HOMEPAGE for this issue: July 13, 2011 // Download PDF Version // Click to install/update Adobe Reader on your computer

Summit to explore faith, citizenship

By Julie Filby

The Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL)—a national organization of lay people dedicated to promoting the common good of the Church and the nation—will hold their annual conference in Denver Aug. 12-14.

For the first time since its initial gathering in 2005, CALL is opening the conference not only to members but to all interested parties.

“(We invite) any business or professional person who’s interested in learning more about how to grow in their faith within the context of their business and professional life,” said Robert Aguirre, president and CEO of the San Antonio-based association. “That’s really the theme of the conference: faithful citizenship and public policy; so content-wise, there will be an emphasis on how we take our faith and values and translate them into a corporate culture.”

The event themed “A Catholic Summit on Faith, Citizenship and Public Policy-Our Challenge and Our Responsibility,” will feature several distinguished speakers including three bishops involved in the organization’s founding: Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap.; Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez; and Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted.

In addition, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, archbishop of Lima and primate of Peru, was recently added to the slate of speakers.

“The speakers will address current issues facing the Church and the nation, such as Catholic education, immigration reform and Catholic identity,” said Aguirre. “We’re really undergoing a full-scale assault in this country today on our Catholic unity, and so many of these forces are trying to convince us that we’re defined as Catholics by our symbols, customs or ceremonies, when in fact what defines us as Catholics is what we do and how we live our lives.”

Additional speakers will include Mark Lopez of the Pew Hispanic Center; Jonathan Reyes, president and CEO of Catholic Charities in the Denver Archdiocese; attorney Carlos Iturregui, formerly of the Department of Homeland Security; businesswomen Wendy Dominguez, Diana Vela, Nora Urrea and Nancy Hernandez; Father Michael Barrett, an Opus Dei priest from the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese; economist Brian Cadena of the University of Colorado; and entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank J. Hanna III.

Organizers hope for 100 attendees this year, nearly three times their inaugural gathering’s attendance.

“The first year a group of 35 national Hispanic businesspeople were called together to talk about an idea that (then Denver Auxiliary) Bishop Gomez had with the support of Archbishop Chaput,” said Aguirre. “They met at St. Malo (Retreat Center in Allenspark, Colo.) to throw ideas out on the table.”

The group incorporated in 2007. Currently there are nine CALL chapters in the country, with three more in formation. Data from 2010 U.S. Census indicates the Hispanic population of the United States exceeds 50 million.

“We would like for people to join us—whether Hispanic or not, whether businesspeople or not,” said Aguirre. “We think it’s going to be a pretty unique gathering.”

The summit will be held at the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek at 150 Clayton Lane in Denver. Registration fees start at $260 for individuals and $520 for couples, not including hotel accommodations. To register, visit www.call-usa.org, email christine.syphers@call-usa.org or call 210-734-1653.