(40) New Features in the 2013 Men's Day of Renewal of the Diocese of Steubenville

(AMDG)

Press Release #3 Submitted to the Steubenville Catholic Register on February 20, 2013
 

            According to Fr. Larry Richards, the featured Men’s Conference speaker, 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%.  As Danny Abramowicz of “Crossing the Goal” on EWTN likes to point out, the children love Mom, but tend to follow Dad.  Thus Fr. Richards challenges the men to be true men as God intended.  That would entail being spiritual leaders, servant leaders in the home and the parish, in the community and even on the job in following the social teachings of the Church.  

Fr. Larry Richards challenges the men to be true men as God intended.

            For the first time the men are invited to bring their teenage sons who are learning how to become men so that this Conference may also be a Father and Son shared experience.  They may also bring grandsons, nephews, godsons, and friends on Saturday March 16 at St. Stephen's Church in Caldwell (9 am to 3 pm).  All will enjoy this nationally known EWTN television personality, national radio show host, and the author of the best selling book, “Be a Man”.  Fr. Richards is a popular, captivating, and entertaining speaker around the country as well as a favorite at men’s conferences.

As a new feature, the men may come as early as 8 am for a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary.  A Penance Service will again be included as a very important part of the day.  Bishop Jeffrey Monforton will give a talk and preside at the closing Mass.

The Steering Committee very much appreciates the fact that the men are sacrificing most of a valuable day and leave early to travel great distances, but Lent is all about sacrifice and the quest for holiness.  Conference participants who wish to make the Men’s Day a weekend retreat may obtain a 10% discount at the Best Western Plus just off of Exit 25 of I-77 and less than two miles from the St. Stephen’s Church which has a parish program of Stations of the Cross (Mass at Immaculate Conception Church nearby) on Friday at 7 pm preceded and followed by Eucharistic Adoration.  

For this Conference, an important part of the New Evangelization in this Year of Faith, a strong person to person marketing effort at the parish level is crucial.  The Conference then could be a vehicle to bring drifting and fallen away Catholics back home.  Non-Catholics are also welcome.    

            Traveling together in a van would make great fellowship and would solidify the parish as the men get to know each other better, more so if the pastor accompanies them.  If the distance is great, there would be a sacrificial pilgrimage flavor, especially if there's prayer and discussion of the day's events.  Even the women could encourage their men to attend. Promotional materials may be obtained from the Conference blog which promotes men’s spirituality at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com. 

The parish representative may collect the registration forms with the $25 fee and send them to Steve Ishmael at P.O. Box 167; Lansing, OH 43934 (swi167@comcast.net).  Individuals may do the same.  Although registrations are accepted at the door, the men are encouraged to register ahead of time to facilitate planning and to avoid long lines.