Coming Up for Air

Phew! That's all I can say.

Oh - that and "AMEN!!!!"

This past weekend, 41 men from Oregon and SW Washington attended the first (of many, I hope) Real Catholic Men Retreat. It was an amazing time. Faith. Food. Fellowship. What more could one want.

Rather than me telling you what a great experience it was, I want to let you read some of the responses I have received over the past few days.

"Thanks for an excellent weekend. I was inspired, motivated and challenged."

"I can't thank you enough for the retreat this weekend. I will never look at the Mass the same way again. The graces I received this weekend and the strength I feel renewed me like no other experience I have ever been blessed with."

"You and Deacon Harold (Burke-Sivers) were like the Apostles, helping us (the disciples) open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit, His Holy will and His plan for us."

"The retreat was great. I couldn't have asked for more. Thanks for an unforgettable weekend."

"I feel alive, at peace, confident, and I have more courage to bring my faith into the world."

"I recommend men from every walk of life to attend next year."

Wow! I am humbled and honored to be fighting the good fight of faith with men like these. Please don't miss opportunities like this - wherever you are! Find a men's group, a retreat, a conference, and make yourself available to the graces of the Holy Spirit in your lives.

Special thanks to Deacon Harold (http://www.auremcordis.com/) for his participation. We ALL need to hear the messages his is sharing around the world.

God bless you all. Happy Easter!!!

Events a'plenty

There's a lot going on right now.

I guess the first thing on the list is to finish up all of the work that goes into putting on a retreat.

A while back I agreed to create a game for the April retreat called "Faith Football." In its simplest form, it's a glorified trivia game. But it's based on football: with a field, running and passing plays, penalties, etc.

It's fun, but daunting trying to create something from scratch.

There is also the wondering if anyone is going to show up! So far, response has been "okay." But that's not for me to worry about. I need to prepare, not watch the numbers.

That's hard to do, considering I'm the one putting the money and time into the planning and execution. It's times like these that I need to pray more.

Then there is the conference. It's VERY difficult to plan one "big thing" while you're planning another "big thing." But I love this conference. I wish I could work on it year-round.

This years' guests are going to be awesome. Check out the website for more info: http://www.realcatholicmen.com/.

I ask for all your prayers as well. Lord knows I can't do this

myself. I need to rely on Him more- and less on myself.

Stress can create an ugly monster. I probably don't have to tell you that. I suppose I need to pray to St. Michael more often too.

Sheesh- at this rate (with all this praying) I may never get anything done. Oh yeah, except for my eternal salvation.

God bless you all. I hope you're having a great Lent.

The Realities of Lent

Okay, so I put on a men's conference. I lead men's groups. I do a radio show and talk to others about the Faith.

Does that mean the devil leaves me alone? On the contrary. Those who do the work of God are attacked even more. Wonder why there were "priest scandals" all over the world? See previous comment.

Does this excuse us from our sins. Absolutely not. But the reality is - just like Jesus - those who "come in the name of the Lord" usually have Satan walking close by.

In Lent, we are called to strip away all those things that distract us from our God. Maybe that's television, or drinking, or going to the movies. In that sense, some of the devil's "tools" are put aside. And that's when he uses other means.

My friend, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers is fond of saying, "If the devil isn't attacking you, you're not doing your Faith right."

Well if that's the case, I must be doing VERY well;-) 'Cause I have been battered and bruised lately.

As I write this blog, I am getting ready to leave for a men's conference in Pendleton, Oregon. Not to speak, or to coordinate - but just to be there. Like the rest of the guys. Looking for peace, joy, or anything else we may be "searching" for. For me it's a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. I have come to discover recently that I love "The Church" more than I love Christ. I'll fight to the death to defend my Faith, but I won't die to self for my savior.

So,I'm still growing. No one is fully formed while alive. That is why there are no living saints.

The race is not won until the race is done. I just hope I have a lot more laps to go before my finish line comes into view.

God bless you all. Keep praying for me, and I'll keep praying for you.

Someday I'll Get This Thing Right

My last blog post (dated 12/9/09) stated that I'd be TRYING to blog more often.

Boy did that experiement fail miserably.

So here I am. Things have been very busy. The radio show is going well. We've started a new men's group at St. Matthew in Hillsboro, OR. Ramping up for the RCM retreat in April as well as the conference in June.

Additionally, many men who are involved in this new "Men's Spirituality Movement" are coming togther to discuss how we can channel our callings for a common good. A men's retreat/conference at Franciscan University in June will be one of the first steps.

God is calling men of faith and action together to build up armies to fight the enemy. Make no mistake about it. This is real.

The Real Catholic Men website has lots of updates, as well as the most recent editions of the radio program available for download.

God bless you all. Hopefully I'll be back soon.

Long Time Comin' - Updates Galore!

I know, I know. It's been a loooong time since my last update. Good reason, though. Real Catholic Ministries has been VERY busy.

Here's a sample of what's going on:

• "Real Catholic Men: The Radio Program" debuts January 11, 2010 on 88.3 FM in Portland, Oregon - or you can listen on the web at http://www.kbvm.fm/. It'll air at 4:15 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays as a lead-in to Peter Herbeck's "Fire of the Earth."

I've been writing and recording episodes over the past two months, and I think it's going well. The show is still looking for its "voice", but it's going in the right direction. It'll also be available for download on the RCM website after it airs on KBVM.

• Men on a Mission: January 9, 2010. St. Matthew Church, Hillsboro, Oregon.

This group is re-forming under a new title and mission... as well as inviting all the other Parishes located on the West side of the Portland Metro area. We will be meeting once a month, and will begin with reading Fr. Larry Richards' wonderful new book, Be A Man.

• Southern Oregon Men's Retreat: January 29-31, 2010.

I am once again pleased to be a part of this retreat, having been the keynote speaker in 2008. They are a great bunch of guys, and are going on their 28th year of getting together to grow in love of the Lord.

• Real Catholic Men Retreat: April 9-11, 2010.

This will be the first "official" retreat put on by Real Catholic Ministries. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and I are working on making it a retreat experience unlike any other that men have had. If you are looking to "go deeper" in your search for God - this weekend is for you.

"This ain't your Daddy's men's retreat."

• Journey 365: A Year-Long Guide to Spiritual Growth For Catholic Men, By Catholic Men.

This endeavor will launch in January 2010, and calls for men from around the country (and around the world) to submit their favorite Scripture passage and personally reflect on how that passage has affected them, causing them to be a better husband, father, student, employee - Man of God!

You are encouraged to participate by logging on to www.RealCatholicMen.com in January to learn how you can submit your passage and change the lives of men forever.

• 3rd Annual Real Catholic Men Conference: June 19, 2010. Vancouver, WA

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Evangelists Richard Lane and Hector Molina, Jr. will send the devil running for cover with their Holy Spirit-filled talks about what being a true man of God looks like in the year 2010. This is going to be an incredibly powerful day that you WILL NOT want to miss. Tickets go on sale in April ... and there will be "early bird specials." Stay tuned.

So that's just a sample of the things that Real Catholic Men has been working on. I thank you in advance for your prayers as we continue to do the Lord's work.

And as a New Years' resolution, I will TRY and blog more often.

God bless you all!

Who Knew? College Kids Seeking God.

It was my first time speaking specifically to college age students. I had done high school youth groups and adults - but this particular demographic had eluded me. So there I was, at the Portland State University Newman Center talking about how to embrace and live the hard teachings of Christ. The focus was on getting these young adults to become true followers - meaning living the Gospel passage: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me."

Not an easy topic, but oh so necessary.

When doing a talk like this, you can easily tell whether a group is interested in what you have to say. It's in their eyes. In most middle school and high school youth groups, there is an almost complete lack of connection. They're just not at that place of caring. Not everyone, mind you, but a majority.

God bless these PSU students. Not once did I feel I had lost them, or that they didn't care.

They listened intently. Asked questions. And even thanked me afterwards.

This is the lost generation? These are the young Americans from a liberal college, and located in one of the most liberal areas of the country who don't care about their faith?

Thanks be to God!

Let us continue to lift up our young adults in prayer. Especially those who are attending our colleges and universities - the "hot-beds" of morally relative indoctrination. Reach out a hand. Invite them to Mass. Bring them to a church event. Don't wait for them to come to you - it may never happen.

Take that first step. A step in faith. There are souls depending on you.

Who Da Man? Deacon Harold is Da Man.

Matthew Warner's website (http://www.fallibleblogma.com/) is promoting "Support a Catholic Speaker Month." What a wonderful idea! So it is my goal to do just that.

See here for more details: http://www.fallibleblogma.com/index.php/support-a-catholic-speaker-month-and-favorite-catholic-speaker-2009-results

I have chosen to "support" my good friend - and AMAZING speaker - Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. I have the pleasure of calling him my friend and well as my inspiration for doing what I do. It was his "yes" to my invitation to speak at a men's conference here in Portland, Oregon that allowed me to give God my "yes" to launching Real Catholic Ministries.

One of the things I appreciate most about Deacon Harold (and people in general) is his no-holds-barred approach to his faith. He speaks the truth of the Catholic Faith with love and conviction. If you don't receive a healthy dose of the Holy Spirit by the time you're done hearing one of his talks - you might want to check for a pulse.

His explanations of the Mass, the family, the Eucharist, etc. are direct, enlightening and understandable.

I think the mark of a great speaker is one that moves people to change their lives. I think of Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. John Corapi and Christopher West. Well, I can speak from personal experience when I say that Deacon Harold has done just that for me. And, thanks be to God, due to his ability to utilize the media, Deacon Harold has been able to touch thousands of people around the world through radio, his EWTN series, public appearances and even YouTube.

No less important than his message, Deacon Harold continues to be one of the few black, Catholic men (along with my other brother in Christ, Richard Lane) who has had the opportunity to be a "face" for an entire culture. While his talks cross all borders of color, class, gender or faith, he "speaks" to the world as a man whose brothers and sisters in Christ have for so long been (at least visibly) unrepresented in the Catholic Church.

Deacon Harold's website (http://www.auremcordis.com/) will give you a lot of information about his ministry, his schedule of talks and what media is available to order.

I promise you that Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers is a force to be reckoned with in the battle for souls. The devil will attack all these great speakers as they continue doing the work of God. Please pray for them - as they do for you.

God bless!!!