First Ever National Catholic Prayer Breakfast
More than 1,000 American Catholics gathered at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. for the first National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, April 28, 2004. With messages delivered by Cardinal Avery Dulles and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, the event called on the U.S. Catholics to integrate their faith in their every day lives.
"The overwhelming response has confirmed our belief that this prayer breakfast is meeting a great spiritual need within our country at this time," said Joseph Cella, president of the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. "We hope this event will help to inspire Catholics to be guided by their Faith in every aspect of their livesboth public and private."
"This is a watershed event, said Cella. It is further evidence that the Church is alive and well in America. The purpose of the non-partisan event is to thank God for the blessings he has bestowed upon America and the Church."