Bishop Hermann: ‘I thought you should know’ - Catholic Men for Christ

Submitted on March 27, 2009

Bishop Robert J. Hermann

This past Saturday over 1,000 men from the Archdiocese gathered at the America’s Center for a day of spiritual challenge and refreshment! It was the second annual Catholic Men for Christ Conference in St. Louis. Last year’s event was held at CBC. They came from parishes throughout the archdiocese. One parish had more than 90 men in attendance at the conference, and another parish had over 70. Many were members of the Knights of Columbus, and others were members of the Knights of Peter Claver. A very large percentage of the men had made a "Christ Renews His Parish" weekend. Many of the men meet weekly for prayer, teaching and fellowship. One parish hosts 70 men every Saturday morning from 6 to 8 a.m. with breakfast, a speaker and small group sharing. All are experiencing Jesus Christ transforming their lives. One young man told me, "This past Saturday was a life-changing experience for me and my father. We have never bonded so closely before."

Why did they come?

They came for a very simple reason. These men wanted to experience a closer relationship with Jesus and with members of their family. They came to open their hearts wide to the transforming love and mercy of our God. They came to hear very strong and challenging teachings touching every aspect of their lives. They are hungry to learn more about their faith, their role as a Catholic father and their call to bond with their wives and children. They came to bring other men closer to Christ. They came to witness to other men and be edified by the example of other men.