Monday, March 2, 2015

(88) Press Release 3: Lenten Sacrifice & Opportunity.......Men's Day of Renewal March 7

                                                                      AMDG

             This article was originally submitted to the Steubenville Catholic Register on February 18.

MEN’S DAY OF RENEWAL MARCH 7: LENTEN SACRIFICE & OPPORTUNITY
           
            If the mother takes the spiritual lead in the family, the probability that the children will remain faithful to the Church as adults is about 40%.  If the father takes the spiritual lead, that probability doubles to 80%.  This is crucial because we are losing our youth.  As Danny Abramowicz of “Crossing the Goal” on EWTN likes to point out, “The children love Mom, but tend to follow Dad.”  Thus the participants in the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal on Saturday March 7 at St. Bernard’s Church in Beverly (9 am to 4 pm) on Route 339 are challenged to become true men of God........dynamic Catholic leaders who will change the world, beginning with their families, their parishes, their communities, and the marketplace through their jobs.

        Therefore, Dr. Allen Hunt, a partner of Matthew Kelly at the Dynamic Catholic Institute (www.dynamiccatholic.com), will talk on “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic” in the morning session.  His afternoon talk will focus on his journey to the true faith and how God revolutionizes our lives with His real presence in the Eucharist and its remarkable power for each of us.  A former pastor of a mega-church of 15,000 people, he will share his journey to find the truth and discover the beauty and splendor of the Catholic Church.  Recent converts and those struggling with the decision to enter the Church can identify with him.  Cradle Catholics will obtain a deeper appreciation of their Church.  Non-Catholics are welcome. 

            The men are invited to bring their teenage sons and relatives who are preparing for manhood so that this Conference may also be a Father and Son shared experience.  Seeing so many men enthusiastically participating and moved by the beauty and power of the faith are all uplifting.  All will enjoy this nationally known speaker, best selling author, and radio show host.  Most return spiritually refreshed, reinvigorated, and enthusiastic. 

Even though this year’s Conference is in the geographic center of the diocese, the Steering Committee appreciates the fact that the men will be sacrificing most of a valuable Saturday, but that’s what Lent is all about….penance, self-examination, personal renewal, spiritual growth, etc.  The men on the geographic extremes will have to leave their homes at an early hour and travel up to three hours, but that gives the Conference a pilgrimage flavor, especially if there's prayer and discussion of the day's events.  Traveling together in a van would make for great fellowship and would solidify the parish as the men get to know each other better, more so if the pastor accompanies them.  There was once a time when pilgrims would travel for days to a shrine on foot or horseback. 

Some from far away may wish to stay overnight in a motel in nearby Marietta and make it a weekend retreat, beginning with Stations of the Cross at 7 pm the day before at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, one of the most beautiful churches in the world.  Both Columbus and Pittsburgh are about two hours away for a weekend with their wives.  Marietta is an attractive tourism center.   

For the first time the Conference will begin with a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament as a preparation for the Reconciliation Service and Mass presided by the Bishop Montforton. 

          Promotional materials and ideas may be obtained from the Conference blog which promotes men’s spirituality at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com.  The diocesan website www.diosteub.org homepage also provides a link to more detail. 

The parish representative may collect the registration forms and send them to Roger Huck; Men’s Day of Renewal; P.O. Box 54; Beverly, OH 45715.  Individuals may do the same.  Make the $25 check payable to the Diocese of Steubenville and write “Men's Day of Renewal” on the memo line.  Although registrations are accepted at the door, the men are encouraged to register ahead of time to facilitate planning and to avoid lines.

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