Thursday, September 20, 2007

Feast AND Famine

Yes, you read that right. Not "or", but "and". What do I mean? Here it goes.

A couple of years ago I left a position at a local cable access center due to a nasty take-over by an inter-governmental agency. Since then, I have had the severe displeasure of being un- and under-employed. This has caused serious stress upon myself and my family. The idea of starting Real Catholic Men while not living up to my Godly duties weighed (and still weighs) heavily upon me. This is one of the reasons why I know this ministry was/is a God-thing. In spite of this "season" in my life, I was meant to do this and learn from it as well. I am called to be the student before I can be a teacher. And boy, has this class sucked!

As I write this, I am preparing for yet another job interview tomorrow morning. I've been through this anticipation before, only to be seriously disappointed.

In the light of this darkness (I guess that makes sense), I am continually amazed at how God is blessing the start-up of this ministry. I could go into detail after detail on how the Holy Spirit is working with me and through me, but I won't take up that much of your time. But today, I had the great fortune of lining up local a Bishop, Kenneth Steiner, to preside over the Mass at our inaugural conference this June.

If this isn't a God-thing, I don't know what is.

Even as we live month-to-month financially, the Lord blesses us in abundance! I am honored and humbled to be a servant.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Why Do I Need Real Catholic Men?

Before we go on, I want to clarify who this group is for. Why? Because most men's groups naturally gravitate towards dealing with issues of being a father. And while that is noble and necessary, it leaves out any man who does not have children. RCM, while obviously inclusive of fathers, aims to address ALL Real Catholic Men: religious, single, consecrated and married - both with and without children. These men are sons, fathers, grandfathers, uncles and nephews. They are employees and employers. Rich and poor. Saints and sinners. Regardless of where you fall in theses categories, you are called to be the best.

I recently heard a local pastor (evangelical) - as he was hosting his own television program - say that one of a father's major duties was to fund his child's dreams so that they could become "dominant" in their chosen field. He cited Tiger Woods, Michelle Kwon, and even the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena. This last one blew my mind, since pretty much the entire planet is aware of their father's obsessive bent towards their tennis futures even when they were small children - sometimes becoming "Coach" before "Dad".

So when I am speaking about being "the best", I am speaking not in an earthly, MTV, professional sports, Wall Street sort of way. I mean it in the Joseph, Mary, St. Francis, St. Therese sort of way. Perfection in the spirit through Christ.

Many people are going to ask, "What does this David guy think he can teach us about being a better man?" The answer is - nothing. I need to learn as much as anyone. And that's the reason for RCM. To study, to pray, to learn and to live how to be what God wants us to be as men. This is a daunting task. One we have abandoned throughout the last half-century. Men's roles have changed. Women's roles have changed. And not for the better.

It's a journey. But we need to go back before we can move forward. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. So is His Church (in spite of all come-here-we're-more-hip offshoots). So are His creatures. Male and female He created them. Our souls rejoice with the angels and saints when we are being what we were meant to be. Isn't this what we should be striving for?

This is what Real Catholic Men is all about.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Real. Catholic. Men.

Real Catholic Men is here! What is it? Well, let's start at the top.

God.

Okay, now that we have that straightened out, we'll move on.

For a complete description of RCM, please click on the web page link, or go to: http://www.realcatholicmen.com/

That's where you'll find all the pertinent information about the organization, what we're doing and what we hope to do. You'll find our Mission Statement, Event Schedule and soon-to-be Store.

You may be asking yourselves, "If RCM has a website, what's the point of the blog?"

The answer is simple: I don't want to bog down my webmaster with daily or weekly musings, so this is an easy forum to post regular thoughts and refelctions on things of faith and especially issues regarding male spirituality.

As I plan the first RCM Conference (June 21st, 2008 on the campus of the University of Portland), I'd like to share some of my successes and failures. My struggles and victories. This ministry has been given to me by God, and I will fight the devil tooth and nail to make myself worthy to do so. Some days I'll fall. Some days I'll stand up to the Father of Lies and tell him who his daddy is.

This is my mission. This is my calling. This is Real Catholic Men. This is my blog.

God bless. Be strong in Him.

David Renshaw