"State of the Catholic Business League 2010"

To: Members of the Catholic Business League and Friends

From: Greg Mays, President, Catholic Business League

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Two years ago, from this past summer, a "Steering Committee" was gathered at Holy Family in Brentwood with attendees from several different Parishes south of Nashville. The initial plans were to be called the "Catholic Business League of Williamson County". After four meetings of the committee the mission became clearer. We held the first Prayer Breakfast in October 2008. (The anniversary has been held in September because that is when we were incorporated)

In the first few months we attracted almost one hundred members from around the Diocese, although most from Williamson County. Most of these folks are now identified as Founding Members because they put their support behind us from the beginning. We are now about 200 members strong and becoming more regional each month.

Halfway through the first year the Board of Directors met for a couple of long sessions to refine the Mission Statement of the Catholic Business League. There were many varied reasons for each Director to join. The result has become our mission that gives strong focus for all of the energies of the CBL :

"Providing opportunities for Catholic Professionals to engage in fellowship,
catechesis, service, & philanthropy."

Fellowship: You must admit, if you have been at one of the Prayer Breakfasts, the engagement that goes on between Catholic Professionals is unique to a group such as this. There is genuine sharing that happens, more than just networking. True relationships are made: Christian Ministry in action. Most months we must ask people to leave, who are still talking, so we can close down the room.

Catechesis: Through the many diverse speakers that have spoken to the League we strive to be taught by Catholic Professionals. We want to learn about our faith and the wonderful Catholic Community around us. From Steve Hayes, who described designing his business around his faith, to Fr. Baker, who celebrated the Vandy Catholic Ministry, we have learned much. As a matter of fact, each "Catholic Professional of the Year" recipient was a speaker in the year before.

Service: Since early in our founding we have established a Jobs Ministry. This consists of a jobs board on the website for resumes and job listings. There is also a periodic email sent out with Prayer requests and links to the listings and resumes. There is also a Mentorship Ministry that has been developed and is being tested this fall. This effort will connect college students with CBL members to provide coaching and connections in a particular profession. These ministries show our commitment to paying back the community in which we live and serve.

Philanthropy: I hope that you saw our demonstration of this last month at the anniversary event. Our $4000 donation to the EACS Foundation (Endowment for the Advancement of Catholic Schools) will go to help needy families afford to keep there children in Catholic Education. This is double our donation last year and promises to develop a tradition of giving that will represent the Catholic Business League for many years to come.

The largest development in our short two-year history is the change in location. From this point forward the Catholic Business League will meet at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. This decision did not come about lightly. The Board of Directors (half of which live in Williamson County) voted unanimously to support the move. The belief is that we have become a Diocesan Ministry and need to be accessible for Professionals from all over our region.

I thank our Lord for blessing me with the opportunity that I have been given to serve you and the Catholic Professionals around us. I continue to ask for His help living up to these blessings.

Please continue to pray for those looking for work, the Catholic Business League, and Catholic Professionals everywhere.