For 20 years, I’ve had a tradition of hosting a Catholic CEO men’s group following Thanksgiving. We invite a prelate to lead an evening retreat, then the next day, we tour some Orange County religious sites such as JSerra Catholic High School, Christ Cathedral, and St. Michael’s Norbertine Abbey. The prelate then celebrates a Holy Mass and gives a talk, followed by a reception and dinner. We call it, by tradition, the Monsignor Herron dinner, named after a priest who played a pivotal role in my life, and I believe, the Catholic Church.
This is our kick-off party of the Advent season, and it’s always a joyful one. And while the event has passed, I’d like to invite you to participate in the festivities from afar, by watching the main talk.
This year, our speaker was the new Secretary of the United States Conference of Bishops and Ecclesiastical Adviser to the Napa Institute, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City. He brought his associate, Peter de Keratry, Executive Director of Development for the Archdiocese. His excellent talk was on the evolution of transgenderism, a topic that should worry us all. Before the talk, His Excellency sabered a bottle of Trinitas sparkling – opening it with a sword.
Napa Institute’s three pillars include liturgy, fraternity and faith formation – and all three were evident. The retreat and dinner talks can be viewed on our Facebook page and on our website. I think you’ll enjoy watching it.
Next year’s event will feature the new President of the United States Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the Archbishop of Military Services. And in 2024, we’ll have Msgr. James Patrick Shea, the President of the University of Mary of North Dakota.
Every year, we celebrate the life of Msgr. Herron, who died in 2004 at age 56. He worked in the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith under then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger from 1982 – 1988. Through him, I met Cardinal Ratzinger, who of course became Pope Benedict XVI. Msgr. Herron also introduced me to Cardinal James Harvey and many remarkable prelates and priests throughout the world. He was a brilliant scripture scholar and enjoyed life. He ultimately died of cancer, and now he is enjoying heaven, with our Lord.
I share this because I want you to get a glimpse of one of my favorite traditions in the Napa Institute. If you watch the video, on Facebook or our website, please let me know what you think. And please know that I am praying for you and your family during this Advent season.
May God continue to bless you during this special and holy time.
Tim Busch, Founder of Napa Institute
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