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Men, He Has Risen as He said! Alleluia! Happy Easter! Alleluia!
Easter is not over–far from it. We in the Church have the great opportunity to
celebrate this feast for a full 50 days after Easter. We fasted for 40, and now we feast
for 50. The readings at daily Mass during the Easter Season are absolutely fabulous.
From the Acts of the Apostles we learn how the disciples stepped it up a couple of
notches and became true disciples, which offers us an opportunity to reflect on what it
will take for us to become true disciples. Are we eager to share our faith with others?
Or do we wait for someone else to give us a sign that they are open to talking about the
faith before we bring up or demonstrate our faith? Do we look for opportunities to grow
in our faith? Or are we satisfied with being “good enough” by attending Mass on
Sundays only? Being just “good enough” is what the devil tries to convince us we are…
This is Easter Week–every day this week is another celebration of Easter–but it doesn’t end on Sunday. Easter Season continues through Pentecost. I hope you are able to set aside at least one day each week during the Easter Season to attend daily Mass. The Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life, and it is most appropriate to make the effort to attend daily Mass during the Easter season of this Year of the Eucharistic Revival in America. If it is the source and summit of the Christian life, shouldn’t we take advantage of the offer of grace that comes from the sacrament toward which all other sacraments point? You’ll be glad you did.
Men, in this brief newsletter I want to emphasize two important events. First…
The “Heart of a Hero” Men’s Conference Right Here in Jefferson City…
That’s right. I can track our reservations being made for the Men’s Conference on April 19 and 20, and I can see that many of you have already made your reservations to attend this historic event. If you have not yet made your reservation, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. You must have a ticket to attend this first ever Men’s Conference in our area. The “Heart of a Hero” Men’s Conference will take place on the evening of April 19 and during the day of April 20 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph here in Jefferson City. The Conference will feature five speakers, weekday Mass (on Saturday), Confessions, Adoration, and Benediction. The five speakers are Mr. Lamar Hunt, Jr. on Friday evening (wear your Kansas City Chiefs gear!!!); Father Bill Peckman (Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Macon); Mr. Adam Wright (Catholic Radio host on 88.1 FM); Dr. Andrew Swafford (Professor of Theology at Benedictine College); and Mr. Brian Miller (Director of Evangelization and Discipleship for the Archdiocese of St. Louis). Space is limited–I hope you will register soon to secure your seat.
The purpose of the Men’s Conference is to learn from these bold speakers just what it takes to be a real man in our world today, and to gain encouragement by hanging out with many other men who are seeking the Truth.
Attached to the email is the flyer and registration form for the Conference, a Conference FAQ document, and a document providing more info on our speakers and their topics; and here is a link to the registration page on our website. If you prefer not to register online, feel free to either print the registration form attached to the email, or if you need a paper copy, feel free to call or text me at 573-680-2520.
So, gather your family, friends, Cursillo group, Bible Study group, Knights of Columbus council, and come en masse to the Cana Room on April 19 and 20 for an event that will change your life. If you are not able to attend both days, no worries–the registration form allows you to register for either day.
You must have a ticket to attend, so complete your registration as soon as possible.
So have a Heart of a Hero and plan to attend this first ever Men’s Conference in Jefferson City.
The other important topic I wanted to write about is…
Our Next Gathering–April 17
Yep, just a couple of days before the “Heart of a Hero” Men’s Conference. Some might wonder why we wouldn’t just cancel the April 17 gathering since the Conference is only a couple days later, but there is a completely different focus on each event, and it is only right and just that we continue our tradition of the third Wednesday of the month.
As in the recent past, attendees of the April gathering will have the option to choose between a Devotional and a Study Session.
The Study offered on April 17 will be a continuation of the overview of Church History being led by Coach Chris Hentges, in the Commons. Coach Hentges also provides lessons on Apologetics that accompany his discussions in Church History. The Devotional session topic will be announced in the phone call/voice mail message that you will receive the day before the gathering.
As always, for those who can arrive early, the Rosary will be prayed in the Chapel, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
After our Study and Devotion sessions are completed, we will have fraternity and refreshments in the Commons.
All Men should gather in the Chapel at 6:30 p.m. for a few brief announcements before the Study and Devotion sessions begin.
Eucharistic Revival
Men, I hope you are staying ever faithful to the Eucharist–we are nothing without it. As I mentioned above, consider attending a daily Mass (or two) each week, and do your family a favor and invite them to attend also.
Don’t forget that the first Eucharist Revival in the United States in 83 years takes place in Indianapolis this summer on July 17 through July 21. Our complete understanding and advocacy of the doctrine of the Real Presence is needed now more than ever in our country. I am wondering if we will ever see such a prestigious lineup of Catholic scholars in one place again in our lifetime–check out the website here for the complete list of activities and presenters.
Men’s Group in Westphalia
The Westphalia Men’s Group meets this evening at 6:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Church (Westphalia). Dale Wieberg will be challenging men to think of themselves as leaders, especially in relation to the promotion of vocations. I think you could ask any Director of Vocations in America right now, and you would hear that leadership by men is crucial for the advancement of vocations in their families. I hope you will consider attending their monthly events as well.
Thank You!
Thank you to Man of Signum Crucis David Herman and Coach Chris Hentges for presenting at our March gathering. I received many favorable comments regarding both sessions. Thank you, David and Chris, for sharing your expertise with us.
Thanks also to Dave Lankford, who capably led so many of us in our Consecration (or Reconsecration) to St. Joseph prior to March 19. Some men have already suggested that we make this an annual event. Thanks to Ron Terhune who also pitched in to help provide the books for the men who made the Consecration.
I would encourage others to suggest weekly or bi-weekly activities to supplement our monthly gatherings, and maybe even more importantly, for men to request specific activities that would help them take their faith to a deeper level. If you ask for a group activity, our Planning Group will do the best we can to find the resources to make it happen.
In Conclusion…
I hope you are able to gather with your fraternity of Signum Crucis on April 17 at Helias Catholic and attend the “Heart of a Hero” Men’s Conference on April 19 and 20.. Ask (another) son, father, brother, uncle, or friend to come with you. Each man present is needed–someone is better because you are there. Afterwards, we will enjoy fraternity and refreshments in the Commons.
Men, thank you for your fidelity to the Men of Signum Crucis. Your dedication to this growing apostolate is inspiring. I pray that you are growing in your faith each month, and that you will always invite other men to join us.
And, let us never forget: St. Joseph “chose hard.” Let’s choose to do the same.
St. Joseph, Foster Father of the Son of God, and patron saint of the Men of Signum Crucis, pray for us.
In hoc signo, vinces,
Mark Rehagen
P. S. In hoc signo, vinces: https://veterumsapientia.org/in-hoc-signo-vinces/
Future Gatherings:
● April 17, 2024 (Study on Church History and Devotion TBD)
● April 19-20, 2024, “Heart of a Hero” Men’s Conference at the Cathedral
● May 15, 2024 (Adoration, Confession, and Benediction)
● June 19, 2024 (Study on Church History and Devotion TBD)
● July 17, 2024 (Final Study on Church History and Devotion TBD)