Arm Yourself for the Spiritual Battle

If you still think praying the Rosary is just for women, then check out this video from Doug Barry's RADIX apostolate. By the way, Doug Barry is going to be one of the speaker's at this year's North Texas Catholic Men's Conference. He will certainly challenge you to man up!

14 Priests, 60 Parishes & 700+ Laymen = NTMC

Q & A Session

Over 700 Catholic men from 63 parishes throughout the North Texas region attended the first annual North Texas Catholic Men's Conference at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano, Texas . The guest speakers included the team from EWTN's Crossing the Goal: Danny Abramowicz, Peter Herbeck, Curtis Martin and Brian Patrick. The theme of conference was Spiritual Spring Training and the topics included Conversion, Transformation and Evangelization.

Curtis Martin urged the men to use the weekend as a catalyst for change. He exhorted that the world was in "desperate need of Godly men." He explained that being a Christian is more than just being faithful; it's about being fruitful. He laid out a three-point plan for evangelization: Win, Build and Send. His primary premise is that we have to win the hearts of our friends and family by demonstrating the love we have for our faith. People have to see a difference in us.

Martin asked the men in the crowd if the people they hung out with and worked with knew they were Catholic. He insisted they should and if they don't we are doing something wrong. Martin used the example of having a close friend who has known you for years, but didn't know you were married. "Either you have a problem in your friendship or your marriage, if that friend doesn't know you are married," explained Martin.  Quoting St. Catherine of Siena, he said, "If you are what you are meant o be you will set the world on fire!"

Danny Abromawitz, the former NFL player/coach and author of Spiritual Workout of a Former Saint, had a great down to earth approach in discussing the Catholic faith. At one point in explaining our devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary he said, "let's put aside theology and talk common sense. If you asked my mother to ask me do something, do you think I am going to do it? Even if I don't like you." In response to a question from the floor, he responded, "we don't for field goals, we only go for touchdowns!"

The conference included the entire group praying the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament. It was incredible to hear 700 men praying together. Fourteen local priests attended the conference to provide the men an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The lines for Confession were long! The conference culminated with the celebration of Mass and concluded with the organizers vowing to make this an annual event. Leaders of local men's groups are urged to contact the organizers as they continue to develop a system of parish captains to nurture the growth of the conference.