If you’re a Catholic business club planning an inaugural meeting, why not choose as the keynote speaker a man who has spent quality time with Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa?

Ray Flynn, who served as ambassador to the Vatican from 1993 to 1997, shared highlights of his 40-year friendship with Pope John Paul II. Nancy Westlund/Herald photo

That was the thinking of David Leatherby Jr., president of the new Sacramento-based Catholic Professional and Business Breakfast Club in issuing a speaking invitation to Ray Flynn, former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and mayor of Boston.

“It turned out great,” said Leatherby following the CPBBC’s first meeting at the Sutter Club Nov. 13. “We had 150 people and had to cut off reservations with another 50 people who wanted to come.”

Flynn served as ambassador to the Vatican in the Clinton administration from 1993 to 1997. He is the author of two books: the best-selling novel, “The Accidental Pope,” and “John Paul II: A Personal Portrait of the Pope and the Man,” released in 2001.

In his comments to the business club, Flynn shared highlights of his 40-year friendship with Pope John Paul II. His first meeting with the future pope was in Boston when Karol Wojtyla was a cardinal during the 1960s. The son of a dock worker, Flynn immediately felt a close bond with the pope as he heard him speak passionately of the rights of workers to organize.

Of his tenure as an ambassador, Flynn recalled stories of Pope John Paul II’s interaction with the common man, reflecting a compassionate pope of who “this world will never see the likes again.”

Flynn also expressed his view of the Vatican as a vital voice on a wide range of issues.

“It’s the most important moral voice in the world on issues of social and economic justice, issues of values and life,” he said.

Flynn recalled becoming acquainted with Mother Teresa while he was mayor of Boston. He said he was struck by her “extraordinary” talent as a speaker, and her compelling response to the media when asked to identify her speechwriter.

“She said ‘I look into the eyes of people and say what’s in my heart,’” Flynn said. “I’ve been to the White House and traveled with the pope…but have never seen anyone more polished.”

The host of a daily political talk show on Boston radio and a regular political commentator for American Catholic Television, Flynn’s engagement marked his fourth trip to California in recent months. He has also addressed Catholic Professional and Business Breakfast clubs in San Francisco, Fresno and Modesto.

“This is real grassroots Catholic action at its best,” Flynn said and forecasted that Northern California Catholic business clubs would be at the forefront of a movement that will expand the clubs nationwide. “You’re bringing people together to strengthen their faith and their church.”

Founded in 1990 in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, the CPBBC is a membership organization that meets monthly for breakfast and presentations by Catholic leaders in a variety of professional arenas.

Currently there are eight active clubs in northern California with a paid membership of more than 1,200 people.

Leatherby said when he first heard about the Catholic business organization’s Modesto group, the focus on incorporating the Catholic faith into daily life immediately grabbed his attention.

“This seemed like a great way for Catholics to meet one another, support one another, interact, and hear solid Catholic teaching,” he said.

The Sacramento club began forming about six months ago and a steering committee has since held several meetings. Father Blaise Berg, vice chancellor of the Sacramento Diocese, is Bishop William K. Weigand’s representative to the club and its spiritual director.

Leatherby, who is senior vice president of Central Valley Industrial Group in Sacramento, sees the Catholic business club as an opportunity for Catholics in business to become better informed about a whole range of issues related to living out their faith.

“Priests don’t have time at Sunday Mass in one homily to teach us all the things we need to know,” he said. “This could be an answer to many of the issues business people face.”

Deacon Ray Helgeson, director of adult faith formation for the diocese, heard about the ministry of the CPBBC’s Modesto group several months ago and began attending formation meetings with organizers in Sacramento.

“This club is an excellent idea because it brings our Catholic faith into the business and professional arenas,” he said. “I think the more people are able to speak about their faith openly, the more they’ll be able to live it throughout their day.”

Leatherby said Catholics in other parts of the diocese who have heard about the new Sacramento club have already expressed interest in starting groups in Redding, Red Bluff and South Lake Tahoe. Long-range plans call for Sacramento CPBBC members to assist in the formation of other groups and possibly sharing guest speakers.

The Catholic Professional and Business Breakfast Club will meet Dec. 11, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel at 2001 Point West Way in Sacramento. The featured speaker will be Holy Cross Father Oliver Williams, associate professor of management at the University of Notre Dame, on the topic, “Can You Do Well While Doing Good?” Seating is limited. For reservations or more information, call (916) 930-1144.

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