Michael McCabe To Speak On Reconciling Convicts With Victims of Violent Crimes -- Abandons Thirty Year Legal Career To Find Greater Meaning Helping Others

Catholics@Work today announced its December 2005 breakfast meeting will feature Mr. Michael McCabe. McCabe will describe why, he, as a successful and respected attorney, and a former President of the local Chamber of Commerce, decided to leave his law practice, enroll in theology school, and begin a ministry working with convicts.

Danville, CA (PRWEB) November 17, 2005 -- Catholics@Work, a fellowship of individuals who explore how to actively live one’s beliefs in the workplace, (www.catholicsatwork.org), today announced its December 2005 breakfast meeting will feature Mr. Michael McCabe. McCabe will describe why, he, as a successful and respected attorney, and a former President of the local Chamber of Commerce, decided to leave his law practice, enroll in theology school, and begin a ministry working with convicts.

McCabe has committed to help others resolve disputes, including highly emotionally charged ones, with dignity and respect. He will draw on his work and life experience, to share insight into the questions that touch the lives of us all, “What’s it all about?” and, “Why am I here?” The Catholics@Work breakfast event will be held at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526 on Tuesday, December 13, 2005. A full buffet breakfast is served starting at 6:45am (Mass is offered at 6:15am at the same location.) Cost is $20 for members and $27 for non-members. To register visit http://www.catholicsatwork.org/EventDesc.aspx.

In his life as a mediator, McCabe helps people in conflict find peace through solutions that recognize and respect their needs, as well as the needs of others. McCabe started his legal career as a prosecutor in Alameda County. Now a veteran of more than 50 jury trials, he knows the emotional trauma, the uncertainty and the expense of court-determined outcomes. In his “Volunteer Life”, McCabe directs Catholic Detention Ministries for the Santa Rosa Diocese. There, he is in charge of providing volunteers to serve in juvenile facilities, county jails, state-prison fire-camps in the six northwestern counties of the State, including Pelican Bay State Prison. For a number of years McCabe has worked as part of the KAIROS Prison Ministry teams that regularly visit the California Medical Facility at Vacaville.

Through his own story, McCabe will discuss topics of interest to any individual who hopes to find meaning and a mission in life. Some of the questions he will address are:

• Where do we find signs that that there is hope?

• What color is your parachute? What is your mission in life?

• What can you do to improve your life and help others at the same time?

• What are the blessings of mid-life?

• How do families deal with their children’s drinking?

• Do we really have choices in life?

• What is Justice? How shall we find her?

• What do attorney’s families do when they need an attorney?

• How can local churches make a difference?

Things happen,” says Michael McCabe, “that change the direction of our lives. For each of us it’s different. Yet, for all of us it is the same. We need to make choices -- fundamental choices about who we are, and how we will respond. Those choices set the pattern for the rest of our lives.”

"McCabe’s workplace of choice is one most people actively work to avoid,” said Rick Mederios, president of Catholics@Work. “It is the part of our society, that while all too prevalent in the media, is one that most of us ignore or deny as not part of my life. McCabe’s experiences and how he uses his commitment to his faith to guide his personal choices and influence those in need, is surprisingly of great help to many of us.”

For thirty years, McCabe defined his workplace a the legal arena and served as deputy district attorney and later as a civil lawyer in San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties. In his 50’s, personal challenges led McCabe to take a sabbatical to study at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA. His studies stretched to over three years, during which he focused on drug and alcohol therapies, and jail and prison ministry. In 1997, McCabe was awarded a Masters in Theological Studies. He is also trained by the State of California to act as a mediator in “victim-offender” dialogues, which involve perpetrators and victims of serious and violent crimes.

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 seven times per year (April-June, September-December). The event starts with a buffet breakfast followed by a speaker or panel discussion and runs from 6:45-8:30am. 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 6:15am 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 +1 925-389-0704.

Catholics@Work is a trademark of Catholics@Work. All other brand and product names are registered trademarks, trademarks or servicemarks of their respective holders and are gratefully acknowledged. All specifications subject to change without notice.

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