By Emily Clark
FAIRFIELD — His Way at Work has been inspiring business owners to place God at the center of their establishments for almost 20 years. Now, this international association has formed a partnership in the Diocese of Bridgeport as the Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin Guild for Business Owners.
The initiative launched on October 22 with a kick-off event at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Joined by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, close to 40 local entrepreneurs gathered to learn about consecrating their companies to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
While enjoying the social hour of appetizers, wine, cheese and desserts, the guests mingled and made connections with those in similar positions and those of the same faith.
Donna Fallacaro, owner of Holistic Skin Wellness in Fairfield and a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas, said she thought this would be something different from a typical networking or PR event. “I’m interested in learning about how the Catholic angle could affect my business,” she said.
Originally founded as a coaching company in 2008 by Peter Freissle, former CEO and current Board Chair of Polydeck Screen Corporation in Spartanburg, S.C., His Way at Work has grown to help businesses create a workplace culture and community embedded in faith, service and compassion for employees. These are qualities that Deacon Patrick Toole, Chancellor & Secretary of the Curia, said are essential.
“This guild that we’re working toward is really to help business owners come together, to go through formation that is more specific to what you do as a leader and also to support each other in community,” he said in his opening statement at the launch.
He saw the need for this throughout his career at IBM. As a secular company, Deacon Toole said he found it to be a “very lonely place as a Catholic.” When he met a like-minded fellow employee, the two would sit together at company dinners and talk about their faith while others shared stories of their houses and cars.
“We were trying to live our faith inside the workplace, so I was really excited to learn about His Way at Work,” he said. “We hope to have chapters all around the diocese. We’re asking you to prayerfully consider this.”
For those ready to take that step, Deacon Toole said the consecration would take place at the 10 am Mass at the Cathedral of St. Augustine on Sunday, November 1, All Saints Day.
Jo Holt, Senior Director of Membership and Communication for His Way at Work, traveled from her office in Denver to help introduce this initiative to business owners. After discussing the prospect of consecrating their companies, she gave them ideas to consider.
“What are your plans following that consecration? What do you think is your next step after you consecrate?” she asked. “There are a lot of possibilities. There will be a lot expected of you in this process – how you look at your company not just as an owner but as steward of that company and the different responsibilities you have to care for the people that are invested through your organization.”
God is entrusting each of them, Holt added, and it is not something to take lightly. “I think that’s the beauty of this guild,” she continued. “This is an opportunity for you as a community to walk together, to provide accompaniment for each other and to receive support.”
That support will come through regular meetings to be held at St. Thomas Aquinas and through His Way at Work materials, free of charge and funded through the diocese for the first few years.
Following a short video about the establishment of this apostolate, the bishop addressed the gathering, asking those present to wholeheartedly consider this endeavor.
“The Lord has called us here. You are all leaders and that was chosen by God before you were born. He had foreseen that you would be in this seat, but you cannot give what you do not have,” he said. “So, we’re talking about creating a culture where the values of the Gospel are just embedded in the lives of the people entrusted to your care. Bring the message of hope out there. The Lord is asking you to say yes to him, and he will do all the work, through you.”
Those in attendance, led by Bishop Caggiano, then prayed the first night of a nine-day novena to the Sacred Heart.
Deacon Jim Meehan, who serves at St. Philip Parish in Norwalk and owns Window Restoration of Connecticut in Berlin, said he was intrigued by this guild and how he could integrate his business with his faith. “My customers know I’m a deacon, know I’m Catholic,” he said. “I’m not pushy, but I talk about it. This guild may offer more opportunities.”
Jeffrey Melaragno said he is interested in the human impact and being together with business owners who share the faith. “It’s tricky to go it alone,” said the owner of The Small Jobs Company in Fairfield who belongs to St. Patrick Parish in Redding. “This is a great proposition. I want to grow my company and at the same time, grow my faith.”
This new guild is named for Louis and Zelie Martin, successful small business owners in 19th century France. They are the parents of five nuns, the youngest of whom is St. Therese of Lisieux.
For more information about His Way at Work or the Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin Guild for Business Owners, email [email protected].
