From the Desk of Father Mark Haydu, L.C.

AFTER HAVING BEGUN the very exciting work as International Coordinator of the Patrons of the Arts in October, 2007 I have had the privilege of getting to know many of you both in Rome and during my visits to the various Patron Chapters. During my travels, I have found a most beautiful and generous spirit that motivates all of you. Wherever I have been and whoever I have met, I have found a great openness, enthusiasm and deep love for the arts.

My first stop last February was in Miami and Palm Beach, Florida. The reception I received in Florida was beyond my expectations and the board meeting in Palm Beach was top class. John Brogan announced that the Florida Patrons will continue to enthusiastically support the recent excavations at the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, of which this newsletter has a timely article. I then visited Dallas and Houston and was most fortunate to spend some time with Reuben Martinez and be edified by his love for life, his joyful demeanour and his responsible concern for the future of the patrons. As you know, Reuben passed away in early May and our sympathy goes out to his wife Dona and their family. In Houston the Texas Chapter had two wonderful receptions that created great interest in the Patrons and we welcomed
new members. We look forward to growth in the Texas Chapter and thank them for their support in the restoration of the Bookshelves of the Gallery of Urban VIII.

The next stop was Los Angeles where Michael Feeley and the California Board announced that the California Patrons would offer support for a number of projects in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the California Chapter.Their professionalism and kindness was admirable! I then went up to Santa Barbara and onto San José and San Francisco where we had a dinner for Patrons and at which we welcomed new members.
In all these places I was able to meet with the local bishops so they would be aware of the presence and activities of our organization.

I then went to Denver to set the stage for the founding of a chapter in Colorado. They along with Atlanta, will have new chapters next year, Lord willing. If anyone has contacts in those areas who would be interested, please let us know. The final leg of my trip brought me to New York where Msgr. Ritchie, Lee Romanelli and Lucy McGrath gathered the Patrons at the Rectory of St Patrick’s Cathedral followed by a superb dinner. The New York Chapter continues to grow as word spreads of its record of success in supporting the Vatican Museums.

After a few months of work in Rome, I returned to the road in June and this time my chapter visits started in London, wherethe John McCaffery and the UK Chapter organized a stimulating conference with Ross King, noted author of The Pope’s Ceiling. Fatima, where our Portuguese Chapter is located, was the next stop. They are small in number, but just recently attained their tax exempt status so that is good news for them and their growth. Congratulations!

I then landed in Chicago where I had a luncheon meeting with the Illinois Chapter leaders headed by Anne Shea. We enjoyed a memorable reception and dinner in the restaurant of a local Patron. At that event we were happy to have the presence of Cardinal George and thank him for his support. Chicago has a very professional approach to their organization and we look forward to great things from them in the future.

The next stop was Cleveland where the Vatican Splendors Exhibit opened with the support and able organization of Lorraine Dodero and the Ohio Chapter. Their black tie event was stunningly beautiful and equally fruitful for adding new members. This Chapter is only a few years old but was able to do so much to make this exhibit happen. Thanks for all your work! At the exhibit I was glad to also meet a number of Michigan Patrons as well as Pennsylvania Patrons lead respectively by Frank Stella and by Rick Zappone as well as members of their boards. Congratulations to the Massachussets Chapter whose restoration project of a Tableau by Vivarini was recently finished and relocated in the Vatican Museums.

I then went to Worcester for a brief visit with Michael DiPierro and the leadership of the Massachusetts Chapter to discuss the continued promotion of the Patrons in New England.

On June 18th, Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, President of the Vatican City State, arrived in Washington DC in order to visit several Patron Chapters. I attended a board meeting at which the Washington DC / Baltimore Patrons agreed to support a new data base for the Patrons and one that can be offered to all chapters to facilitate the many challenging organizational aspects involved with promotion. That evening Msgr. Terry Hogan, our North American Chaplain, and I accompanied Cardinal Lajolo and Archbishop Sambi, Papal Nuncio to the United States, to an evening cocktail reception and dinner at the Four Seasons in Georgetown organized by the DC / Baltimore Chapter. It was an elegant and moving evening and we were happy to see so many new faces. Thanks to CEM and Judy Martin for their efforts!

A quick flight took the Cardinal and I to visit the Canadian Chapter who held a board meeting and evening reception in the elegant home of one of Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe. The Canadian Chapter Leader, Jim Magee, and the Canadian Board agreed that Canadian Chapter will continue to embrace the Santa Rosa Necropolis found within the Vatican City. This is a sizable and very important project.We thank them for their continued generosity and dedication. We also thank Archbishop Collins of Toronto for his warm hospitality.

Cardinal Lajolo and I stopped in Montreal and Ottawa for various meetings before heading to New York for a wonderful receptin with Patrons at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Metropolitan Club. The evening was arranged by Msgr. Robert Ritchie and Lee Romanelli. Among others, there were in attendance Msgr. Hogan, Cardinal Edward Egan and Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Papal Nuncio to the United Nations.

After my visits last Fall with the Pennsylvania and Minneapolis Chapters and having been warmly welcomed by the already mentioned Chapters in the Spring, I have found very capable and energetic leadership in each city. The challenges of promoting the Patrons are many, but the enthusiasm and understanding for our cause and the great love of God’s beauty expressed through art continues to motivate all who are involved in this noble and important work. Thanks to each and every one of you for your help and attention during these visits and know that our Rome staff and our North American staff are here for each and everyone of you! Our sole interest is to assist the Holy Father in his desire to preserve, promote and protect the wonderful and historic treasures found in the Vatican Museums.