With more than 1,600 people in attendance, including the President of the United States, organizers of the 3rd Annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast are pleased by the overwhelming success of the event only in its third year.
The event, which was created two years ago in response to Pope John Paul the Great’s appeal for a “New Evangelization,” is an opportunity for all people of faith to come together to fulfill his vision.
“The Board of Directors and host committee are deeply honored and delighted that President George W. Bush would join with our Catholic community as we bring action to our faith and commit ourselves to prayer,” said Joseph J. Cella, president of the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.
Participants attended from across America, from Oregon to Florida, California to Connecticut, and all along the mid-Atlantic region, reported Cella. “It is exciting, yet humbling to see people from all walks of life so enthusiastic about their faith.
“A year into the new pontificate of Benedict XVI, the American church is thriving and enthusiastic about reaching the world with the gospel. The success of this event shows how so many in our community understand the importance of joining together in prayer for our nation and the world and to give thanks to God for our innumerable blessings while deepening and renewing our faith in Him.”
The program of events included Mass the night before with His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick of Washington, DC, a group recitation of the Rosary, and a breakfast featuring keynote speaker, Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Madison. This year, for the first time, the breakfast was followed by an educational program featuring talks by Dr. Scott Hahn and Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. Followed by a book signing featuring Dr. Hahn, Father Groeschel and EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo.
Other speakers and/or special guests included Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Fr. Neil McDermott, O.P. of New Orleans, Senators Sam Brownback, John Cornyn, Rick Santorum, and Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson.
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