Rev. Mr. Reed Flood '21 (Des Moines), the chairman of the Pastoral Council, serves as the Master of Ceremonies for the annual Closing Banquet that was held on Friday, May 21, 2021.
Opportunities for Cheer as Chairman R E V. M R . R E E D F LO O D ‘ 2 1 , D I O C E S E O F D E S M O I N E S
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eeting inspiring Catholics is one opportunity we enjoy while living in Rome, but giving speeches for them is something altogether humbling! As the chairman of the College’s Pastoral Council, I help the rector serve the seminarian community. This usually means working with my classmates to write proposals so that Fr. Harman can respond to the numerous needs of the community. Besides the joy of working alongside my seminarian brothers, the chairman
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The Pontifical North American College
has other responsibilities that can be a bit more intense. Throughout the year, the College offers several banquets for the students and English-speaking Catholic leaders in Rome, and as master of ceremonies at these banquets, I am charged with welcoming these honored guests. This year, I spoke before the Ambassador to the Holy See, Callista Gingrich, Abbot Primate Gregory Polan O.S.B., George Cardinal Pell, and other distinguished visitors. I cannot forget joking with Cardinal Pell about Iowa butter cows and
Australian kangaroos after one of these banquets. For someone who grew up across the street from a cornfield in Iowa, these moments in Rome are special ones that will stay with me forever. The impact of the Pastoral Council follows a wide spectrum that spans from forming a house-wide fraternal organization such as, “Men of St. Joseph,” to adding more eggs to the breakfast menu. Serving as chairman has been a great blessing for me. n
