MADISON — The Men of Christ-Madison and the St. Francis Xavier Parish Knights of Columbus Council #3924 are hosting an Advent Men’s Retreat on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 5.
The event has come together after the initial in-person Men of Christ-Madison event had to cancel.
Due to COVID-19, the format has been adjusted to a mixed design.
The speakers’ presentations are being recorded and extended out to participating parish sites.
Each participating parish will host a live event, following the recommended health guidelines for their area.
‘Stay strong’
“Encouraging Men to Stay Strong During Trying Times” is the tagline for this event and the driving theme for its organizers.
Dave Yanke said, “As men, it’s our job to get our families, loved ones, acquaintances, and even enemies to heaven. We cannot do this without grace. To receive grace, we need to receive the sacraments. We want to get men back into the churches, back receiving the Eucharist, and back to confession so they have the spiritual strength to lead.”
Randy Mack added, “There’s so much confusion in the Catholic Church and its teachings . . . this will hopefully inform men of what is expected of them. These speakers are so good that we are praying their talks will soften hearts, that these men will lead their families back to the Catholic Church in earnest.”
The speakers will be addressing the current evangelization effort happening in the Diocese of Madison, and each man’s role in spreading the good news of the gospel.
The organizers hope the event will serve as a springboard for more parish men’s groups and Bible studies.
Mack indicated that “As of right now, we are thinking we’re going to double the original (planned) attendance to over 1,000 men diocese wide!”
To date, 42 parishes have signed on to be host sites for this event. Additional parishes in the Diocese of Madison and throughout Wisconsin are invited to join this effort and host this event at your parish.
How to participate
To register as a site, confirm your pastor’s permission; designate who will be the “lead” contact for coordinated communications with the Men of Christ team, the “technician” who will play the recorded presentations, and the “parish captain” who manages the publicity and marketing for your parish.
Use this link to register your parish for participation: https://tinyurl.com/y6rlr98m
Once your parish is registered, the retreat organizers will help your designated “lead” contact bring this virtual program to your site.
The event organizers suggest the following agenda:
8 a.m.: Mass
8:45 a.m.: Adoration, Confession, and Rosary
10 a.m. to 12 noon: Presentations by: Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison; Doug Barry, RADIX- BATTLE READY; Fr. Richard Heilman, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff; Kevin O’Brien, Men of Christ; and Jason Simon, Evangelical Catholic.
There is no charge for the retreat, but a free will offering will be collected.
For more information about this event and the Men of Christ-Madison, contact Dave Yanke at 608-843-9542 or Randy Mack at 608-393-9460.