Thank You!

Written by Men of Christ | 04 January 2010

Thank you all for attending the fourth annual Men of Christ conference. As many have said, “it was the best conference to date.”

The Lord did bless us that day by bringing us together, and inspiring us to live our faith to the fullest. The e-mails, letters, and evaluation forms we have received are a testimony to God’s grace working in the hearts of many men. Our leadership team is so edified by the transforming stories being presented.  So, we thought we share a number of the comments:

From the priests:

• You guys really do a great job, you make the priests feel so welcome, and every time I asked the men when their last confession was they all said the last Men of Christ conference. You have become the penitential conference.

• They were beautiful confessions; many of the men were away from the sacrament for a long time.

• Thanks for making me a part of the conference. Many great confessions. There's a grace that is flowing through here.

From the attendees:

• I was considering dropping my discernment of priesthood before this conference, but a comment made by Christopher West, and my confession gave me light to continue.  

• This was the most challenging and beneficial religious event I’ve participated in.  My thanks to the presenters for their honesty and personal courage

• This helped me grow in faith by the powerful messages of the speakers.  Also, the unity in one with the whole crowd and courage to sing, and pray all together.  Very powerful…it gives you the strength, will and desire to know you’re not alone.

• I've invited my father to attend the Men of Christ conference every year since its inception. And every year, he's obliged. He's Catholic, but a kind of laissez-fair Catholic. He believes strongly in our Lord, but doesn't attend church with any regularity. And he's always been a bulwark when it comes to confession. I've urged, antagonized, compelled, and pleaded with him to go. All to no avail. But he's always loved the speakers. Most of them, anyway. That's why I was a bit surprised when my father missed the final speaker entirely. I wondered where he'd disappeared to. It wasn't like him to be gone so long. When he returned after what must have been longer than an hour, he took his seat, leaned over, and beamed a line that delivered elation: "I just went to confession," he said. Later, walking him out, he told me about his experience in the reconciliation room. The priest, he said, was fantastic. I asked how long it had been since he last enjoyed the Sacrament, and with tears in his eyes, he looked at me and said, "I don't know for sure, but it must have been at least 40 years." After 40 years, my father had returned to the confessional! Praise the Lord! Hugging him goodbye a moment later, I told him how much he meant to me. And I realized those tears in his eyes? They weren't tears of sorrow over how long it had been. They were tears of joy over how he had returned! Thank you so much for being such a catalyst for conversion! I love what you do and believe so strongly in the Men of Christ mission. I feel so honored to be a part of this.

• The Men-of Christ conference was very moving for me.  The whole day was fantastic.  It never ceases to amaze me when I see so many Catholics in one place. I look forward to next year. 

• Christopher West's presentation helped me understand where my sexuality fit into my faith by helping me release the evil and embrace the light. I will be able to be a better father to both my son's and daughter and a better husband to my wife. Thanks you.

• This conference always rejuvenates my Catholic spirit to give me strength throughout the year.

• The numbers of men that attended warmed my heart, especially those that brought their sons.  Reminds me of my dad bringing me to the Holy Name breakfast meetings.  

• Shortly after the conference two years ago I realized I left the conference with a calling to mentor young people...not only my 20 grandchildren, but others as well. The last two years have been intense...the Lord has used me in many ways...a limited liability company for my grandchildren, the formation of a Columbian Square Circle, religious formation work, a teen bible study...the Lord is still working through me. This conference reinforced that calling and need that exist in our society.

• WOW!  Thanks to you and your leadership committee and beyond for the spirit filled conference.  This conference has stirred up the Truth in the men that we brought from our area.  The walls are breaking down and the band of brothers is assembling.  The Holy Spirit definitely moved many and where the Holy Spirit is so is our Blessed Virgin Mary.

• It is great that the conferences can get better each year, thank you and I look forward to next year. Your efforts to put on this conference make me proud to be Catholic, Catholic Man, father and husband. Thank you.

• Besides the talks the thing I liked most about the conference was the respect to our country and servicemen.

• I am in the middle of a very serious crisis. The conference is helping me redirect my focus. Especially confession. Thank you and God Bless

• The conference definitely helped encourage me to continue to work on a more prayerful life.  As well to be thankful for my Catholic faith and to share it with whomever I have a chance.  My prayers for continuance and the exceptional high quality.  May God bless you.

• Two weeks ago, I returned to the church by God’s grace after 25 years.  What a great welcome home!  Excellent day.  Thank you…just what I needed!

• It has reinforced my faith and encourages me that the Church is vibrant among men.

• The conference instilled passion and fire in my life, and to lead my family.

• The conference has made me realize the urgency in converting to Catholicism.  I will contact my church, Three Holy Women

• Helped me better understand my role as a man in a Christian family.

• Learning about TOB was inspiring.  It helped me better understand my own personal battles against lust and selfishness.

• I realized how serious some of my sins were.

• Reconciliation and adoration were wonderful.  Thank you for getting all the priests for confession.

• I can not wait to learn and share Theology of the Body with my wife of six months and hopefully others. I want to be a real man, the one God intended me to be.

• The conference made me think more about my faith and what I can be doing to be a better Catholic.  I have reexamined my faith and found much more room for improvement then I had previously thought.  I feel a renewed strength to combat sin, and will do so from now on.  

• Best conference of all three.  Great speakers. Comfortable facilities.  Spiritual weapons.  Coordinated very well.  Relevant topics.  Excellent job!

• Conference got me to go to the confession for the first time in 25years. Really enjoy Christopher West (a number of comments on this).  He really got my attention.

• Increased my trust in Jesus.  Confession was just what I needed.

• Thought the opening was excellent honoring the military service and soldiers who have given their lives for us.  It brought tears to my eyes.

• CW talk on TOB helped me fill in some blanks on why my heart was looking for.

• The conference gave me a greater understanding of many things.  

• I enjoyed the brotherhood, the friendship, the patriotism, the faith, and the talks.

• Hopefully we can keep this facility.  Outstanding!  I will grow in my faith and education of Christ and my Catholic beliefs.  Will invite more people next year.  This is a tremendous conference…everyone does an outstanding job! Please keep Fr. Rocky coming back.

• My wife is totally awesome.  I will now think of her as God’s masterpiece.  

• The conference keeps me grounded, and I always learn something new.

• The TOB shed new light on being a man and how I can grow more.  I have a deeper understanding of God’s love for the Church and for me.

• It reawakened the dormant faith within.

• Great Conference this year!  I cannot imagine it getting any better, but I’m looking forward to next year already!

• I was thoroughly captivated by the TOB.  I had heard bits and pieces of it, but I know need to know more.  I see how it will help me in my ministry to grow in my faith and administer the Sacraments with a clear vision of Christ.  

• I was walking down the main aisle and happened to look over at the usher, who I could tell was employed by the Milwaukee Theatre (an African American Women, 30-40 years in age). As I looked at her face, I could see that she was just bawling. I didn’t stay and talk to her or anything just shot her a smile and kept moving. As I ponder back at that moment I realized that she could have been going through a list of many emotions … maybe she was raped, maybe her husband is a jackass, and maybe she was just in awe at the truth that Christopher West was sharing … only God knows. One thing that I do know is that woman was touched by God on Saturday. And I pray that next time there is any sexual turmoil in her life that she will remember what she heard and felt that day.

• There is something very powerful that takes place when a group of men come together to bring glory to God. I do not completely understand it yet, but it is very profound for me to see thousands of guys go to the Sacrament of Confession. Many of these men have been away for 20, 30, 40, 50 years. I had a co-worker who came, and went after 48 years. He would have never gone on his own, but the environment that is created allows for God’s grace to work, and open men’s heart to receive the mercy of God.

• As I sit and watch the hockey game between the USA and Canada (the game is tied), there is much anticipation expressed by both sides. The level of excitement is not as great as it was for me yesterday, especially after I departed. I was truly moved at the closing Mass and was so up lifted at the manner and holiness exhibited by Fr. Luke at the opening Mass. He is truly a special priest. Allow me to expand on my comment to you as I was departing..... You and the MOC I’ve had the good fortune to meet over the last three years has acted like a shot of vitamin B +. You all possess a quality of confidence, integrity, and honor. Your commitment to your faith is public in a very positive way. You are truly Men of Christ.

Continue to send us your comments and stories. They motivate us to press on.

We hope you enjoyed.

God bless,

Men of Christ Leadership Team