Salesian Guild

The Salesian Guild is a unique organization: It has no dues, no officers, and only one meeting a year. And it has been going strong since 1944.

Named for St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of writers and a patron of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Guild brings together Catholic communicators of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky to pray, socialize and learn together.

Attendance is open to anyone, but participants most often are Catholics working in:

• Catholic media (newspapers, magazines, radio)
• Secular media
• Church-related public relations (including hospitals)
• Secular public relations
• Education
• Diocesan and parish offices

Speakers have included:

• 2013 – Robert Flischel, photographer and creator of the book Messages of Glory
• 2012 – Sr. Rose Pacatte, movie reviewer
• 2009 – Morgan Atkinson, creator of the documentary film “Soul Searching,” about Thomas Merton
• 2008 – Pat Gentile, national programming manager for Procter & Gamble and co-chair of Family Friendly Programming Forum
• 2007 – Anas Malik, Xavier’s political science department
• 2006 – James Nolan, expert on workplace ethics from Catholic perspective
• 2005 – Terry Mattingly, syndicated religion columnist
• 2004 – Rachelle Rowe, special programs coordinator, “St. Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes”
• 2003 – Martin Doblmeier, president and founder of Journey Films
• 2002 – Susan Candiotti, CNN reporter
• 2001 – Fr. Bob Bonnot, vice president for religious affairs, the Odyssey Network
• 2000 – Margaret Drain, executive producer of “The American Experience.”
• 1999 – Cardinal Avery Dulles, S.J., theologian.

“Speakers for the annual meeting have been excellent and thought-provoking, offering rich insights on being Catholic and being a communicator. I wouldn’t miss a meeting!”

Lisa A. Biedenbach, St. Anthony Messenger Press

In times when the communications industry is driven by bottom-line profits, it’s enriching to come together with communicators who are about top-line values.

Linnea Lose, APR

I look forward to the Salesian Guild celebrations. Where else can you eat, talk, learn, pray and receive spiritual encouragement with people who, in one way or another, share your vocation?

Jerry Enderle, School Planning & Management Magazine, Dayton

As an attorney working in the field of Media and Advertising Law, I spend most of my time working with secular organizations. It is inspiring, as well as congenial, to spend time with those who share my faith and values, and have made a career of spreading the Good News via media of all types.

Susan Grogan Faller, Frost Brown Todd LLC

Many rigidly structured organizations — some with paid staffs — are unable to put on (such) interesting dinners. Perhaps they should pray to St. Francis de Sales for inspiration.

Columnist Jerry Galvin in The Cincinnati Post

Salesian Guild — for me — is the once-a-year chance to celebrate with many professional colleagues our shared Faith that throughout the year we strive to live in our diverse communication roles. The liturgy is always moving, the speakers challenging, and the friends warm.

Tom Schick, Xavier University

A highlight of each Salesian Guild meeting is the presentation of the Guild’s Distinguished Communicator Award.

The award goes to a Catholic communicator who exemplifies the best in communication skills, whose work touches people in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and who brings religious values to life in her or his work.

Past winners have included:

• Dan Kane
• Harriet Janszen
• Norman Perry, O.F.M.
• Charles Carey
• Elizabeth Bookser Barkley
• Dan Hurley
• Scott Barkley
• John Kiesewetter
• Jeremy Harrington, O.F.M.
• Dan Andriacco
• Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH
• Michael Flannery
• Melvin Grier
• Patricia A. Frey
• Brian Patrick
• Rev. Greg Friedman, O.F.M.
• Judy Ball
• Most Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk
• Nick Clooney
• Mark Curnutte

LONG-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Bishop Carl K. Moeddel

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Greg Olberding

Sign me up!

To include your name on the Salesian Guild mailing list, fill out the form below. Mailings are infrequent. You will be notified of annual meetings and occasional events of interest to Catholic Communicators in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Diocese of Covington, Ky. (If you do not live in this area, the mailings will not be of interest to you.)