Kate Stevenson
The annual NAPA Summer Conference is widely regarded as the most important event of the year for the Catholic Church in America. It brings together over 700 Catholic lay leaders, bishops, priests, and religious for a week of celebration.
Timothy Busch is Chairman and Founder of the NAPA Institute. He says this years gathering felt particularly special since it coincided with the 250th anniversary of the United States, an opportunity to reflect on what kind of nation America wants to be over the next 250.
Timothy R. Busch
Founder and Chairman, Napa Institute
The way forward is looking brighter...
There's still always going to be challenges, but there's been a resurgence of faith, especially among the young people and there's a yearning for the truth and for a solid liturgy out there. And I’m very excited about it. I see it in big cities. It's very, very encouraging.
The anniversary is also an opportunity to recognize how the Catholic Church has grown in the United States. Once a small and often marginalized community, today Catholics play a significant role in American public life.
Timothy R. Busch
Founder and Chairman, Napa Institute
When we started, the country only had one Catholic, Charles Carroll, who signed the Declaration of Independence. And at that time in the country's history, Catholics were compromised in numerous jurisdictions where they couldn't own property, they couldn't vote. And over time, those rights were given to them as with all citizens. And really Catholics in the last 50 years, 75 years have made a major contribution to politics, to innovation, and to corporate leadership.
While the NAPA conference celebrated the past, it also discussed ways to confront the challenges of the future. Tim Busch believes strong faith communities can can offer hope and unity in a divided world.
Timothy R. Busch
Founder and Chairman, Napa Institute
We do need dialogue. But we also have to push back on evil. And we have to realize that it is a spiritual warfare that we’re in. And although we win in the end, it's a process. It's not easy. We're all living in the world, even though we're not of the world.
The conference itself is designed to strengthen dialogue between Church leaders and the faithful. For the NAPA founder, that spirit of collaboration is essential for the future of the Church.
TIM BUSCH
Founder and Chairman, Napa Institute
Divided we fall, united we stand... And I've learned more about that. We can’t let perfect get in the way of good.
As the United States enters its next 250 years, Tim Busch hopes that renewed faith communities will help shape both the future of the Church, and of the nation.
