Too many men are simply going through the motions when it comes to their Catholic faith, said Deacon Ralph Poyo, the keynote speaker at this year’s Catholic Men’s Conference Feb. 23 at Sacred Heart Church in Sauk Rapids.
They may attend Mass but often aren’t paying particular attention to what is happening there. They aren’t putting Christ first in their lives, and they aren’t modeling what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. All this has devastating consequences for their families and for society, said Deacon Poyo, founder of the Ohio-based New Evangelization Ministries.
(Photo by Dianne Towalski)
Men need to step up and be good models for youth, make Jesus a priority in their lives and not give other people, activities or things higher priority, he told the 375 men in attendance.
“What is the model that we are presenting to our youth about what it means to be a man of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ? And are we living that model? Because that’s the first and most important thing,” Deacon Poyo said.
Giving up everything and giving God control of their lives is integral to becoming that model.
“That’s the model that we need to continue to show the world, a model of what authentic faith looks like, faith that is tangible and powerful, faith that has substance to it, faith that enables us to rise up even when we’re deathly afraid of being rejected or made fun of,” he said.
In addition to the keynote, the conference included workshops, opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation, praying the rosary and lunch. Workshop topics included engaging the “nones” and how men can encourage young people back to the faith, balancing work and home life as a father, forgiveness in marriage and a question-and-answer session on the Catholic faith. The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Donald Kettler.
Musician and evangelist Roberto Ramirez was the keynote speaker for the conference’s Latino track attended by about 30 men.
“For me, what speaks volumes is the fellowship and camaraderie of the event,” said Sloan Balo, who was visiting St. Cloud from North Dakota and attended with friends. “[It’s good] seeing men come together and talk about their faith, help each other apply it and grow together.”
Several fathers attended with their sons.
“It’s important to bring our sons, so they know what’s important to us,” said Mark Liebsch, from St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish in Long Prairie, who attended with his son Joe, a 10th-grader. “I’m trying to help him grow in his faith whatever way I can.”
Joe Liebsch said the talks were very good and seeing so many men gathered together was “really cool, a unique experience.”
Deacon Poyo continued his keynote talk in the afternoon, focusing on four fundamental disciplines of a disciple: prayer, Scripture, fellowship and Eucharist.
“Entering into a journey with the Holy Spirit, entering into the fundamental disciplines of a disciple is learning how to bring God to that place where we give him access to grow life in us,” Deacon Poyo said.
He stressed the importance of prayer and meditating on the word of God every day, suggesting having a special chair designated for prayer that’s semi-comfortable. “It has to be comfortable enough that you can be still and rest, but also it has to be challenging,” he said. Giving God the best 20 minutes of the day is important, praying during the most productive time of the day, whenever that is for each person, he said.
Fellowship, he added, gives us the responsibility to take care of each other’s souls. “If you are making a commitment to Jesus Christ this day, you are not just committing to him, you’re committing to me, you’re committing to the rest of the body of Christ,” he said.
One way to take care of each other is by intentionally forming friendships and prayer groups to help raise families, achieve holiness and pray for each other. “We need to commit to each other,” he said.
The last fundamental discipline of a disciple is the Eucharist, and being present during Mass is something that men need to work on, Deacon Poyo said. “It’s time to re-engage.”
We need to seek to encounter the Lord in the readings and the homily, he said, and pray for priests when they are preaching.
(Photo by Dianne Towalski)
The Mass needs to become important to us again, it needs to be something of substance, just like going to the grocery store for food, we need the spiritual food, he said. “So, let us rise and let us become the models we were created to be.”
The conference was sponsored by the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family.