Centered on Christ…Called to Be Saints…Inspired by St. Joseph |
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The great French essayist and Catholic apologist, Leon Bloy (1846-1917), once said that the only real tragedy in this life was to not become a saint. I think he’s right – after all, this life is very short and the next life is very long. And all those in heaven or in Purgatory on their way to heaven are saints. So if we want to spend an eternity with God, we need to be on the path to sainthood. After all, the adventure of pursuing sainthood is what we’re made for!
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Father Wilson’s monthly saint blog is giving all of us some wonderful examples to follow. St. Joseph is of course very special to this ministry, as is St. John Paul II. And this month, Father Wilson has chosen St. Charles Borromeo. But as I write this (November 3rd) the Church celebrates the life of St. Martin de Porres and I’d like to mention him as another Saint whose life can inspire us.
As a mixed race young man whose father had abandoned him, (he was the son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed Peruvian slave), Martin had few opportunities available to him.
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He was accepted into a local Dominican convent as a volunteer and eventually became a lay Dominican who spent his life serving those in need in and around the convent. He fed the local homeless, cared for those in the convent infirmary and tended to the cooking and cleaning for the friars and nuns. Miracles were attributed to him but the real miracle we remember him for today is his great humility and his great compassion. |
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We guys tend to struggle with both of those virtues. In a society focused on achievement, power, and prestige, humility seems outdated and even inappropriate for our role as leaders. But it is humble servant leadership that we are called to and it is the Saints and ultimately, Jesus Himself, who show us what humble servant leadeship looks like. Do you want the eternal joy of sainthood? Then begin to do simple acts of love throughout the day – for family, neighbors, co-workers and those in need. Join each act to Christ’s redeeming work on the cross – and watch how God begins to work through you.
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As we continue to gear up for our February 27th Men’s Conference, we’re pleased to announce that Chris Stefanick, Father Donald Calloway and our very own Bishop Robert Brennan will be speaking – along with our keynote presenter, Devin Schadt, founder of Fathers of St. Joseph. We’ll provide you with conference registration later this month but for now, mark Saturday morning February 27th on your calendar and begin to invite other men in your life to join you for what will be an inspiring morning.
Below are our other service offerings, all designed to help you, the men of our diocese, to center your lives on Christ, pursue Sainthood and invite St. Joseph to assist you. In particular, please note the Men's Retreat that will be hosted by Damascus on the weekend of December 4-5. See information below for details and a link to register. Together, let’s all strive to become saints – after all, is there anything else truly worth pursuing?
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In this month, I know we all join in praying for those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith.
In Christ,
Matt Palmer
CMM Board President
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To help all of us become saints, our ministry is focused on three initiatives:
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1. INSPIRATION AND FORMATION |
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Our Live Virtual Rosary – Thirty men joined together on November 4th at 6:30 a.m. to pray the Rosary via Zoom. We would love to grow this powerful prayer initiative, and we just need YOU. Please invite other men to join us!
Our next Men’s Rosary will be Wednesday December 2nd at 6:30 a.m.!
Our Saint of the Month – Our ministry’s spiritual director, Father Wilson, continues his blog about some of the Church’s greatest Saints to inspire and intercede for us. November's featured saint is St. Charles Borromeo.
St. Gabriel Radio Hosts The Catholic Man’s Minute – In cooperation with Fathers of St. Joseph, Catholic Men’s Ministry (CMM) has recorded powerful one minute messages for Catholic men, taken from Devin Schadt’s daily devotional for men, LEAD. Shared at different times throughout the day on St. Gabriel Radio (AM 820), The Catholic Man’s Minute will enable men to better understand and live out our calling in the model of St. Joseph. And don’t worry, we will post them on our social media platforms and provide archive access through our website.
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Saint of the Month: St. Charles Borromeo |
Brought to you by St. Gabriel Radio
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2. SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR FAITH SHARING |
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"Victorious" is a powerful overnight retreat for adult Catholic men seeking to live a life on fire.
December 4 -5
6:00pm Friday - 9:30pm Saturday
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We will continue to help you establish or join men’s faith sharing groups at your parish or wherever you want to meet with other Catholic men. Studies confirm that when Catholic men gather together for regular fellowship, prayer and study, our faith in Christ and His Church grows and we advance on the path to sainthood.
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3. ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN'S CONFERENCE |
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24th Annual Men’s Conference
Speakers Line-Up Confirmed
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CMM recently finalized its speaker lineup for the Conference on February 27th, and the men are amazing! |
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Registration will open in the next few weeks, and updated information about host parishes and event details will be found on our website, so check back often!
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Called and Sent is YOUR Resource!
Catholic Men’s Ministry (CMM) exists for YOU, the men of the Diocese of Columbus. If you have questions or suggestions, or would like to get more involved with this ministry, please reach out.
Contact information is provided below. And please help other men learn about us by sharing our posts and following us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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THE CMM BOARD
- Matt Palmer, President - Matt.palmer@josephgroup.com
- Chuck Wilson, Immediate Past President
- Dr. Jamie Caridi
- David Martin, Esq.
- Jon Yerian, CPA
- Father Jonathan Wilson, Spiritual Director
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