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News & Features

Men’s gathering offers answers to big questions
archived from: 2013-02-22
by: William Cone, Editor

Speakers will address the “Be Not Afraid” theme April 6

Does God really answer prayers? Are we alone in this world? Why is it important to be Catholic?

Men looking for answers to these and other questions, big and small, are encouraged to attend the eighth annual Gathering of Catholic Men on Saturday, April 6, at Duquesne University’s A.J. Palumbo Center. The doors will open at 8 a.m. with the program starting at 9.

A roster of dynamic, faithful Catholic speakers is scheduled to present messages centered on the event’s theme, “Be Not Afraid.”

The lineup of enthusiastic speakers includes:

• Theologian George Weigel, author of “Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II” and many other books;

• Former Methodist minister Allen Hunt, author of “Confessions of a Mega-Church Pastor: How I Discovered the Hidden Treasures of the Catholic Church”;

• Clinical psychologist Ray Guarendi, an author, public speaker and nationally syndicated radio host; and

• Lay evangelist Mark Nehrbas, a popular presenter and director of development at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

They will join Bishop David Zubik and Father Joe Freedy, diocesan director of vocations, during the day, which will also feature a Eucharistic holy hour, uplifting music and opportunities for the sacrament of penance. The day will close with a 4 p.m. Mass with Bishop Zubik.

Tickets to the gathering are $40 in advance (through March 22), $45 at the door; advance students $10; father-son tickets $45 ($22.50 each). Clergy will be admitted for free. A boxed lunch will be provided.

The CMF website (www.cmfpitt.org) has been completely updated, and tickets can be purchased at the site. They also can be purchased from parish CMF members or by check through the mail (Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Pittsburgh, P.O. Box 13235, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15243).

CMF of Pittsburgh, organizer of the gathering, has upgraded its outreach to attract more men to reach a goal of 3,000.

“This year’s theme, ‘Be Not Afraid,’ reaches out to Catholics, fallen-away Catholics, Christians of all denominations and all men, including those who may have no faith at all but have an interest in learning if God has a place in their lives,” said Bob Sill of St. Thomas More Parish in Bethel Park.

CMF held boot camps in all four vicariates of the diocese in January to build excitement, talk about the upcoming event and discuss the future.

Men in the diocese have been enlisted as “Captains for Christ” to spread the word about CMF’s mission of conversion, formation and evangelization.

“If it’s a battle we are waging against Satan and his work, we need an army of Captains for Christ to take back this country in the name of Christ,” Sill said.

One of the main promotional tools this year is the use of more than 120,000 Be Not Afraid wallet cards that are being handed out throughout the area. The cards contain the theme, an invitation to attend the gathering and contact information.

Organizers also are utilizing a concept modeled after the Trinity called the “power of three,” urging men to invite two others and receive a discounted ticket price ($33 each).

“There is also an outreach to all youth ministries in the diocese — CCD, high schools, colleges and universities — all are invited to become Captains for Christ to promote and to attend the event,” he said.

One of Bishop Zubik’s goals is reaching out to Catholic men who have, for whatever reason, stopped practicing their faith. He has directed all parish Captains for Christ to submit names of men who will receive free tickets in a personal appeal from the bishop.

A 24-hour phone line (412-403-4831) has been established to field questions and offer ticket information.

Most importantly, men are invited to pray a St. Joseph novena for the success of the 2013 gathering. The novena prayers are on the CMF website.

No matter their level of familiarity with the Catholic faith, those attending the gathering will be among friends and eager to have their big questions answered.

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