Napa Institute chairman has high hopes for new conference

Aug 10, 2011 / 23:54 pm

Tim Busch, chairman of the Napa Institute, has said he hopes the institute’s new annual conference will help inspire Catholics to be better stewards and to take part in Church life.

“This conference will continue to bring leaders of the church together so they can return to their communities with new tools. Our aim is to motivate Catholics to become more involved in their parishes and other Catholic organizations,” he said Aug. 10.

Busch founded the Napa Institute to show his commitment to building a stronger Catholic community and to encourage others to be bold in their faith.

Two hundred Catholic leaders, including bishops, priests and laypeople, met at The Meritage Resort and Spa July 28-31, 2011 for the institute’s inaugural conference.

Sessions focused on how Catholics could continue the work of the apostles in their everyday lives and in the “Next America” created by an emerging secular society.

The conference asked participants to heed Christ’s call for ongoing discipleship. It sought to lead participants to a deeper understanding of the truth of their faith and to embolden them to live and defend their faith.

Speakers included Cardinal Roger Mahony, Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, Mother Assumpta Long of the Dominican Sisters of Ann Arbor, and Wall Street Journal columnist Bill McGurn.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles spoke about how immigration can help recover the Christian origins of America and renew appreciation for the Hispanic contributions to Americans’ faith and culture.

Busch said he hoped the conference would “inspire others to be better stewards of their time, treasure and talent.”

Busch is the founder of The Busch Firm, Trinitas Cellars and Pacific Hospitality Group which developed and now manages The Meritage Resort and Spa. He co-founded the JSerra Catholic High School and St. Anne School in Orange County. He is actively involved with Catholic University of America, The Papal Foundation, Legatus and the Magis Institute.

The Napa Institute’s next conference is scheduled for July 26-29, 2012 at The Meritage Resort and Spa.