After being sidelined last year by the growing coronavirus pandemic, the Catholic Men’s Conference returned this year with a daylong virtual program on March 13.
Speakers were Bishop Edward Malesic; Peter Herbeck of Renewal Ministries; Greg Wasinski of Let Me Be Ministries, a local author, speaker and radio contributor; Deacon Larry Oney of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, an author, speaker, podcast host and founder of Hope & Purpose Ministries; Father Mike McCandless, director of the Diocese of Cleveland Vocation Office; and Gary Zimak, speaker, radio personality and author.
Bill Prebel, president of the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Northeast Ohio, which presents the conference, said more than 100 men registered for this year’s virtual event. Those who “attended” heard some meaningful presentations that help them deal with issues they face in the contemporary world. The conference helps men realize they are not alone in the struggle and it offers spiritual encouragement, he said.
Event organizers plan to meet on March 18 to discuss this year’s conference and to begin planning for the 2022 event, which will take place during Lent – the traditional time for the conference.
“The talks were great but I hope we can be back in person next year,” Prebel added.
The day began with prayer and reflection, followed by Herbeck’s presentation, “A Call to Holiness.” Wasinski spoke on “The Eucharist” and Father McCandless offered a Lenten reflection.
Deacon Oney had morning and afternoon presentations on “Hope and Transformation” and Zimak shared thoughts with the audience on “Give up Worry for Lent.” Bishop Malesic’s topic was St. Joseph.
“I think it is wonderful that events like this are held on a regular basis to allow us to insulate ourselves from our busy lives and take time to consider those thin that help us deepen our faith and transform our lives to grow ever closer to God,” the bishop told conference participants.
He said March traditionally is dedicated to St. Joseph, so he shared thoughts based on Pope Francis’ recent apostolic letter, “Patris Corde,” which means “With a Father’s Heart.” It recalls the 150thanniversary of the dedication of St Joseph as patron on the Universal Church and the occasion for the pope to proclaim Dec. 8, 2020 through Dec. 8, 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph.
“I am very close to a man named Joseph myself,” the bishop quipped, explaining that’s the name of his 103-year-old father. He spoke about what Pope Francis said regarding St. Joseph, describing his fatherly attributes that all Christian men should strive to model.
“Fathers can be birth fathers, adoptive fathers and, like me, spiritual fathers. I believe all men are called to have the kindhearted, strong and faithful qualities of St. Joseph. He is a model of manhood/fatherhood for all of us,” he said.
St. Joseph was a beloved father; a tender and loving father; an obedient father; an accepting father; a creatively courageous father; a working father; and a father in the shadows, he added.
“I agree with the pope’s assertion that the experience of living through this pandemic has helped us see more clearly the importance of ‘ordinary’ people who, though far from the spotlight, exercise patience and offer hope every day,” the bishop said, “This includes our priests, deacons, lay ministers and church volunteers. Through the pandemic, many persons resembled St. Joseph who quietly did what was expected of him. These are the ‘saints next door,’ as Pope Francis describes them.”
The pope refers to St. Joseph as a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and guide in times of trouble. “St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an important role in the history of salvation. His life is for us a model of holiness. Most of us will work for the kingdom of God in the shadows,” the bishop said.
He explained that St. Joseph “knew it was not about him. His life – and our life – is always about God. Finding out the part we play in God’s plan for the world is key to our own happiness. We are happy when we do God’s will. God was always at the center of Joseph’s life and the life of the Holy Family,” he added.
St. Joseph was the face of God’s love for Jesus, like a priest must be the face of love for his congregation, a husband for his wife, a father for his children and even an employer for an employee, the bishop said. And like any human father, St. Joseph experienced doubts and fears – but he was obedient and declared his own “fiat,” much like Mary did: “Thy will be done.”
The bishop said St. Joseph was a respectful, sensitive man who lived a life of courage and acceptance by seeking to accept God’s plan for him.
He also was a working father who earned an honest living and provided for his family. “The Holy Father writes that clearly Jesus learned the value, dignity and joy of what it means to have worthwhile work. Work allows us to participate in God’s ongoing creation of this world, to make it a better place, to show God’s love to his creation. Work gives us the satisfaction of putting our gifts at the service of society and fraternal communion,” Bishop Malesic said.
The pope also described St. Joseph as a father in the shadows.
“The pope posits that when a man accepts the responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person. He says that ‘Fathers are not born, but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child … All men can be fathers – we are called to be fathers – not all of us will be biological fathers – but all of us are meant to care for someone as men who love. Whether married or single, priest or deacon or lay – Jesus asks us to be like his earthly father Joseph, and become an image of his Heavenly Father in this world,” the bishop said.
He noted the Church also need fathers and asked conference attendees to pray for vocations – not just the priesthood, but also married or single, deacon or lay – to be an image of his Heavenly Father in the world.
“There are many ways to be a father to someone else. Let’s try to use St. Joseph’s example to encourage us to be the best men that we can be. In that way, we become holy, men destined by Go to be saints,” he said, encouraging attendees not to waste time, “Let’s make our way back to the Lord with our whole heart. Let’s be reconciled to God.”
To request a link to view an archived copy of the 2021 conference talks, click here.