Advertisements ad

August 31, 2008

First Catholic men’s conference set for Sept. 6

By Father Jordan J. Kelly, O.P.

CONTRIBUTOR

No doubt you have heard about Promise Keepers or other organizations that gather men to renew them in their desire to be better husbands and fathers. Most of these organizations are non-Catholic. What about groups for Catholic men? We have the answer.

About 15 years ago, a group of men gathered for coffee at a local coffee shop with their parish priest. The meeting was nothing planned, almost accidental, but its effect has been nothing they could have ever imagined.

This group of men began gathering every Saturday morning for Mass followed by coffee. Their numbers started to grow and within a year they were meeting in the Parish Hall. Without knowing it, they began the Catholic Men’s Movement.

Throughout our country, Catholic men have been gathering for conventions in Boston, Cincinnati, St. Louis along with men’s events in other major dioceses and archdioceses. On Sept. 6 at the Daniel Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, the Archdiocese of Chicago will join these efforts to provide Catholic men with an opportunity to grow in their faith, to unite with other Catholic men and to renew the vitality of their vocations as husbands, fathers and single Catholic men.

Preparing for the day

For the last year, the staff of the Office for Evangelization has been working to organize Chicago’s first Catholic men’s conference. Inspiration for the event came from an article that Cardinal George sent to me and the idea has grown and blossomed from there.

Talking to the leaders in other dioceses who have conducted similar events, our day began to take shape. Since April, Doug Stearns, coordinator for Parish Based Evangelization, has worked tirelessly to make the day a success.

Beginning with on-site registration at 6:30 a.m., the day is filled with presentations, time for private prayer, opportunities to meet other Catholic men, Mass celebrated by Bishop Francis Kane; a tailgate dinner; and, rumor has it, there is a set of Bears tickets which will be raffled. The cost for the day is $85. There is a special rate for clergy and religious.

Titled “Your Faith…Your Church… It’s a guy thing” (see www.itsaguythingonline.org) the Chicago Catholic Men’s Conference will be led by many of the leaders of the Catholic men’s movement. The day includes addresses by Richard Lane, Matthew Kelly, Hector Molina, Ken Henderson and Carl Anderson, the supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus. Sean Dalton, western director of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, will serve as the emcee of the day.

Renewal opportunity

The new evangelization, envisioned by Pope John Paul II, calls all men and women to a radical renewal of their living of the Gospel. This renewal shines in our lives and attracts others to find what they see in our lives. The conference will give attendees the tools by which they can deepen their faith and be united with other men in living our faith at home and in the workplace.

Many pastors have commented that they have a group of men who wish to meet on a regular basis. The conference will serve as a foundation for parish men’s groups.

As our lives become more and more hectic, and the foundations of our lives can seem more and more unclear, events like this help us re-center ourselves upon Christ, the church and our need to be with those who live and believe as we do.

Pope Benedict has called for the renewal of our culture in Christ. There is no place that our culture will be more completely renewed than in vital, happy Catholic families. By gathering with those who have the same desires that we do, and who face the same struggles that we face, this renewal begins to become a reality. It is awe-inspiring to see the power of the Holy Spirit alive in gatherings like this.

What do you need to participate in the conference? You need an open mind and heart. You need a desire to deepen or renew your faith, or perhaps a spirit of curiosity to see what this is all about.

Should fathers bring their sons? Yes. The conference is open to men 16 and up.

How do I find out more about the conference? There are several ways: 1) go to the Web site at www.itsaguythingonline.org; you will find the brochure and registration information there; 2) call me at (312) 751–5353 or Doug Stearns at (312) 751–5288; 3) ask the Holy Spirit if this is what you and your faith need at this time in your life.

Join us on Sept. 6!

Kelly is director of the archdiocesan Office for Evangelization.