SAN ANTONIO • Twenty five people from the Alamo City and all over the nation- including Phoenix, Albuquerque, New York, Milwaukee, Denver and the Miami area gathered at the Mexican American Catholic College and Assumption Seminary June 19-21 for a Board meeting and annual retreat of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL).

This year the retreat was lead by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM, archbishop of Boston. Archbishop José H. Gomez, CALL moderator, warmly introduced Cardinal O’Malley as a friend and colleague, as well as a person of long standing support and involvement in issues concerning the Hispanic community in the United States.

As a young Capuchin Franciscan friar, then-Father O’Malley earned a Ph.D. in Spanish and Portuguese literature from the Catholic University of America in preparation for service in Latin America. Upon completion of his studies, he was asked by his religious superiors to stay and serve the growing Hispanic community in the United States. Subsequently, the young priest taught at Catholic University and founded the Centro Católico Hispano (Hispanic Catholic Center) in Washington, DC; an organization that provides educational, medical and legal assistance to immigrants, still in existence today.

Over the three-day retreat, participants benefited from several wonderful conferences and three extended homilies offered by Cardinal O’Malley on topics ranging from prayer, reconciliation and a more profound appreciation of the Eucharist.

Cardinal O’Malley is well known for his rich insights into Scripture and stories about his family and Irish upbringing. In his meditation on the parable of the Prodigal Son, he explains that “the true Catholic attitude is not to be overwhelmed by sin no matter what our situation, because it is so clear that the father of the Prodigal Son is not merely willing, but anxious to forgive. The father never imposes himself, but waits longingly, scanning the horizon for our return, and upon spotting our return in the distance, rushes to meet us...” “My father was very clear with me about how often to receive reconciliation,” Cardinal O’Malley explained. “When it was time to get a haircut, it was time to go to confession.” “At the same time,” he said, “we must be forgiving of others, lest we develop what our people would call ‘Irish Alzheimer’s’ — an unpleasant condition where one forgets everything but their grudges!”

Archbishop Gomez also addressed the gathered group of Latino leaders to remind them of their mission as members of CALL. “More and more people, especially within the Hispanic community, are living without an awareness of God and their Christian identity because of the strong influence and pressures of the secular culture. How can people meet Christ if we do not show them the way? We must ask ourselves, how is what I do leading people to Jesus Christ?”

The retreat concluded with an inspiring Father’s Day liturgy, a spiritual bouquet presented to Cardinal O’Malley and Archbishop Gomez in thanksgiving for their leadership and generous fatherly guidance, as well as a renewed sense of urgency and responsibility among the CALL membership to the task at hand.

The mission of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders is to work with the church for the common good in the service of Latino communities in the United States. For more information about CALL or to inquire about membership, visit the Web site www.call-usa.org.