(112) Easter Dinner at the St. Peter's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen and the St. Louis Church Connection..........a Beautiful Ecumenical Effort Among a Number of Local Churches in Gallipolis, Ohio

 AMDG

Published in the Gallipolis Daily Tribune April 2013

A typical scene at the ecumenical soup kitchen of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Gallipolis

          Every Easter is different, especially this one.  My wife works the last Sunday of every month at a local soup kitchen, which happened to fall this year on Easter Sunday.  For some 20 years now a group of volunteers from several churches cook and host a monthly Sunday dinner for the community at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Hall in Gallipolis……a beautiful ecumenical effort among Lutherans, Methodists, Catholics, the Church of the Nazarene, etc.  The local Episcopal diocese gives a grant for equipment, food, etc. that keeps it going. 

         Our own St. Louis Catholic Church is well represented.  Gary & Sherrie Fenderbosch were involved in its founding and are currently the prime movers of Outreach, a community effort to help the poor, which got its start with St. Louis Church years ago.  Jennie Kaiser was very active in its early years.  Currently Allie Clark, Jaga Sebastian, Bruce & Jan Davison are regular volunteers.  A number of our parishioners donate food as directed by the sign-up sheet in the back of the church.  For example, Amilda Thompson donates the bread every month.  Then don’t forget our Catholic Women’s Club, which has been generous with donations as it quietly continues to make an impact upon our parish and surrounding community.  This shows that our parish not only worships and professes the faith; it puts the faith in practice……love thy neighbor. 

         Different church youth groups help occasionally as well, including our YACHT Club with their advisers, Barbara & Alan White.……packing carryouts, setting, waiting on, and bussing tables, washing dishes, etc.  It gives them all a taste of reality and social awareness.  Sooner or later a looming question must enter their young minds:  “What are YOU going to do about this?  What can WE as a community do?

            The Easter meal was substantial with the traditional Easter ham, potatoes, and string beans with a choice of tea, lemonade, and punch.  Each person received an Easter bag with imitation green straw, an Easter egg, and a plastic egg with candy inside.  For dessert they served very artistically decorated cupcakes, all with an Easter theme.  At the table there was a bowl of jelly beans.  What would Easter be without jelly beans?

          Since Jaga would have to cook again, it dawned upon us:  Why not help out and have dinner with God’s poor?  It was a great experience and an opportunity to communicate just a little bit of God’s love as His instruments!  The people were of different races and backgrounds.  One was sitting alone and so I asked if I could join him.  I started with small talk and others joined us.

           Getting to Know the Diners. “A happy Easter to you!  Kind of cold for Easter”.  “Do you come here every month?”, I asked.  “O yea.  The food’s good.  By the end of the month my money runs out.”   Thus I finally realized why they chose the last Sunday of the month for the soup kitchen, which they call “Loaves and Fishes”……a very fitting name.  Some people begin to go hungry and skimp on food as the cupboards begin to go bare at the end of the month.  With the volunteers shopping (often using their own resources), cooking, and serving, the food does seem to multiply.  The patrons count on “Loaves and Fishes” and food pantries as well as meals given by other churches around town.  The volunteers prepared and distributed a total of 276 meals, even delivering a number of meals to shut-ins.  Well over 80 people came……76 dined in the church hall and they along with others brought the remaining meals home to their families, perhaps saving some for the next day.   No questions asked.

          “Are you working or are you looking for something?”   “No, I have schizophrenia, but I’m under medication” came the reply.  Then he talked a little about himself.  Later another said he is bipolar.  Later a woman joined in and the other left.  “I had a nervous breakdown after my abusive husband left me”.   When I finished eating, I bussed a few tables.  One very articulate and talkative person started a conversation.  “I had a debilitating stroke and get dizzy.  So I can’t work near machinery and I’m on disability”.

            Insights Gained.  These are beautiful but hurting people with such great dignity and value, created according to the image and likeness of God.  They don’t fit the common stereotype of “lazy people who are happy to collect welfare checks”.  They would love to work if they could, but are not capable of holding a steady 40 hour a week job due to mental or physical disabilities.  In fact some of the patrons are also volunteers.  Nothing raises the dignity of a person more than being able to hold a job.  Of course, the ideal is to help people to help themselves through job training and education or to provide at least routine part time menial work to help them supplement their incomes.  For example, people with developmental disabilities once trained usually do better and are happier than the so called “normal” people in doing simple tasks such as janitorial work or washing dishes.  Every one of us is handicapped in one way or another and are dependent upon God.

         Communities and churches mobilizing their resources and volunteers to work with the poor as in soup kitchens is a much better and a more efficient way to help than dehumanizing handouts by Big Government because it is a labor of love and the motivation is to follow Christ’s teaching.  Furthermore, according to the Principle of Subsidiarity in Church social teaching as defined in paragraph 1883 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co-ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good."  In other words, governments should not do what lower levels of Society are capable of doing. 

        The volunteers usually receive more than they give……personal satisfaction, spiritual enrichment, and the opportunity to grow in virtue as they follow the commands: “love thy neighbor”; “do unto others”; “you do it unto me”.  Here they can discover the Risen Lord in their brothers, who in turn sanctify them.  Liberal Catholics and conservative Catholics can find some common ground by working together in serving the poor in a soup kitchen.  We can never repay God for all that He has done for us, but we can serve Him by serving His people. 

        On the other hand, so often government bureaucracies are secular and impersonal where it becomes giving without love and care without concern.  But until individuals, communities, businesses giving something back, and churches are willing to do much more, we will have to be dependent upon Big Government to help local communities with aid such as matching funds.  Then we must bear the burden of continuing government deficits and an unsustainable national debt that continues to increase.

        We cannot ignore the social ills of our society; we must do something.  Since God gave the riches of the earth to all, not to a chosen few, we are stewards of our wealth, be it large or small.  Andrew Carnegie, the great but sometimes ruthless industrialist and later philanthropist realized this truth.  Thus we have a choice to make:  1) Shove our individual responsibilities upon Big Government?  Then pay more taxes and stop complaining.  2) Do we want less taxes?  OK…..then accept our social responsibilities to do our part as individuals, as businesses, as volunteers in faith based organizations, and as communities.  Retirees who are able:  volunteer your time, talent, and treasure.  Don’t become couch potatoes only to wither away and die.  You’ll be happier, more fulfilled with a sharper mind, and live longer.                  

            The Eucharistic Meal.  On April 21 ten children of our parish will receive their Holy Communion.  That brings in more insights.  At the Loaves and Fishes community dinner volunteers serve and dine with the poor, who have different handicaps and backgrounds, breaking bread with them.  That creates empathy, greater understanding, and a bond of love.  At Mass we have the same on a grander scale…….the Eucharistic Banquet.  People from all walks of life, rich and poor, healthy and disabled, different racial and ethnic backgrounds all share in the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ Himself in a mysterious way under the appearances of bread and wine.......really the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit which are inseparable.  The Eucharist binds or connects us together more closely in the Mystical Body of Christ, which we are all a part of.  This facilitates unity, reconciliation, and cooperation among people in furthering Christ’s kingdom on Earth.

          According to Fr. Robert Barron in his book, “Eucharist”, “God hosts a banquet at which His human creatures share life with Him and each other”.  Later, he notes: “Only when we sit together at the meal hosted and made possible by God will we truly sit together in peace.” 

        It’s fascinating to google “Miracles of the Eucharist” on the internet to strengthen your faith.  This will give you many videos and articles.  The most extensive is the Vatican Photographic Exhibition of the Church Approved Eucharistic Miracles of the World in several languages.  Click on http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/a3.html.  That same home page also has links to three Children’s books on the Eucharist with activities.  It also has another link to a short but fascinating descriptions of the major Marian shrines around the world and their histories, showing that Mary has been active interceding for her children and nurturing the faith through the centuries.  There is ample biblical evidence of the real presence in the gospels, especially in John 6…….”Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day” (John 6:54).  "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me" (Luke 22:19).  Is the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ beyond God?

            At the Eucharistic table we receive the bread of life, heavenly food, and the graces that come with it.  Christ loves us so much that He not only suffered and died for us, but also gives us Himself in the Eucharist as often as we attend Mass.  The Creator of the universe, the King of the Universe, the Almighty, the all-knowing ingeniously creative God comes into our hearts in a real way but mysterious way, physically and spiritually for a short period of time…….a communion with the infinite!  Never, NEVER, take the Eucharist lightly!  The Eucharist brings us closer to God and gives us the strength to continue on in our quest for holiness as we journey to eternity.  In gratitude we are motivated to return some of God’s great love for us by loving others and by expressing our love to Him through praise, sacrifice, and worship.  Christian love is simply a sincere preoccupation for the good of others.  That entails putting our love into action by serving others as the volunteers do at the soup kitchen…...to love all, not necessarily to like everyone.

            The Jews celebrate the Passover Meal in memory of the flight from Egypt to freedom.  They offered an unblemished lamb to the Father.  Then they would consume it.  At Mass we offer the Lamb of God to the Father, as the bloody sacrifice of Calvary for our redemption is brought to us and made present in an unbloody way that transcends time.  Similarly, the Last Supper is brought to us at the Consecration and we consume the sacrificed Lamb of God, the living resurrected Christ in the Eucharistic Banquet.  Some learned theologians know all about God, but don’t know God.  The best way to know Christ personally is by receiving the Eucharist often and through Eucharistic Adoration.  Sometimes one can feel or sense the divine presence when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.

            May our innocent first communicants stimulate their parents and us to appreciate the awesome gift of the Eucharist and to receive it EVERY Sunday and sometimes during the week.  May they and all of us grow to love Christ in the Eucharist more and more as the center, the source, and the summit of our Faith.  May we consider Eucharistic Adoration an awesome privilege to be taken advantage of at every opportunity.  May the Eucharist keep these children and every one of us always faithful to Christ and His Church……especially in fulfilling the very grave Sunday obligation.  When one becomes lax in regard to Sunday Mass and the Eucharist, one will suffer from spiritual malnutrition and sooner or later will lose the faith.  Don’t let that happen to you!  Thanks to Fr. Thomas Hamm, our very learned pastor, for checking my Theology for accuracy and giving his imprimatur.

      

(111) A Challenge: Start a New Sexual Revolution on the College Campus

AMDG

Presentation as a member of a panel on “Human Sexuality” at the University of Rio Grande on February 21, 2013.  Televised live by the University of Rio Grande on Time-Warner Cable which covers the campus, the village of Rio Grande, Wellston, and Jackson, Ohio.

 HUMAN SEXUALITY: A CHRISTIAN POINT OF VIEW

        I would like to present to you a Catholic Christian perspective on human sexuality that may be new to some of you since much of it goes against today's secular culture.  No matter what your opinion is, every college graduate should be aware of the conflicting points of view in our society. 

        Sex as God intended is pure and beautiful!  The abuse of sex is evil.......and causes a host of other evils in our society and in our midst......too numerous to mention in the limited time I have here.

        There is nothing more beautiful than on that wedding night, for the first time and always.......she exclusively for him and he exclusively for her.  But today with recreational sex so common in the college hook up culture, so often it's a matter of what else is new?  It's old stuff and the wedding is not as fulfilling. 

        The probability of a lasting marriage is much greater when the man and the woman go into it as virgins.  According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, divorce is over 50% more likely when the couple has cohabited before marriage.  Why?  Because as they state it, the couple goes into marriage with a renter's mentality.  Before marriage, the attitude is, “We can always break up”; there is no commitment.  After marriage that same mentality continues and divorce is the result when they hit the inevitable rough spots. 

        When a couple has sex for the first time on that wedding night, it's a new and shared experience, much more meaningful that seals the marital bond and strengthens it.

        Theology of the Body. One of the major contributions of John Paul II was his introduction of the “Theology of the Body”, a restating of Church teaching on human sexuality in a more positive, vibrant, and beautiful way.  He affirmed that the sex act is a complete self-giving of the man to the woman and vice versa.  This makes marriage not 50-50, but 100-100......a complete commitment of love and service until death do they part, no matter how tough things get.  In the ideal, it’s dying to self.  This mutual self-giving and commitment, the marriage covenant are renewed each time the couple engages in the joy and pleasure of intimate marital relations.  To do that, to really mean it, and to put it into practice can only solidify a marriage and help it to weather any marital storm that may occur. 

        Through the sex act, husband and wife become one flesh, the most intimate union possible between a man and a woman.  This is the unitive aspect.  The product of that intimate union under God may be another human being with great dignity. By being open to children, even with natural family planning, the couple confides in the will of God and cooperates with Him in the possible creation of a real person with a tremendous dignity because that baby, born or unborn, is created according to the image and likeness of God with a special purpose in life and for eternity.  We call this participation with God in creating a human being as procreation.  Thus the gift of sex is sacred, not to be abused.......not to simply be used for fun, going from one partner to another.  That promiscuous mentality makes mutual self-giving a joke because it's a “what's in it for me?” attitude……in other words, old fashioned selfishness.    .

        Recreational sex is a big lie, empty of meaning.  According to the Theology of the Body, recreational sex is using another person as an object for one's own selfish pleasure.  That is a gross violation of the dignity of the person.  Saying that young people are incapable of controlling themselves unwittingly puts them at the level of animals, who are guided by instinct rather than a rational free will.  Usually the single woman looks for love and commitment in sex; the single man looks for conquest and pleasure.  The guy gets what he wants and the woman is cheated by a smooth line, only getting a broken heart out of it.   

       Even if the couple is going steady and think they are committed and marriage seems to be not far off, I would strongly advise: WAIT!  You won't regret it.  Breakups are all too common and the bond is not as strong if they do get married.  If the couple has the self-discipline and mutual respect to be chaste before marriage, the probability of being faithful and committed after marriage is much greater.

        Common is the guy who brags in the locker room about all of his conquests.  Interesting is that many if not most of them still have the ideal that they want the future mother of their children to be a virgin before marriage.  Be men and women of God; maintain the beautiful ideal of purity.  Your friends might make fun of you and you may not be popular, but they will respect you, especially the true man or true woman, the type that you would want to be your future spouse for good.

        Believe me!  Wait until marriage and save yourself for the man or woman that is meant for you.  Don't give yourself to one person after another.  Even if you are not a virgin now, you can still become a secondary virgin by resolving to be chaste from now until marriage.  You won't regret it and you'll have a better marriage, a more satisfying and more fulfilling one when the right man or woman comes along.   

    The Challenge. Almost 50 years ago, our country went through a sexual revolution that created the mess we're in now.....rampant STDs in epidemic proportions with often permanent effects (35 different ones), unwed mothers, divorce (half of all marriages), about a million abortions per year.  I challenge you to be part of a new sexual revolution.......to put the gift of sex in its proper place as God intended.  Thank you.

Rebuttal

            *The Bible is explicit about sexual sin in Sodom and Gomorra in the Old Testament and in Corinthians in the New Testament.  According to the Bible, the people of Sodom and Gomorra “did what was right in their own minds”.  That of course is moral relativism that denies absolute truth.   

            *The Church has nothing against those with homosexual tendencies.  However, it cannot condone acting it out nor the lifestyle.  Homosexual sex is wrong and heterosexual sex outside of marriage is wrong.  Homosexual marriage is wrong because there is no complementarity.  It is unnatural and not intended by God.  The primary purpose is pleasure.  Yes, it is a sacrifice for a homosexual to remain celibate just as it is a sacrifice for a heterosexual religious or unmarried layperson to remain celibate.  But that is a path toward sanctity.

            *They have found no definite genetic link to homosexuality.  Conservative Christian psychologists say that boys without a strong father are at risk for homosexuality.  There are psychologists who claim that that good therapy can change a homosexual orientation.

Closing Statement

            *I was in the Kroeger Supermarket this morning and stumbled upon US Weekly Magazine.  Its feature article caught my eye: “The Virgin Bachelor”.  It’s about Sean Lowe, the movie star, actually a born again Virgin, i.e., a secondary virgin.  A caption on the cover continues: “The girls are stunned to learn Sean’s saving himself for marriage.  Can his fiancé endure the wait?”  I ask: why not?  Then that marriage will be a lot more satisfying.  Sean Lowe has taken a giant step in the new sexual revolution.  Will you take the next step in the new sexual revolution?  Thank you.   

Additional Comments to Use in the Discussion

            The Consequences of the Abuses of Sex are many:

ñ  Sexually Transmitted Diseases - over 35 of them.  Condoms do not protect against many if not most STDs, including AIDS.  We have an epidemic of STDs.  One of them is said to cause cervical cancer.  Would you have so called “safe sex” with someone with AIDS?   Condoms do not provide safe sex, only safer sex.  According to J. Everett Coup, a former Surgeon General of the United States, said:  “They slip; they rip; they tear; and they have minute holes in them, large enough for the HIV virus to pass through.”  Isn't that playing Russian Roulette? 

ñ  Unplanned Pregnancies - The failure rate of condoms is somewhere around 10% in preventing pregnancy.    Natural Family Planning, if done correctly, is as least as effective.  There's quality problems with condoms, especially if they are stored at high temperatures or deteriorate in some kid's wallet, waiting for his “opportunity”.  Google “the link between abortion and breast cancer” and “the link between the pill and breast cancer”. 

ñ  Abortion – Over 50 million of them since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.  There is considerable evidence that links the pill, an abortificent, with breast cancer.

ñ  Adultery & Higher Divorce Rates with the consequence of broken families.  Most marriages end up in divorce.

ñ  Pornography – a common addiction among men.  James Dobson had a numer of interviews with Ted Bundy, the serial killer on death row.  Bundy admitted that it all started with porn…….soft porn is not enough.  Next is hard porn and that is not enough to satisfy the addiction, just like with drugs.  Find me a rapist who was not on porn.  I’m not saying that every person on porn will become a rapist, but the probability increases the deeper he gets into porn.

 ñ    Sex Crimes as Rape and Serial Murders

 ñ    Guilt & Loss of Reputation as with fallen congressman.

 ñ    Prostitution

 ñ  Single Mothers Abandoned by the Fathers, who often must  take low paying jobs to support the child or children.

 ñ    Cohabitation and unstable relationships 

(110) Fr. Larry Richards Featured at the 2013 Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal

AMDG

The dynamic Fr. Larry Richards in action at a Conference.

Editor's Post Conference Note:  For a summary of Fr. Larry Richards' talk and the 2013 Men's Day of Renewal, go to

(48) Fr. Larry Richards Wows the 250 Men at the 2013 Steubenvile Diocesan Men's Day          of Renewal  https://diosteubmen.blogspot.com/2014/02/14.html

        The 2013 Steubenville Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal will be held at St. Stephen’s Church in Caldwell, Ohio on Saturday March 16 from 9 am to 3 pm.  The theme is “Embracing the Faith” with St. Joseph as the patron of the Conference.  At 8 am before the official start of the Conference, there will be a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary.  The program includes the dynamic and entertaining speaker, Fr. Larry Richards, who will challenge the participants to be true men as God intended.  Too many of us really don’t know what true manhood is.  Also included is a Penance Service and a Mass presided, by Bishop Jeffrey Monforton.  The priests attending will concelebrate with him. 

             The goal of the Men's Day of Renewal is to focus on the spiritual development of the men of our diocese. Having spiritually strong men of faith and character translates into more solid families, more dynamic parishes, and better communities. These are crucial to the Church, now and in the future, not to mention the critical need for nurturing vocations.  The theme of the Conference is “Embracing the Faith” with St. Joseph, model of a true man of God, as its patron.  The distance is great for many, but that gives the Conference a pilgrimage flavor and Lent is all about sacrifice.  After all, we're in a Super Bowl, and each one of us must win it.  The trophy for victory, the prize is eternal salvation, everlasting happiness in heaven when Christ Himself would say to you...... “Well done good and faithful servant.” 

 

            Too often the women are the pillars of the parish.  It is essential that the men take the spiritual lead in the family and in the parish.  One holy woman in our diocese likes to challenge the men and say: "I don't see many REAL men around".......i.e., authentic men of strong character, virtue, and integrity.......willing and able to put Catholic values into their families, their professions, and the public square.  She refers to some research.  It concludes that if the mother takes the spiritual lead in the family, there is in the neighborhood of a 40% probability that the children will remain faithful to the Church in later life.  However, if the father takes the spiritual lead, that probability doubles to about 80%.  If the men can get into good spiritual shape, we'll have stronger families and parishes.  Set the men on fire and you renew not only the parish, but the entire diocese and ultimately the Country, thus transforming Society.

             Fr. Larry Richards, the main speaker, is a captivating, dynamic, and entertaining speaker as well as a favorite at men’s conferences around the country.  He has considerable experience as a counselor and in conducting many retreats, parish missions, and conferences for people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.  He will answer some of the most profound questions that men encounter in their lives.  See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nprg5Ew6Mo to previewone of his talks.. 

            Fr. 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. He calls men to admit their faults, weaknesses, and limitations, while urging them to find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults. 

            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.

            It should be a great day of enjoyable fellowship and spiritual invigoration.  The last three years the men returned refreshed spiritually, reinvigorated, and enthusiastic.  Expect the same this year.  Most impressive in prior years was the Mass concelebrated by the Bishop with up to 25 pastors who accompanied their men.  The men sang with such enthusiasm that the walls reverberated.  It was great to see how the participants are moved by the beauty and power of the faith and it's contagious. 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 greater closeness to God and eternity which life on earth is all about.  If successful, a Men's Day of Renewal can become an annual event in our diocese, thus fulfilling a great need. 

            One or two good men are urgently needed in each parish to help to assure adequate promotion overall and to promote the Men's Conference with one on one selling of the event.  Then they would organize the men to go as a group in the parish van, a van pool, or hiring a bus.  That would be great fellowship and would solidify the parish as the men get to know each other better, especially if the pastor accompanies them and we'll need confessors.  If the distance is great, there would be a pilgrimage flavor, especially if there's prayer and discussion of the day's events.  Pastors, already overworked, can't do it all, especially the grunt work of promotion.  They need the help of the laity.        

            Each prospective parish representative is asked to make his availability and contact information known to the Chair of the Steering Committee, Steve Ishmael at 740-635-2102, 740-296-9927, or swi167@comcast.net.  The  parish representative may collect the registration forms and send them to Ishmael at P.O. Box 167; Lansing, OH 43934.  This would save considerable time waiting at the door.  This may also be done individually. Make the check for $25 payable to the Diocese of Steubenville and write “Men's Day of Renewal” on the memo line of the check. 

            Other Promotional Help Needed.  The best form of advertising is word of mouth.  Thus we are asking participants of past years to tell their friends about this great opportunity for spiritual renewal.  The local Knights of Columbus council can be invaluable in mobilizing their members and the other men in the parishes.  A layman could briefly talk about the conference at the end of Mass.  Other parish groups can help with the promotion.  The women can be most valuable in encouraging their men to attend.......husbands, sons, fathers, boy friends, etc.  Certainly, they want them to be true men of God.  This is really part of the new evangelization and every Catholic shares in that mission Christ gave us.  Perhaps, the parish could help the men who cannot afford the cost.

            Donations Needed & Ads Invited.  It is very expensive to put on a Conference of this magnitude and bring the top speakers of the country.  At the same time, the Steering Committee is doing its best to keep the Conference affordable for each participant during these difficult economic times.  Thus we are asking for donations from businesses, parish organizations, the Knights of Columbus, and individuals.  Ads in the program are also available.  Please send any check to Steve Ismael as shown above. Businesses also have an opportunity to place ads in the program brochure.

            Often the enthusiasm generated at a men's conference is contagious and there is a spillover into parish life since the men see fellow participants moved by the beauty and power of the faith.  Non-Catholics are also welcome.  This is all a part of the new evangelization in in this Year of Faith......to fire up the apathetic Catholic who doesn't do much beyond attending Sunday Mass, i.e., the minimalist; to touch the drifting Catholic and the fallen away through the publicity and inviting them to attend.  

       More information is available from your pastor, Steve Ishmael above, or “Paul Sebastian” <pauls@rio.edu> at 740-245-9404.  The latter will provide the address to the Men's Conference blog, which has a wealth of promotional materials (possible bulletin and pulpit announcements, a possible bulletin insert, promotional ideas at the parish level, crucial role of the parish representative, possible talk by one of the men after Mass, etc.), interesting articles, and other information.  After the Conference through the rest of the year, articles will be added to help the men keep in good spiritual shape and continue in their quest of becoming true men of God.    

            Although registrations will be accepted at the door, please register as soon as possible.  That would make planning much easier and would minimize waiting at the door.

SUMMARY OF WHAT THE MEN'S CONFERENCE CAN DO FOR YOU

*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 bring.

*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 in this Year of Faith as you do your part in evangelizing, establishing the  kingdom, winning the spiritual-culture war against secularism, and putting Christ into your profession.

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

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