It was a privilege for the members of the CALL board of directors to witness the installation of Archbishop José H. Gomez, S.T.D., as the Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles. With this newsletter, I will attempt to take you into the pews of Our Lady of Angels Cathedral for his Welcoming Mass.
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| "We are to be each other's witness." |
 On April 6, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI announced that Archbishop José H. Gomez of San Antonio, CALL's Episcopal Moderator, was to be the next shepherd to the City of Angels - Los Angeles. Let there be no doubt that this is a significant moment in history.
Archbishop Gomez, like all priests, has the heart of a missionary. And on the occasion of his fifth anniversary as the Archbishop of San Antonio this past February, he issued his third pastoral letter entitled, quite prophetically, You Will Be My Witness. As he now begins his new Episcopal ministry in Los Angeles, we can all draw from the notion that, indeed, we are to be each other's witness, as he wrote, "The people you meet in your community or in your daily work may not hear the Gospel if they do not hear it from you. They may not see an example of Christian living unless they see it from you."
On Wednesday, May 26, the City of Angels began a day of events to officially welcome - and to be a witness to - the arrival of Archbishop José H. Gomez as their new archbishop. The day began with a breakfast sponsored by CALL and hosted by a local group of CALL friends and members. In attendance were 163 Hispanic, business, and other leaders who were on hand to meet and welcome their new archbishop. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Maria Contreras-Sweet, founder and chairwoman of Promérica Bank, who warmly welcomed their new shepherd on behalf of the Hispanic business community. ................... Please refer to Archbishop in his own words in the right-hand column for more details on his breakfast address. ................... After a moving and rousing round of applause, the Master of Ceremonies exclaimed, "We need to take a moment to take-in and reflect on the archbishop's message."
CALL Chairman Mario J. Paredes and Archbishop Jose Gomez present a gift to Master of Ceremonies, Maria Contreras-Sweet | The event concluded with CALL Chairman Mario Paredes presenting a gift of a crozier, on behalf of the members of CALL, to Archbishop Gomez. Additionally, each person in attendance received a copy of the Archbishop's new book, Men of Brave Heart.
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| "Mahony goes. Gomez comes.
Christ alone endures." |
Welcoming Mass at Our Lady of Angels Cathedral | That afternoon Archbishop Gomez was officially received by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Cardinal Roger Mahony at a Welcoming Mass celebrated at Our Lady of Angels Cathedral. The Mass was concelebrated by 411 priests, 59 bishops and seven cardinals with over 4,000 in attendance. The two hour service was marked with the prayers, music, and ceremony appropriate to such occasions and included the recognition of the rich cultural diversity that makes up the Los Angeles Archdiocese. In his remarks, Cardinal Mahony observed, "As I near the end of my time of tending this corner of the vineyard, the shepherd's staff is being passed to Archbishop Gomez. Mahony goes. Gomez comes. Christ alone endures." At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Gomez addressed the assembly by asking for everyone's prayers, assistance and patience. He recounted, "I grew up in a Catholic home where ordinary life was filled with simple love and devotion. Through the love I felt in my family, I came to know Jesus Christ and his love for me. The prayers and support of my family and friends, my spiritual family, have helped me throughout my priesthood and in the last few years on my ministry as Bishop. I am grateful to them beyond words. And to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and to her loving heart, I entrust all of us and my ministry to you."
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To read all of Archbishop Gomez's remarks at his Welcoming Mass, please click here. |
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Sincerely,
Robert B. Aguirre
President/CEO
Catholic Association of Latino Leaders
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| Archbishop Gomez in his own words |
Archbishop Gomez addressing the congregation at his Welcoming Mass in Los Angeles
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In addressing the CALL breakfast gathering of local Hispanic business leaders, Archbishop Gomez stated, "You are the untold story of Hispanics in America - the story that nobody talks about. It is the story of the growing number of successful Latino professionals who are accumulating wealth and contributing to American society. You need to be the new American leaders in our country and in our Church."
During his remarks he paused briefly and said, "This is an important day for CALL - a day for which we have all worked so very hard. And while this is a happy day for Hispanics in this country, we all are the Church and called to live the Gospel in our daily lives." He concluded by saying to the Los Angeles audience, "I am inspired by your faith and dedication." | |
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| CALL helps to affirm moral standards |
Dr. Pablo and Nora Urrea at the CALL Breakfast |
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After the event a member of the host committee, and of CALL, Dr. Pablo Urrea, commented, "For me, personally, this is about combining the spiritual values of my faith with the ethical values of my business. An organization like CALL helps to affirm moral standards that guide Latino leaders who are having an increasingly greater national economic impact." |
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