(47) Resources For Keeping in Good Spiritual Shape and Leading the Family

RESOURCES FOR KEEPING IN GOOD SPIRITUAL SHAPE & LEADING THE FAMILY

AMDG (Ad mayorem Dei gloriam – For the greater glory of God)

We hope and pray that the participants in this Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal are spiritually refreshed, reinvigorated, and even on fire for the Lord.  To keep the flame lit, some of the following resources should be useful along with an active prayer life, frequent reception of the sacraments including monthly confession, daily Mass, &/or scripture.  Learn about the faith.  Form small Men’s Bible Study/sharing groups in your parish.  May we all take an active part in the New Evangelization especially in this Year of Faith by not only keeping the word, but fearlessly defending it and spreading it in little or big ways as we are able without neglecting our families (always number one after God) by prayer and example, word and deed.  Plant a few seeds and/or add a little water and the Lord will produce a great harvest while Mary nurtures the plant of faith along the way.  There is so much work to do even in our own extended families since so many are drifting as C & E Catholics or have fallen away.  May we all be spiritual leaders in the home, in the parish, and even on the job in applying the social teachings of the Church without calling it that.  The clergy and religious urgently need our help.  They can’t do it alone.  May we all discern the Lord’s will and be His instruments to change the world for Christ.  

ñ  Conference Blog/Website “Becoming True Men of God” at diosteubmen.blogspot.com was set up in January 2012 by the Steering Committee for the Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal as a collection of resources for promoting the Men's Conference.  Then for the rest of the year we maintain the site with articles that should help us to get into good spiritual shape and become better Christians closer to God.  Blog #8 is an article/interview of Danny Abramowicz, our 2012 speaker, with photos from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Some articles by Danny and by Fr. Thomas Loya, our 2011 speaker, on the Theology of the Body are posted.  Priests and committed laymen are invited to submit articles for consideration to pauls@rio.edu.  A related blog of possible interest with more variety and practical applications of Catholic teaching is “A Little Bit for God and His People” at paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com

ñ  Reason for Our Hope with Fr. Larry Richards (our 2013 speaker) at thereasonforourhope.org/ - Fr. Richards has a radio show Saturdays 8pm-9pm ET and Sundays 11am-12pm ET on Relevant Radio.  Go to relevantradio.com/programs/changed-forever or relevantradio.com to listen to other programs at any time.  Google Fr. Larry Richards to obtain his book, “Be a Man” and excerpts of his talks. 

ñ  Crossing the Goal on EWTN television and radio, both of which can also be obtained on the internet at ewtn.com.  The program features Danny Abramowicz (our 2012 speaker), Peter Herbeck, Curtis Martin, and Brian Patrick.  Tune in Thursday 9 pm, Sunday 6:30 pm, and Monday 6:30 am.  Their website, 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”.  Excerpts of his talks are on youtube.com.  Another website, blessed2play.com gives radio/audio interviews of Danny and other Catholic sports figures.

ñ  Four Fabulous Resources for the Family.  Since the parents are the primary educators of the faith, every Catholic home should have as a minimum the Holy Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and access to EWTN, the Catholic television channel.  For those who cannot and all of us for that matter, the Apostolate for Family Consecration, better known as Catholic Familyland (familyland.org), the family retreat center in Bloomingdale near Steubenville, has constructed four truly incredible websites.......the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church at FamilyCathechism.com* with many links for greater depth; a family guide with video links to supplement CCD at FamilyCatechesis.com, Catholic internet television to watch at any time from a weekly menu at familylandtv.com; and a four step plan to family holiness at FamilyHoliness.com.  IT'S ALL FREE!  *In Spanish: Catecismoparalafamilia.com.

 

ñ  The Catholic Men's Fellowship of Greater Cincinnati has resources, including a handbook, for forming small men's sharing groups at thecall.org.  They consist of committed men, principally Catholic, who recognize their need for God's help. They gather in Christ's presence in an atmosphere of trust, equality, and anonymity to share personal feelings and experiences. The members of a group unconditionally accept each other and prayerfully support one another while discussing the Bible and spiritual reading.  One may contact “Kent Linnemann (CMF)” <cmf@thecall.org>, kentlinnemann@juno.com with questions. 

ñ  Lighthouse Catholic Media at lighthousecatholicmedia.org produce and distribute CDs by great speakers on a variety of topics.   Utilize your time well while driving, especially if you have a long commute every day, while doing routine work, or working on your computer.  Some of their CD's can be found in the back of many churches and are changed periodically.

ñ  Tabor Life Institute at taborlife.org has resources relating to the Theology of the Body and the wisdom of Church teaching on sexuality, explaining the reasoning behind it.  It has much of the work of Fr. Thomas Loya, (our 2011 speaker) and host of the radio programs, “Body of Truth” and “Light of the East” on CatholicRadioInternational.com.  E-mail taborlife@earthlink.net.

ñ  Catholicscomehome.org – a movement to reach drifting Christmas & Easter Catholics and those who have fallen away and have lost the faith completely, motivating them to come back to the Church.  Refer people to it.

ñ  St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology at salvationhistory.com distributes books by the popular Scott Hahn and other great theologians.  E-mail mattleonard@salvationhistory.com.

ñ  Christophers.org – a movement founded by Fr. James Keller, author of the books “You Can Change the World” & “Change the World from Your Parish”.  It promotes the power of one person with God’s help to make a difference in the family, in the parish, and in the community.  The emphasis is on the positive.  Don’t just complain; do something.  “Better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

ñ  Complete Books as St. Faustina – Divine Mercy in My Soul - www.alabamacatholicresources.com/PDFs.html.     

Some Websites For Keeping in Good Spiritual Shape & Leading the Family

* diosteubmen.blogspot.com – Men’s Conference Blog, “Becoming True Men of God”.  Info & Spirituality.

* paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com – Related blog with greater variety, “A Little Bit for God and His People”.

* thereasonforourhope.org - Fr. Larry Richards (2013 speaker) & the Reason for Our Hope Foundation.

* crossingthegoal.com – Danny Abramowicz (2012 speaker) & his Crossing the Goal Apostolate and TV.

* taborlife.org – Fr. Thomas Loya (2011 Conference speaker) and his Theology of the Body Apostolate.

* diosteub.org, usccb.org, vatican.va – official websites of the diocese, Catholic Bishops, and the Vatican.

* familyland.org – The Apostolate of Family Consecration (Catholic Familyland) family retreats..

* FamilyCathechism.com – Catechism of the Catholic Church for the family online with reference links.      

* Catecismoparalafamilia.com – the same Family Catechism in Spanish.  Both are interactive.

* FamilyHoliness.com – a four step program for family holiness.

* FamilyCatechesis.com – guide & video links to supplement CCD for parents, primary educators. of the faith.

* familylandtv.com – Catholic internet television on demand at any time.  Choose from a weekly menu.

* ewtn.com & click on television – EWTN Television on the internet.

* ewtn.com & click on radio - EWTN Radio on the internet.

* relevantradio.com – Relevant Radio on Sirius and the internet (Fr. Larry Sat. 8 pm & Sun. 11 am).

* CatholicRadioInternational.com – Catholic Radio International on Sirius.

* blessed2play.com/show-archives– radio/audio interviews of Catholic sports figures.

* purefashion.com – gives great modest but fashionable dress guidelines to help parents with daughters.

* lighthousecatholicmedia.org - CDs by great speakers - a variety of topics to hear while driving, working, etc.

* thecall.org – resources for starting up a men’s sharing and Bible Study group

* salvationhistory.com – Scott Hahn and his St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

* catholicscomehome.org – a movement to bring drifting and fallen away Catholics back to the Church.

* christophers.org – motivates and gives examples of how individuals can make a difference for good..

* MediaApostle.com – projects of the Daughters of St Paul to make Catholic movies, redeem the media, & use it well.

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St. Joseph, model of a true man of God, pray for us and that the Men's Conference yield many spiritual fruits.

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(46) Asking the Men of the Local Council of the Knights of Columbus to Help to Underwrite, Promote, and Attend the 2013 Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal

AMDG

          Although Robert White, a grand knight himself and a member of our Steering Committee is responsible for promoting the 2013 Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal among the councils of the Knights of Columbus within the Diocese of Steubenville, each member of the Committee who is a knight promotes the Conference in his particular council.  Below is an e-mail that I sent to the knights of Council 3335 St. Louis Church Gallipolis.  We hope that every council of the Knights of Columbus in the diocese will be able to help in underwriting, promoting, and mobilizing its men to attend the Conference. 

March 9, 2013

Dear Brother Knight:

            First of all, thank you so much, for your $100 donation to help to underwrite the 2013 Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal this coming Saturday March 16 from 9 am to 3 pm in Caldwell, just off of Exit 25 of I-77.  We’ll meet at the Parish Hall at 6:30 am and have some great fellowship in the Parish Van on the way.   The speaker is really good.  Please consider going.  It’s a great experience that you won’t regret and very much in line with the mission of the Knights of Columbus……the formation of its men.

            Please keep in your prayers Emily, the daughter of our Grand Knight, Red Babbit who had to resign as a result.  She had a very serious auto accident, a head-on collision and remains in the hospital.

            Please don’t forget the Catholicism Series for Lent each Tuesday night at 6:30 pm at the St. Louis Parish Hall.  Fr. Robert Barron raised $3 million to produce a fascinating overview of the Catholic Faith.  He takes a professional production crew all over the world to show the beauty and splendor of the Faith among the people with some spectacular scenes.  The title of this fabulous series is: “CATHOLICISM:  Journey Around the World and Deep into the Faith.”  Fr. Tom will answer questions for those who stay afterwards.  He’s brilliant and so knowledgeable.  Take advantage of him.  We can learn so much from him.

Men, let's face it.  Too many of us are spiritual weaklings.....spiritual wimps!  And that includes me.  We have to do something about it.  Our Men's Conference would be a big help to each one of us.

• We've got to get into spiritual shape and embrace the faith, the theme of this year's Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal.

• We've got to become spiritually strong to be effective spiritual leaders of our families, to become better fathers, better husbands, and to be able to put Christ into our jobs and professions.  To establish the kingdom, the Lord wants our help.

• We've got to prepare ourselves for Easter and for eternity.

• Our Men's Conference will help us in all of these areas.  On top of that we'll have a good time of great fellowship both at the Conference and in the van going there and back.  Last year the men came back spiritually invigorated , refreshed, and enthusiastic.  A typical comment was: “I didn't want to go, but they twisted my arm and I'm glad they did.”

• We'll learn more about our faith too and grow in Christian maturity. We only have a superficial knowledge.  Fr. Larry Richards often appears on EWTN and is a well known speaker throughout the Country. He’s dynamic, captivating, and entertaining.  Fr. Larry wrote a book, “Be a Man” which challenges the men to true men as God intended.  He’ll really give us insights on what true manhood is.  Most of us really don’t know what true manhood is. 

 

            Please mark on your calendar Saturday, March 16.  We'll meet in the parking lot at 6:30 am.  Please register with me as soon as you can.  That really helps in organizing and planning.  Of course, better late than never at the door.

            For those who missed reading last week’s Church Bulletin with an insert about the Conference, I have it below.  It has more detail, especially about our main speaker.

Thank you so much and God bless.

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St. Joseph, model of a true man of God, pray for us and for the success of the Men's Conference.

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DIOCESAN MEN'S DAY OF RENEWAL SATURDAY MARCH 16

            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 this Men’s Conference on Saturday March 16 from 9 am to 3 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell (off of I-77 Exit 25).  The theme is: “Embrace the Faith” with St. Joseph as the patron.  The distance may be great, but Lent involves sacrifice and the quest for holiness.  That gives a pilgrimage flavor especially if we car pool.  During the middle ages, pilgrims would travel for days by foot or horseback.

 

            Our men will leave in the parish van at 6:30 am and have great fellowship on the way.  In the past the men have returned spiritually refreshed, 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.  This year the Conference is open to teens so this can also be a father &son event.  There will be opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration & a Lenten Confession.

            It is essential that the men take the spiritual lead in the family and in the parish.  Too often the women are the pillars of the parish.  According to our speaker, Fr. Larry Richards, the probability that the children will remain faithful to the Church in later life is about 40% if the mother takes the spiritual lead.  However, if the father does his job as spiritual leader, that probability of later faithfulness doubles to about 80%!!!!  According to Danny Abramowicz, last year’s speaker, the children love Mom, but tend to follow Dad. 

             The main speaker, Fr. Larry Richards is the author of the best seller, “Be a Man!  Becoming the Man God Created You to Be” which challenges men to be true men as God intended with manly virtues such as love, wisdom, courage, integrity, and compassion to pursue holiness, to make a difference in the world, and to live as a beloved son of God, revealing the meaning of a man’s life.  Fr. Larry inspires men to become the true heroes they long to be.  He recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well as the inspiring stories of others he has served. He tells men how to focus on the right goals, to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father Larry challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or machismo (youtube.com).

            He often appears on EWTN, hosts his own national radio show, “Changed Forever” on Relevant Radio at www.relevantradio.com and other stations on Saturday 8 pm & Sunday 11 am.  Fr. Larry Richards is the founder and president of the Reason for Hope Foundation dedicated to spreading the good news of the Gospel (see www.TheReasonForOurHope.org) by educating others about Jesus Christ and giving insights on true manhood.

            Fr. Richards, born in Pittsburgh, earned a degree in Mental Health at the College Seminary at Gannon University.  He completed his priestly training and studies in Theology at St. Vincent Seminary; received a Master of Divinity degree; and was ordained in 1989.  He is the pastor of St. Joseph Church and the Bread of Life Community in Erie, Pennsylvania.  Fr. Larry is also the Spiritual Director of the TEC (To Encounter Christ) Retreat Program for the Diocese of Erie.  At the same time he is close to completing the requirements for a MA degree in Liturgy at the University of Notre Dame.

            There’s more information on the diocesan website, diosteub.org and 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.  For a greater variety, go to “A Little Bit for God and His People” at paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com.

            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 Paul Sebastian (245-9404), as soon as possible.  That would make planning (food, transportation, etc.) easier & minimize waiting at the door.  Sign up is in back of the church.

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.

(45) Press Release to Secular Newspapers: Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday March 16 in Caldwell, Ohio

AMDG

            I sent the following introduction and press release to the secular newspapers within a 100 mile radius of Caldwell, our Men's Conference site.  Thus I included Gallipolis, Athens, Marietta, Parkersburg-WV, Zanesville, Cambridge, St. Clairsville, Wheeling, Steubenville, and as very long shots Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.  In addition I sent it to the diocesan newspapers of Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Parma (Byzantine), Pittsburgh, and Wheeling-Charleston WV and Steubenville.  

            Essentially, I sent the press release by e-mail tall at once to the entire list. My philosophy was that the e-mail addresses were easy to able to obtain by googling the internet and the press release could be sent out all at once.  If only one or two of the 19 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.  Two years ago the Gallipolis Daily Tribune printed the entire article.

March 8, 2013

            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 article for your News, Events, or Religion sections.  The Men's Conference described in the article submission 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 be true men as God intended.  Too many really don't know what true manhood is.

            Feel free to edit and condense it as you see fit.  If space is lacking, please at least consider the second paragraph for your Events section or Church Calendar.

Thank you for your consideration and God bless.    

NEWS RELEASE:  STEUBENVILLE DIOCESE MEN'S CONFERENCE IN CALDWELL, OH.

            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 Catholic Diocese of Steubenville is trying to accomplish in sponsoring a Men’s Conference on Saturday March 16 from 9 am to 3 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell (off of I-77 Exit 25).  The theme is: “Embrace the Faith” with St. Joseph as the patron.  The distance may be great, but Lent involves sacrifice and the quest for holiness.  That gives a pilgrimage flavor especially if the men car pool.  During the middle ages, pilgrims would travel for days by foot or horseback.

 

            In the past the men have returned spiritually refreshed, reinvigorated, and enthusiastic since the participants are moved by the beauty and power of the faith.   Non-Catholics are also welcome.  This year the Conference is open to teens so this can also be a father & son event.  There will be opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration & a Lenten Confession.  The new appointed Bishop Jeffrey Montforton will preside at the Mass.

            It is essential that the men take the spiritual lead in the family and in the parish.  Too often the women are the pillars of the parish.  According to our speaker, Fr. Larry Richards, the probability that the children will remain faithful to the Church in later life is about 40% if the mother takes the spiritual lead.  However, if the father does his job as spiritual leader, that probability of later faithfulness doubles to about 80%!!!!  According to Danny Abramowicz, last year’s speaker, the children love Mom, but tend to follow Dad. 

             The main speaker, Fr. Larry Richards is the author of the best seller, “Be a Man!  Becoming the Man God Created You to Be” which challenges men to be true men as God intended with manly virtues such as love, wisdom, courage, integrity, and compassion to pursue holiness, to make a difference in the world, and to live as a beloved son of God, revealing the meaning of a man’s life.  Fr. Larry inspires men to become the true heroes they long to be.  He recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well as the inspiring stories of others he has served. He tells men how to focus on the right goals, to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father Larry challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or machismo (youtube.com).

            He often appears on EWTN, hosts his own national radio show, “Changed Forever” on Relevant Radio at relevantradio.com and other stations on Saturday 8 pm & Sunday 11 am.  Fr. Larry Richards is the founder and president of the Reason for Hope Foundation dedicated to spreading the good news of the Gospel (see TheReasonForOurHope.org) by educating others about Jesus Christ and giving insights on true manhood.

            There’s more information on the diocesan website, diosteub.org and 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.  For a greater variety, go to “A Little Bit for God and His People” at paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com.

            It should be a great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual invigoration. But most of all, the organizers believe 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. 

******************************************************************************************

St. Joseph, model of a true man of God, pray for us and for the success of the Men's Conference.

******************************************************************************************