Peter Kilpatrick, president of The Catholic University of America in Washington, spoke to the Assembly of Catholic Professionals Sept. 29, reflecting on his recent visit to St. Louis for the beatification of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.
“I honestly think he is a saint for our times,” said Kilpatrick.
Sheen, the one-time archbishop of Rochester, N.Y., and Emmy-winning television host, is remembered for his use of technology — first radios and later television — to evangelize.
“We are all called to be communicators of the good news,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge during his remarks welcoming Kilpatrick and others.
Kilpatrick told various stories from Archbishop Sheen’s life, including when he was a young altar boy for the bishop and dropped the cruet on the cathedral floor.
“There is no atomic explosion that can equal in intensity of decibels and explosive force … the sound of a wine cruet hitting the marble floor of a cathedral in the presence of a bishop,” Kilpatrick noted from Archbishop Sheen’s autobiography, which he encouraged attendees to read.
When Mass was over, the young Sheen was terrified the bishop would yell at him, instead he predicted he would one day follow in the bishop’s footsteps, Kilpatrick shared.
Kilpatrick also mentioned the miracle attributed to Archbishop Sheen that moved him up from Venerable to Blessed. He encouraged attendees to read about it.
The reflection on Archbishop Sheen was important for the more than 100 people gathered at Westwood Country Club in Vienna. This was the fourth event held by the Catholic Foundation, which aims to connect professionals of all ages with fellow Catholics.
“Bishop Burbidge created this assembly with a simple hope: for you to get to know one another, and to get to know him and his senior team, in an atmosphere of fellowship and faith,” said Peter de Keratry, chief development officer for the diocese.
He went on to remind attendees that they are called to be like Sheen. “As Archbishop Sheen reminded millions of television viewers, life is worth living,” de Keratry said. “May it be lived for Christ.”
The Assembly of Catholic Professionals was instituted by Bishop Burbidge in 2025. Those in attendance were a mix of newcomers and those who have attended previous events. The goal of the lunchtime events is to facilitate networking with fellow Catholics in a social and time-friendly manner.
Liam O’Toole, a parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, has attended the events before and said each time he learns something new.
“It’s great to be around such a big network of people who are so successful, but also still faithful Catholics,” said O’Toole, who owns his own company, CRM Management.
“What I really like is we get to meet with multiple generations here, so I can talk to those who are my age. It is always harder to meet people who are more senior, but here I wind up sitting next to them.”
Patrick Rohan is one of those senior leaders. The St. Luke Church parishioner was slated to retire from the federal government the day after the event and was looking forward to finding his next steps. He came because after all his years of government service he was hoping to meet other faith-filled individuals who want to do good work.
“How often can we meet other Catholic professionals?” said Rohan. “In government, we keep those things quiet so it’s nice to be around others who share my values.”
The next meeting of the Assembly of Catholic Professionals is Dec. 7 at the Archer Hotel in Tysons Corner. The keynote speaker will be Kerry Robinson, president of Catholic Charities USA.
Shaffrey is diocesan director of media relations.
Find out more
Contact the diocesan development office at tinyurl.com/2p9wfbdu.
