News

Men learn to be better fathers and Christians

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

Like the women of the Green Bay Diocese, the men now have a conference of their own.

Some 450 men attended the Midwest Vineyard Men's day-long conference March 25 at St. Pius X Church, Appleton, said George Meiners, De Pere, spokesman for the Vineyard Catholic Men's Apostolate, Inc.

The event focused on how "fathers could be better fathers and Christians" in their relationships to their families, God and friends, Meiners said.

He said Bp. David Zubik suggested that the Vineyard Apostolate have a conference for men after he celebrated Mass at a conference for women last year in Door County.

Participants came from Wisconsin, northern Illinois, Minnesota and Upper Michigan.

"In the Catholic Church, we need days like that that our men can go to and learn and experience the fellowship that goes with that," said Dcn. Rick Simon of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton. "We need to hear good messages from Scripture and good teachers on what our role is in the family."

Steve Wood, Family Life Center International, spoke about men's relationships to God, their wives and their children.

Wood talked about the importance of fathers bonding early with their children through various activities, Dcn. Simon said. "Then when we share faith and bring them to our faith, they are going to be more open to receiving and listening and passing it on."

Meiners said Wood urged men to be good examples, "not to be afraid to show piety, not (be) apologetic about the faith, not to worry about what people think." Wood also gave "watch-outs" for fathers, such as "the prevalence of pornography, especially on the internet," Meiners said.

Fr. Frank Hoffman, chaplain at Northridge Preparatory School, suburban Chicago, discussed the five virtues men should pass on to their sons - hard work, piety, respect for women, sincerity and poverty.

Fr. Hoffman said "Men are made to work," Dcn. Simon said. "If we're not working, we're not happy. If we're not working up to our potential, we're not doing what God really wants us to be doing.... We really, really need to know work is good, and we need to do the best job. We're called to be the best workers out there."

Then, he said, men will be respected and listened to when they share the Gospel.

Fr. Alfred McBride, O.Praem., of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, talked about how men can improve their prayer lives.

Meiners said follow-up to the conference is planned, including small meetings with speakers stressing catechetical formation and helping people grow in their faith, plus formation of a Vineyard group in the Fox Valley.

The Vineyard Catholic Men's Apostolate is headquartered in the Green Bay area. Members meet weekly for lunch. The fourth Saturday of each month they attend Mass and "spiritual instruction" at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, Green Bay. Bp. Zubik presides at some of the liturgies.