CHARLOTTE — A Catholic fraternal association for business leaders has launched a chapter in Charlotte.
Legatus, founded by former Domino's Pizza CEO and Catholic philanthropist Tom Monaghan, is aimed at top-level executives and their spouses. Named from the Latin word for "ambassador," its mission is to enable like-minded CEOs, company presidents, managing partners and business owners to become "ambassadors for Christ" in their personal and professional lives. Legatus has more than 5,000 members spread throughout 95 chapters in the United States, Canada and Ireland.
The Charlotte chapter was inaugurated during a Mass June 30 at St. Patrick Cathedral, celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis. It is the first Legatus chapter in the Diocese of Charlotte and in North Carolina.
Sharon Kucia, president of Mission Advancement Services for The Pelican Group, is president of the local Legatus chapter. Kucia first joined Legatus in the Diocese of Savannah, where she often traveled for work. As the Charlotte diocese grew, she realized the value in starting a Legatus chapter for Catholic business leaders in the Charlotte area, and worked with Legatus' regional leaders to establish the chapter.
"There is a real need for something like this in Charlotte," Kucia said.
Praying and spending time with other Catholic business leaders through Legatus has "touched her heart," she said, and she hopes the new chapter will enable more opportunities for such fellowship among Catholic professionals in the Charlotte area.
The Charlotte chapter has grown to 21 member couples since meetings began last fall, including some members who were active in Legatus chapters elsewhere before moving to Charlotte. Its chaplain is Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey.
Other local officers are: David Piejak, vice president; Mary Beth Soignet, director at-large; Rick Caron, program chair; Billy Hughes, membership chair; and David Anderson, membership vice chair.
Legatus chapters meet monthly for Mass, followed by fellowship and dinner, where they hear from speakers about how to live their Catholic faith in their families, their businesses and their philanthropic efforts, especially in an increasingly challenging and secularized environment. They also network with fellow Catholic business leaders who have committed themselves to the Legatus mission to "study, live and spread the Catholic faith in their business and personal lives."
Legatus is chartering another chapter for the Greenville, S.C., area this month.
Membership is by invitation only, and specific business criteria apply. Learn more at www.legatus.org.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, Editor