Friday, March 6, 2020

(197) Diocesan Press Release #3: Men Asked to Make a Lenten Sacrifice to Attend the Men's Conference


AMDG

Scott Hahn
 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. 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.

No comments:

Post a Comment