplain Fr. Robert Spitzer.

Sacramental grace

Archbishop Alexander Brunett, chaplain of Legatus’ Seattle Chapter, celebrated the opening Mass and delivered Thursday night’s keynote address.

“The best way to confront secular culture is to transform it with the truth and grace of Jesus Christ,” he said. “Transformation can only occur through grace, which is nothing less than God’s own divine life, and grace is received in its fullness in the sacraments.”

David Fischer, a member of the FortWorth Chapter, said he and his wife Lisa enjoyed the summit’s liturgies and speakers.

“My wife and I always enjoy getting away together and learning about our faith. That’s what we enjoy about Legatus conferences,” he said. “I liked the education panel and hearing from all the university presidents about Catholic identity in the universities, which is always important to me as a Notre Dame graduate.”

Summit chairman Mike Patterson also gave high praise to the speakers and clergy. “The weekend was vibrant, challenging, thought provoking and motivational,” he said. “The liturgies were absolutely marvelous, a complement to the whole Catholic identity theme.”

Likewise, Kevin Hand of theWest LA Chapter said the summit was both educational and inspirational.

“I always learn something at the summits that helps me grow interiorly — and I go back to basics,” he explained. “That’s what Legatus does. It brings me back to basics in my interior life.”

Patrick Novecosky is the editor of Legatus Magazine.

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Legatus honors pro-life heroes

Four pro-life role models received the Cardinal O’Connor Pro-Life Award at the Legatus Fall Summit in Seattle on Oct. 3. Chairman Tom Monaghan and Peggy Hartshorn, a member of the Legatus Board of Governors, presented the awards to Sr. Paula Vandegaer, Chris and Joan Bell, and the Sisters of Life.

Sister Vandegaer is the executive director of International Life Services in Los Angeles. She coordinates pregnancy centers and trains volunteers who devote themselves full time to pro-life work.

Chris and Joan Bell live in New Jersey. Chris Bell runs Good Counsel Homes, which take in needy moms and babies. Joan (Andrews) Bell is best known for her heroic witness in the “rescue”movement. She spent six years in jail, with over two years in solitary confinement, for her peaceful intervention to save the unborn.

The Sisters of Life were founded in the early 1990s by Cardinal John O’Connor, Archbishop of New York. They have both a contemplative and active dimension to their community. Their full-time ministry is pro-life work. They take a special fourth vow to defend human life.