Christian Leaders

My term as chairperson of the School of Leaders has come to an end. Before I introduce the new chairperson, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all you have done to inspire me during the past three years. I have truly come to know and better understand that we are all Christian Leaders, and that through using our love for God along with our talents, walking in the footsteps of Jesus really does influence others.

As Matthew Kelly has stated, “Christianity is a billboard campaign. You and I, we are the billboards. He sends us out into the world to send a message to the world. The question becomes, what’s on your billboard? Catholic & miserable? Catholic & surviving? Catholic & thriving? or, dynamic Catholic living an extraordinary life & thriving? What message is on your billboard? Everyone you encounter every day gets the message on your billboard.”

Our Catholic faith is a public thing. It is not meant to be left behind when we leave home. The duty of all of us as Christians is to take part in the life of the Church. We are urged to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. Jesus Christ wants us to bring the whole world to the truth, and the truth is Jesus himself, who is, “The way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6).

As Christian Leaders, we must have the will to be like Christ and lead others to Christ. And not be like the young man in Matthew 19:16, who walks away from Christ when he hears about what he must give up in order to follow Christ more completely. We must have determination and perseverance in our journey. It will not be easy, but acceptance of our efforts, no matter the outcome, is summed up by Robert Louis Stevenson when he said, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.”

It’s now time to introduce John Schaberg, who has accepted the role as Chairperson of the School of Leaders for the next three-year term. Many of you know John, but for those of you who have not met him, he made his Cursillo Weekend in 2010 at Men’s Cursillo #30, and he sat at the Table of Saint Giuseppe Moscati. John has previously served in the capacity of Secretary to the Secretariat. Now he again serves on the Secretariat as the Chairperson for the School of Leaders. I know John will be a great leader in his new role. May God be with you and guide you, John, as you begin your new journey.

As always, everyone is invited to attend the School of Leaders meetings. They are currently held on the second Tuesday of each month at St Joseph’s School in Freeburg. The start time for each meeting is 7 p.m. Don’t let the name School of Leaders deter you from attending because we need to remember, we are all, “Leaders in Christianity,” those of us willing to step out of our comfort zones, as well as those who work behind the scenes. We are all needed to evangelize those we encounter. As Christian Leaders, we need to go and make a difference.

Some Final Thoughts: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell

Terry Kostel,