Sunday, March 4, 2018

(154) Press Release to Secular Newspapers on the 2018 Steubenville Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal

AMDG

           I sent the following introduction and press release to secular newspapers within a 200 mile or 3 hour radius of Caldwell, OH, our Men's Conference site.  Thus I included secular newspapers in Gallipolis, Athens, Marietta, Parkersburg-WV, Zanesville, Cambridge, St. Clairsville, Wheeling, Steubenville, and as very long shots Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.
 
The addresses were easy to obtain by googling the internet.  Essentially, I sent the press release by e-mail all at once to the entire list.  My philosophy was if only one or two of the 14 newspaper pick up the release and print at least part of it, the effort is worthwhile.  Even if the reader does not attend the Conference, at least s/he receives the message behind the Conference.  In 2011 and 2013 the Gallipolis Daily Tribune published the entire article.  The Steubenville Herald Star picked up the press release in 2016 and 2017.  There may have been others.

“Beth Sergent – Editor Gallipolis Daily Tribune - Pomeroy Daily Sentinel - Point Pleasant Daily Register” <bsergent@aimmediamidwest.com>,
“Carrie Gloeckner Editor Meigs Independent Press” <meigsindypress@gmail.com>,
“Carrie Gloeckner Editor Gallia Hometown Herald” <galliaherald@gmail.com>,
“Jackie Denuit - Community Editor Jackson Times Journal” <jdenuit@timesjournal.com>,
“Steubenville Herald Star Executive Editor” <rgallabrese@heraldstaronline.com>, “City Editor” <jpowers@heraldstaronline.com>, “Janice Kiaski – Editor Community Page” <jkiaski@heraldstaronline.com>,
“Wheeling Intelligencer” <myer@news-register.net>,
“St. Clairsville Times Leader Managing Editor” <bkapral@timesleaderonline.com>, “Area Editor” <timesleader@timesleaderonline.com>, “Lifestyles Editor” <sdunder@timesleaderonline.com>, 
“Jennifer Compston-Strough - Managing Editor” <jcompston@timesleaderonline.com>,

“Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian Publisher – Andrew Dix” <asdix@dix1898.com>,  
“Ray Booth - Managing Editor” <rbooth@daily-jeff.com>, “Dan Davis – Reporter” <ddavis@daily-jeff.com>,
“Zanesville Times Recorder - Managing Editor” <psjames@nncogannett.com>, “Local Desk Editor” <tshipley@nncogannett.com>, 
“Marietta Times News Editor” <kyork@mariettatimes.com>,
 “Columbus Dispatch” <storyideas@dispatch.com>, “Danny Goodwin - News Editor” <dgoodwin@dispatch.com>, “Danae King – Religion Reporter” <dking@dispatch.com>,
“Cleveland Plain Dealer Metro Editor” <kturner@plaind.com>, “Deputy Managing Editor” <dkannber@plaind.com>,
“Cincinnati Enquirer Community Editors”  <jkey@communitypress.com>,
“Athens Messenger” <jhiggins@athensmessenger.com>,
“Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Jerry Micco - Assistant Managing Editor NewsSlide” <jmicco@post-gazette.com>, <localnews@post-gazette.com>,
“Parkersburg News & Sentinel”  <editorial@newsandsentinel.com>,  “Executive Editor - Christina Myer” <cmyer@newsandsentinel.com>,  “Paul LaPann – Managing Editor” <plapann@newsandsentinel.com>,  “Jesse Mancini – City Editor”  <jmancini@newsandsentinel.com>,
“Joanie Nash” <jnash@ogdennews.com>,

Mike Aquilina, an expert on the early Church, is the main speaker.

February 27, 2018
        As the person responsible for publicity on the Steering Committee for the Steubenville Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal, I am submitting for your consideration the following press release for your News, Events, or Religion sections.  The Men's Conference described in the press release below is open to men of all faiths and it's good for the people of different denominations to know what other churches are doing.  For those who do not attend, the article also gives a taste of the speaker's message, which challenges the men to follow the example of the early Church Fathers and martyrs and be effective witnesses in their homes, in their parishes, on the job, and in their communities.  Too many men are relegating that responsibility to the women.
       
Feel free to edit and condense it as you see fit.  If space is lacking, please at least consider the short announcement below for your Events section or Church Calendar.  You may contact me at 740-245-9404.  Photos of the main speaker, Mike Aquilina, is attached as well as the Conference brochure and other information.

Thank you for your consideration and God bless.


                                                       PRESS RELEASE

   Expert On the Early Church to Speak
 at Men’s Conference March 3 in Caldwell, Ohio
            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 will be held on Saturday March 3 from 9 am to 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell off of Exit 25 of I-77The men 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.
            To complement the Mass presided by Bishop Monforton and Penance Service the featured speaker is Mike Aquilina, an expert on the early Church, particularly the Early Church Fathers and martyrs.  He will show that the witness of the first Christians coincides very well with Church teaching today in a remarkable continuity over the centuries through 267 popes.  Aquilina is an author of over 50 books, particularly on the early Church and how the early Christians lived their faith.  The books have been translated into many languages, even Braille. 
   
He is a nationally known speaker at many conferences, also appearing frequently on Relevant Radio and EWTN in which he has hosted ten television series and two documentaries.  He also has talents as a poet and song writer, even collaborating with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Dion DiMucci.  Aquilina’s extensive journalism experience includes being a past editor of New Covenant magazine and the Pittsburgh Catholic (diocesan newspaper).  Aquilina is the executive vice president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Catholic research center, based in Steubenville. 
    
            His morning talk is titled “The Strength of Heaven”, which will show how the angels were effective witnesses and can teach us much to apply to our daily lives.  In the afternoon, he will show how the witness of the martyrs of the early Church can teach us to be witnesses today in secular America.  Mike Aquilina will challenge the men to follow the example of the early Church Fathers and martyrs and be effective witnesses in their homes, in their parishes, on the job, and in their communities. Drawing from his diverse experience as a journalist, prolific author, conference speaker, and father of a family of six children, Mr. Aquilina can speak to          
the needs of the men.
            This background puts Mike Aquilina in a position to speak on the theme of this year’s Diocese of Steubenville Men’s Conference, “Being a Cloud of Witnesses”.  That is through the power of faith rise up to be the spiritual leaders of their families, to do their part in renewing their parishes, be servant leaders in the community, and to make a difference for Christ by applying the social teachings of the Church to their professions. 
The goal of the Men's Day of Renewal is to focus on the spiritual development of the men.  Having spiritually strong men of faith and character translates into more solid families, more dynamic parishes, and better communities. This is crucial to the Church, now and in the future. It is also critical for nurturing vocations.  It involves sacrificing most of a Saturday with some travel, but Lent is all about sacrifice and the quest for holiness.  That gives a pilgrimage flavor.  During the middle ages, pilgrims would travel for days by foot or horseback.

            The men will see how the participants are moved by the beauty and power of the faith.   The experience of seeing so many men enthusiastically participating and lifting up their voices in song is uplifting.  There will be a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and optional Lenten Confession.  The Conference is open to teens so this can also be a father and son event, a shared experience.   Non-Catholics are also welcome.  In the past the men have returned spiritually refreshed, reinvigorated, and enthusiastic.   Registration will be taken at the door.

            There’s more information at the bottom of the home page of the diocesan website, www.diosteub.org and the Conference Blog, “Becoming a True Man of God” at diosteubmen.blogspot.com which is also devoted to articles to keep men in spiritual shape after the Conference.  There’s also a recent article on another blog, “A Little Bit for God and His People” at paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com.  One may also contact paulrsebastian@yahoo.com or call 740-245-9404.  Attached are the Conference brochure and photos.

            A great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual reinvigoration is expected. But most of all, the organizers hope that through grace there will be a few more good spiritually strong men for the kingdom of God in the battle against secularism and other evils and problems that our troubled society must confront.......men --not spiritual weaklings and wimps-- who will put Christ into their professions.  Finally, the men will become more knowledgeable, firmer in their faith, and better prepared for a more joyful Easter, not to mention a greater closeness to God and eternity which life on earth is all about. 
           
                                                    **************************************

AS A SHORT ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE EVENTS SECTION OR CHURCH CALENDAR

Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday, March 3 from 9 am – 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell off of Exit 25 of I-77.  Mike Aquilina, nationally known expert on the early Church, prolific author, and speaker show how the witness of the early Christians can teach the participants how to be effective witnesses in the home, in the parish, on the job, and in the community.  The home page of diosteub.org gives a link to the brochure, additional information, and the Conference Blog.
    
Mike Aquilina, an expert on the early Church, is the main speaker.

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