The Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference - Why I Go

Several years ago, my father-in-law invited me to attend the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference with him. At the time, I went only to please my wife and father-in-law. In truth, my faith was faltering. I can’t even remember if I took home anything of substance from that first conference. Still, a seed was planted.

I remember going to Confession for the first time in a long time, telling my confessor how I wasn’t sure where I was with my faith. I knew that from where I stood I was no model of Catholic manhood. I felt like I was going through the motions of Christianity, not really living up to my call as a husband and father, or a brother to other men. I listened to the priest’s wise words and went off to spend time in prayer and penance, wondering what it all meant.

During the next year – slowly, steadily, the clouds of doubt started to lift and I began to look seriously once more at what it meant to believe. Over the months that followed, I reexamined my Catholic faith, the mistakes I had made, and what it would take to draw near to my Savior once more.

My father-in-law invited me to the next conference – and the one after that. I went with a more open heart, listened to the speakers, knelt before the Blessed Sacrament, and spent time in fellowship with other men. My faith was blossoming once more. I was writing again. I was working so hard to honor my wife and children and to be the kind of man they deserved. There was nothing noble or grand about it. It was a daily work of love, inspired by the grace I received by surrendering my will to the One who had had called me near to him once more.

I’ve been coming to the conference ever since. I’ve even become involved in helping to make it happen in small and insignificant ways, and still I continue to grow in my faith. I don’t know all of where God is taking me, but I know it is good and I know I’m committed to the journey.

Why go to the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference? The conference opens doors, plants seeds, and changes lives. It certainly did for me. It can do it for you as well.

Those are my reasons. We'd love to hear yours. Send a quick email (a paragraph or two will do) about why you go to the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference. I'd love to feature your responses in a future blog! The men need to hear from you! Contact me at - 

[email protected]

Thank you.

Mark C. McCann