Ordained in 1972, Fr. Anthony Mastroeni earned degrees that have aided a decades-long career teaching in Catholic colleges: a doctorate in moral theology, juris doctor in civil law and a mmpus of Christendom College, where he remains on the faculty.

When Dallas Legates attend Mass celebrated by their chaplain, they know their priest is an educator at heart. A former trustee of his alma mater, the University of Dallas, Monsignor Donald Zimmerman motivates the members of his parish, Christ the King, to help financially strapped Catholic schools: “We’re affluent. If J.R. Ewing were Catholic, he’d be a member of our parish.” The native Texan also enjoys shepherding the Dallas Chapter, whose monthly meetings deepen faith and expand friendships.

Father Bry Shields, a priest of the Mobile archdiocese, serves as president of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School and pastor of St. Pius X Church. Father Shields, 59, has spent most of his adult life in ministry as an Episcopal priest. Like Blessed John Henry Newman, Fr. Shields became convinced of the truth of the Catholic Church by studying what the earliest Christians believed — beliefs continuously taught by the Church. He is married to Dr. Ruth Lyons Shields, and they have five grown children.

Monsignor Dennis O’Donovan, 70, has a brother and sister, both of whom are happily married with children. He is happily married to the Church, which he served as a monk before asking to be released to the Archdiocese of Portland, Ore., more than 30 years ago. Oregon is “a secular society with a vengeance,” he says, and Legates serve a leavening role by witnessing to their faith and by reaching out to other Catholic leaders, who tend to stand out in a state where Catholics are in the minority.

During his naval service, Fr. Kenneth Malley studied Russian in California. After leaving the service, he entered the seminary, his studies eventually taking him to Rome. Now the Florida native is planted once again in native soil as pastor of a parish near his boyhood home.

During his naval service, Fr. Kenneth Malley studied Russian in California. After leaving the service, he entered the seminary, his studies eventually taking him to Rome. Now the Florida native is planted once again in native soil as pastor of a parish near his boyhood home.

A Steel City son whose father labored in a mill, Fr. Joseph M. Mele wears many hats in the Pittsburgh diocese, including vicar general and director of formation at St. Paul Seminary. But he esteems “almost selfishly” his role as Legatus chaplain because it returns him to the sort of pastorly role he had been missing after 36 years as a parish priest.

Although still publicly active on the cusp of his tenth decade, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, 87, has been retiring from official capacities in recent years — most notably in 2003 as Archbishop of Philadelphia, which he led as one of the most prominent voices of orthodoxy in the Church in America. And just last month he announced that he will step down as Legatus’ ecclesiastical advisor, a position he has held since 1987.

Although still publicly active on the cusp of his tenth decade, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, 87, has been retiring from official capacities in recent years — most notably in 2003 as Archbishop of Philadelphia, which he led as one of the most prominent voices of orthodoxy in the Church in America. And just last month he announced that he will step down as Legatus’ ecclesiastical advisor, a position he has held since 1987.

Had he pursued a military career, Monsignor Michael Glenn, 47, might be a full Army colonel now. Instead he broke ranks to follow God’s bugle call, and today holds officer status in the Church. After filling a series of important posts in the Denver archdiocese, he became rector of Denver’s St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in 2001.

Had he pursued a military career, Monsignor Michael Glenn, 47, might be a full Army colonel now. Instead he broke ranks to follow God’s bugle call, and today holds officer status in the Church. After filling a series of important posts in the Denver archdiocese, he became rector of Denver’s St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in 2001.

When Bishop Martin J. Amos was appointed to lead the Davenport diocese in 2006, the lifelong Clevelander had a big mess to clean up. Lawsuits from priestly sexual abuse forced the diocese to declare bankruptcy. But with faith, hope and humor, the long-time pastor and seminary teacher, 68, has buoyed his diocese with the same high spirits he brings to Legatus gatherings. He’s rallying the local business community to grow Quad Cities’ developing chapter.

Father Tim Kitzke has a unique position. He shepherds two parishes, but four churches. He’s one of a team of three priests chosen by the diocese to pastor four churches that had been consolidated into two parishes. He also happily serves as the lone chaplain for Legatus’ local chapter. The South Milwaukee native, who just turned 50, was ordained to the priesthood in 1989. He enjoys time with his extended family — and daily prayer time in his rectory garden.

In the Golden Era of Hollywood, there was at least one priest identified as the “Hollywood Priest.” If anyone deserves the moniker in the 21st century, it’s Fr. Willy Raymond. The Holy Cross priest was born in Maine—the eighth of 12 children—educated in Montreal, and now serves as the director of Hollywood Theater Productions, the organization founded by legendary Hollywood priest Fr. Patrick Peyton. He’s been spearheading Legatus’ efforts to build a Hollywood chapter for the past year.

Even though as a young man he had his mind set upon becoming an engineer, Fr. John Doerfler has absolutely no qualms about his vocation. By the time he turned 40, he was the chancellor of the Diocese of Green Bay. Now 45, he’s added vicar general of the diocese to his portfolio. The Appleton, Wis., native was ordained for his home diocese 18 years ago. The chaplain enjoys classic movies, bicycling and cooking. He says his five years as Legatus chaplain has been very rewarding.

As the founding chaplain of the Jacksonville Chapter, Bishop Victor Galeone says he has the highest respect for Catholic executives. The ninth bishop of the St. Augustine diocese gave the green light to start the chapter shortly after his 2001 installation. Born in Philadelphia, Bishop Galeone was raised in Baltimore. He spent 11 years as a missionary priest in Peru before returning to the United States. The bishop will mark two special dates in 2010: his 75th birthday and his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination.

Even though he doesn’t have a business background, Fr. Joseph Wilson feels completely at home when rubbing elbows with some of Manhattan’s top CEOs. The New York native was ordained for the Brooklyn diocese in 1986 and now serves as curator at St. Margaret’s Parish in his home borough of Queens. He’s known for preaching missions and retreats — including some for non-Catholic organizations. He has a special heart for the Anglican community, which has recently expressed a strong desire to return to the Catholic Church.

Any Catholic who’s ever spent much time in St. Louis will tell you that the city’s cathedral basilica is a must-see. Its mosaics collectively contain 41.5 million glass tesserae pieces in more than 7,000 colors. Covering 83,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest mosaic collections in the world. The parish’s rector, Monsignor Joseph Pins, is nearly as colorful as the basilica he’s in charge of. He is beloved by local Legates for his kind demeanor and for helping establish the chapter.

America’s first diocese, founded in 1789, has produced some extraordinary priests — including Monsignor Richard Cramblitt. In addition to serving as the Legatus chapter’s founding chaplain, the Baltimore native is pastor of The Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Baltimore’s Mount Washington district. Monsignor is on the archdiocesan presbyteral council and active with the Knights of Malta. In January, Archbishop Edwin O’Brien appointed him temporary administrator of his home parish, the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Towson, Md.

After several years of designing buildings, a young William Baer set his sights on building with “living stones.” The Baltimore native graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in architecture. Following a brief career as an architect, he served as a lay campus minister in Maryland and Michigan. He discerned his priestly vocation and was ordained for the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis in 1996. For the past 11 years he has served as the Twin Cities Chapter’s chaplain and rector-president of St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul.