Catholic Professional & Business Group

Catholic Conscience Rights Under Attack

Web Administrator — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:10:09 GMT

February 3, 2012

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Religious liberty is one of the freedoms we cherish as Americans. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states that government shall not make any law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. We, the bishops of Nevada, bring to your attention a recent, alarming matter that seriously infringes on this freedom.

On January 20, 2012, the United States Department of Health and Human Services issued a new federal mandate requiring virtually all employers, including faith-based institutions, to provide insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and contraceptives. There is an exemption for churches but so narrowly framed that almost all Catholic institutions will have to pay for the coverage. The exemption applies, for all practical purposes, only if our schools, hospitals and charitable agencies hire only Catholics and serve only Catholics. As you well know, many of our institutions serve non-Catholics. For example, Catholic Charities here in our state and throughout the nation provide food, shelter and other essential services for millions of people who are not Catholic.

The issue comes down to this: through this new regulation the federal government requires the Catholic Church to spend its money in a way that forces it to violate its religious principles. In effect, it restricts our free exercise of religion.

What are the effects of this regulation? First to abide by the law would lead us to violate our moral teachings. To ignore the law would place us in violation of this Federal regulation and make us subject to fines or other consequences. To act within the narrow religious exemption would remove us from our mission to serve people who are in need and count on the social safety net we provide. None of these is acceptable for people of faith in a nation that has freedom as the hallmark of its identity. Where else will this regulation lead?

What we are asking you is to help in defending a fundamental freedom. Write or call your senator or representative in Congress. Write to the president. Share this concern with other Catholics or anyone who cherishes the freedoms upon which our nation was founded. We will suggest other action to take in the near future.

We thank you for your attention. Let us pray for one another and let us pray for our nation.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Randolph R. Calvo Most Reverend Joseph A. Pepe
Bishop of Reno Bishop of Las Vegas

______________________________

For more information please visit the USCCB.org website by following this link:
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm

February 9, 2012 - Breakfast with Charles Baird

Web Administrator — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:38:37 GMT

Please register online for the February 9 breakfast with Charles Baird. The breakfast begins, as always, at 7 am at the Silver Legacy in downtown Reno. Doors open at 6:30 am with coffee and chat.

Charles W. Baird received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1968. He then spent five years on the faculty at UCLA where, he says, he actually learned economics, mainly from Armen Alchian. He often asserts that he has the best of both worlds: a Berkeley degree and a UCLA education.

Dr. Baird will draw on Catholic social teaching as he answers the question "Are public sector unions legitimate?"

January 12 - Breakfast with Brian Johnston

Web Administrator — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:26:39 GMT

Please register online for the January 12 breakfast with Brian Johnston. The breakfast begins, as always, at 7 am at the Silver Legacy in downtown Reno. Doors open at 6:30 am with coffee and chat.

Brian Johnston is the Western Regional Director for the National Right to Life Committee. He has served as Executive Director of the California ProLife Council, California Commissioner on Aging, on California's State Board of Nursing Home Examiners, and the Board of Directors of the National Legal Center for the Medically Dependent and Disabled. He has spent more than 20 years as an advocate for the medically vulnerable.

Brian has long been an advocate in the pro-life movement, both on abortion and euthanasia. Many times he has heard from Christians who say they are "with him" on the abortion issue, but regarding euthanasia, they just want to end the suffering. Come listen as Brian presents his principled approach to ALL the pro-life positions.

November 10 - Breakfast with Tom Carroll

Web Administrator — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:37:19 GMT

Please register online for the November 10 breakfast with Tom Carroll. The breakfast begins, as always, at 7 am at the Silver Legacy in downtown Reno. Doors open at 6:30 am with coffee and chat.

Tom Carroll is a former officer in the Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency. He spent years under cover in the Middle East, and is a specialist in Islam and Middle Eastern affairs. Tom and his wife converted to Catholicism while living in Istanbul, Turkey. For more information, please visit tpcarroll.com.

Today Islam is affecting our world like never before. For Catholics, this religion of 1.5 billion represents challenges - and opportunities - unlike anything else in the modern age. Drawing on his personal and professional background in the Muslim world, Tom will introduce you to Islam in its most salient essentials, with clear and relevant connections to our own Catholic worldview.

October 13 - Breakfast with Gene Fadness

Web Administrator — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:52:29 GMT

Please register online for the October 13th breakfast with Gene Fadness. The breakfast begins, as always, at 7 am. at the Silver Legacy in downtown Reno. Doors open at 6:30 am. with coffee and chat.

Gene grew up in Montana and became involved with Mormon friends, joining the LDS church at age 16. He attended Ricks College in Rexburg, ID, completed his mission in Australia (where he was responsible for leading several young Catholics away from their faith) and graduated from Brigham Young University. Just weeks before marrying the daughter of a Mormon bishop, a late-night reading of the first chapter of the Gospel of St. John led to his dramatic conversion to Jesus Christ as God; not a secondary god, but the "Word made flesh who dwelt among us."

He has a strong concern for the many poorly catechized Catholics, especially young people, who are being drawn into the Mormon church. Gene shares his testimony to educate people, especially here in the west, about the very real differences between the LDS church and Catholicism. He has appeared on The Journey Home on EWTN, and on Catholic Answers, Deep in Scripture and Living Faith radio programs.

September 8th Breakfast with Jimmy Akin

President — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:03:34 GMT

Please register online for the September 8th breakfast with Jimmy Akin. The breakfast begins, as always, at 7 am. at the Silver Legacy in downtown Reno. Doors open at 6:30 am. with coffee and chat.

Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers Director of Apologetics and Evangelization, will describe the rowdy and rambunctious time of the early church in his talk titled, "The Fathers Know Best".

Jimmy was born in Texas and raised in Arkansas. He grew up nominally Protestant but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant pastor or seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible, but the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith. Eventually, he was compelled in conscience to enter the Catholic Church, which he did in 1992.

His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Jimmy is a Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a regular contributor to This Rock magazine, a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live," and the author of several titles including Mass Confusion: The Do's and Don'ts of Catholic Worship and The Salvation Controversy.

Speaker List 2011-12

Web Administrator — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:30:56 GMT

September 8, 2011 - Jimmy Akin

Catholic Answers apologist Jimmy Akin describes the rowdy and rambunctious time of the early Church in "The Fathers Know Best."

October 13, 2011 - Gene Fadness

Guest of the Coming Home Network, Gene Fadness shares his story of conversion from Mormonism to Catholicism.

November 10, 2011 - Thomas Carroll

Former officer in the clandestine service of the CIA draws on his Middle Eastern experience presenting “Islam for Christians.”

January 12, 2012 - Brian Johnston

President of the California Pro-Life Council provides strategy on making a difference in the battle against the scourge of abortion.

February 9, 2012 - Charles Baird

Professor of Economics, Emeritus, draws on Catholic social teaching in his talk on “Why Government-Sector Unions are Illegitimate.”

March 8, 2012 - Fr. Francisco Nahoe

Rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, Father Francisco prepares us as Catholic business men and women for a fruitful lent.

April 12, 2012 - Jonathan K. Doylend

Applying (?) his Ph.D. in engineering physics, Dr. Doylend tackles the supposed contradiction between science and religion.

May 10, 2012 - Kevin Vost

Author, speaker, and frequent EWTN guest, Dr. Vost draws from his three books: “Fit for Eternal Life,” “From Atheism to Catholicism,” and “Memorize the Faith”

June 9, 2011 - Bishop Randolph Calvo

Bishop of the Diocese of Reno (and canon lawyer) speaks to the group for his seventh annual State of the Diocese discussion.

Speaker List 2010-2011

President — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:03:00 GMT

For additional bio details of our speakers click: SpeakerBriefBios

September 9, 2010 - Tom Loarie
Chairman and CEO of Mercator MedSystems, Inc., presents "Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given: An Executive's Spiritual Journey of Faith."

October 14, 2010 - Barbara McGuigan
Founder of Voice of Virtue International, Barbara is one of the foremost pro-life, pro-chastity educators in the English-speaking world.

November 11 2010 - Gerry O'Driscoll
Widely quoted expert on banking and monetary policy and former senior editor of the annual Index of Economic Freedom speaks on business ethics.

FRIDAY, January 14, 2011 - Fr. Chuck Kelly
The Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Sacramento will give us a talk on healing and deliverance.

A related article: ShortageOfExorcists

February 10, 2011 - Nicholas Capaldi
The Director of the National Center for Business Ethics presents "The Catholic Entrepreneur as New American Hero."

March 10, 2011 - Debi Vinnedge
Executive Director of Children of God for Life, Debi will address such bioethic issues as human cloning and embryonic & fetal tissue research.

April 14, 2011 - Fr. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem

Fr. Walshe will give us a talk on the Relationship of the Catholic Faith to Politics and Economics.

May 12, 2011 - Fred Ruopp, Sr.
An anchored and thoughtful Catholic, the CEO of Chelsea Management Company is regarded as one of the top value-oriented mangers in the country.

June 9, 2011 - Bishop Randolph Calvo
Bishop of the Diocese of Reno (and canon lawyer) speaks to the group for his sixth annual State of the Diocese discussion.

Breakfast Meeting Location & Times

Web Administrator — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:15:00 GMT

All our meetings are held at the Silver Legacy in Reno. The room varies, but we have people stationed at strategic locations to help guide you to the proper place. Doors open at 6:30 am., breakfast starts at 7 am., and the talk is normally from 7:30 to 8:30 am.

SPEAKER LIST 2009-1010

President — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:00:00 GMT

September 10, 2009 - Sharon Lee Giganti
Certified catechist and regular guest on Catholic Answers Live Radio kicks off our speaker season with her talk on “Oprah and the New Age Movement” and the business environment.

October 8, 2009 - Steve Kellmeyer
Nationally-known author and lecturer applies Catholic theology to today’s headlines - and to our life as business men and women.

FRIDAY: November 6 (FRIDAY), 2009 - Tim Staples
Come on this First Friday to hear Catholic Answers Apologist Tim Staples on “Pope Benedict XVI, For Such a Time as This.”

January 14, 2010 - Dcn. Harold Burke-Sivers
Founder of Aurem Cordis and frequent guest on EWTN presents “Truth, Freedom, and the Human Person: Understanding Our Life in Christ.”

February11, 2010 - Barbara Nicolosi
An accomplished screenwriter, Nicolosi shares her Old-Media savvy in the New Media to encourage a new generation of Catholic culture warriors.

March11, 2010 - Jerry Usher
Former Host of Catholic Answers Live and founder and president of Third Millennium Media Executive gives a talk on the priesthood in this Year of the
Priesthood.

April 8, 2010 - Fr. Bruce Lamb
Parochial Vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral here in Reno, will light our morning with his wit and humor of his conversion from his Jewish roots.

May 13, 2010 - Victor Claveau, MJ
Victor Claveau, a lay evangelist and founder of the Evangelization Station in 1989, is dedicated to Catholic apologetics and evangelization.

June 10, 20010 - Bishop Randolph Calvo
Bishop of the Diocese of Reno (and canon lawyer) speaks to the group for his fifth annual State of the Diocese discussion.

First Saturday Pro-Life Rosary

Web Administrator — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Pray the rosary to end abortion - monthly on the first Saturday, at 9:00, located at the West
End Women's Clinic, 5915 Tyrone Rd, Reno

Nevada Chesterton Society

President — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT

http://nvchesterton.blogspot.com/

New Terri Schiavo Documentary Gives Facts Media Distorted in Euthanasia Death

Web Administrator — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:19:00 GMT

A new documentary about the life and death of Terri Schiavo presents facts that the mainstream media distorted. Schiavo was killed in a painful starvation and dehydration euthanasia death over the course of nearly two weeks when her former husband won a court order to kill her.

Read More at LifeNews.com

2008-09 Speakers

Web Administrator — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:02:00 GMT

Introducing our speakers for 2008-09:

September 11, 2008 - John Martignoni

Our season begins with the host of EWTN Open Line
and the founder of the Bible Christian Society speaking
on “The Challenge of Being Catholic.”

October 9, 2008 - Mike Romano

Impressionist and stand-up comedian turned EWTN
radio producer uses humor to tell his conversion
story. Ask for Fr. Frank Pavone!

November 13, 2008 - Dale Ahlquist

President of American Chesterton Society returns to
Reno to present G.K. Chesterton’s thoughts on the
economy, business, and the workplace.

January 15, 2009 - Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse

Founder of “Your Coach for the Culture Wars” outlines
the direct and indirect negative impacts of the
culture wars on your business and how to fight back!

February 12, 2009 - Richard Lane

Catholic evangelist, co-founder of Qorban
Ministries, (and son of NFL legend Dick “Night Train”
Lane) asks “Do you know what you have?”

March 12, 2009 - Ben Loop

Executive from Siemens Medical Solutions provides a
Catholic perspective on Just Pricing and Wages in a
free market economy. Take a modern look at Pope
Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum.

April 16, 2009 - Doug Sherman

Come show your support as the founder and president
of Immaculate Heart Radio gives an update on
Catholic Radio in the West!

May 14, 2009 - Bobby Schindler

Brother of Terri Schiavo and founder of Terri
Schindler - Schiavo Foundation details the pain of losing
his sister and his battle to make sure this cannot
happen again in the United States of America.

June 11, 2009 - Bishop Randolph Calvo

Bishop of the Diocese of Reno (and canon lawyer)
speaks to the group for his fourth annual State of the
Diocese discussion.

Economic Justice

Web Administrator — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:49:00 GMT

Our speaker March 12th outlined ten social precepts gleaned from the Catholic Church's documents on economic justice. Below are the goals Ben listed:

1)     A just wage, which provides for the necessities of life, education for the children, savings for security in old age and hardship, and one which does not require that both parents be employed to supply for the family's needs;

2)     Unemployment benefits to provide for times of insecurity and hardship;

3)     Restraint in material consumption to enable us to assist the poor. The Church also exhorts companies and the media to exercise restraint, and not to inflame desires for material goods and the multiplication of wants;

4)     Healthy and safe working conditions, appropriate to the physical capabilities and limitations of the laborers;

5)     The right to the organization of labor, trade unions, and collective bargaining;

6)     Time for rest and religious observance;

7)     Access to education which enables universal participation in market opportunities, and the realization of the full creative potential of each individual;

8)     Careful and sustainable use of the Earth's resources, allowing all people and generations the use of its bounty;

9)     Protection and care for those in other countries who produce the goods we consume, and international cooperation in ensuring universal recognition and protection of human rights;

10)     Non-exploitative and humane treatment of immigrant labor, without distinction in wages or working conditions.

Phew!

March 12, 2009 Ben Loop

President — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:29:00 GMT

Executive from Siemens Medical Solutions provides a Catholic perspective on Just Pricing and Wages in a free market economy.

Have you ever experienced conflicts between your responsibilities to your business and your duties as a Catholic?

Do you sometimes wonder if the economically rational choice is the right choice?

Do our actions as leaders in business enhance or detract from the Church’s vision for a just society?

This presentation explores the relationship between faith and commerce in free market conditions, drawing upon Catholic social teaching as expressed in Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical, Rerum Novarum.

In preparation for next month's meeting with Ben Loop, you might want to read Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum Novarum or "On Capital and Labor."

Rerum Novarum

Web Administrator — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:33:00 GMT

In preparation for next month's meeting with Ben Loop, you might want to read Pope Leo XIII's encyclical "Rerum Novarum" or "On Capital and Labor."

Beauty And The Beast

Web Administrator — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:41:00 GMT

The Catholic Professional and Business Group will not be hosting a breakfast for the month of December. However, we would like to invite everyone to see our President perform in the Disney production of "Beauty And The Beast" on December 9th, at 1 P.M.

The production is presented by Tahoe Players and includes talent from over 100 local actors, singers & dancers. Our President is starring as the Beast and is working hard to give us the performance of his life.

When: December 9th, 2007
Time: 1 PM
Location: Grand Sierra Resort
Tickets: Adults - $30, Children - $15, Booth for four - $175
Call: 789-2285 for Tickets and Information

Plot Summary:

Belle is a girl who is dissatisfied with life in a small provincial French town, constantly trying to fend off the misplaced "affections" of conceited Gaston. The Beast is a prince who was placed under a spell because he could not love. A wrong turn taken by Maurice, Belle's father, causes the two to meet.

Prince Adam was cursed to a beast form by Enchantress who saw no love in his arrogant heart for others. The one way he could break the spell was to learn to love another and earn her love in return before the last petal from his enchanted rose fell, which would bloom until his twenty-first birthday. But who could ever learn to love a beast? Ten years later, Maurice, an inventor from a nearby village, becomes lost in the woods and seeks shelter in the Beast's castle, the Beast imprisons him for trespassing. His daughter Belle, a bookworm who dreams of life outside her provincial village, finds him trapped in the castle and offers her place in his stead. The Beast accepts with a promise she'll remain in the castle forever. In the beginning Belle views him as nothing more than a monster, he views her as difficult and stubborn. But the two soon taste the bitter-sweetness of finding you can change and learning you were wrong.

Plot Synopsis:

In order to break the spell placed upon him and his servants, a beast (an enchanted prince on the inside) must learn to earn the love of a village girl or risk remaining in his animal state forever

Member Directory

Web Administrator — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:19:00 GMT

The Catholic Professionals Member Directory can be found at http://www.catholicprofessionals.org/login.asp.

Click Here to request a username and password.

Pro-Life Rosary - Sept. 19th

Web Administrator — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:45:00 GMT

Bishop Randolph Calvo invites you to join him in praying a special Pro-Life Rosary that will be broadcast many times on Immaculate Heart Radio here in Reno, including during the annual Respect Life Procession in downtown Reno.

We’ll pray this Rosary at Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, Arlington and Second Street, Wednesday morning September 19th at 10:30. Mark your calendar!

Immaculate Heart Radio will be there, recording this Rosary for broadcast.

Please join us!