2011 Follow-up

Written by Men of Christ | 23 February 2011

The feedback that we have received has been incredible. Men going to confession after 50 years, husbands re-uniting with their wives, father and son relationships being healed, profound religious experiences, spiritual growth, commitment to serve, putting faith into action... the list goes on and on. It was a powerful encounter with Christ's mercy, and a day that God will bless. One of our leaders said today “I am seeing the positive effects on our parish already.” Rejoice in God’s goodness. We are updating our website daily, and we're constantly adding new pictures.

Dynamic Men’s Group Training

We understand how important it is for men to come together on a regular basis, specifically to keep the flame going after experiencing such a powerful day. So, join us for a mini-conference on building a dynamic men’s group.

Register Online: here (enter 'free' in the promotion code box, otherwise thank you for the $10 donation)

Flyer Download: PDF Format

When: Saturday, March 26, 2011

Where: St. Vincent Palotti’s – Corner of 76th and Bluemound.

Who: All men who want to start or join a men’s group at your parish or in your local area.

Directions: Visit www.stvicnetpallotti.org

Schedule:

• 7:30 a.m. - Registration

• 8:00 a.m. - Mass

• 8:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. TMIY Program Review/ Breakout Session/Talks)

• 11:30 a.m. - Lunch

• 12:00 p.m. - End

Conference Feedback

We thought you would enjoy reading some of the responses from the men. Let us know if you have any additional feedback or share your experience by sending an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

1. How did this experience impact your life?

• I was moved to tears three or four times during the day. The best part was going to confession. It was a complete and detailed confession. The examination of conscience guide was most helpful.

• It gave me encouragement, and renewed hope.

• Profound religious experience and growth. Inspirational.

• I think this day was the most powerful day in all of my Catholic life. I want to try and dedicate every moment of the rest of my life to the Lord.

• Brought me back to Christ…have been in a desert lately.

• It reaffirmed and strengthened my Catholic faith.

• Opened my eyes to all the ways the Catholic Church can help me in my life and journey to heaven. Taught me the importance of prayer in life and the power of the blessed Mother.

• Father/son bonding time.

• Commitment to serve Jesus, my wife and my children with a deep commitment to my faith.

• It encouraged me to live my faith.

• It gave me hope.

• The confessional opportunity was very beneficial. My priest was excellent.

• It helped me keep on my journey to become a Deacon.

• Will take these lessons home to become a better father and husband.

• Inspired me to get more involved in living out my faith with men of Kenosha.

• A graced filled day. Opportunity for confession. I was convicted to take action in my life.

• It has caused a reawakening in my heart and desire to take action in prayer.

• It reminded me of what God created me to be: A holy man. It helped to recharge my batteries, so to speak, in this battle against the flesh, the world, and the devil.

• Showed me the importance of personal relationship with the Lord

• It’s going to get me back to where I left off as a child.

• It allowed me to draw closer to our Lord.

• Brought closer to Christ and I went to confession for the first time in 50 years.

• It brought me closer to my father and Christ. And I learned more about the Catholic faith.

• Very inspirational for prayer involving Jesus and mother Mary.

• Gave me an opportunity to realize how other men have the same problems or worse than me. Despite that Christ’s wants the best for us and will forgive us.

• Excellent men’s faith booster.

• I learned more about connecting my head to my heart so that my faith is a totality of living.

• I took advantage of reconciliation for the first time in many years.

• The power of Christ’s love.

• Showed me that someone can convert no matter how bad their earlier life was.

• It made me more open to God and helped me understand our purpose on this earth.

• Deeper awakening of my responsibility and prayer importance.

• Reenergizes my faith. Reminds me I need to “cowboy up” and take a stand for myself and my faith.

• It made me realize I was not as close to God as I thought I was.

• Bring me closer to my wife and family through greater depth of my faith.

• Refocused me.

• Energy to witness to the faith more fully.

• Keep the end in mind. Our life is journey.

• A great reminder to lead by example for my family.

• Recharged my spiritual battery.

• Refreshing my soul. Taught me biblical truth I never thought of. Prompted me to begin the rosary again.

• Made me understand how much more I need to pray.

• Help me to focus on Jesus.

• I encountered Jesus. Thank you.

• Taught me that I should pray with my family so I can be strong for my family. I want my family to holy and help them go to heaven.

• Makes me proud to be Catholic.

• It has inspired me to improve my Catholic life style.

• Showing how much us God loves us.

• This made me re-think my duty and role as a man.

• Help me find my way back to God.

• It will help me understand how to integrate the faith more in my daily life.

• Confirms my belief that man need to get together as a group yearly.

• I went thru a divorce in the past year, so the sacrament of penance and the talk by the Deacon really helped.

• As it does every year…it has tremendous impact.

• Motivated me to be more vocal about my faith and to witness more.

• Focus on being more sincere in my faith.

• Peace that surpasses understanding. Renewed faith and trust.

• Fortified my faith.

• Helps me reconnect with God at a time when I really need to.

• It has enriched my relationship with Christ.

• It is like getting refueled.

• It motivated me to be a better person.

• Taught me how to grow in my faith.

• It inspired me, like a spiritual recharge.

• Excellent speakers touched my heart; great confession reflection for me to change my ways.

• Opened my eyes to all the ways the Catholic Church can help me.

• Strengthened my faith.

• Pray more with my wife.

• Helped me grow in my faith.

• Confirmed me in my faith. It helped me to continue to proclaim Christ as my Lord and Savior.

• It creates a renewed commitment to prayer, particularly adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

• Great yearly recharge.

• Gave me some things to work on for my marriage.

• I must sacrifice, especially for my wife, to be a real man.

• Reminded me of the role faith plays in my life.

• It has allowed me the opportunity to spend time with men in Christ. My day was filled with contemplation of my sons. They are with me always.

• I realize that I’m not adequate in terms of my presence, example, and prayer before my children. I also need to protect and help my wife.

• As always every year has been a tremendous impact. This year, having a son in Afghanistan and have God as your armor with emphasis on America and our military provided an emotional blessed experience.

• Time for personal reflection on the day.

• What a blessed opportunity to be at the Men of Christ "Conference". To be able to be in the presence of real disciples of Jesus. Walking with them and shaking their hands. Sitting on the floor eating with them. Sitting on the side of the mount listening as the Holy Spirit willed the witness, testimony and God's truths to come from the lips of "Apostles".  Yes, a blessing
• I was remiss on my evaluation. The highlight of my day was Matt Strub's message, his "putting on the whole armor" reading, and the Pledge of Allegiance - with his son bravely standing on the stage, respectfully holding our flag. It was so powerful, yet extremely emotional. As Matt stated at the end. God bless America.

2. How will you take what you received today beyond the conference?

• I will become a great husband and father.

• Improvement in my faith life. More involvement in my faith community.

• I will be more mindful of how I act and try harder not to commit the same sins. Also, I will show more appreciation and give more affirmation to my family.

• I learned how to pray and the power of that prayer. I will take that home to my family.

• I will endeavor to live Christ’s message.

• I will work on starting a beyond the conference group at my parish.

• Share with parishioners

• I will continue to grow in prayer.

• I will tell others about the stories and experiences and spread the faith in my life. I will live in a more complete, holy way.

• Encourage other men to pray

• Pray the Rosary more often

• Delve more into scripture, be more bold witnessing/challenging/encouraging

• I will be more fervent in prayer and behavior.

• Increasing my influx of daily prayer into my family’s daily routine. New revived state to celebrate Jesus.

• Increase prayer life.

• I will share this experience with others and I’ll remember things that were said at this conference months from now that will help to bolster my faith when either myself or my faith are under attack.

• Looking to join “That man is you”.

• Get together with other guys.

• Tell others about it.

• I will make a concerted effort to spend more time with our Lord in prayer, and go to confession,

• Put more faith in God.

• Live everyday like you’re not guaranteed a tomorrow.

• Add more faith and prayer to my daily life.

• I will take what I received to my home, family and workplace.

• Pray the Rosary often.

• Tell the truth with love and concern to the people in my life, church, and community.

• Atone for my sins. Focus on a new prayer ritual, including educating myself in the lives of the saints and rosary.

• Prompt me to discuss my faith with my fallen away sons.

• Trust God more.

• Pray with my spouse. Participate in a follow-up group.

• I talk about Men of Christ the rest of the rest year.

• Pray the rosary and begin reading scripture.

• I will share it with my wife and children.

• Spend one hour in prayer every day..

• My family will pray the rosary.

• I plan to go to confession and adoration more often.

• I will tell my family I love them every day.

• I am going to work harder to be a better leader in my home.

• By learning more of how to learn the depth of the faith.

• Talk more to my family about Jesus.

• Take back this inspiration to my men’s pray group.

• I will be able to go home, and begin and new start with my three kids. Being a more confident parent, set examples by word and by doing.

• I will bring much of this into my personal life, especially in terms of increased prayer.

• Increase my prayer and adoration hour. Will try to bring two sisters back to the Church.

• Outreach to those I see struggling.

• More dedication to prayer.

• I will try and look at people through God’s eyes more and try to show love, and respect to everyone that I meet.

• Discuss with my wife how I can be a better husband.

• 1st – share with my wife. 2nd with my group. 3rd – share tapes with friends.

• I am considering restarting a local men’s conference.

• I will pray/incorporate the rosary and adoration more regularly in my life. I will witness my prayer life to my children.

• Work hard to be a saint.

• Live my faith with more conviction.

• I plant to commit to one hour of prayer and Eucharistic adoration. I also plan to wear the miraculous medal.

• Daily prayer/rosary, weekly adoration, daily mass..

• I understand now that I need to lead the family. Leading with truth thru faith in Jesus dying on the cross.

• Set more time apart for prayer and devotion to Mary.

• Will help in living as a “man of Christ”’ as a husband and member of my community

• Pass on my experience to others.

• Consecration to Mary will be the first thing I do when I get back.

• Try to live a better life in Christ.

• By being a better role model in public and at home.
   

3. Why do you believe men are not engaged in their faith?

• Priorities not arranged in the right order.

• They are not taught their faith well.

• I wish my father would have brought me to a conference like this in my late teens.

• Lack of brotherhood and support.

• It is viewed as unimportant and not popular or manly in today culture of ME. We need to continue to spread the truth in Jesus Christ and emphasize the greatest, most important man to be like.

• Lack of understanding of the faith and what it can do for them and people that they touch. We help by informing sharing what we know and believe. Give them the opportunity to decide.

• Look on it as a women thing…can do it myself

• Need more then Sunday mass.

• I don’t believe we have enough priests who live and tech as Jesus would teach and because of that very few examples for men to follow.

• Don’t want to be seen as “religious”

• We have it to good, and have forgotten why. We need to get the conference out to other parts of the country, and world.

• Don’t understand the faith

• Because they are weak, cowardly, girly men who do not know what true and authentic faith is? Their pride gets in their way to realize something is greater than they are.

• They see it as a weakness to have to humble yourself to God.

• Not taught as kids.

• Apathy and too much negative media

• Not a priority. Men think they can solve all their own problems without help.

• Competing pressures and ignorance.

• Lack of faith formation.

• Sometime men keep a manly cloak on them and don’t allow themselves to fully open up to the faith.

• The stresses and pressures of daily life gradually reduce a men to a hollow shell. They are existing not living. The breakdown of society’s morals further exaggerates the problem.

• Need more activities like this and men’s training.

• To easy to find an excuse to not be engaged.

• They do not understand the truth and realities of their faith as Catholics.

• I think they let life get in the way of faith. I think many had parents that let (poor) schools do the catechism, and it wasn’t learned.

• Weak support groups…no mentors

• Lack of desire to study/invest time in discovering their faith. They know the mechanics but last the substance.

• Feminized parish life.

• Don’t understand the faith.

• Laziness.

• Not trained.

• Have never been asked.

• They don’t know the truth.

• Misconception of the teachings.

• Peer pressure. Try to make everyone else happy instead of living by the truth. Stand up and be a man.

• Their faith becomes routine. The need more Christian coaching and individual approaches to becoming involved.

• They feel it is private. They feel afraid.

• Involved in too many worldly things.

• Our culture pulls us in many directions.

• Fear

• Not enough “real men” as role models and visible leaders in the church. Many men cannot relate to overly feminine nature of priests

• Men need to be reminded by other Men of Christ that importance of a real relationship with Jesus Christ and our Lady.

• We need to break the barriers of “faith isn’t manly.” Tears of joy may be shed for every man who comes back, and shares his faith.

• Forty years of lacking catechesis.

• Men are more loyal to their unions/political parities then to their Catholic faith.

• They take it for granted, and to occupied with things of the world. Coming to this conference would be a great start to coming back.