Wednesday, February 22, 2012

(14) Possible Bulletin Insert for the 2012 Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal

       If the Men of the diocese are in good spiritual shape, the family is renewed. If the family is renewed, the parish is renewed and so is the diocese. The men must be spiritual leaders in their families. The men must step up and be the pillars of the parish.......not only the women. The men must put Christ into the marketplace and in their jobs. Set the men on fire and we renew, the parish, the diocese and ultimately the Country, thus transforming Society. That's what the Diocese is trying to accomplish with the Men's Day of Renewal.

       The Catholic Diocese of Steubenville is sponsoring a Men's Day of Renewal on Saturday March 10 from 9 am to 3 pm at St. John's Church in Bellaire. The theme is: “Faithfulness to God” with St. Joseph as the patron of the Conference. Yes, the distance is great, but that will involve sacrifice and that's what Lent is all about. It will give a pilgrimage flavor. During the middle ages, pilgrims would travel for days by foot or horseback

      We'll leave in the parish van at 6 am and have great fellowship on the way. Last year we returned refreshed spiritually, reinvigorated, and enthusiastic. Expect the same this year. See how the participants are moved by the beauty and power of the faith. Non-Catholics are also welcome.

         Too often the women are the pillars of the parish. It is essential that the men take the spiritual lead in the family and in the parish. Then the probability that the children will remain faithful to the Church in later life more than triples to about 70% as compared to the mother alone taking the lead according to research.

       The main speaker, Danny Abramowicz was born and raised in Steubenville, a Catholic Central alumnus, who broke records at Xavier U and is a member of its Sports Hall of Fame. As the 17th and last draft choice of the New Orleans Saints in 1967, Danny made the team on sheer guts and determination. He broke into the lineup as a wide receiver of Archie Manning, the father of Peyton and Eli. By 1969, he led the NFL in receptions and made all-pro. After retiring in 1975, he became a charter member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and later the Louisiana, National Polish, & Sports Faith Halls of Fame. He was Special Teams Coach for the Chicago Bears and later offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints (1997-2000) under Mike Ditka.

         After falling into the fast life and alcoholism, Danny underwent a conversion and is devoting the rest of his life as a coach for Christ, to help men get into spiritual shape and become true men of God (i.e., holiness) through his books, talks around the country, and his “Crossing the Goal” program on EWTN television (Thursday 9 pm, Sunday 6:30 pm, & Monday 6:30 am), radio, and internet (ewtn.com) . Googling his name gives over 5000 results with many details about his career. Especially interesting is a Cleveland Plain Dealer article/interview that can be found on my blog “A Little Bit for God and His People” at paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com and on the Conference Blog, “Becoming a True Man of God” at diosteubmen.blogspot.com which will be devoted to articles to keep men in spiritual shape after the Conference.

        Danny will relate his experience as a professional football player and coach to the very serious game of life.........becoming true men of God and achieving the ultimate trophy, eternal salvation and everlasting happiness with God.......when Christ Himself would say to each one of our men......”Well done good and faithful servant.” You'll really enjoy his talk, more so if you're a pro football fan.

         It should be a great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual invigoration. But most of all, through grace we'll have 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.

         Although one may register at the door, please register with your parish representative (phone), as soon as possible. That would make planning (food, transportation, etc.) easier and minimize waiting at the door.

SUMMARY OF WHAT THE MEN'S CONFERENCE CAN DO FOR YOU.....BENEFITS
  • Get into good spiritual shape and avoid being a spiritual weakling, i.e., a spiritual wimp.
  • Have a great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual invigoration in the parish van and at the conference, resulting in deeper friendships and parish cohesion.
  • Develop ourselves as men of character and spiritual strength as we obtain the graces to conquer ourselves and cope with the problems that our troubled society and economy brings to us.
  • Be a more effective spiritual leader of your family as a better husband and father.
  • Prepare our hearts for the great feast of Easter and for eternity as we become closer to God..
  • Become knowledgeable about the faith and grow in Christian maturity. We know so little about Church teaching.
  • Become a more effective soldier of Christ as you do your part in establishing the kingdom, winning the spiritual-culture war against secularism, and put Christ into your profession.
***********************************************************************************
St. Joseph, model of a true man of God, pray for us and for the success of the Men's Conference.
***********************************************************************************



USE THE SPACE BELOW FOR PAGES 2 & 4 OF THE TRIFOLD BROCHURE,

i.e., the pages with the speaker photos & descriptions and the registration form.

No comments:

Post a Comment