More than 100 teenage young men and their fathers gathered on Feb. 1 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership for the second annual daylong Young Catholic Men’s Conference. This year’s theme, “Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11) featured guest speakers, teen breakout sessions, meals throughout the day, the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation and Mass.
Moderator Dean Robinson opened the day in the Founders’ Room by asking the question, “Who in here is struggling with your faith?” Many attendees raised their hands. “I want you to know that most people do, but we won’t be struggling today,” Robinson said.
In a morning session when keynote speaker Elvis Grbac, Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School athletic director, took the stage, he placed his Super Bowl XXIX championship ring -- won as a member of the San Francisco 49ers -- on the stage floor, front and center for all to see. Comparing his championship ring to the crucifix, he posed the question: “Now what here really matters?” Grbac talked about the difference between putting on a football uniform and putting on the full armor of God. He explained that through his prayer life he’s convinced that the Lord wants him to go to the ends of earth telling his life’s story.
At noon when Archbishop-designate Nelson Perez stepped up to the podium he spoke about living our lives as Christian disciples. Reading from Philippians Chapter 4 he said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.” The archbishop-designate said that our “source of Christian joy is that we have had an encounter with Christ. Today people are more isolated than ever,” he said. “We crave and yearn for a connection to community. We have to connect with others.” After nearly 2½ years as bishop of Cleveland, he will be installed as the archbishop of Philadelphia on Feb. 18.
Throughout the day, teen breakout sessions ranged from discussing sexual integrity with diocesan missionaries from The Cultural Project, an initiative of young people working to restore virtue through the promotion of human dignity in our culture, to “How to Get a Girl 101” with Erin Hogan, youth minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Cuyahoga Falls. Hogan earned a bachelor’s degree in theology and religious studies from John Carroll University.
Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Chapel at 5 p.m. followed by access to an open gym and a barbecue dinner.
YCMC is produced by a group of committed lay Catholics who recognize the challenges of Christian manhood. They said young men in the community are not just the future of the Catholic Church they also are today’s Church. YCMC is the Church reaching out to young men to fortify their manhood and empower them in this world, they added.