Cosmo DeNicola Companies News


Thursday, December 22, 2022

Steward Families Gather for Washington DC Annual Meeting

Washington, DC - Stewards, family, friends and Papal Foundation staff on Monday after Mass with Archbishop Timothy Broglio and Bishop Joe Coffey in the Archdiocese for the Military Service’s chapel.

 

The Stewards of Saint Peter gathered in our nation’s capital December 4-6 for fellowship, to join in prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist and to conduct important fiundation business. The Willard Intercontinental Hotel, which was adorned in Christmas Decorations, was once again host to the event.

 

The meeting kicked off Sunday night with a beautiful Mass at Saint Matthews’s Cathedral and continued with more than 30 Stewards, friends, and Foundation staff at a delicious dinner at Mastro’s where conversations around each table focused on how so many Stewards have made overseas mission trips in 2022.

 

Monday began with Reconciliation and Mass hosted by Archdiocese for the Military Services in their beautiful chapel. Our host for the morning, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, recently elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, held a Q & A session during which Stewards askes a wide range of questions.

 

Upon returning from Mass, Stewards were treated to a luncheon presentation by Majorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, in which she provided a post–election and post-Dobbs analysis of the state of the pro-life movement’s efforts to build a culture of life throughout the country.

 

For many of the Foundation’s Trustees, the luncheon was followed by Investment committee and Grants Review committee meetings. But many Stewards took advantage of an optional tour of the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of The Catholic University of America.

 

Dinner at the Willard included an update on the Foundation’s activities from yours truly, but the highlight of the evening was a moving presentation by Steward and Mission Fund committee chairman Jim Towey, who spoke about his many years of friendship and work with Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Jim recently published a book about his times with Saint Mother.

 

Tuesday kicked off with Gospel refection lead by Eustace Mita, followed by Mass celebrated by Father Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., University and Director of Campus Ministry chaplain for Catholic University.

 

Following Mass, a breakfast buffet followed and Brian Burch, president of Catholic Vote, provided Stewards with an analysis for the 2022 Senate and House election results, along with a preview of what’s ahead for issues of interest of Catholics.

A group of stewards then took part in a tour of the Saint John Paul II Shrine, while another group of Stewards participated in Development committee meetings before heading over to the Apostolic Nunciature for the Board of Trustees meeting. The Board meeting was followed by a beautiful joyous reception and dinner, hosted by the Papal Nucio, Archbishop Christophe Pierre. Foundation President Eustace Mita served as a master of ceremonies and Foundation Vice Chairman Rob Neal offered a toast to the Holy Father.


The Board of Trustees elected Stewards Paul Hill, Tim Ristoff and as Cosmo DeNicola Trustees to three-year terms, and also approved the annual slate of officers and committee members.

 

It was wonderful to see so many Stewards of Saint Peter together, and Jim, Jane, John, Sharon, Ian and I were blessed to be with them too! 

 

We are grateful to Archbishop Christophe Pierre and his team for their generous hospitality throughout the day and into the evening on Tuesday!

 

The excitement at our meeting in Washington provided so many reasons to feel blessed this Advent season!

 

Topics: Papal Foundation