Phil Loftus, NRVC director of development and executive director of National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations, was among 60 people invited to the 2019 De Mazenod Conference held by the Missionary Oblate Partnership at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas February 15-17. This year's theme was “A Pathway of the Heart: Renewing the Catholic Church.” The gathering focused on the crisis facing the church and the role of all its members in renewing it.
Participants represented professionals from diverse areas, including young Catholic students and leaders from Catholic organizations. Participants listened to the following speakers: Kerry Robinson, global ambassador, Leadership Roundtable; Julie Craven, communications consultant; Father Seamus Finn, O.M.I., chair, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility; Mary Gautier, editor, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate; Janine Geske, justice emeritus, Wisconsin Supreme Court; Father Dan Griffith, professor, St. Thomas University School of Law; and Father Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I., president, Oblate School of Theology.
Discussion followed each of the presentations. The outcome document on actual recommendations of what the church should do will be presented to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
