AMDG
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| Scott Hahn |
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. Mary of the Assumption, 506 Fourth St. in Marietta (9 am to 4 pm) off of Route 7 or Exit 1 on I-77 are asked to accept the challenge
of being Catholic, the Conference Theme and become through the power of prayer,
true men of God and dynamic Catholic leaders to change the world in little or
big ways by prayer, example, word, and deed, beginning with their families,
their parishes, their communities, and the marketplace through their jobs.
In his first talk, Scott Hahn will draw on Church's
teaching and his own experience to show how ordinary Catholics can effectively
share their faith, and so be part of the New Evangelization. This talk will help Catholic laymen to reach
friends, co-workers, and family members, especially those who are
non-practicing or have drifted away from the Church. In his second talk, Dr. Hahn will speak on
how to strengthen our marriages and our family life, both of which are in
crisis. Drawing from Scripture, and
forty years of experience as a husband and a father. Scott will offer some practical tips on how
to make your home a domestic church.
The men are invited to bring their
teenage sons and relatives so that this Conference may also be a Father and
Son shared experience. The men are encouraged to bring their sons and thus make
this day in part a father and son event.
For the first time boys 18 and under will be admitted free of charge. The goal is to instill in the young men the
habit of Lenten sacrifice, spiritual growth, and preparation for the great
feast of Easter. Hopefully, the older
boys will help their fathers to build the domestic church at home and lead
their younger siblings in a domestic evangelization. Seeing so many men enthusiastically
participating and moved by the beauty and power of the faith are all
uplifting. 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 Marietta
and make a retreat out of it. As you
know, the Basilica is one of the most beautiful churches in the world and is
ideal for prayer and reflection. There
will be Eucharistic Adoration all day Friday until 7 pm in the Chapel of the
English Martyrs to the right of the main altar.
Stations of the Cross will follow.
The men may bring their families to stay overnight at a motel and
explore Marietta during the Conference.
Go to https://mariettaohio.org/.
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. There will be
registration at the door.
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