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.

2013 Fall Catholic Men's ConferenceFeaturing Dr. Taylor Marshall

Announcement

Joe Catholic, in collaboration with the Adult Formation team at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Carrollton, is hosting its 2nd Annual Fall Catholic Men's Conference. We would like to extend an invitation to the men in the DFW Metroplex to attend the conference.

Conference Information

The Fall Catholic Men's Conference will be held October 12th, 830AM-330PM in St. Catherine of Siena's new Education Building. This year's registration includes a $20 fee (scholarships are available for those with need). Each participant will receive a catered boxed lunch and a Catholic gift bag. Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration will be available as well.

Keynote Speaker
This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Taylor Marshall, former assistant director of the Catholic Information Center in Washington, DC, and author of three Catholic books. He has also been featured on EWTN's The Journey Home and Catholic Answers Live. Dr. Marshall's three talks will include:

• "Saint Joseph: Pattern for Leaders, Husbands, and Fathers”
• “The Catholic Man: Why We Lost Catholic Masculinity and How We Can Restore It”
• “Liturgy of Life: 9 Practical Ways to Take Your Spiritual Walk to the Next Level

Fr. Alphonse, priest at All Saints in Dallas, will be giving a brief reflection on the sacrament of Reconciliation.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Father's Day Guest Post: Canterbury Tales

Today's special Father's Day guest post is from Taylor Marshall who lives in Dallas, Texas. Marshall is a former Episcopal priest. He and is wife were received into the Catholic Church by Bishop Kevin Vann on May 23, 2006. He has previously worked for the Catholic Information Center in Washington, D. C. and has appeared on EWTN's the Journey Home with Marcus Grodi. Marshall is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Philosophy at the University of Dallas focusing on the Natural Law theory of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

In addition to working on his very successful blog, canterbury tales, Taylor Marshall has written two Catholic books. Most recently, he published The Catholic Perspective on Paul.

Fathers, Give Your Children a Gift: Pray with them the Rosary 365 days for 18 years!

The father of Holy Father John Paul II
He prayed nightly on his knees 

Tomorrow is Father's Day. Fathers, consider giving a gift in return. The best gift you could give to your children is to lead them in praying the Rosary every night with your family: for each child that's the Rosary 365 nights a year for 18 years. That's 348,210 Hail Mary's with "pray for us...at the hour of death"! (multiply that number times how many children you have)

• Also, praying will become for your children as natural as getting dressed or brushing their teeth. 
• When they go to college, they'll have a habit of praying the Rosary. 
• They will also have the life of Christ thoroughly memorized because of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. 
• Everyone in your family who participates in the daily family Rosary can potentially receive a plenary indulgence every day (the usual conditions apply). 
• You're family will come together around Jesus and Mary every day - great memories. 

Blessed John Paul II said that he owes his vocation to seeing his dad praying on his knees every night. How many children have never seen their father on his knees in prayer? Why not make this a daily practice and lead by example? 

Happy Fathers Day. Be a father, and hold the spiritual reigns of your home.

ad Jesum per Mariam,

Taylor
PS: Having a hard time establishing the daily Rosary in your home? Here are 12 tips for praying the Family Rosary daily (please click here).

Father Corapi Update & Guest Post

Father Corapi and me in Austin, TX. Alexander House Event

Fr. Corapi Update
I am working on putting together a post reflecting on and commenting on the recent announcement made by Father Corapi.

Taylor Marshall on Fatherhood
Additionally, and not related, we will have a special guest post from Taylor Marshall tomorrow about Father's Day from a great Catholic perspective.

[Editor's Note: It's obvious by the amount of traffic this minor post has received, that people are still interested and praying for Fr. Corapi. I don't have any new insights or information. I can recommend the Father John Corapi website, which contains a number of his talks in YouTube format, and the Fr. Corapi Facebook page. These are the closest things to having regular information and places for people to share their prayers for Fr. Corapi. None of the sites are officially associated with Fr. Corapi.]