(122) An Example of a Promotional Talk By a Layman After Mass on the 2017 Steubenville Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal

AMDG

The Ribbons and Medals of Capt. Guy Gruters

            The following talk to the congregation after Sunday Mass may serve as a starting point, guide, or example that the parish representative could use in his parish, assuming that the pastor allows it.  With the permission of the pastor, the parish rep or other leader may use it as he sees fit according to his own personal style, adapting it to the parish culture, situation, and time available.  The personal testimony of a leader, who has attended a Men’s Conference, can be most effective.

POSSIBLE PROMOTIONAL TALK ON THE 2017 DIOCESAN MEN'S DAY OF RENEWAL

          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 strength our faith and trust in God.  We must learn how to have mercy and forgive……the theme of this year's Conference.

·       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 your 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 reinvigorated, 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.  The main speaker is Capt. Guy Gruters, who will talk on how his faith and trust in God carried him through over five years as a POW in the notorious Hanoi Hilton and other camps in Vietnam.  It should help the men to become better spiritual leaders of their families and servant leaders on the job, in the parish, and in the community. 

 

·       In his afternoon talk Capt. Gruters will share how he learned to have mercy and forgive the very captors who tortured him.  He will help us develop that spirit in ourselves because resentment is self-destructive.  

·  Perhaps the women can help by using their feminine mystique to encourage (not nag - tongue in cheek) their men to attend. 

·       Please mark on your calendar Saturday, March 18.  We'll meet in the parish 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.  Thank you so much.

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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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