2nd Annual Fall Men's Conference = Success

Tremendous Success

We had our 2nd Annual Fall Men's Conference yesterday and it was a tremendous success. +Taylor Marshall's talks and Q & A session were engaging, enlightening and empowering. Recognizing the upcoming close of the Year of Faith, this year's stated theme was Answering the Call to Holiness.

Two By Two

We had over 90 men in attendance from 15 different parishes. Two of the men travelled nearly two and half hours to attend the conference. While we only had a few more men attend than last year, I am particularly excited by the number of parishes represented. (Next year we will not book the same date as Texas-OU weekend.) This is an opportunity for existing men's groups to network and collaborate. For those parishes without men's groups, it is an opportunity to develop new apostolates. In this sense the conference was truly about iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17).

Upcoming Posts

I hope to devote a few upcoming posts to some of my thoughts from listening to Dr. Marshall's talks and from conversations I had with some of the men. Three main points I will elaborate on are: 1) the need for men to reclaim their authentic masculinity, 2) looking to St. Joseph as a role model and 3) how to develop a spiritual plan of life.

Dr. Taylor Marshall signing books and answering questions.

Three Talks and a Reflection

Dr. Marshall, who is founder of the New Saint Thomas Institute and author of 3 Catholic books, gave three talks and then graciously stayed to conduct a Q & A session. Fr. Alfonse Nazzaro, Parochial Vicar at All Saints Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas, gave an inspiring reflection on need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Caveat

I could tell that the guys who attended the conference were leaving spiritually rejuvenated and ready to implement some of the things they had learned. One of the points I made to the men as we were closing the conference, was to put on the armor of God because they were sure to come under attack from satan. The thought that came to mind is that an army is most vulnerable after a major victory in battle. The soldiers are susceptible to an attack because they have left their guards down. They have relaxed. I once heard a priest say that the devil never rests. Please join me in continuing the to pray for the men who attended the conference.

Thanks

On behalf of all the Joe Catholic team, I want to especially thank Two Hearts Catholic bookstore for donating all the books and the rosary we gave away as door prizes. Finally, we want to thank all the wives who provided all the morning and afternoon snacks.