If you’re going to be in DC at the beginning of April and like to rub elbows with politicians, then you might be interested in the 3rd annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, Wisconsin, will be the keynote speaker. EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo and Fr. Paul McDermott, OP, who is in charge of school reconstruction in New Orleans, will also be speakers. Scott Hahn and Fr. Benedict Groeschel will give talks after the breakfast. You get all this for the low, low price of $100 (or $55 for the Friday night reception and $60 for the Saturday breakfast).
I’m still unclear on the point. Where does my $100 go? From what I found on the web site it goes to support future breakfasts. Sounds like a bit of a tautology. And the mission of the breakfast?
We have created the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in response to the call of Pope John Paul the Great for a “New Evangelization, new in order, methods and expression.” We gather from across the United States of America for worship and fellowship. We gather to thank Our Lord for his abundant blessings upon this Land. We reaffirm our faith in Him and renew our dedication to this great Republic. We commit ourselves to providing for our brothers and sisters who are the most vulnerable in society, and we commit our country to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I’m not sure how a group of well-heeled Catholics getting together to hob-nob and listen to speeches actually advances the New Evangelization. Hey, I’m not against the concept, but I haven’t been able to find anything that tells my why I should care about this event. After all, I can go to Mass at my parish on Sunday morning and head over to Brother’s Deli in downtown Salem for breakfast afterward. Total cost: about $10. The rest of the $90 could be sent to Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity who I know will use it wisely.
Right, thanks.
Considering the Bush showed up last year, I think the event lends some weight to the involvement of Catholics at the National level, the political level. Large turn-out events like this one may be viewed as chest-beating, but they are needed. As for the $100, it covers the event overhead, and frankly, probably keeps the numbers manageable.
I don’t think I’d compare Michaelangelo’s Pieta to a prayer breakfast.
Catholics already are involved at the national level in politics. Heck, five of the Supreme Court’s justices are Catholic and the largest denominational representation in Congress is Catholic. I’m not sure a prayer breakfast makes much difference.
Hey, I’m not against people getting together for breakfast. I’m just not sure it’s that big of a deal either beyond an opportunity to issue a press release and get a photo in the Washington Post.
Is Deal Hudson showing up?
The point must be to boldly go where no breakfast has gone before.
Well if they really wanted to hit their “goal” of evangelization, the event should be carried via satellite to other Regional Prayer Breakfests across the dioceses of the US at the same time.
This would allow the speakers of the national event to be seen outside Washington D.C. (guess what there is a whole country and population outside of DC), involve the diocese that they could then add their own regional speakers and fellowship.
But then again that would require some thought and innovation from “the powers that be” or asking the “family in the pew” how such a event could be shared with the rest of the faithful here in the US.
There quote of “New Evangelization, new in order, methods and expression” is funny. What is “new” in bringing a bunch of people for $100 (excluding travel and lodging expenses) a plate to Washington DC? How is the “method” new?
I think the purpose is to network, sell more books, eat breakfast and oh yeah, pray.
Basically you are paying $100 for an audience with Scott Hahn.
I’d pass too.