hereiamsendme

News Release:
Catholic Men Say "Here I Am…Send Me!"

Here I Am… from Memphis, Collierville, Jackson, Bolivar, Cordova,
Oxford, Somerville, Olive Branch, Germantown, Humboldt, Selmer,
Bartlett…. The second Men's Morning of Spirituality with Bishop Steib
brought 400 men to the Church of the Incarnation in Collierville, TN.

The event was organized by the Fishers of Men Prayer Groups from Our
Lady of Perpetual Help in Germantown, Church of the Incarnation in
Collierville, Church of the Holy Spirit in Memphis and St. Louis Church in
Memphis. Men were greeted with coffee, donuts and fellowship. They
were inspired by the music and the morning speakers: emcee Dave
Kevern, witness Andy McNutt and speaker Danny Abramowicz. The men
were reconciled to God through the Sacraments and spiritually
nourished during Mass concelebrated by the Most Reverend J. Terry
Steib and 30 local priests. After Mass the attendees were provided with
a free lunch courtesy of Back Yard Burgers.

With a theme of "Here I Am…Send Me!" the men were aware that God
was speaking to them and calling them to turn to the Trinity and the
Church for guidance, strength and comfort. Dave Kevern, emcee,
reminded those in attendance "God has called each of us here today by
name. Today is about you and your relationship with Jesus Christ."

Witness speaker, Andy McNutt, a former Baptist Minister, shared his
call from God, his call to convert to the Catholic faith. McNutt said that
he did not turn away from the Baptist faith but turned to God in the
Blessed Sacrament. He said, "God led me to this Catholic Church so
that I could receive the Eucharist…I am grateful that he has given me
the Sacraments."

Danny Abramowicz, author of the Spiritual Workout of a Former Saint,
challenged the men as only a former All-Pro NFL wide receiver can. He
called on them to fight the forces of the devil, the forces of pride,
pornography, materialism, and selfishness. Abramowicz challenged the
men to take seven steps to change their lives. He said, "Now is the
time to change….God is challenging us to make our spiritual life a
higher priority than our personal lives." He went on to call the men to
participate in fellowship and reconciliation. Abramowicz told the men
that with commitment, perseverance, humility, service and a bold love
for the Lord that they can overcome the temptations of the Devil and
better serve God and their fellow man.

The Bishop of Memphis, the Most Reverend J. Terry Steib called the
men to love their families and their Church to "show you love God, to
nurture your commitment as you become Fishers of Men." He
reminded the men to live a "good, abundant, fulfilled life" by following
the instructions of Jesus. Bishop Steib said, "Our spirituality, our
Catholicism, is a way of life, a way of living, it defines who we are…We
must love God, love one another, end of instructions."

The Men's Morning of Spirituality events take months of planning and
promotion. With the support of Bishop J. Terry Steib, Father J. Edwin
Creary (MMoS Priest liaison), and Father William Parham (Pastor of the
Church of the Incarnation) the Fishers of Men prayer groups contacted
each Catholic Parish within the Memphis Diocese and surrounding
areas to give out flyers and put up signs. They sent emails, and called
on their fellow men to attend. Pete Daunais, one of the event
coordinators and a member of the Church of the Incarnation, was
thrilled with the success of the morning. Daunais said, "This was a large
undertaking, and everyone stepped forward and took an active role in
its success. I am humbled by their hard work and faith. There were
many men who were energized after this event and we need to
encourage those sparks of energy to become long lasting flames
burning for the love of Jesus and their Faith!"

Since the first Men's Morning of Spirituality in Memphis in October of
2006, fourteen Fishers of Men Prayer Groups
have been started throughout the Diocese.
Men are meeting weekly in Parishes in
Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Cordova,
Jackson and Somerville.

For a pdf copy of "Seven Challenging Steps"
by Danny Abramowicz click here