(126) Press Release to Secular Newspapers

           

Capt. Guy Gruters Speaking to a Veterans Group

          I sent the following introduction and press release to secular newspapers within a 200 mile or 3 hour radius of Caldwell, OH, our Men's Conference site.  Thus I included secular newspapers in Gallipolis, Athens, Marietta, Parkersburg-WV, Zanesville, Cambridge, St. Clairsville, Wheeling, Steubenville, and as very long shots Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. 

The addresses were easy to obtain by googling the internet.  Essentially, I sent the press release by e-mail all at once to the entire list.  My philosophy was if only one or two of the 14 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.  In 2011 and 2013 the Gallipolis Daily Tribune published the entire article.  The Steubenville Herald Star picked up the press release in 2016 and 2017.  There may have been others.

AMDG

“Beth Sergent – Editor Gallipolis Daily Tribune - Pomeroy Daily Sentinel - Point Pleasant Daily      Register” <bsergent@civitasmedia.com>, <GDTnews@civitasmedia.com>,

“Steubenville Herald Star Executive Editor” <rgallabrese@heraldstaronline.com>, “City Editor” <jpowers@heraldstaronline.com>,  “Janice Kiaski – Editor Community Page” <jkiaski@heraldstaronline.com>,

“Wheeling Intelligencer” <myer@news-register.net>,

“St. Clairsville Times Leader Managing Editor” <bkapral@timesleaderonline.com>, “Area Editor” <timesleader@timesleaderonline.com>, “Lifestyles Editor” <sdunder@timesleaderonline.com>, 

“Jennifer Compston-Strough - Managing Editor” <jcompston@timesleaderonline.com>,

“Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian Publisher – Andrew S. Dix” <asdix@dixcom.com>, “Editor” <rbooth@daily-jeff.com>, <newsroom@daily-jeff.com>,

“Zanesville Times Recorder - Managing Editor” <psjames@nncogannett.com>, “Local Desk Editor” 

“Marietta Times News Editor” <kyork@mariettatimes.com>, <news@mariettatimes.com>, <asmith@mariettatimes.com>,

<tshipley@nncogannett.com>, “Assistant Editor” <vgrace@nncogannett.com>,

“Columbus Dispatch” <storyideas@dispatch.com>,

“Cleveland Plain Dealer Metro Editor” <kturner@plaind.com>, “Deputy Managing Editor” <dkannber@plaind.com>,

“Cincinnati Enquirer Community Editors” <therron@communitypress.com>,

<jkey@communitypress.com>, <rmaloney@communitypress.com>,

“Athens Messenger” <jhiggins@athensmessenger.com>,

“Parkersburg News & Sentinel”  <editorial@newsandsentinel.com>,  “Executive Editor - Christina Myer” <cmyer@newsandsentinel.com>,  “Paul LaPann – Managing Editor” <plapann@newsandsentinel.com>,  “Jesse Mancini – City Editor”  <jmancini@newsandsentinel.com>,

“Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ?” <localnews@post-gazette.com>,

March 9, 2017

            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 become better spiritual leaders in the home, the parish, the community, and on the job.  Too many men are relegating that responsibility to their wives.

            Feel free to edit and condense it as you see fit.  If space is lacking, please at least consider the short announcement at the end for your Events section or Church Calendar.  You may contact me at 740-245-9404.  Photos of the main speaker, Capt. Guy Gruters, are attached and also the Conference brochure.

Thank you for your consideration and God bless.

PRESS RELEASE

STEUBENVILLE DIOCESAN MEN’S DAY OF RENEWAL SATURDAY MARCH 18

            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%.  This is crucial because we are losing our youth.  As Danny Abramowicz of “Crossing the Goal” on EWTN likes to point out, “The children love Mom, but tend to follow Dad.”  Thus the participants in the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal will be held on Saturday March 18 from 9 am to 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell off of Exit 25 of I-77.  The men are challenged to become true men of God........dynamic Catholic leaders who will change the world, beginning with their families, their parishes, their communities, and the marketplace through their jobs.

            To complement the Holy Hour at 9 am, Penance Service, and closing Mass presided by Bishop Monforton at about 2 pm, the featured speaker is Capt. Guy Gruters (USAF).  After graduation from the Air Force Academy with a B.S. in Engineering Science, Capt. Gruters flew more than 400 combat missions in Vietnam and received over 30 combat medals and awards.  He was shot down twice and captured the second time in 1967.  After leaving the Air Force, he captained DC-9s and Boeing 727s for Eastern Airlines until retiring in 1991.  Later Capt. Gruters was an account rep. for IBM and President of PC Software Systems.

            In his morning talk Guy Gruters will reveal how his faith and trust in God carried him through the ordeal as a Prisoner of War in the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” and other camps in Vietnam for over five years.  Since bitterness is self-destructing, he will share in the afternoon talk how he learned to show mercy and forgive his brutal captors who tortured him.  The participants will discover how they can apply the lessons learned by Capt. Gruters to their daily lives.  He is a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. 

 

            Drawing from his diverse experience and being a father of seven children, he will also touch on “Leadership and Teamwork in the Family, Church, and the Community”.  An excellent and dynamic speaker, Mr. Gruters gives talks all over the country and is the author of the book, “Locked Up With God”.

            This background puts Capt. Gruters in a position to speak on the theme of this year’s Diocese of Steubenville Men’s Conference, “Mercy and Forgiveness, Faith and Trust……..Means of Developing Strength  and Holiness in Difficult Times” and apply it to our daily lives.  That is through the power of faith rise up to be the spiritual leaders of their families, to do their part in renewing their parishes, be servant leaders in the community, and to make a difference for Christ by applying the social teachings of the Church to their professions.

Since Capt. Guy Gruters exhibits the spirit of sacrifice that veterans have made for our country, the Conference will briefly honor all veterans present.  The MC will thank the veterans and ask them to stand.  Tentatively a prayer will be offered for those on active duty, especially those in harm’s way. 

The goal of the Men's Day of Renewal is to focus on the spiritual development of the men of the diocese. Having spiritually strong men of faith and character translates into more solid families, more dynamic parishes, and better communities. This is crucial to the Church, now and in the future. It is also critical for nurturing vocations.  It involves sacrificing most of a Saturday with some travel, but Lent is all about sacrifice and the quest for holiness.  That gives a pilgrimage flavor.  During the middle ages, pilgrims would travel for days by foot or horseback.

            The men will see how the participants are moved by the beauty and power of the faith.   The experience of seeing so many men enthusiastically participating and lifting up their voices in song is uplifting.  There will be a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and optional Lenten Confession.  The Conference is open to teens so this can also be a father and son event, a shared experience.   Non-Catholics are also welcome.  In the past the men have returned spiritually refreshed, reinvigorated, and enthusiastic.   Registration will be taken at the door.

            There’s more information on the home page of the diocesan website, www.diosteub.org and the Conference Blog, “Becoming a True Man of God” at diosteubmen.blogspot.com which is also 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.  One may also contact paulrsebastian@yahoo.com or call 740-245-9404.

            It should be a great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual reinvigoration. But most of all, the organizers expect 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.  The Men's Day of Renewal is growing into an annual event in the Diocese of Steubenville, thus fulfilling a great need.

           

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

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

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

AS A SHORT ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE EVENTS SECTION OR CHURCH CALENDAR

Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday, March 18 from 9 am – 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell off of Exit 25 of I-77.  The theme is “Mercy and Forgiveness, Faith and Trust……..Means of Developing Strength and Holiness in Difficult Times”.  The main speaker is Capt. Guy Gruters.  Dynamic and captivating, this nationally known author and speaker will show how his faith carried him through five years as a POW at the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam and how he learned to show mercy by forgiving his captors who tortured him.  The home page of diosteub.org gives a link to the brochure, additional information, and the Conference Blog.

                                                     

(125) Press Release to Catholic Newspapers

Capt. Guy Gruters

            I sent the following introduction and press release to the Catholic newspapers within a 200 mile or 3 hour radius of Caldwell, OH, our Men's Conference site.  Thus I included the diocesan newspapers of Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Parma (Byzantine), Pittsburgh, Wheeling-Charleston WV, and Steubenville Ohio.  Any press release should be sent a month prior to the Conference because Catholic newspapers are published only once a week or every other week.  Thus deadlines are easily missed.  It can be adapted to the Catholic reader.  

The addresses were easy to obtain by googling the internet. I sent the press release by e-mail all at once to the entire list. My philosophy was that the e-mail addresses one or two of the 9 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. 

AMDG

“Steubenville Catholic Register - Patricia DeFrancis - Editor” <pdefrancis@diosteub.org>, <register@diosteub.org>,

“Youngstown Catholic Exponent” <exponent@youngstowndiocese.org>,

“Cleveland Catholic Universe Bulletin Editor - Carol Kovach” <ckovach@dioceseofcleveland.org>, ,

“Cincinnati Catholic Telegraph” <cteditorial@catholiccincinnati.org>,

“Columbus Catholic Times News Editor” <dgarick@colsdioc.org>,
 <dgarick@columbuscatholic.org>,

“Pittsburgh Catholic News Editor” <pzezza@pittsburghcatholic.org>,

“Parma Byzantine Eparchy Horizons Editor - Lory Nemeth” <viscom@parma.org>, <lorynemeth@ameritech.net>,

"Pittsburgh Eparchy Byzantine Catholic World” <archpitt@aol.com>,  <bcw@archpitt.org>,

“West Virginia Catholic Spirit Director of Public Information & Marketing Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston - Tina High” <thigh@dwc.org>, “Colleen Rowan – Editor” <crowan@dwc.org>, <tbishop@dwc.org>, 

March 9, 2017

            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.  For those who do not attend, the article also gives a taste of the speaker's message, which challenges the men to become better spiritual leaders in the home, the parish, the community, and on the job.  Too many men are relegating that responsibility to their wives.

            Feel free to edit and condense it as you see fit.  If space is lacking, please at least consider the short announcement at the end for your Events section or Church Calendar.  You may contact me at 740-245-9404.  A photo of the main speaker, Capt. Guy Gruters, is attached and also the Conference brochure.

Thank you for your consideration and God bless.

                                  

PRESS RELEASE

        STEUBENVILLE DIOCESAN MEN’S DAY OF RENEWAL SATURDAY MARCH 18

            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%.  This is crucial because we are losing our youth.  As Danny Abramowicz of “Crossing the Goal” on EWTN likes to point out, “The children love Mom, but tend to follow Dad.”  Thus the participants in the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal will be held on Saturday March 18 from 9 am to 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell off of Exit 25 of I-77.  The men are challenged to become true men of God........dynamic Catholic leaders who will change the world, beginning with their families, their parishes, their communities, and the marketplace through their jobs.

            To complement the Mass presided by Bishop Monforton and Penance Service the featured speaker is Capt. Guy Gruters (USAF).  After graduation from the Air Force Academy with a B.S. in Engineering Science, Capt. Gruters flew more than 400 combat missions in Vietnam and received over 30 combat medals and awards.  He was shot down twice and captured the second time in 1967.  After leaving the Air Force, he captained DC-9s and Boeing 727s for Eastern Airlines until retiring in 1991.  Later Capt. Gruters was an account rep. for IBM and President of PC Software Systems.

            In his morning talk Guy Gruters will reveal how his faith and trust in God carried him through the ordeal as a Prisoner of War in the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” and other camps in Vietnam for over five years.  Since bitterness is self-destructing, he will share in the afternoon talk how he learned to show mercy and forgive his brutal captors who tortured him.  The participants will discover how they can apply the lessons learned by Capt. Gruters to their daily lives.  He is a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. 

 

            Drawing from his diverse experience and being a father of seven children, he will also touch on “Leadership and Teamwork in the Family, Church, and the Community”.  An excellent and dynamic speaker, Mr. Gruters gives talks all over the country and is the author of the book, “Locked Up With God”.

            This background puts Capt. Gruters in a position to speak on the theme of this year’s Diocese of Steubenville Men’s Conference, “Mercy and Forgiveness, Faith and Trust……..Means of Developing Strength  and Holiness in Difficult Times” and apply it to our daily lives.  That is through the power of faith rise up to be the spiritual leaders of their families, to do their part in renewing their parishes, be servant leaders in the community, and to make a difference for Christ by applying the social teachings of the Church to their professions.

Since Capt. Guy Gruters exhibits the spirit of sacrifice that veterans have made, the Conference will briefly honor all veterans present.  The MC will thank the veterans and ask them to stand.   

The goal of the Men's Day of Renewal is to focus on the spiritual development of the men of the diocese. Having spiritually strong men of faith and character translates into more solid families, more dynamic parishes, and better communities. This is crucial to the Church, now and in the future. It is also critical for nurturing vocations.  It involves sacrificing most of a Saturday with some travel, but Lent is all about sacrifice and the quest for holiness.  That gives a pilgrimage flavor.  During the middle ages, pilgrims would travel for days by foot or horseback.

            The men will see how the participants are moved by the beauty and power of the faith.   The experience of seeing so many men enthusiastically participating and lifting up their voices in song is uplifting.  There will be a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and optional Lenten Confession.  The Conference is open to teens so this can also be a father and son event, a shared experience.   Non-Catholics are also welcome.  In the past the men have returned spiritually refreshed, reinvigorated, and enthusiastic.   Registration will be taken at the door.

            There’s more information on the home page of the diocesan website, www.diosteub.org and the Conference Blog, “Becoming a True Man of God” at diosteubmen.blogspot.com which is also 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.  One may also contact paulrsebastian@yahoo.com or call 740-245-9404.

            It should be a great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual reinvigoration. But most of all, the organizers expect 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.  The Men's Day of Renewal is growing into an annual event in the Diocese of Steubenville, thus fulfilling a great need.

           

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

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

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

AS A SHORT ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE EVENTS SECTION OR CHURCH CALENDAR

Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal Saturday, March 18 from 9 am – 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell off of Exit 25 of I-77.  The theme is “Mercy and Forgiveness, Faith and Trust……..Means of Developing Strength and Holiness in Difficult Times”.  The main speaker is Capt. Guy Gruters.  Dynamic and captivating, this nationally known author and speaker will show how his faith carried him through over five years as a POW at the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam and how he learned to show mercy by forgiving his captors who tortured him.  The home page of diosteub.org gives a link to the brochure, additional information, and the Conference Blog.

(124) Press Release #3: The 2017 Men's Conference and All Future Ones to Be Consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

AMDG

The Pilgrim Statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary During her Visit to St. Ann's Church in Chesapeake

            At the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal on Saturday March 18 from 9 am – 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell of Exit 25 of I-77, the men will consecrate themselves and this Men’s Conference as well as all future ones to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the presence of her Pilgrim Statue which will be there to coincide with the current Year of Reconsecration of the entire Diocese to her.  St. Joseph will continue as its patron.  The Steering Committee is confident that Mother Mary will intercede for divine guidance and will round up her sons for a great turnout from all parts of our far flung diocese.

            Since Capt. Guy Gruters exhibits the spirit of sacrifice that veterans have made, we will briefly honor all veterans present.  They will be thanked by the MC and asked to stand. 

All men, including teens, are invited.  Thus this Conference can also be a great father and son shared experience.  In order to not exclude anyone, we will find a way for those who cannot afford the $25 fee to cover expenses.  If that is a serious impediment, first contact your pastor or parish representative or simply show up.   

The featured speaker is Capt. Guy Gruters who will reveal how his faith and trust in God carried him through the ordeal as a Prisoner of War in the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” and other camps in Vietnam for over five years.  Since bitterness is self-destructing, he will share in the afternoon talk how he learned to show mercy and forgive his brutal captors who tortured him..  The participants will discover how they can apply mercy, forgiveness, faith, and trust to their daily lives as sources of strength in difficult times and a means to grow in holiness. 

Drawing from his diverse experience in business and being a father of seven children, he will also touch on leadership and teamwork in the family, parish, the community, and on the job.  An excellent and dynamic speaker, Mr. Gruters gives talks all over the country and is the author of the book, “Locked Up With God”.

            Although there is registration at the door, the men are asked to send the $25 registration fee and form from the brochure to Roger Huck; P.O. Box 54; Beverly, OH 45715.  He can be reached at 740-336-9128 or huck4816@roadrunner.com.  Checks should be made payable to the Diocese of Steubenville.  This makes planning so much easier and minimizes waiting in line at the door.     

            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%.  This is crucial because we are losing our youth.  As Danny Abramowicz of “Crossing the Goal” on EWTN likes to point out, “The children love Mom, but tend to follow Dad.”

The men are challenged through the power of prayer, as true men of God and dynamic Catholic leaders, to change the world in little or big ways by prayer, example, word, and deed, beginning with their families, their parishes, their communities, and the marketplace through their jobs.

            The men are asked to bring their teenage sons, relatives, and friends.  Thus this Conference may also be a Father and Son event.  Seeing so many men enthusiastically participating and moved by the beauty and power of the faith are all uplifting.  Most return spiritually refreshed, reinvigorated, and enthusiastic. 

Even though this year’s Conference is in the geographic center of the diocese, the Steering Committee appreciates the fact that the men will be sacrificing most of a valuable Saturday, but that’s what Lent is all about….penance, self-examination, personal renewal, spiritual growth, etc.  The men on the geographic extremes will have to leave their homes at an early hour and travel up to three hours, but that gives the Conference a pilgrimage flavor, especially if there's prayer and discussion of the day's events.  Traveling together in a van would make for great fellowship and would solidify the parish as the men get to know each other better, more so if the pastor accompanies them.  There was once a time when pilgrims would travel for days to a shrine on foot or horseback. 

Some from far away may wish to stay overnight in Caldwell at the Microtel Inn at the I-77 exit behind Sunoco and Subway or in a motel in nearby Marietta and make it a weekend retreat, beginning with Stations of the Cross at 7 pm the day before at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, one of the most beautiful churches in the world.  Both Columbus and Pittsburgh are less than two hours away for a weekend with their wives.  Marietta is an attractive tourism center.   

The Conference will begin with a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament as a preparation for the Reconciliation Service and Mass presided by the Bishop Monforton. 

            Promotional materials, ideas, and articles by past speakers may be obtained from the Conference blog which promotes men’s spirituality at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com.  The diocesan website homepage at www.diosteub.org also provides a link to the brochure and more detail.  

(123) Examples: After Mass Announcements By the Pastor Supporting the 2017 Men's Conference

AMDG

Capt. Guy Gruters

           It is suggested that the Parish Representative ask the pastor to say a few words promoting the Men’s Conference after Mass and to also go.  We need confessors; his accompanying the men will help parish solidarity and help him to know his men better.  It may be something like the following as a starting point and be adapted according to the style of the pastor and the reality of his parish. 

First Announcement

          The Diocese is sponsoring a Men's Conference on Saturday March 18 at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell.  I strongly recommend that every man in the parish takes advantage of the nationally known dynamic speaker and author, Capt. Guy Gruters.  He will describe 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 North Vietnam.  Since resentment is self-destructive, he will also describe how he learned to have mercy and forgive the very captors who tortured him.  You will return spiritually refreshed and reinvigorated after a day of enjoyable fellowship, traveling together in the parish van.  Talk up the Conference among your friends.  Use the sign-up sheet in the back of the church and see our parish representative (e.g., John Doe) to register.  Please pray for a fruitful and well attended Conference.

Final Announcement the Sunday Before the Conference

       The Men's Conference is this coming Saturday March 18 at St. Stephen’s  Church in Caldwell.  The men will meet at the Parish Hall at 6:30 am and travel together like a pilgrimage in the parish van for some great fellowship and spiritual reinvigoration, a great sacrifice for Lent.

          Capt. Guy Gruters will share how his faith and trust in God carried him through over five years in the notorious Hanoi Hilton and other POW camps in Vietnam.  Because resentment is self-destructive, he will describe how he learned to have mercy and forgive the very captors who tortured him.  Talk up the Conference among your friends.  Sign up in the back of the church.  You may register at the door, but call your parish representative (e.g., John Doe) to register as soon as you can. That would make planning so much easier. Please pray for a fruitful and well attended Conference.

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

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

(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.

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

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

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

(121) The Deacon's Role in Promoting the 2017 Steubenville Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal

AMDG

Dear faithful Deacon:

            First of all, thank you so much for giving the rest of your life to God, His Church, and to us.  Your work is so important in assisting the pastor with administering the sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony, serving at Mass and thus making it special, giving homilies, ministering to the sick, counseling, teaching, parish administration, overseeing parish groups, etc., while keeping up with  the indispensable Liturgy of the Hours.   No longer does the American Church have the luxury of having two or more priests in almost every parish.  Through your most noble vocation, over your career you will have brought the Lord’s mercy to hundreds if not thousands of souls and help them along the narrow and often difficult road to salvation.  May God reward you richly and use all of the trials, crosses, and frustrations of your crucial job to make you a saint.  Again my deepest gratitude.

            May I ask your help in promoting it along with the parish representative and other laymen. Or you can be the parish representative yourself as at St. Paul’s and Christ the King in Athens.  Please permit me to impose upon your time with the following write-up of mine on the importance of the Conference and resources for promoting it.  By now your parish should have received at least one poster and a packet of brochures for each one of your parishes.  If not please contact Roger Huck by e-mail at huck4816@roadrunner.com or call him at home 740- 984-2234 or his cell at 740-336-9128.

ROLE OF THE DEACON IN PROMOTING THE DIOCESAN MEN’S CONFERENCE

A poster of the 2013 Charlotte Men's Conference in which two of our past speakers participated.  The poster sums up what the Men’s Day of Renewal is all about.

            It is the role of the father to assume spiritual leadership in the family, but in many if not most cases, the mother assumes that role.  As Danny Abramowicz, 2012 Conference speaker and former All-Pro wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, says, “The men have dropped the ball”.  If the father takes the spiritual lead, the probability that the children will remain faithful to the Church in later life doubles or triples.  The Church in American may be losing a generation of youth.  The men must become the pillars of the parish, not only the women.  The men must step up.  Thus it is crucial to reach the men and the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal plays an important part because the enthusiasm generated is contagious.  The men witness to each other.  Setting the men on fire means stronger families which in turn means the renewal of the parish.

          The Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal will be held on Saturday March 18 from 9 am to 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell.  The Conference will open with a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.  The featured speaker is Capt. Guy Gruters, nationally known author and dynamic speaker.  In his morning talk Guy Gruters will reveal how his faith and trust in God carried him through his ordeal as a Prisoner of War in the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” and other camps in North Vietnam for five years.  Since bitterness is self-destructing, he will share in the afternoon talk how he learned to show mercy and forgive his brutal captors who tortured him and deal with people in a business environment.  The participants will discover how they can apply mercy, forgiveness, faith, and trust to their daily lives as sources of strength in difficult times and a means to grow in holiness.  Capt. Gruters is a 4^th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. 

Drawing from his diverse experience and being a father of seven children, he will also touch on “Leadership and Teamwork in the Family, Church, and the Community”.  He is the author of the book, “Locked Up With God”.

          Bishop Monforton will give a talk and preside at Mass.  Confession with a Penance Service is also offered.  A bag lunch will be served.  This is a hard sell for many men, but the Lord will help us.  If we can mobilize an average of 10 men from every parish in the diocese, this event would be a smashing success! 

          The Ideal. We have found that when the pastor enthusiastically backs the Men’s Conference, participation of the men significantly increases.  The ideal is for the pastor to accompany his men; we need confessors.  The deacon can go with or instead of the pastor.  This is a great opportunity to become closer to the men and know them better.  This helps parish solidarity as the men also get to know each other better.  For those in the southern end of the diocese, the distance might be great, but that makes the Conference a Lenten sacrifice and gives it a pilgrimage flavor with enjoyable fellowship, discussion about points brought out, and prayer such as the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

We cannot expect the already busy and overworked pastor to constantly promote the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal.  We are grateful that many promote the Conference as bulletin blurbs, the brochure as a bulletin insert, including a prayer for its success in the Offertory Petitions at daily and Sunday Mass, give plugs from the pulpit after Sunday Mass, etc.  The pastor cannot do it alone; he needs the help of the laity.  However there is much the pastor can do with little effort on his part.  The deacon can do much of that instead of the pastor.

Useful Resources. The deacon can utilize our Conference Blog at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com.  This year the series (updated over time) will begin with Blog #111 – Overview; and continue with 112) Ad Form; 113) Diocesan Press Release #1; 114) Possible Short Bulletin Announcements; 115) Promotion Ideas; 116) Functions & Crucial Importance of the Parish Rep; 117) Sign Up Sheet; 118) Sample Bulletin Insert; 119) Diocesan Press Release #2; 122) Example of an After Mass Talk By a Layman; 123) Possible Pulpit Announcements; 124) Diocesan Press Release #3 125) Catholic Newspaper Press Release; 126) Secular Press Release; 127) Our Ad in the Program Pamphlet; and 128) Highlights of the 2017 Men's Conference. 

The bottom of the home page of the diocesan website at www.diosteub.org has a link to the brochure and Additional Information.  You should have received by now a poster and a packet of brochures for each of your parishes.  If not, please inform me.  For your convenience you will find attached 1) the Conference brochure with a 2) registration forms, 3) Additional Information, 4) Sample Bulletin Announcements, 5) Promotion Ideas, and 6) Functions of the Parish Representative.

There are also interesting articles on men’s spirituality at diosteubmen.blogspot.com, along with summaries of past talks, and other information.  After the Conference and throughout the year, articles will be added to help the men keep in good spiritual shape.  Clergy, Religious, and knowledgeable layman are invited to submit articles. 

  

Many if not most men will hardly notice the brochure as a bulletin insert, poster, bulletin blurbs, etc. although they are indeed important and helpful.  What they can’t miss is the one-on-one personal selling by their peers, i.e., talking it up.  The most effective form of advertising or promotion is word of mouth.  Most effective is the witness of men who have gone to a previous Conference.  What is needed is a little “arm twisting” figuratively.  And of course there’s Facebook, Twitter, texting, and the old fashioned phone calling.

The Parish Representative is crucial.  As in any organization, the executive must delegate as much as possible.  The key is to ask one or two good men to be parish representatives.  If one of them is a knight, he could have access to the local council of the Knights of Columbus.  Their main job is to promote the Conference, mainly by one-on-one personal selling, register the men, and organize them to go together in the parish van, car pool or bus.  He also helps the pastor to utilize the resources mentioned in the previous paragraph as submitting blurbs and an insert for the Sunday bulletin.  The parish rep can try to talk to each man in the parish before and after Mass or Stations of the Cross or other devotions, during fish fries, at parish or Knights of Columbus meetings, and other activities.  Please send the names, e-mail address, and phone number of the chosen parish representative(s) to both “Don Coen - Chair Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal” donandmargcoen@yahoo.com and to me at paulrsebastian@yahoo.com. 

The deacon may be the parish representative as in the case of St. Paul’s and Christ the King in Athens.  Or the deacon may supervise the promotional efforts of  two or three laymen.

Men may register individually or the parish representative may collect the registration forms with payment and send them to Roger Huck; %Men’s Day of Renewal, P.O. Box 54; Beverly, OH 45715.  This would save considerable time waiting at the door on the morning of the Conference.  Checks for the Registration cost of $25.00 per person are to be made payable to the Diocese of Steubenville with “Men's Day of Renewal” written on the memo line of the check.  If any man would like to go, but can’t afford it, we’ll find a way.

Once the Conference is over, the clergy and religious of the diocese are invited to submit for the Conference Blog at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com articles or copies of homilies that are particularly appropriate for men’s spirituality.        

(120) Backing of the Pastor Critical to the Diocesan Men's Conference

Dear faithful Pastor:

            First of all, thank you so much for giving your life to the God, His Church, and to us.  Your work is so important and crucial in being another Christ in bringing us Mass, the sacraments, counseling us, teaching us, overseeing parish groups, and managing the parish, an enterprise just as challenging as running a business enterprise or other organization.  Your duties in running one or two or even three parishes often with a school and other services can be overwhelming while keeping up with the indispensable Liturgy of the Hours.  Through your most noble vocation over your career you will have brought the Lord’s mercy to hundreds if not thousands of souls and help them along the narrow and often difficult road to salvation.  May God reward you richly and use all of the trials, crosses, and frustrations of your crucial job to make you a saint.  Again my deepest gratitude.

            May I ask your help in promoting it through a parish representative and other laymen.  A deacon or associate pastor can also help.  We realize that you cannot do it alone with all of your many responsibilities.  Please permit me to impose upon your time with the following write-up of mine on the importance of the Conference and resources for promoting it.  By now you should have received at least one poster and a packet of brochures for each one of your parishes.  If not please contact Roger Huck by e-mail at huck4816@roadrunner.com or call him at home 740- 984-2234 or his cell at 740-336-9128.

BACKING OF THE PASTOR CRITICAL TO THE DIOCESAN MEN’S CONFERENCE

A poster of the 2013 Charlotte Men's Conference in which two of our past speakers participated.  The poster sums up what the Men’s Day of Renewal is all about.

            It is the role of the father to assume spiritual leadership in the family, but in many if not most cases, the mother assumes that role.  As Danny Abramowicz, 2012 Conference speaker and former All-Pro wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, says, “The men have dropped the ball”.  If the father takes the spiritual lead, the probability that the children will men witness to each other.  Setting the men on fire means stronger families which in turn means the remain faithful to the Church in later life doubles or triples.  The Church in American may be losing a generation of youth.  The men must become the pillars of the parish, not only the women.  The men must step up.  Thus it is crucial to reach the men and the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal plays an important part because the enthusiasm generated is contagious.  The renewal of the parish.

          The Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal will be held on Saturday March 18 from 9 am to 3:30 pm at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell.  The Conference will open with a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.  The featured speaker is Capt. Guy Gruters, nationally known author and dynamic speaker.  In his morning talk Guy Gruters will reveal how his faith and trust in God carried him through his ordeal as a Prisoner of War in the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” and other camps in North Vietnam for five years.  Since bitterness is self-destructing, he will share in the afternoon talk how he learned to show mercy and forgive his brutal captors who tortured him and deal with people in a business environment.  The participants will discover how they can apply mercy, forgiveness, faith, and trust to their daily lives as sources of strength in difficult times and a means to grow in holiness.  Capt. Gruters is a 4^th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. 

Drawing from his diverse experience and being a father of seven children, he will also touch on “Leadership and Teamwork in the Family, Church, and the Community”.  He is the author of the book, “Locked Up With God”.

          Bishop Monforton will give a talk and preside at Mass.  Confession with a Penance Service is also offered.  A bag lunch will be served.  This is a hard sell for many men, but the Lord will help us.  If we can mobilize an average of 10 men from every parish in the diocese, this event would be a smashing success! 

          The Ideal. We have found that when the pastor enthusiastically backs the Men’s Conference, participation of the men significantly increases.  The ideal is for the pastor to accompany his men; we need confessors.  This is a great opportunity to become closer to the men and know them better.  This helps parish solidarity as the men also get to know each other better.  For those in the southern end of the diocese, the distance might be great, but that makes the Conference a Lenten sacrifice and gives it a pilgrimage flavor with enjoyable fellowship, discussion about points brought out, and prayer such as the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

          For example, Fr. Walter Heinz, pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Pomeroy was an imposing figure.  According to one of the men of the parish, he simply told the guys: “It’s all paid for and we’re going”.  They did.  It was hard to tell him, no.  He heard confessions while there and returned in time for his Saturday evening Mass. 

We cannot expect the already busy and overworked pastor to constantly promote the Diocesan Men’s Day of Renewal.  We are grateful that many promote the Conference as bulletin blurbs, the brochure as a bulletin insert, including a prayer for its success in the Offertory Petitions at daily and Sunday Mass, give plugs from the pulpit after Sunday Mass, etc.  The pastor cannot do it alone; he needs the help of the laity.  However there is much the pastor can do with little effort on his part.

Useful Resources. The pastor can utilize our Conference Blog at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com.  This year the series (updated over time) will begin with Blog #111 – Overview; and continue with 112) Ad Form; 113) Diocesan Press Release #1; 114) Possible Short Bulletin Announcements; 115) Promotion Ideas; 116) Functions & Crucial Importance of the Parish Rep; 117) Sign Up Sheet; 118) Sample Bulletin Insert; 119) Diocesan Press Release #2; 122) Example of an After Mass Talk By a Layman; 123) Possible Pulpit Announcements; 124) Diocesan Press Release #3 125) Catholic Newspaper Press Release; 126) Secular Press Release; 127) Our Ad in the Program Pamphlet; and 128) Highlights of the 2017 Men's Conference. 

The bottom of the home page of the diocesan website at www.diosteub.org has a link to the brochure and Additional Information.  You should have received by now a poster and a packet of brochures for each of your parishes.  If not, please inform me.  For your convenience you will find attached 1) the Conference brochure with a 2) registration forms, 3) Additional Information, 4) Sample Bulletin Announcements, 5) Promotion Ideas, and 6) Functions of the Parish Representative.

There are also interesting articles on men’s spirituality at diosteubmen.blogspot.com, along with summaries of past talks, and other information.  After the Conference and throughout the year, articles will be added to help the men keep in good spiritual shape.  Clergy, Religious, and knowledgeable layman are invited to submit articles.  

Many if not most men will hardly notice the brochure as a bulletin insert, poster, bulletin blurbs, etc. although they are indeed important and helpful.  What they can’t miss is the one-on-one personal selling by their peers, i.e., talking it up.  The most effective form of advertising or promotion is word of mouth.  Most effective is the witness of men who have gone to a previous Conference.  What is needed is a little “arm twisting” figuratively.  And of course there’s Facebook, Twitter, texting, and the old fashioned phone calling.

The Parish Representative is crucial.  As in any organization, the executive must delegate as much as possible.  The key is to ask one or two good men to be parish representatives.  If one of them is a knight, he could have access to the local council of the Knights of Columbus.  Their main job is to promote the Conference, mainly by one-on-one personal selling, register the men, and organize them to go together in the parish van, car pool or bus.  He also helps the pastor to utilize the resources mentioned in the previous paragraph as submitting blurbs and an insert for the Sunday bulletin.  The parish rep can try to talk to each man in the parish before and after Mass or Stations of the Cross or other devotions, during fish fries, at parish or Knights of Columbus meetings, and other activities.  Please send the names, e-mail address, and phone number of the chosen parish representative(s) to both “Don Coen - Chair Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal” donandmargcoen@yahoo.com and to me at paulrsebastian@yahoo.com.

The deacon may be the parish representative as in the case of St. Paul’s and Christ the King in Athens.  Or the deacon may supervise the promotional efforts of  two or three laymen.

Men may register individually or the parish representative may collect the registration forms with payment and send them to Roger Huck; %Men’s Day of Renewal, P.O. Box 54; Beverly, OH 45715.  This would save considerable time waiting at the door on the morning of the Conference.  Checks for the Registration cost of $25.00 per person are to be made payable to the Diocese of Steubenville with “Men's Day of Renewal” written on the memo line of the check.   If any man would like to go, but can’t afford it, we’ll find a way.

Once the Conference is over, the clergy and religious of the diocese are invited to submit for the Conference Blog at http://diosteubmen.blogspot.com articles or copies of homilies that are particularly appropriate for men’s spirituality.