FAIRFIELD— Formerly known as the Pinstripe Mass, this year’s Catholic Business Forum Mass and Brunch is sponsored by Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice (CAPP). The event is open to all business and professional leaders and will be held on February 9, 9 am at Fairfield University.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, assistant ecclesiastical counselor to CAPP in the United States, will be the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass.
Featured guest speaker Robert A. Nalewajek, executive vice president of CAPP-USA and past director of FCAPP-Vatican plans to speak on the topic: “Let’s Change the World—Catholic Social Teaching is the Way.”
At this year’s event, in addition to business leaders, invitations were sent out to all diocesan high schools, with the expectation that each school send around seven students and one facilitator to the event. In addition, Fairfield University extended invitations to select students, faculty, administrators and trustees.
“Our Church calls on the laity to be God’s voice in the world,” comments Nalewajek. “It is our special task to order and throw light upon all the affairs of the world in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ. That is our unique and special mission,” he said.
“How can we do this?” Nalewajek poses the question. And the answer? — “Implementing Catholic social teaching in society.”
The purpose of the forum is threefold: educational-the integration of Catholic social teaching and business, formative-Catholic social teaching in action, and mentoring–students will be mentored by members of the CAPP community post-event.
Students will be given pre-read material and will be asked to come prepared with questions. Post-event, the facilitators from each school will work with CAPP to assign a mentor to their group.
Students will be encouraged to meet with their facilitator and mentor post-event to discuss potential projects that could be proposed based on what they have learned. If the facilitator believes a particular project has merit and would like to move forward with implementation, there may be an opportunity for the students to apply to Foundations in Faith for a grant up to $5,000 to help fund their project.
The ultimate goal of the forum is for local business leaders and students to make materially present Catholic social teaching in action within the local community.
“Our challenge as Catholics is to develop a strong, committed group of lay women and men, rich in faith and theologically prepared to be present in public life to explain, develop and implement Catholic Social Teaching,” says Nalewajek.
The morning will begin with a Mass in the Egan Chapel, celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano and will continue with brunch in the Oak Room.
The cost is $50 per person or $400 for a table of eight. Limited seating is available so register today at: www.bridgeportdiocese.org/CBF.
ROBERT A. NALEWAJEK
Robert A. Nalewajek received his bachelor’s degree from Niagara University and his mater’s from the University of Southern California. He currently serves on the board of Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, is on the Steering Committee for the Bridgeport Diocese “Annual Appeal,” is a Knight of the Order of Malta (served on the American Association’s “Education and Defense of the Faith Committee”) and is a member of Legatus. Nalewajek led the US introduction of the Vatican based Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice and was subsequently elected a Director at the Vatican. Pope Francis bestowed on him the award of ‘Knight Commander’ of the “Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great.” Bob is married to Dolly Nalewajek and they are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena/St. Agnes parish in Greenwich. They have a son and daughter and are grandparents of four (and, hopefully, counting).
