Catholic Association of Latino Leaders Launch National Organization

The Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (C.A.L.L.) held its National Inaugural event, Wednesday, January 16, 2008, in San Antonio, Texas. Most Reverend José H. Gomez, S.T.D., Archbishop of San Antonio and Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Denver both Ex-Officio members of the organization were in attendance as were clergy and prominent Latino business leaders from across the country.

The inaugural event included the presentation of the organization, a prayer service led by the Archbishops and introduction of the Executive Board. In addition, guests were invited to become members of the organization. A highlight of the evening included letters of best wishes and congratulations from clergy across the country, including newly ordained Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. In addition, a letter of greetings from the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, of Washington D.C. conveyed “the warm greetings, paternal affection and spiritual closeness of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.” The letter went on to say, “The Holy father is confident that this praiseworthy initiative…will inspire in the Latino Catholic Community a renewed dedication in the pursuit of holiness and a steadfast commitment to the spread of the Gospel.”

Under the leadership of the Archbishops’, C.A.L.L. is poised to serve as a national voice for Hispanic Catholics on social justice issues to impact national dialogue and its outcome in favor of improving the nation’s policies affecting Latinos.

Executive Board Members include: Mario J. Paredes, Director of Community Business Development for Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. based in New York City; Robert Aguirre, owner of Robert Aguirre Consultants, L.L.C., a strategic planning, organizational development, and project management consulting firm in San Antonio, Texas; Manny García-Tuñón, Vice President of Business Development of Lemartec Engineering and Construction Corporation, headquartered in Miami, Florida; Jose Ambrozic, Director of the Saint Malo Catholic Retreat, Conference and Spiritual Center in Denver, Colorado; and Sergio Gutierrez, founder, Montero
Capital, L.L.C., a multi-stage private equity investment company headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

“CALL will be the full realization of our vocation as Christian Catholic leaders. The call that we have received is to work for a better society, to improve our communities, and for the integration of our Christian principles, which are rooted in our Catholic tradition, and experience of the Church. This is the challenge we have received,” said C.A.L.L. President Mario J. Paredes.

C.A.L.L. was formed in September 2007, when Catholic Latino businessmen and professionals from around the country gathered at the Archdiocese of Denver to announce the creation of the organization. The group was created after U.S. bishops identified the need for ongoing dialogue with Catholic Latino leaders. Its purpose is to work with the Church for the common good in the service of Latino communities in the United States. C.A.L.L. will provide a forum for members to strengthen their faith in community through prayer, education and service.

Members will actively embrace the issues of preserving and promoting Catholic values such as the sanctity and dignity of life, of marriage and family life, Catholic faith formation and education, vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, promoting the dignity of every person, and promoting the evangelization of culture and the common good, all in collaboration with our bishops.

To find out more about C.A.L.L., and/or to become a member, visit our website at
www.call-usa.org.

Upcoming C.A.L.L. 2008 Events:

March 2008:
National Inaugural Event – Denver, Colorado

May 2008:
National Inaugural Event – Miami, FL

July 11-13:
Annual Retreat – Professional & Latino Leaders
St. Malo Retreat & Conference Center, Allenspark, Colorado

Aug. 22 – 24:
Annual C.AL.L. Member’s Meeting –
St. Malo Retreat & Conference Center, Allenspark, Colorado

Oct. 9-12:
C.A.L.L. Summit – San Antonio, Texas

To schedule an interview, please call Margaret Garcia at 210-226-2827.”*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

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