Legatus puts faith to work

Stephen Peroutka knows that Catholics who are business executives are busy, and likely already involved in a few – or more than a few – business and civic organizations. But he still wants them to consider joining Legatus, an international organization of leaders who want to be ambassadors for Christ.

“We’re here to help,” said Peroutka, who is president of the Baltimore Legatus chapter. The name Legatus comes from the Latin word for ambassador. 

“We don’t have a particular mission other than to help you be a better Catholic, help your marriage be a better Catholic marriage, and help your family to be a better Catholic family and to help you bring Catholic principles into the workplace and perhaps help you solve difficult decisions according to Catholic principles,” he said.

The basic elements of Legatus monthly gatherings include praying the rosary, an opportunity for confession and Mass, followed by a social hour, dinner and a speaker. Peroutka, an attorney and parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park, said that although the gathering is small, the speakers are big names in Catholic circles.

He said upcoming speakers include Michael O’Neill, known as the “Miracle Hunter” because of his extensive research on miracles, and Kevin Chilton, a Catholic and retired Air Force general and astronaut.

One key factor for the organization is that people join as couples, even if only one spouse meets the membership qualifications. Spouses are not members of an auxiliary, as in other groups. The chapter recently created separate men’s and women’s forums so that they can discuss concerns about their lives in a smaller, confidential group. Other forums can be based on professional interest and might be regional or national, with meetings via teleconference.

Legatus also offers national and international conferences, retreats and pilgrimages.

The organization’s three pillars are to study, live and spread the Catholic faith in their personal and professional lives.

Members pay dues that cover the costs of dinners and speakers, but chapters do not do any fundraising or other solicitations. 

Legatus criteria includes membership in good standing in the Catholic Church; must hold the top position of a qualifying company, subsidiary or division responsible for all the operations of the business; oversee a minimum of 40 employees or $1.5 million in payroll; and a certain level of annual business volume.

Peroutka said the importance of these factors are the amount of influence a person carries to create impact on those with whom they interact. He noted that Tom Monaghan, former founder of Domino’s Pizza and founder of Legatus, said that the organization is about moving people from success to significance. 

“Most of these people have found success,” Peroutka said. “But what then can you do with the success? And can being around men and women of similar Catholic faith help you in bringing that into the workplace?”

Legatus was founded in 1987. According to its website, Legatus includes 5,500 Catholic business leaders in 95 chapters worldwide. The Baltimore chapter was established in 2005 and currently has 17 member couples, one single and a widow.

Dennis Schrader, who served as secretary of the Maryland Department of Health during the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan (R), and his wife Sandy, a former Republican Maryland State senator for District 13 in Howard County, joined the chapter about three years ago. He has been involved as a Catholic all his life, including serving as a lector, on the parish council and as Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus council at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fulton and St. Louis in Clarksville. To bolster all that, Legatus provides an opportunity for what he calls executive spiritual development.

“We’re all on a spiritual journey and we’re in different places,” Schrader said. “Legatus gives you a vehicle to intentionally talk about what it means to practice your faith in the public square.”

He added, “It gives you ideas and access to people that you can share experiences with. And I think society needs leaders with a moral compass.”

Julie and Scott Bass also joined the chapter a few years ago, although they were first invited to join a couple years before that. Since joining, Julie, a former interior designer and one-time director of Maryland Right to Life, said the couple’s social life has increased exponentially. “The only regret we have about Legatus is that we didn’t join sooner. It’s been a wonderful, wonderful experience.” She noted that the Mass, dinners and speakers are all top-notch.

Scott, an investment banker specializing in mergers and acquisitions, said the difference between Legatus and other organization to which he belongs is emphasis on faith. He leads the Baltimore chapter’s men’s forum but joins other virtual forums on as many monthly calls as he can. 

Such calls allow him to meet other people from other Legatus chapters across the country to learn “how they have worked to infuse Catholic teachings into their businesses and how to share that with their employees. … It’s just living the teachings and the precepts of the church,” he said.

Julie said that outside of formal Legatus gatherings, the Basses and other couples have gone to baby showers, Orioles’ games, on boat rides and a dinner with a Sinatra impersonator.

Scott said, the inspiration they get from meeting people and seeing how they’re living out their faith and their journey with Christ helps with his own practice of the faith.

The couple admits that other Legatus members were “persistent” in the years between the initial invitation and when they joined. 

Archbishop William E. Lori endorses Legatus and the Baltimore chapter and will attend an introductory meeting for those who may qualify for membership Sept. 30, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at Chartwell Country Club in Severna Park, where the monthly chapter meetings are held. 

The archbishop sent invitation letters to more than 100 couples identified as potential members. “If you qualify, I believe that you will find Legatus to be an amazing support in your faith and one of the highlights of your month,” he said in the letter.

He noted that Legatus members are practicing Catholic business leaders and their spouses. “These individuals, like you, are oftentimes immersed in so many good and noble causes, and they are constantly in demand for their time, talent and money. Legatus, however, is focused on giving back to these individuals, with a particular emphasis on feeding them spiritually so that they in turn are better equipped to serve their families, businesses and communities.”

Archbishop Lori received the Defender of the Faith Award from Legatus International in 2012; the award has since been renamed the Cardinal John J. O’Connor Pro-Life Award.”

Those interested in membership in Legatus can contact Peroutka at SPeroutka@kpdlawgroup.com.

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