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March 3, 2010
"Be not Afraid" From the President/CEO
This is CALL's inaugural newsletter and I cannot think of a better theme for the challenges before us than Our Savior's words to his disciples, "Be not afraid!"
In this and in future newsletters we will offer you an update on CALL's activities and plans and we will include some food for thought and prayerful reflection. To help us make our introduction, we have a wonderful article by our Episcopal Moderator, Archbishop José H. Gomez, entitled "Be not Afraid" - The Virtue of Courage. His message is a timely one for us all.
I hope that you will enjoy receiving this newsletter from time to time and that you use the links provided at the bottom to access our Web site, offer comments and suggestions, make a prayer request and to inquire about membership if you are not already a member. And, yes, there is even a "Donate Now" link for your secure, tax-deductible online donations which are much appreciated.
Please take a few moments to read our newsletters, and let us know how we can serve you better in the future.
May we all have a blessed Lent!
Robert B. Aguirre
President/CEO
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 Archbishop Jose Gomez:
"Be not Afraid" - The Virtue of Courage
In a few weeks, on April 2, we mark the fifth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. When I think of John Paul, I always think of the very first words of his pontificate - "Be not afraid!"
Those words, which John Paul repeated many times over the years, come straight from the heart of the Gospel. From beginning to end, the Gospel is a divine call to courageous love - the courageous love of God and of our neighbor.
Be not afraid!" is what the angel tells Mary at the annunciation. (Lk 1:30) At the resurrection, another angel uses the same words to tell the women at the tomb that Christ has risen. (Mt 28:5) Jesus himself uses these words to strengthen his apostles. (Jn 6:20) And the Gospels tell us that these were his first words after the resurrection: "Be not afraid!" (Mt 28:10)
To read the rest of the Archbishop's article, click here. |
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Gathering Momentum
Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Papal Nuncio (second from right) hosted a reception for CALL at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Pictured above (L-R) are CALL Chairman Mario Paredes, William Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Papal Nuncio, and CALL Episcopal Moderator Archbishop Jose Gomez.
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About CALL
CALL is a national organization comprised of lay people dedicated to promoting the common good of our Church and country. We were established on the premise that it is the particular vocation of the laity to transform the world through Faithful Citizenship. We do this by finding new and culturally relevant ways to preserve and promote the values of our faith - with the recognition, and within the historical context, that Hispanics were the first American Catholics.
Internally, we provide a forum for members to strengthen their Catholic faith in community through prayer, education and service. Externally, we provide programs and services for the benefit of our faith, community and country.
Operationally, CALL's planned programming includes:
Faith Formation: Religious formation and outreach for business and other professionals that includes educational and other opportunities to reunite leaders with their faith;
Hispanic Outreach, Leadership Development and Mobilization: Organizing and gathering the voices of national Hispanic leaders for purposes of evangelization and for speaking out on important public policy issues;
Vocations: Support for seminarians - personal, emotional, and financial;
Public policy: Publishing papers and pronouncements on timely social and justice issues;and,
Special Events/Projects: Our unique special events which include the 2009 Vatican Embassy reception hosted by the Papal Nuncio, our planned April 2010 Vatican Forum, and our annual members gathering/retreat (planned for July 23-25, 2010).
Through our commitment to Faithful Citizenship, CALL members are called to have courage, purpose, nobility and conviction. Accordingly, we are committed to speaking out on a national stage for the benefit of ourselves, our community, our Church, and our country.
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Our changing country: Our changing Church
If there is any doubt of the changing demographics of our country or our Church, consider the following facts:
- Hispanics compose more than 35% of all Catholics in the United States.
- Hispanics have contributed 71% of the growth of the Catholic Church in the U.S. since 1960.
- More than 50% of all Catholics in the United States under age 25 are Hispanic.
- The estimated Hispanic population of the U.S. as of July 2007 is 45.5 million.
- More than two-thirds (68%) of all Hispanics in the United States consider themselves to be Roman Catholics.
Source: www.usccb.org/hispanicaffairs; U.S. Census Bureau
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