If you are like most people, it is very likely you have made at least one New Year’s resolution to kick off 2010. The typical list may include losing weight, quitting smoking, drinking less and exercising more. Sound familiar? But, how often do we make firm resolutions to help us become better Catholics? What can…
December 30, 2009 As we continue through the wonderful 12 days of Christmas, columnist Randy Hain reflects on the days leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth this year in the wider marketplace. An interesting read! Were your experiences similar to his? —ed. I have been pleasantly surprised this Christmas. I was prepared to receive a tidal…
Look around after Mass or observe the folks attending ministry meetings and parish events and ask yourself: “Where are all the young adults?” According to the Fast Facts on Young Adults page listed on the USCCB website, the Church defines “young adults” as 18-40 years of age and says that 40% of Catholics today belong…
November 6, 2009 Randy Hain, managing partner of Atlanta-based Bell Oaks Executive Search firm, co-founder of the Atlanta Catholic Business Conference, leader of the Atlanta-based St. Peter Chanel Business Association and a prolific columnist for the Catholic Business Journal, will be the featured guest on the live, call-in radio show, The Catholic Business Hour, on Saturday, November 7,…
I am an observer. People fascinate me and I enjoy listening to their stories, challenges and triumphs. As the Managing Partner of Bell Oaks Executive Search, I have interviewed and spoken with thousands of individuals in career transition over the last 10 years. These interactions, along with my other experiences in executive search, have helped…
October 13, 2009 This is the second half of a talk I gave to the Catholic Business Leaders Breakfast at Sacred Heart Parish on October 9th , 2009. The first part of the talk was on my conversion into the Catholic Church in 2006 with my wife and sons after I spent 23 years in the “spiritual wilderness”—a…
October 3, 2009 Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. For quite some time, I have had a desire to write about my…
September 2, 2009 Friends-good morning. In Eucharistic Adoration this week I read a meditation from In Conversation With God, by Francis Fernandez, which absolutely got my attention. Here is an excerpt which I hope will resonate with you and make you reflect on your actions as it has with me. EXCERPT FROM In Conversation with God, by Francis…
August 23, 2009 It is time for a little straight talk about the need for…straight talk. Over the last several years there has been an alarming increase in “doublespeak”, hidden agendas, political polarization and misrepresentation of the facts by our government. For the most part, they have been actively aided and abetted in their efforts by the media. …
August 21, 2009 Friends-good morning. I came across this passage from In Conversation With God and would like to share it with you. It really made me stop and reflect this morning and I hope you also find it helpful. Have a great day. In Christ, Randy Living Examples (An excerpt from In Conversation With God by Francis…
I recently read a meditation by Frances Fernandez from In Conversation With God on the topic of human respect which has stirred a lot of reflection and thinking over the last few days. Do we ever stop to consider how many times a day our thinking and actions are influenced by a concern for what…
July 8, 2009 “Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.” — St. Ignatius Loyola What is the connection between surrender and strength? Surrendering to Christ and putting His will before my own for the first…
June 26, 2009 My wife and I are blessed with 2 wonderful boys, Alex and Ryan, who are 11 and eight respectively. The catalyst for this article occurred Wednesday night when we all went to dinner to celebrate my birthday. We went to a nicer restaurant than usual because of the occasion, which also served to elevate the…
June 20, 2009 I have been leading people since I was a 16 year old in high school working at a restaurant in the town where I grew up. Leadership has always been a passion for me and after years of study, reading dozens of leadership books, listening to mentors and accumulating great experience on the way to…
June 16, 2009 On Saturday, June 20, Randy Hain (pictured above), managing partner of Atlanta-based Bell Oaks Executive Search firm, co-founder of the Atlanta Catholic Business Conference, leader of the Atlanta-based St. Peter Chanel Business Association and a columnist for the Catholic Business Journal, will discuss integrating Faith and work on The Catholic Business Hour. The Catholic Business…
June 4, 2009 When faced with an opportunity to fundamentally change your life, will you take it? Many of us want to answer this question with a resounding “yes,” but may think that reality is not attainable. Not necessarily so. Consider the possibility that the current recession may be providing the catalyst for meaningful lessons and positive life…
March 12, 2009 This past weekend St. Peter Chanel Church hosted the 1st Annual Atlanta Catholic Business Conference. The Saturday half-day Conference drew over 160 Catholic professionals and business people to hear acclaimed national speakers and authors Dr. Michael Naughton, Dr. Paul Voss and Dr. Phillip Thompson speak on the subjects of ethics, virtue, leadership and most importantly,…
March 1, 2009 My children are a constant source of wisdom and clarity for me. Our sons are ages 8 and 11, and keenly interested in what’s going on in the world. We share openly and candidly the current state of politics, the economy and world news in a way they will understand. This past Saturday, my wife…
I went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation a few days ago with a lot on my mind. I have been weighted down for the last few months with work stress, concerns about money and a myriad of other issues big and small. As I went through my examination of conscience, I couldn’t get past the…
February 5, 2009 I strongly recommend reading an article which appeared on the Catholic Education Resource Center website here: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/abortion/ab0148.htm. The piece is well-written and intelligently captures the Culture of Life vs. Death issue in a way that compels us to action. We need to pray…and do something. God bless, Randy