The Catholic Business Forum (CBF) began in 1996 in Albuquerque, New Mexico as part of the Dominican Ecclesial Institute or D+E+I. D+E+I's mission has been to promote faith and public awareness of the Catholic heritage out of the Dominican tradition of study and prayer.
Over the years the CBF has realized the need for a program designed to help a parish or diocese or any group of concerned believers foster "faith at work" for the common good. The wealth of Catholic thought on spiritual, moral, and social values provides the framework for this 3-year facilitated program.
Each year focuses on a key aspect for the successful integration of the Catholic faith and a person's career. Year one starts with the self, the fundamental piece in every person's life. The key to all we do is self-understanding. Year Two tackles the challenging aspect of balancing our budgets with our beliefs, the formation of a moral climate for ourselves and others. Year Three brings the personal and moral aspects together in the reality of professional meaning and satisfaction.
In Matthew's Gospel ( 16:26) Jesus asks: For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? We might not use these same words but in a hundred different ways we ask the same question. At the end of the day do I honestly feel good about the decisions I've made, the work I've done, the people I've dealt with, or the products I've delivered? Do I feel clean or dirty? Would I want other people to know what I did or keep it a secret?
In very basic ways these questions are soul searching questions, questions that make us take stock of our lives. Of course, we can come up with all kinds of unhealthy distractions that block them, but in the end, the price of deception is always too costly. It is ultimately self destructive.
