At annual conference, men encouraged to go on the ‘greatest adventure’ of discipleship
March 1, 2020 at 9:08 a.m.
Likening Lent to “spring training,” renowned author and evangelist Marcellino D’Ambrosio called the 40 days of Lent a perfect time for faithful to embark on the “greatest adventure” of Christian discipleship.
“Discipleship is not just marking time or meeting once a week,” said D’Ambrosio, co- founder of Crossroads Initiative, an apostolate of Catholic renewal and evangelization.
PHOTO GALLERY: 23rd annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference
“Discipleship means dropping everything and making Jesus the center of your life. If you want to be a disciple, you have to have a model, and the Lord has given us himself” and the saints who followed in his footsteps more than 2,000 years, he said.
Urging the adult men to speak about discipleship and the saints with their younger counterparts, he said, “Help them to see how exciting discipleship is, how it is the greatest adventure.”
The call to discipleship was the message that resounded throughout the 23rd annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference Feb. 29 in St. Mary Church, Middletown. The event, which had as its theme, “Discipleship, The Greatest Adventure,” drew some 650 men of all ages.
The call to choose Jesus as the model to follow was the focus of the homily given by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during the Mass he celebrated. Other presenters included baseball great Mark Teixeira, and evangelist, author and investment manager Stephen Auth.
Follow Me
Drawing from the day’s Gospel, Luke 5:27-32, Bishop O’Connell underscored the redemptive power of Jesus as he encouraged the men to consider how Jesus reached out to Levi, the tax collector who didn’t hesitate to host the Lord at table when called.
“This Jesus is an interesting guy,” said the Bishop, who was joined at the altar by nine priests including Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary Parish and diocesan liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
“Here he is meeting with tax collectors and sinners after performing great miracles,” the Bishop said, noting Jesus met condemnation from the Pharisees and responded that he had come to call “not the upright but sinners to repentance.”
Bishop O’Connell asked the men to consider that the Apostles “would argue, run away, deny and betray him,” yet Jesus chose them to build the Church just as he chose to eat with tax collectors and other sinners. Though there were various expectations of the Messiah at the time, including that he would come to settle scores, Jesus instead “brings mercy, forgiveness and compassion.”
“Jesus repeats that call today,” said Bishop O’Connell, “but, he can only enter our lives if we know we need him. He knows our needs before we even ask … He knows our sins and still loves us. Guys, in different degrees, we are all Levis. We need never feel unworthy in the presence of Jesus.”
Checking the Boxes
During his presentation, Teixeira, ESPN analyst and former Yankees first basemen, jubilantly announced, “I love baseball.” Now, however, “I hope at my funeral, they will talk about me being a husband, father and Christian.”
Teixeira acknowledged the importance of having good role models, speaking about his own role model -- his uncle, Father Charles Canterna, Baltimore prison chaplain, who “worked with some of the most troubled people in the world.
“He was a great role model to me,” he said, explaining that his uncle was a main inspiration in his abiding devotion to the faith.
Teixeria, who grew up as one of eight children and is now married and the father of three, said he’s well aware that “just becoming a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean you won’t sin.”
All manner of temptations are present on the road, he said. “I have always gone back to Jesus and the people around me to keep me on the straight path.”
Faithful Focus
As the conference was open to all men seeking to grow in their walk with Jesus, the day, in addition to the Mass and speakers, offered them opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There was also a youth track for young men in eighth grade through college.
“I wanted to spend time with my dad and grow in faith,” said Kai Chiang of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mountainside, who attended the conference for the second time with his father, Benjamin. “We both liked D’Ambrosio’s story.
Fourth time conference participant Justin McCarthy, 23, of St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor, said he enjoyed the event because “it’s wonderful to be with so many people united in faith and listen to great speakers. It’s a great event.”
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Likening Lent to “spring training,” renowned author and evangelist Marcellino D’Ambrosio called the 40 days of Lent a perfect time for faithful to embark on the “greatest adventure” of Christian discipleship.
“Discipleship is not just marking time or meeting once a week,” said D’Ambrosio, co- founder of Crossroads Initiative, an apostolate of Catholic renewal and evangelization.
PHOTO GALLERY: 23rd annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference
“Discipleship means dropping everything and making Jesus the center of your life. If you want to be a disciple, you have to have a model, and the Lord has given us himself” and the saints who followed in his footsteps more than 2,000 years, he said.
Urging the adult men to speak about discipleship and the saints with their younger counterparts, he said, “Help them to see how exciting discipleship is, how it is the greatest adventure.”
The call to discipleship was the message that resounded throughout the 23rd annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference Feb. 29 in St. Mary Church, Middletown. The event, which had as its theme, “Discipleship, The Greatest Adventure,” drew some 650 men of all ages.
The call to choose Jesus as the model to follow was the focus of the homily given by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during the Mass he celebrated. Other presenters included baseball great Mark Teixeira, and evangelist, author and investment manager Stephen Auth.
Follow Me
Drawing from the day’s Gospel, Luke 5:27-32, Bishop O’Connell underscored the redemptive power of Jesus as he encouraged the men to consider how Jesus reached out to Levi, the tax collector who didn’t hesitate to host the Lord at table when called.
“This Jesus is an interesting guy,” said the Bishop, who was joined at the altar by nine priests including Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary Parish and diocesan liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
“Here he is meeting with tax collectors and sinners after performing great miracles,” the Bishop said, noting Jesus met condemnation from the Pharisees and responded that he had come to call “not the upright but sinners to repentance.”
Bishop O’Connell asked the men to consider that the Apostles “would argue, run away, deny and betray him,” yet Jesus chose them to build the Church just as he chose to eat with tax collectors and other sinners. Though there were various expectations of the Messiah at the time, including that he would come to settle scores, Jesus instead “brings mercy, forgiveness and compassion.”
“Jesus repeats that call today,” said Bishop O’Connell, “but, he can only enter our lives if we know we need him. He knows our needs before we even ask … He knows our sins and still loves us. Guys, in different degrees, we are all Levis. We need never feel unworthy in the presence of Jesus.”
Checking the Boxes
During his presentation, Teixeira, ESPN analyst and former Yankees first basemen, jubilantly announced, “I love baseball.” Now, however, “I hope at my funeral, they will talk about me being a husband, father and Christian.”
Teixeira acknowledged the importance of having good role models, speaking about his own role model -- his uncle, Father Charles Canterna, Baltimore prison chaplain, who “worked with some of the most troubled people in the world.
“He was a great role model to me,” he said, explaining that his uncle was a main inspiration in his abiding devotion to the faith.
Teixeria, who grew up as one of eight children and is now married and the father of three, said he’s well aware that “just becoming a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean you won’t sin.”
All manner of temptations are present on the road, he said. “I have always gone back to Jesus and the people around me to keep me on the straight path.”
Faithful Focus
As the conference was open to all men seeking to grow in their walk with Jesus, the day, in addition to the Mass and speakers, offered them opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There was also a youth track for young men in eighth grade through college.
“I wanted to spend time with my dad and grow in faith,” said Kai Chiang of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mountainside, who attended the conference for the second time with his father, Benjamin. “We both liked D’Ambrosio’s story.
Fourth time conference participant Justin McCarthy, 23, of St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor, said he enjoyed the event because “it’s wonderful to be with so many people united in faith and listen to great speakers. It’s a great event.”