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2,000 expected at Catholic men’s conference
archived from: 2007-03-12
by: Chuck Moody

The theme of the second annual “Gathering of Catholic Men” presented by the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Pittsburgh – “Fight the Good Fight” – “reminds us that faith is something which needs to be defended, nurtured and lived,” said Bishop Paul Bradley, diocesan administrator.

The event will occur Saturday, March 24, at the A.J. Palumbo Center on the campus of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood.

The theme of this year’s gathering is from 2 Timothy 4:7. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m.

The day will begin with eucharistic adoration, during which Father James Wehner, rector of St. Paul Seminary and director of the diocesan Department for Evangelization, will preach, and conclude with the Sunday vigil Mass at 4 p.m. with Bishop Bradley as the main celebrant.

“The occasion to celebrate the sacrament of penance, pray before the Blessed Sacrament, hear testimonies from other esteemed speakers and to celebrate the holy Mass together emphasizes in a most special way important moments in our Catholic faith,” Bishop Bradley said.

Mike Clark, news anchor of WTAE-TV, will be master of ceremonies. Others taking part will include: Matthew Kelly, international speaker and author; Patrick Madrid, editor of Envoy magazine and EWTN-TV program host; Jesse Romero, Catholic speaker and former U.S. kickboxing champion; Father Wehner; and Peter Herbeck, international speaker. The music will be provided by Brian Flynn.

The event last year, titled “Answer the Call,” drew some 1,400 to the Palumbo Center. The men heard inspirational speakers, offered prayer, participated in song and celebrated the sacrament of penance. The event concluded with Mass celebrated by then-Bishop Donald Wuerl.

At least 2,000 are expected to attend this year’s gathering.

The mission of CMF is a response to the call made by Pope John Paul II for a new evangelization, particularly the reinvigoration of faith among Catholics.

“Our first gathering last Lent was the culmination of approximately two years of planning by the CMF of Pittsburgh in collaboration with Father Wehner and the Department for Evangelization,” said Jeff Ludwikowski, co-executive director of the group. “We didn’t know what to expect in terms of interest from the Catholic men of Pittsburgh but felt there was a need locally for a more masculine-based ministry.

“We were pleasantly surprised that over 1,400 men attended, and the post-conference response was virtually unanimous: ‘We want more.’ That ‘more’ can be found not only in this year’s gathering, but more frequently in the regular meetings of several parish-based men’s groups that have been formed.”

Since the beginning of CMF in Pittsburgh, some 50 men’s groups have formed or have grown in size at various parishes, said Ludwikowski, an attorney and member of St. Sebastian Parish in Ross Township.

“We are constantly receiving inquiries from other parishes for information on forming parish-based men’s groups,” he said. “It is at the parish level that the real fruit of this ministry can be seen.

“Our president, Larry Fagan, can hardly keep up with the requests, so we are in the process of forming a task force to assist him with the facilitation and formation of men’s groups. It is very fulfilling to see the Holy Spirit at work in the men who attended last year’s conference, and are now regularly sharing their faith with like-minded Catholic men at their parishes, helping each other to, as Pope John Paul II said, ‘go deeper.’”

For additional information about the event, visit the CMF Web site at www.cmfpitt.org, call 412-276-2685 or contact your parish conference leader.

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