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Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone; Ayde and Dan Vogl; and Legatus founder Tom Monaghan at opening gathering of the new San Francisco Chapter of Legatus. (Courtesy photo)
December 6, 2018
On Oct. 25 the new 21-member San Francisco Chapter of Legatus held its first meeting at St. Dunstan Parish in Millbrae. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone was principal celebrant of a Mass opening the proceedings with concelebrants including Auxiliary Bishop Robert Christian. The Benedict XVI choir led song. A formal dinner followed the Mass at a nearby country club.
“The new San Francisco Chapter is really a much-needed shining light right now, in the midst of a very anti-faith, anti-Catholic culture,” Ty Soto, Legatus’ west regional director, said in information about the evening supplied to Catholic San Francisco by Melissa Jagel, West Region development officer.
Dan Vogl is president of the San Francisco chapter.
“Most business leaders and executives I meet keep their faith hidden,” Vogl said. “Many older businesspeople seem to be tired, and not willing to commit to what they perceive as another financial and time commitment. But even some younger business people that I have encountered fear the perceived consequence of mixing business with religion. The great news is that those who have joined the new chapter have all expressed that it has been a blessing and answer to their prayers.”
Each new member was presented with a special rosary, made of Italian silver-oxidized blood-red crystal beads, featuring a red enameled cross and St. Michael centerpiece.
Guests included Legatus founder, and chairman and CEO Tom Monaghan. In early September, Monaghan with other board members decided to withhold the group’s annual tithe to the Vatican, this year almost $900,000. “Since that time, I know you have been ardently praying for the church and all of our leaders,” Monaghan said to members in a Nov. 16 letter. “Let us continue to do so; it is evident that it is going to take time for the current crisis in the church to be addressed to the point where the board believes the reinstatement of our annual tithe would be prudent.