Msgr. Don Hanchon and his brother priests from the Archdiocese of Detroit completed their Good Leaders, Good Shepherds journey in September 2008.

I want to thank Bob Humitz, Mike Lefevre and the presbyterial council for coming up with the idea of doing this kind of training because as soon as I heard about it and what it was about I wanted to participate.  I remember my anxiety on the eve of our first meeting and I relived a little bit of it when I was looking in my binder number six and I looked over what I had written a couple of months ago. It was about persona and I wrote that the challenge to my persona was: can I be the leader that others imagine or expect me to be?

Good Leaders Good Shepherds has been for me a great experience of fraternity.  I have been a member of the priestly fraternity for thirty-three years. Our monthly meetings over the last two years have been a blessing in my life. I think there was a level of trust that we established with one another that has endured over these two years and that has been a very motivating factor for me.

I’ve been moved and motivated by the dedication and commitment of Catholic lay people to us, precisely as priests and good leaders, good shepherds. Men and women who have been and are successful CEO’s have taken the time out of there lives for the sake of the church and for us who are priests to offer us tools that help us to do better and to be better leaders and shepherds.  Not CEO’s, not COO’s not CFO’s, but shepherds.  Your love for priests and for the church has not only impressed and helped me, it really has humbled me.  On behalf of all of us and my brothers who are blessed to meet Catholic lay men and women like you from the Catholic Leadership Institute, I want to say thank you. 

What did I learn in GLGS?  Well, the real answer would probably have to come from my staff who hear the most about it or perhaps from my parish council.  So I asked one of the staff.  I asked her if she had observed anything over the last two years?  She paused a moment and she said “you listen better.”  You listen better.  Now I thought I was a pretty good listener already before I even attempted to think about being a good leader or a great shepherd so I said, “what do you mean I listen better?”  She replied, “es que me tomas en cuenta cuando te hablo” you take me into account when I speak to you.

I’d become aware that she liked to communicate ideas and ideals visually; the perfect catechist.  I learned from Good Leaders Good Shepherds to take her into account in the performance of her tasks and ministry. Thank you to the Catholic Leadership Institute for taking us into account with our special needs and all that makes us unique.  You are, and have been for me, a blessing.