It’s that time of year again. The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference will be held this Saturday, Sept. 23rd, at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford. Every year for the past decade or so, I’ve written a message for the men of Connecticut, encouraging them to attend.
However, this year I am not writing a message for the men of Connecticut. Instead, I’m writing a message for the women of Connecticut: Ladies, do you want the man in your life to be holy and loving, honest and true? Do you want him to be so spiritually and prayerfully perfect that all of your friends won’t even recognize him anymore?
However, this year I am not writing a message for the men of Connecticut. Instead, I’m writing a message for the women of Connecticut: Ladies, do you want the man in your life to be holy and loving, honest and true? Do you want him to be so spiritually and prayerfully perfect that all of your friends won’t even recognize him anymore?
Well, if that’s what you’re looking for, I’m sorry. A one-day men’s conference will not turn the man in your life into a completely different person, no matter how much you wish it were true.
But the conference can make him a better person. And isn’t that worth a shot?
The Connecticut Men’s Conference is an opportunity for hundreds of men to gather together and share each others’ struggles and encourage one another. Let’s face it: our modern culture loves to dump on men, especially men who believe in God. We are now considered the source of all that is bad in the world.
It can be tough these days for a man who simply wants to provide for his family, love his wife, and help raise the kids. Sometimes a man feels so overwhelmed and isolated, he starts to think he’s the only person left in the world who thinks living a faithful life is important. It can be very discouraging.
The day-long conference gives men the opportunity to pray without embarrassment; to share their struggles and triumphs with other like-minded guys; to be filled with the cleansing grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation (or, as we old guys call it, Confession); and to receive the body and blood, soul and divinity, of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at Mass. Also, the Men’s Conference has a lineup of terrific speakers this year, who will encourage and inspire and entertain the attendees.
But the conference can make him a better person. And isn’t that worth a shot?
The Connecticut Men’s Conference is an opportunity for hundreds of men to gather together and share each others’ struggles and encourage one another. Let’s face it: our modern culture loves to dump on men, especially men who believe in God. We are now considered the source of all that is bad in the world.
It can be tough these days for a man who simply wants to provide for his family, love his wife, and help raise the kids. Sometimes a man feels so overwhelmed and isolated, he starts to think he’s the only person left in the world who thinks living a faithful life is important. It can be very discouraging.
The day-long conference gives men the opportunity to pray without embarrassment; to share their struggles and triumphs with other like-minded guys; to be filled with the cleansing grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation (or, as we old guys call it, Confession); and to receive the body and blood, soul and divinity, of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at Mass. Also, the Men’s Conference has a lineup of terrific speakers this year, who will encourage and inspire and entertain the attendees.
In other words, the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference is one of the most important events to take place in this state all year. (Yes, even more important than the Travelers Championship golf tournament and the wild Super Bowl party your brother-in-law hosts each February.)
This year, the organizers of the Men’s Conference have really knocked it out of the park. The keynote speakers they have lined up include Kevin Wells, Fr. Glenn Sudano, Matthew Leonard, and Fr. Larry Richard.
I personally have heard Matthew Leonard and Fr. Larry give presentations in the past. They are fabulous! As someone who occasionally does a little public speaking — and after 35 years has finally achieved the status of “mediocre” — I am more aware than most people of exactly what it takes to give a spellbinding talk, mostly because I ain’t got it.
Matthew Leonard and Fr. Larry are an absolute joy to listen to. And I’m sure Kevin and Fr. Glenn are terrific, too.
So, I’m asking you, ladies of Connecticut, to encourage the man in your life to attend the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference this Saturday. After all, it’s a proven fact that the more a man loves Jesus, the more he loves his family.
This year, the organizers of the Men’s Conference have really knocked it out of the park. The keynote speakers they have lined up include Kevin Wells, Fr. Glenn Sudano, Matthew Leonard, and Fr. Larry Richard.
I personally have heard Matthew Leonard and Fr. Larry give presentations in the past. They are fabulous! As someone who occasionally does a little public speaking — and after 35 years has finally achieved the status of “mediocre” — I am more aware than most people of exactly what it takes to give a spellbinding talk, mostly because I ain’t got it.
Matthew Leonard and Fr. Larry are an absolute joy to listen to. And I’m sure Kevin and Fr. Glenn are terrific, too.
So, I’m asking you, ladies of Connecticut, to encourage the man in your life to attend the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference this Saturday. After all, it’s a proven fact that the more a man loves Jesus, the more he loves his family.
The event begins at 8:30 am (doors open at 7:30) and concludes at approximately 5 pm, at the end of the Vigil Mass celebrated by Hartford Archbishop Leonard Blair. The cost is only $45, and lunch is included. Go to ctcatholicmen.org for more information and to order tickets.
Trust me, ladies, you will not regret sending the man in your life to this wonderful conference!
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