Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire will highlight the challenges of the Bishop's job, and dispel common myths about the church’s command and control mechanism
Unique challenges and complexity test church “ceos”
danville, ca – (august 19, 2008) – the demands on a bishop, the chief executive of a diocese, are the similar to those of a ceo of a major, multi-division corporation. A challenge anyone in the business world can appreciate. But, what only a few are aware of is that best business practices can not be summarily implemented by the bishop. The bishop must assess the appropriateness of the best business practices through the lens of canon law; a requirement that increases the complexity of running a multifaceted organization and limits the options available to any secular ceo.
Catholics@work today announced that the most reverend stephen e. Blaire, bishop of stockton and chaplin of the catholic professional and business club, will be the featured speaker at the breakfast event on tuesday, september 09, 2008 at crow canyon country club, 711 silver lake drive, danville, ca 94526. Bishop blaire will highlight the challenges of the bishop’s job, and dispel some common myths about the church’s command and control mechanism. A full buffet breakfast is served starting at 7:00 am (mass is offered at 6:30am at the same location.) cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. To register visit http://www.catholicsatwork.org/eventdesc.aspx.
“the public would be surprised at the complexity of the management structure of the catholic church and what must be taken into consideration in managing a diocese,” said bishop blaire. “many people believe we can just give an order and all will follow, this is just not the case.”
“gaining a better understanding of the realities of what the bishop must contend with in the spiritual and business management of the diocese will, without a doubt, give all of us a new appreciation for what is a very difficult management job,” said alison yount, president of catholics@work. “it will provide us with insights we can take with us and use in our own workplace.”
the most reverend stephen e. Blaire was born in los angeles, california in 1941, the twelfth of fourteen children. He was raised in the san fernando valley, where he attended local catholic schools. After graduating from queen of angels high school seminary in 1959, bishop blaire entered st. John’s college and seminary in camarillo. On 29 april 1967, bishop blaire was ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese of los angeles by james francis cardinal mcintyre. His first assignment was as associate pastor at st. Luke’s church in temple city. In 1972, he began fourteen years of ministry with catholic secondary education, first as a teacher and administrator at bishop alemany high school in mission hills, then as vice principal at bishop amat high school in la puente. From 1977 to 1986, bishop blaire returned to bishop alemany high school as principal. In 1986, bishop blaire was appointed as the moderator of the curia and chancellor of the archdiocese of los angeles. On 31 may 1990 he was ordained an auxiliary bishop of los angeles and titular bishop of lamzella by cardinal roger mahony. Bishop blaire served as a vicar general for the archdiocese of los angeles from 1990 and regional bishop of our lady of the angels pastoral region from 1995 to 1999.
On january 19, 1999, it was announced that pope john paul ii had appointed bishop blaire as the bishop of stockton. The most reverend stephen e. Blaire was installed as the fifth bishop of stockton on march 16, 1999 at the cathedral of the annunciation. The diocese of stockton was established in 1962, encompasses the counties in the central valley and mother lode region of california. It consists of 33 parishes, 10 missions, and 12 elementary and two secondary schools, which serves a population of about 217,000 registered catholics. There are 67 diocesan priests and 33 deacons.
As a member of the united states conference of catholic bishops, bishop blaire has served as the chairman of the pastoral practices committee. Currently he is the president of the committee for ecumenical and inter-religious affairs. Bishop blaire also serves as treasurer of the california catholic conference.
About catholics@work
catholics@work is committed to fostering fellowship and connectivity among catholics facing the realities of life in today’s workplace environment. The monthly breakfast gatherings are a unique opportunity for catholics to:
• grow in their understanding of the catholic faith,
• be encouraged to apply the principals of their faith in the everyday workplace,
• and, to network with other catholic business professionals.
The breakfast series is held at crow canyon country club, danville, california, on the second tuesday of the month nine times per year (february-june, september-december). The event starts with a buffet breakfast followed by a speaker or panel discussion and runs from 7:00-8:30am. The event offers a great way to network with people who look for purpose and leadership in their lives. There is time prior to the beginning of each speaker’s presentation to interact with other attendees, to share faith, and business and personal information. Mass is offered at 6:30am for those who wish to attend before breakfast at the same location. Managed by catholic business professionals, catholics@work breakfast events are open to all, regardless of faith or occupation, who want to explore the issues of actively living one’s beliefs in the workplace.
For more information visit www.catholicsatwork.org or call +1 925-683-5263.
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