CALL is sponsoring a special forum at the Vatican in April 2010 - and you are invited! This is a highly unique event that promises to be as informative as it will be spiritually fulfilling. The group will be led by CALL’s Episcopal Moderator, His Excellency José H. Gomez, Archbishop of San Antonio, CALL Chairman Mario J. Paredes, and Robert B. Aguirre, President/CEO.

The primary accommodations will be Domus Sanctae Marthae (the cardinal’s House of the Conclave), located within the Vatican.

Forum briefings will be in the mornings on Wednesday through Saturday (April 7-10) with the following (tentatively):

v  Pontifical Council for the Laity;

v  Pontifical Council for the Family;

v  Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; and,

v  Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

The purpose of these high level briefings will be to hear about the Vatican’s plans for, and views of, the Catholic Church in the United States. Additionally, it will be an opportunity for CALL to brief Vatican officials on the changing demographics and realities of the Church in the US, including the political reality of how Gospel values are constantly under attack in our everyday lives.

Meetings are also being scheduled with the Cardinal Secretariat of State, His Eminence Cardinal Tarzicio Bertone, as well as with the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Miguel Diaz.

Daily tours or the Vatican, Rome and environs are also planned (optional).

Everyone is invited to join the Vatican Forum event, but space is limited and the deadline for sign-up is February 19. There is no registration fee for CALL members. Registration fee for non-CALL members is $250. Each person is to make their own travel arrangements, however lodging and optional tours will be handled through the CALL office. Click her for more information.