The message of leadership

We attended the third annual Gala Event for John Paul II High School last night. Attendance numbered over 400, with the dinner, charity auction, and dancing held at the Legacy Village Marriott.

The impressive take away for me, was not only the tremendous support and charity for JPII HS in Plano, but also a 20 minute kick off talk by Bishop Kevin Farrell, recently in 2007 installed as leader of the Diocese of Dallas. Comfortable in front of this crowd with a hint of an Irish accent, he spoke to the history’s of cultures who’ve been desolated by mindsets of individualism and relativism, where each individual decides for him or herself, what is right and what is wrong. Segueing into how God the Father is what America’s success was built on from this country’s inception, Bishop Farrell spoke to the huge contribution of private Catholic education throughout American history, to values,  morals, faith, and a person’s base – a child’s base, which have impacted every level of the success historically across the spectrum of our society.  With a smile Bishop Farrell said, “Time has past us by, at least it’s past me by. Now is the time of our children. Our children need the values, morals, faith in God, the basis for living, that are taught in Catholic schools, which are the opposite of what American medias’ teach us in present times – they teach relativism and individualism, a base without God.”

Catholic leadership, as demonstrated by Bishop Kevin Farrell, must continue this proactive message, engaging the public with these clear positive distinctions, and message. I truly believe the state of the American Church can be turned around in this manner.