SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Jose 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 Garcia-Tunon, 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.
"C.A.L.L. 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.
SOURCE The Catholic Association of Latino Leaders
Margaret Garcia, +1-210-226-2827, for The Catholic Association of Latino
Leaders
