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April 10, 2025By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press
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WORCESTER – Follow Jesus – despite the cross.
Pray daily and live virtuously – for your family’s sake.
Go to confession – even if you’re not the worst person. These were among challenges speakers gave 950-plus attendees of the 24th Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men’s Conference April 5 at the DCU Center. Other speakers told their conversion stories.
Leading the music was Michael Curry, formerly in music ministry at St. Anne Parish in Shrewsbury and now attending St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Swansea. Bridget Klofft, a cantor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Worcester, sang “How Great Thou Art,” with some listeners joining in on the chorus.
Bishop McManus celebrated the closing Mass, welcomed the 40-plus altar servers from St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish in Clinton, and thanked their pastor, Father James S. Mazzone, for bringing them.
The bishop preached about Jesus conquering sin and death. He said the fruit of faith is hope, and the reward of hope is heaven. In the Eucharist we receive the same Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead, he noted.
Before Mass, the filled room fell silent as the Host in the monstrance, which had been available in a smaller room for adoration throughout the day, was carried in, to the sound of a ringing bell.
“The Mass was very impressive, very reverent,” commented Thomas Deffley, of St. Blaise Parish in Bellingham, attending the conference for the first time.
Jonathan Giachelli, of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, said he was grateful to go to confession to Bishop McManus, who joined more than 60 priests in offering the sacrament.
Photo by Tanya Connor
Bishop McManus laughs with other attendees at the 24th annual Worcester Diocese Catholic Men's Conference held at the DCU Center April 5.
Father Stephen M. Gemme, a St. Vincent Hospital chaplain and a conference committee member and spiritual advisor, asked participants to pray for priests. He had men discerning a priestly vocation stand, and a handful did.
Conference-goers standing in line for confession might wish there were more priests, Father Derek A. Mobilio, associate pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Grafton, said in his talk.
He mentioned the Worcester diocese’s Office for Vocations display, among 64 vendors’ tables.
One Scripture story he used in talking about confession was of Jesus sending demons out of a man into swine, and the region’s residents asking Jesus to leave (Lk 8:26-39). They could tolerate the demoniac’s presence but perhaps were afraid to look at themselves, Father Mobilio said.
He noted that listeners might think confession is for the worst people, but said Jesus came to forgive their vices too, and, in confession, penitents can receive truth, unlike “bad advice” offered elsewhere.
Other speakers gave practical advice in different ways.
Sam Blair, a retired Navy SEAL officer and CEO of Valletta Industries in Covington, Louisiana, suggested that some men might be inclined to tell Jesus, “You lost. You died on the cross. Why would I follow you?”
But Mr. Blair spoke of laying down one’s life for others as demonstrating real masculinity and of Jesus defeating sin on the cross and restoring sinners’ relationship with God. Now everything is subject to him.
Photo by Tanya Connor
Sam Blair, retired Navy SEAL and CEO of Valletta Industries in Covington, Louisiana gives a talk at 24th annual Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men's Conference April 5 at the DCU Center.
Yet businessmen might reduce him to a Sunday relationship, and say, “Lord, you don’t understand business.” And Jesus might respond, “I care about business too. You can reach souls Catholic priests can’t. ... Will you trust ... follow ... serve me?”
Mr. Blair said that Christians can’t avoid suffering, but it is not an indication that God does not exist or doesn’t love them.
Mr. Blair told the men they are to keep Satan out of the domestic church (their homes) and have a relationship with Jesus to model to their wives and children.
“Do you know Jesus?” he asked. “Do you love Jesus?”
“If you’re standing on the sidelines, you’re disengaged,” Mr. Blair said. God could ask, “Why didn’t you educate the grandkids in the faith?” The excuse, “I was golfing” won’t do.
“The Church needs you,” Mr. Blair said. “Your family needs you. Your family’s souls are eternal. ... How are you setting the tone?”
Theologian Edward Sri made similar points in his talk.
“The virtues are not just about me,” he said. “My wife needs me to be growing in virtue.” So do their children and co-workers. “Virtue gives us the freedom to love.”
Photo by Tanya Connor
Edward Sri, theologian and FOCUS co-founder, gives talk at 24th annual Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men's Conference April 5 at the DCU Center.
Ways to grow in virtue are to educate oneself, put in effort and learn to rely on God’s grace, he said. He mentioned the cardinal virtues: prudence, fortitude, temperance and justice.
“We need the power of daily prayer in our lives” – at least 30 minutes per day, he said. “The people in our lives are depending on us to pray.” He said his wife and children “need Christ loving them through me.” Meditation – reading, pausing, talking to God and listening – is important.
We might get distracted when praying and Satan wants us to think our prayer is not pleasing to God, he said, but real love isn’t about feelings; it’s about being faithful. He said St. Teresa of Kolkata said to never leave the chapel angry with oneself; give God that “nothing.”
Mark Alarie, of St. Patrick Parish in Rutland, appreciated praying with fellow conference-goers.
“It’s just a wonderful thing” to be in a room with about 120 men, praying the rosary, he said. “The room literally shakes – the voices. It was very, very cool.”
David Torrey, of Christ the King Parish, talked about the conference providing “tremendous help with my journey ... with Jesus, a better sense of myself and … of my love for the Catholic Church.” He rejoiced in sharing the experience with so many men who have a common love for God.
“It was really, really good this year,” commented Teddy George, of St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish in Sturbridge. “The speakers were excellent. ... They were very easy to listen to.”
Emcee Jim Polito, whose show is broadcast on WTAG 580 AM and 94.9 FM in Worcester, among other stations, announced that next year’s men’s conference is March 21.