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| Danny Abramwicz |
Two
hundred men traveled from all parts of our far flung diocese, some
two hundred miles from north to south with Steubenville as the population center, for a day of renewal,
featuring two great talks by Danny Abramowicz, a Penance Service, and
Mass, presided by the Apostolic Administrator, Msgr. Kurt Kemo. Men
of all ages participated and sang with enthusiasm. It was a great
day of renewal and enjoyable fellowship. One of the men remarked:
"I go to the Men's Day of Renewal every year. I wouldn't miss it
for anything. I really need it".
The
men could relate to at least parts of Coach Abramowicz's down to
earth, simple and direct testimony of his own falling into the fast
life as a young pro football star in New Orleans, his misery in it,
and consequent alcoholism followed by conversion after hitting
bottom. He presented a challenge: “Men, we have dropped the ball
as spiritual leaders in the family, in the parish, and in the
community. We must get into spiritual shape. We spend so much time
on the temporal that ends when we die and so little time on the
spiritual that is eternal. We're in a spiritual war against powers
and principalities. Our playbook is from the Bible and our game plan
comes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church”
(http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
or www.FamilyCatechism.com).
The
1969 all pro wide receiver presented steps for conversion and for
keeping on the straight and narrow. “Men get into trouble because
they neglect their prayer life”. Danny spends an hour and a half a
day in prayer (Mass, Bible & other spiritual reading, time in
front of the tabernacle, etc.)......even more time than working out.
He's not far from his playing weight. Prayer is nothing more than
“raising the mind to God to praise, adore, thank, and ask. You'll
find the Lord in silence. Listen.”
We
must “run away from temptations. Porn is more addictive than booze
and drugs”. When we fall, we must “blame ourselves and resort
to confession, which is essential for renewal and conversion”.
“What
we get out of Mass depends upon what we put into it. We receive the
word, which should be read before Mass to get a better
understanding”. But most of all, in this sacrifice of Christ to
God that makes Calvary present in an unbloody way, “we receive the
body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ”.
Coach
Abramowicz asked each man to tell his wife how much he loves her.
Furthermore he asked the men to encourage priests: “Lift them up”.
The men then enthusiastically gave the priests present a standing
ovation for giving their lives to the Church. “Encourage
vocations” among the young men in our lives that may be called.
He
urged the men to “take your walking orders from Christ. Look for
His will. We don't know when the Son of Man is coming”. During
his bypass surgery of 100% blockage, Danny had to trust in the Lord's
will, not his own will. The former offensive coordinator of the New
Orleans Saints then closed with the challenge: “Are you ready?”
Next
year's Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal will be on March 16, 2013 at a
location much closer to us. The main speaker will be the nationally
known Fr. Larry Richards, who will challenge the men to become real
men instead of spiritual wimps. He's the author of the best selling
book, “Be a Man”. Fr. Richards is very dynamic and entertaining.
See
“Crossing the Goal” on EWTN television and radio,
both of which can also be obtained on the internet at www.ewtn.com.
The
program features
Danny Abramowicz, Peter Herbeck, Curtis Martin, and Brian
Patrick. Tune in Thursday 9 pm, Sunday 6:30 pm, and Monday 6:30 am.
Their website, www.crossingthegoal.com
has resources and blogs by members of their team to complete their
mission. That is to “support and equip men to stand up and live
the life they were called to by their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.
See
the Men's Conference Blog on men's spirituality “Becoming
a True Man of God” at diosteubmen.blogspot.com
and a greater variety on “A Little Bit for God
and His People” at
paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com.
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