“In the coming decades Catholics will likely find it harder, not easier, to influence the course of American culture, or even to live their faith authentically.” “Hope to see you in Napa”
-- His Excellency, The Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver Dear Friends in Christ, 
The comment by Archbishop Chaput referenced above is a prophetic call to us who are people of faith living in the contemporary world. The constant growth of a sort of practical atheism and secularism antagonistic towards religion and its role in society in our time is steadily eroding the moral landscape of our country, with consequential detrimental effects on its economic, political and social well-being. In response, the Napa Institute was founded to help Catholics face and engage these modern challenges. The Napa Institute’s first annual conference will be held from July 28th-31st in the Napa Valley at the Meritage Resort and Spa. The conference will feature talks by various Catholic intellectuals on pertinent themes. The first day will be centered on the latest papal encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, with talks by Archbishop José Gomez, Roger Cardinal Mahony, Archbishop Brunett, and Tim Gray. In the encyclical, our Holy Father directs our attention to the ways in which charity, directed by truth, can be implemented and expressed both politically and economically. At the conference, the speakers will focus on insights from the encyclical to help us resolve questions pertaining to the important issue of immigration. The topic of the second day is “Why Faith Makes Sense.” By revealing the absurdities that logically follow from unbelief and by sharing the evidence for God in recent astrophysical discoveries, Bill McGurn, George Weigel, and Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. will provide evidence for the reasonableness of Faith. Finally, on the third day, Bishop Jaime Soto, Mother Mary Assumpta, O.P., Tim Gray, and Bill McGurn will talk on “The Cost of Discipleship.” The event will also provide opportunities to participate in the Sacraments. Daily Mass will be offered, and Confession will be available for all attendees. On Sunday, I will celebrate and preach at the Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form. The conference will be a great occasion to grow both intellectually and spiritually. I encourage everyone to attend. You can register online, or fill out the hard copy registration form and return it to the address provided. For further information please visit the Napa Institute website (Click Here) or contact Angela Hoy at (949) 474-7369, ext. 123. I hope to see you in Napa at the end of July. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone
Bishop of Oakland
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Message from Bishop Salvatore Cordileone:
