Catholic Charities Summit Offers Hope for Our Community

The Catholic Professional
March 29, 2010

Imagine an event with folks from all sides of the political spectrum. A place where you have business people, ministry leaders, social workers, etc. in the same room; coming together to solve problems, locally. And, although caustic issues arose, they were presented in a thoughtful and appropriate tone.

This is what I experienced last Thursday (3/25) at the Catholic Charities USA Centennial Leadership Summit in Nashville. The day at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center (where the presidential debate was held) began with a morning breakfast for community leaders where local ministries were highlighted. People stood and described their view of the causes and possible remedies to poverty.

There was one woman who spoke of the need to assist with the $75 test fee for the GED. Many people will complete the courses but not take the test for the cost.

A great discussion ensued and topics ranged from mental illness treatment to communicating better in the new media. (To be honest, it was I who suggested that if everyone in that room had posted something about the Summit on Facebook, 10,000 people would have seen it.) Someone also explained the drastic effect this economy has had on the white-collar class. It is something we experience in the Catholic Business League every month.

The day continued with a larger event that started with the introduction of many of the dignitaries present including: Mayor Karl Dean, Bishop Choby of the Diocese of Nashville, and the Rev. Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities, USA.

In his keynote address, Fr. Snyder challenged the crowd to strive for ideas, for solutions that do not come from Washington, while keeping the political will to work for justice. In support he quoted Archbishop Ireland in saying, “Turn to the future. Our own, our work…. as we will it…so shall the story be.”

After a time of prayer and song, a panel was introduced that was moderated by Pat Nolan, Sr. VP of Dye, Van Mol, & Lawrence Public Relations. Mr. Nolan is a long-standing figure in the media here in Nashville in many capacities. The panel included John Seigenthaler, Sr., President of the HCA Foundation Joanne Pulles, and Daniel Cornfield, Professor of Sociology and Political Science at Vanderbilt.

Mr. Nolan posed discussion questions that ranged from healthcare reform to the systemic problems that surround poverty. The three panelists, coming from different perspectives, did a fine job of expanding everyone’s understanding of these issues. The last 30 minutes was open for questions that came from the audience. This session provided some lively political perspectives that were as varied as the diverse audience in the room. It felt like a true “Town Hall Forum”.

All of this provoked such an animated discussion over lunch and the period following. CCUSA announced three grant award winners that were able to tell of their success stories. We were then tasked with table discussions following their presentations. This, again, provided for some lively debate. There were people at my table that were from completely different backgrounds than me. How eye opening. We found agreement on the majority of questions proposed.

The overriding message that I received from the day is this: that local, personal ministry organizations work best. As soon as you get Washington involved or expect Washington to come to the rescue, you are lost.

I was so encouraged to see the community that is Nashville come together for such a good cause; and productive discussions. I was excited to see the Nashville Corporate Community represented so well by HCA (my employer). I am at peace to know there is so much energy in our town to work for the goal set forward by Catholic Charities USA: to reduce poverty by 50% by 2020.

We can, with honest and transparent discussion and forthright determination, reach that goal. It is Jesus Christ’s challenge to us. And I know how Catholic Professionals respond to a challenge

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