Conference aims to help men live lives of faith in challenging world
February 27, 2025 at 10:11 a.m.
UPDATED Feb. 24, 2025
More than 500 men of all ages and backgrounds explored the vital roles of unity and brotherhood among Catholic men during the 28th annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference Feb. 22.
Held in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown, the day-long conference included Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and keynote talks by Trent Horn, a staff apologist for Catholic Answers; Matthew Arnold, a Catholic speaker, writer, author and podcaster, and former NFL quarterback Elvis Grbac.
Through The Ages
The day marked the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, so, in his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the question, “What is the measure of a man?” by holding up the life and ministry of St. Peter as an example.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Catholic Men for Jesus Christ conference
RELATED STORY: Conference highlights include special recognitions, presentations
While Peter would become the rock upon whom Jesus would build his Church, Bishop O’Connell said, “Peter was not a perfect man, by any means, or even a perfect apostle.
“He is mentioned throughout the New Testament in stories that present him as impetuous. He struggled with faith and sometimes failed to understand Jesus’ mission. He could be given to bouts of anxiety and fear. And, of course, we know he denied the Lord Jesus” three times as Jesus faced death, Bishop O’Connell said.
“Despite all these faults and flaws, Jesus loved Peter deeply and saw in him the potential to build and govern the Church,” the Bishop said. “We read in the Scriptures, Peter’s journey of faith, growth, repentance, perseverance and leadership demonstrated the transforming power of God’s grace in his life. Peter stands out as a powerful reminder that men, with God’s grace, can overcome flaws and failings and – with faith, trust in God, determination, conviction and hope – can change for the better, for the stronger and make a significant impact in our lives, by our lives."
“My brothers, Peter is a model and great encouragement for us,” Bishop O’Connell said.
Conveying Messages
Horn’s presentation on “Why We’re Catholic” was based on having grown up in a nonreligious household, with a father who was Jewish and a mother who was a nonpracticing Catholic. He told of his journey to the Catholic Church after exploring different religions. Following his conversion to Catholicism, he pursued master’s degrees in theology, philosophy and bioethics and authored nine books.
Reflecting on why Catholics believe what they believe, Horn spoke about how the Bible cannot be the only rule of faith for Catholics to live by; about the Catholic view of salvation; and why Catholics pray to the intercession of Mary and the saints.
“I’ve learned that we are part of a larger heavenly eternal family,” he said, “and as men I hope we will be men who will lead our families, schoolmates, coworkers, communities and all the people we encounter to eternal life.”
In a second presentation on “Answering LGBT Catholicism,” Horn addressed making the case against redefining marriage to accommodate same-sex couples. He cautioned against using derogatory language or slurs when speaking on the topic but said Catholics must speak the truth about the Church’s views on marriage being between one man and one woman.
What is Chivalry?
In his topic, “Chivalry and the Manly Art of Virtue,” Arnold explained how the institution of chivalry was an attempt by the Church to help laymen have a rule of life, to sanctify the secular order. But that was not just for medieval men, he said. The Second Vatican Council’s document on the vocation on the laity “calls us to the same thing – to sanctify the secular order, that is, to make the world outside the walls of the church holy. And in order to accomplish this, the first thing we would have to do is sanctify ourselves,” he said.
Arnold spoke on how society is riddled with many kinds of addictions and that they “coincide” with the seven deadly sins. “The way to overcome sin is to exercise virtues,” he said, and exercising virtues “are things we cannot do without God’s grace.”
“While God can give us all the grace we need,” people must have the spiritual faculties, intellect and will to right their wrongs. “If you want to follow Jesus, then you have to choose to pick up your cross,” he said.
Grbac started his presentation by telling the conference participants that he wanted “to change the view you have of me.”
While the audience knew about Grbac’s distinguished career as an NFL quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, Grbac said he would prefer that his brothers knew him as a man of faith. He shared that he was raised in a devout Croatian Catholic home but had drifted away during his 31-year football career, and about his profound reversion to Catholicism following his retirement in 2001. Though he dealt with challenges and alcoholism, it was the support of his family, encounters with other Catholics and coming to appreciate the Sacrament of Reconciliation that led Grbac back to his Catholic faith. His new path led to his becoming the athletic director and head football coach of his alma mater, Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, Cleveland, Ohio, where he integrates faith into his coaching and teaching. He is pursuing graduate studies in theology.
“I had a great NFL career, but I can only imagine how greater it would have been if Christ had been completely there with me all along,” he said.
Poignant Take-Aways
Mark Contratti of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, said the conference allowed him the “great opportunity” to grow in his faith and love for Jesus and to renew his devotion to his Catholic faith.
He said he appreciated Grbac’s emphasis on prioritizing “professing our faith and living it in our daily lives,” then commented on the Bishop’s homily and how it “propels me to carry out his message of hope and inspiration with my fellow Catholic brothers.”
“Given the landscape of today’s society and the world events that take place daily, this yearly gathering provides hope and reenergizes us in carrying out our daily tasks as Christians,” he said.
Bishop O'Connell celebrates Mass for the 500 men gathered for the annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ conference in St. Mary Parish, Middletown.
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UPDATED Feb. 24, 2025
More than 500 men of all ages and backgrounds explored the vital roles of unity and brotherhood among Catholic men during the 28th annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference Feb. 22.
Held in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown, the day-long conference included Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and keynote talks by Trent Horn, a staff apologist for Catholic Answers; Matthew Arnold, a Catholic speaker, writer, author and podcaster, and former NFL quarterback Elvis Grbac.
Through The Ages
The day marked the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, so, in his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the question, “What is the measure of a man?” by holding up the life and ministry of St. Peter as an example.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Catholic Men for Jesus Christ conference
RELATED STORY: Conference highlights include special recognitions, presentations
While Peter would become the rock upon whom Jesus would build his Church, Bishop O’Connell said, “Peter was not a perfect man, by any means, or even a perfect apostle.
“He is mentioned throughout the New Testament in stories that present him as impetuous. He struggled with faith and sometimes failed to understand Jesus’ mission. He could be given to bouts of anxiety and fear. And, of course, we know he denied the Lord Jesus” three times as Jesus faced death, Bishop O’Connell said.
“Despite all these faults and flaws, Jesus loved Peter deeply and saw in him the potential to build and govern the Church,” the Bishop said. “We read in the Scriptures, Peter’s journey of faith, growth, repentance, perseverance and leadership demonstrated the transforming power of God’s grace in his life. Peter stands out as a powerful reminder that men, with God’s grace, can overcome flaws and failings and – with faith, trust in God, determination, conviction and hope – can change for the better, for the stronger and make a significant impact in our lives, by our lives."
“My brothers, Peter is a model and great encouragement for us,” Bishop O’Connell said.
Conveying Messages
Horn’s presentation on “Why We’re Catholic” was based on having grown up in a nonreligious household, with a father who was Jewish and a mother who was a nonpracticing Catholic. He told of his journey to the Catholic Church after exploring different religions. Following his conversion to Catholicism, he pursued master’s degrees in theology, philosophy and bioethics and authored nine books.
Reflecting on why Catholics believe what they believe, Horn spoke about how the Bible cannot be the only rule of faith for Catholics to live by; about the Catholic view of salvation; and why Catholics pray to the intercession of Mary and the saints.
“I’ve learned that we are part of a larger heavenly eternal family,” he said, “and as men I hope we will be men who will lead our families, schoolmates, coworkers, communities and all the people we encounter to eternal life.”
In a second presentation on “Answering LGBT Catholicism,” Horn addressed making the case against redefining marriage to accommodate same-sex couples. He cautioned against using derogatory language or slurs when speaking on the topic but said Catholics must speak the truth about the Church’s views on marriage being between one man and one woman.
What is Chivalry?
In his topic, “Chivalry and the Manly Art of Virtue,” Arnold explained how the institution of chivalry was an attempt by the Church to help laymen have a rule of life, to sanctify the secular order. But that was not just for medieval men, he said. The Second Vatican Council’s document on the vocation on the laity “calls us to the same thing – to sanctify the secular order, that is, to make the world outside the walls of the church holy. And in order to accomplish this, the first thing we would have to do is sanctify ourselves,” he said.
Arnold spoke on how society is riddled with many kinds of addictions and that they “coincide” with the seven deadly sins. “The way to overcome sin is to exercise virtues,” he said, and exercising virtues “are things we cannot do without God’s grace.”
“While God can give us all the grace we need,” people must have the spiritual faculties, intellect and will to right their wrongs. “If you want to follow Jesus, then you have to choose to pick up your cross,” he said.
Grbac started his presentation by telling the conference participants that he wanted “to change the view you have of me.”
While the audience knew about Grbac’s distinguished career as an NFL quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, Grbac said he would prefer that his brothers knew him as a man of faith. He shared that he was raised in a devout Croatian Catholic home but had drifted away during his 31-year football career, and about his profound reversion to Catholicism following his retirement in 2001. Though he dealt with challenges and alcoholism, it was the support of his family, encounters with other Catholics and coming to appreciate the Sacrament of Reconciliation that led Grbac back to his Catholic faith. His new path led to his becoming the athletic director and head football coach of his alma mater, Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, Cleveland, Ohio, where he integrates faith into his coaching and teaching. He is pursuing graduate studies in theology.
“I had a great NFL career, but I can only imagine how greater it would have been if Christ had been completely there with me all along,” he said.
Poignant Take-Aways
Mark Contratti of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, said the conference allowed him the “great opportunity” to grow in his faith and love for Jesus and to renew his devotion to his Catholic faith.
He said he appreciated Grbac’s emphasis on prioritizing “professing our faith and living it in our daily lives,” then commented on the Bishop’s homily and how it “propels me to carry out his message of hope and inspiration with my fellow Catholic brothers.”
“Given the landscape of today’s society and the world events that take place daily, this yearly gathering provides hope and reenergizes us in carrying out our daily tasks as Christians,” he said.
Bishop O'Connell celebrates Mass for the 500 men gathered for the annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ conference in St. Mary Parish, Middletown.