Men's conference to focus on renewal, affirmation, encouragement
Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
March 2, 2007
 Paco Gavrilides | Put Out Into The Deep, the annual Catholic conference for men in the Archdiocese of Detroit, will take place March 24 at University of Detroit Mercy's Calihan Hall. The conference is organized by Paco Gavrilides, coordinator of evangelization for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Gavrilides spoke with Michigan Catholic reporter Joe Kohn about the 2007 conference and this year's theme, "Courageous Companions of Christ":
Talk about the theme of this year's conference, "Courageous Companions of Christ" — why is that relevant to Christian men today?
As you know, in our own increasingly secularized society with the culture of death and challenges that are out there to living and open and free Christian life, the virtue of courage allows us to stand in peace and confidence of as Christian men in the face of various kinds of opposition — whether it be in ethics or business, or whether it be in freedom of expression of our faith in social situations, whether it be challenges in working with our own children who are being drawn away by certain ideologies or values of a secular society.
 The virtue of courage allows a man to stand firm and face his opposition and his fear, in the strength of God, to do what he needs to do. It's a virtue of our faith and something that I believe in our time is very necessary for men and women alike. And we see that it takes courage to acknowledge our weakness and our sinfulness. It takes courage to acknowledge our failures and to get up again and to go forward, trusting in the Lord. It takes courage to be reconciled with others when we've offended someone, either Christ Himself or with our fellow man.
You've said the conference speakers each will share testimonies. Why is it important for men to hear personal stories?
It's because our faith is an incarnate reality. We're talking about a way of living our Christian life in the human circumstances. And to hear how men have faced similar challenges and trials and difficulties and sufferings, and have overcome them and worked through them with courage, is something that all men will be able to relate to. All men face very similar challenges, whether it's natural fatherhood or spiritual fatherhood, whether it's being in some place of leadership and leading others, whether it's having many men trying to raise their families. The testimonies speak eloquently to the fact or the truth that, yes, with courage we can overcome and fulfill our duty and do God's will.
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Put Out Into The Deep V
What is it? A day of worship, fellowship and dynamic speakers to help and reinvigorate men in their daily walk with Christ. This year's theme: Courageous Companions in Christ.
Who's speaking? Saginaw Bishop Robert Carlson; Ralph Martin, author and director of graduate programs in the new evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit; John Riccardo, former chairman and CEO of Chrysler Corp.; Fr. John Riccardo, a conference founder and pastor of St. Anastasia Parish in Troy; and others.
When: Doors open at 7 a.m., conference is from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 24. Mass at 2:30 p.m.; confessions all day.
Where: Calihan Hall, on the campus of University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit.
Cost: $40 in advance; $50 at the door; $25 for students.
For information: Call (734) 459-9558 or visit www.mensfellowship.com. | We know that, since last year's conference, Christ hasn't changed. Why should men come back to Put Out Into The Deep year after year?
All of us need renewal, affirmation, and encouragement to continue fervently and faithfully in our Christian walk. We also need to see that men who are coming from experience of life in parishes or from the various movements within the Church — whether they be the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Malta, the men of St. Vincent de Paul, the men of the Sacred Heart, the men of the Cursillo movement — need to see that we can be a part of the mission of Christ together.
Although Christianity has been around for 2,000 years … new challenges arise, and there are new needs to hear the message in fresh ways, with speakers who can come and give that vision again, present to us again the beauty of truth, the power of God, the hope that we have in Christ. It's ever-ancient and ever-new, the message of Christ. And it's good for men who are freshly drawn to Christ to encourage men who have been walking with Christ for many years. And it's good for men who are new in the faith to see veterans in living their Christian life for many years. What we're trying to do is come together in the precious gift of brotherhood, all of us being disciples in Christ and encouraging one another to keep living and sharing the Gospel.
Is there a promise you can make to attendees?
A They will come into a place where genuine faith is proclaimed and the joy of living the Christian life is witnessed. And if they're opened, their hearts will never be the same.
I see no reason why the annual gathering of men could not continue to grow in depth and in number for the greater honor and glory of God.
Related Links:
Men's Fellowship
5th Annual Conference for Men
Youth Breakout Session
Conference Tickets Online
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