Catholic men’s conference speakers focus on development and mentoring. 

Over 20 members of Saint Ann's Men’s Association and their guests attended this year’s conference. Everyone had their favorite speaker, so here is a little taste of the headline speakers and their messages to their male audience. 

Brian Kelly – UC Football coach.

His speech centered on the theme of, “The Other Six Days”. It is not all about the day of the game, but what you do that leads up to that day. Brian Kelly develops the complete man and not just his athletic ability. He has 105, 17-21 year old men. The program introduces them to spiritual development. They teach them to be “Other Centered”. They have programs like, “Cats in the Community” and a Bible Study that started with 4 and increased to over 60. The men are taught to, respect women, not lie and not steal. Brian said they hire a staff with the same beliefs, and sited Kerry Combs of Colerain as an example. The Bearcats take care of each other, they win as a team! 

Tarek Saab – Christian Apparel 

            He is an electrical engineering graduate who had a great career chance at Texas instruments. They even press him to be on the hit TV show, “The Apprentice”. He did not like the fame. It did not feel right. He said that when things are given to you, or come too easy, it does not lead to happiness. His realization was gradual.  He began to realize that if what you do does not lead you to heaven, you should not be a part of it. The Catholic concept of the final end is salvation. Success in life begins in focusing on death. Don’t be afraid to suffer in your life. He said the difference between a good holy man and a scoundrel is only 1%. Sin finds that 1%. We need to cut the cord to addiction, keep death in the forefront and pick a saint to emulate. 

Br. Loughlan Sofield

            Br. Sofield had 3 topics. The first was John Paul’s statement, “Change by involving laity”. This reminded me of Fr. Tom’s plan for “Full and active participation”. The second was a list of beliefs. Hunger for spirituality or find God. We can only grow with relationship with Jesus. Who is your Jesus? He is a healer and a forgiver. And finally, in the workplace we should, share our faith, show it, be disciple of forgiveness, identify our gifts and be the body of Christ.

 Fr. Phillip Chavez 

            He is a priest in the Society of our lady of the holy trinity. His ministry is in mentoring and leadership of men. Fr. Chavez drew his inspiration from St. Ignatius Loyola. All men have a natural instinct to do battle. This is reflected in how boys grow up. We should hunt, camp and fish. We shouldn’t allow anyone to take the second amendment rights away from our boys.  He called on men to go to the battle with their sons. If we don’t teach our sons to be constructive, they will be destructive. We should be battling abortion, pornography and atheistic teachings. Abortion protests are mostly fought by women and old men. When a middle age man shows up at a protest it is like the cavalry has arrived. Leadership has a cost and a risk. It is sacrificial. We all have a list of men, we should call our band of brothers.  

Our next event will be the second annual breakfast/fellowship at the Golden Corral, in mid April. Look for an announcement in the Sunday bulletin.