Now more than ever . . . the world needs heroic man

Heroic Men's Conference set for Saturday, Oct. 4

By Jay Wonacott

Director

Marriage and Family Life Office

Recent national events, viewed against the backdrop of the decline in men’s morality within our culture, have been discouraging, to say the least.

The larger political world is aflame with what Pope St. John Paul II called the “culture of death.”

Now, more than ever, there is a great need to strengthen the Catholic men in our community.

Jay Wonacott

In a world that has lost its moral bearing, we need heroic men to step forward in the family, workplace and public square to be stronger disciples of Christ and work toward justice, peace and a civilization of love. We cannot do this work alone, nor should we even try. We need other men of faith in our lives to walk this path to a better, healthier and holier culture, church and family.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Diocese of Boise, in collaboration with Salt & Light Catholic Radio and Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance, will host a Heroic Men Leadership Workshop.

This is a one-day workshop for men who have a passion or interest in growing their parish-based men’s ministry. The workshop is from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held at Risen Christ Catholic Church, 11511 W. Lake Hazel Road in Boise.

The day will include testimonials and keynote talks focusing on conversion, Catholic brotherhood and ministry outreach. Mass will be celebrated in addition to fellowship and food.

Speakers include Josh Dickson; Eddie Trask, executive director of Catholic Charities of Idaho; David Palmer; and Johnny Horn and Travis Wingo, leaders of the annual Idaho Catholic Men’s Conference. Joining these local men is Bill Moyer, a national leader in men’s ministry with the Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance (CMLA) and president of the board of Heroic Men.

Moyer is co-founder and a former board member of CMLA who now serves as an advisor to Robert E. Tunmire, the organization’s CEO.

He is also co-founder of SOS Leadership Institute, an international organization committed to developing leaders who make a difference. He previously served as executive director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men and is a founding board member of the Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men. He is a certified spiritual director in the Diocese of Austin. He and his wife, Rose, have four grown children and nine grandchildren.

This fast-paced day will feature delicious meals, including breakfast and a special lunch of homemade pulled pork. You might come for the food, but you’ll stay for the fellowship and the valuable insights that will help you grow as a man and as a minister to men in your parish.

I am reminded of the words of Christ to his chief Apostle Peter about his need to strengthen his brothers after he turns back. This “turning back” refers to Peter’s actions after his betrayal of Christ. Later, we see Jesus forgiving Peter by asking him to feed his sheep.

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Peter replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you even to prison and to death” (Luke 22:31-33).

As disciples of Christ, he is asking us, as men in his Church, to strengthen our resolve to strengthen our brothers even in the face of our weaknesses and betrayal of Christ. St. Peter was one of those heroic men who shows each man the way to converse with Christ and become a better disciple.

You can sign up for this Heroic Men Leadership Workshop by going to saltandlightradio.com/heroic-men. There’s a recommended donation of $25, but don’t let finances prevent you from attending.

God’s Holy Spirit may be calling you to do something great in your parish to help other men come to know Jesus more closely.

We are living in sobering and challenging times. We can no longer stand on the sidelines and not get involved in helping men of all ages and stages to better know the love of God and support one another on the faith journey of life.

I hope to see many heroic men on Oct. 4 at Risen Christ Catholic Church.