The inaugural Portsmouth Institute conference on The Catholic William F. Buckley Jr. drew a crowd of some 125 attendees during the June 18-21 proceedings.  Speakers including Rev. George Rutler, Maggie Gallagher, Joseph Bottum, Roger Kimball, E.J. Dionne '69, Kathryn Lopez, Lee Edwards, Neal Freeman, Dom Damian Kearney '45, Jamie MacGuire '70 and Clark Judge edified and delighted the audience.  Mary Beth Klee, Peter Flanigan '41, the Hon. James L. Buckley (father of Peter '72, Jay '73, and Bill '76) and Jay Buckley '73 were among the introducers.  Portsmouth faculty such as Cliff Hobbins, Kale and Dimi Zelden, Dan Hodes, Dom Paschal Scotti and Abbot Caedmon Holmes helped moderate the discussion following the addresses.

In addition to the formal presentations there were musical performances every evening and a magnificent sacred concert of Faure's Requiem, held on Saturday evening, to celebrate the Church restoration.  Beautifully conducted by Music Director Troy Quinn, the performance of this masterpiece left many in the audience of 300 emotionally moved.

The conference featured delicious dinners each evening and a gala reception following the Sacred Concert.  There was also higher-than-anticipated attendance at Vespers, daily Mass and the improvised Rosary led by Fr. Rutler on Thursday evening.  Conference attendees also enjoyed golf at Carnegie Abbey and sailing on 12-meter yachts.

"Seldom are one's expectations in life fully met," commented Portsmouth Institute director Jamie MacGuire, "But in this case they were exceeded.  It was a marvelous weekend in every respect, and we look forward to discussing how to make future events even better."

Papers presented at the conference and photos of it can be found at www.portsmouthinstitute.org.  Photographs will be posted here shortly.