Ministry to men in South Jersey is growing, expanding

A number of years ago, there was a very popular TV show that you may remember. In it, the characters were always faced with a difficult mission and would come together to develop and implement an effective plan. When the team would set the plan in motion, the star of the show, with a cigar clenched between his teeth, would smile and say, “I love it when a plan comes together.” And then the adventure would begin.

Sometimes, that’s what it’s like in ministry. Jesus is inviting each of us on an adventure. An adventure to follow Him and become a disciple who experiences the joy of a Christ-centered life. We hear His voice, we look at the situation, we develop a plan, and then we invite others to join in the adventure. Then the hard part starts. We take action, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we move forward, adjusting and modifying the plan as we go.

In 2018, Bishop Dennis Sullivan brought together and empowered a team to create a men’s conference with the goal of providing an opportunity for men to encounter Christ in a special way and be so touched by that encounter that they would become better fathers, husbands, sons, coworkers, Catholics … better men. The ManUp South Jersey Men’s Spirituality Conference was born, and each year since, hundreds of men from throughout the Diocese have gathered to hear inspiring Catholic speakers as well as pray, worship and grow closer to Christ.

To help men keep the message alive once they leave the conference, the ManUp ministry has broadened its mission to include weekly emails with Gospel reflection materials, establishing weekly Gospel reflection groups, and the development of a regularly updated resource guide containing links to Catholic podcasts, apps and videos.

To seek out even more resources, a small group of men from our Diocese attended the Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance National Retreat/Summit in Malvern, Pa., over the summer. The mission of the CMLA is to help build dynamic ministry to men in every diocese in North America, and to transform men as they deepen their relationship with Christ.

The summit brought together more than 150 attendees from throughout the United States to hear ideas, discover new resources and share their own success stories about ministering to men. Speakers included Bishop Joseph L. Coffey of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA; Father Larry Richards, founder of The Reason For Our Hope Foundation, and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, speaker, author and EWTN host and contributor. Each provided spiritual enrichment while stressing the importance of ministry to men.

To Chuck Warrington from Saint Simon Stock Parish, Berlin, ministry to men is important, which is why he felt called to attend the conference. “I’d like there to be a men’s ministry where we can safely share our lives, faith, failures and struggles,” he says. “A ministry where we support each other in our journey, a place where we can remind each other that at the end of the day, God loves us more than we can ever love ourselves, that the struggle is real, and we are not alone. I think the result of a strong ministry to men is a stronger, more faithful Catholic man who can walk with and lead his family, helping form a stronger Catholic community.”

Joseph DiFilippo, a parishioner of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, Hammonton, and a founding member of the ManUp South Jersey Steering Committee, also felt compelled to attend the CMLA conference to learn how to make the ManUp annual event more meaningful and effective throughout the entire year.

“I learned that the goal of the Alliance is to provide Catholic men with constant spiritual content that will help lead them to become a more effective Catholic gentleman throughout their daily lives,” he says. “I especially like their slogan, ‘Strengthen the Man, Strengthen the Family. Strengthen the Family, Strengthen the Church. Strengthen the Church, Transform the Culture.’”

For Deacon John Rich, it was a conference filled with great information. “I had no idea there were such resources for evangelizing men in our Diocese. The welcoming spirit was evident by all as was the energy by presenters and participants alike,” he says.

Attendees from our Diocese are now reviewing the available resources and expect to include information in upcoming emails, as well as at the Nov. 11 ManUp South Jersey Conference.

DiFilippo adds, “I have every confidence that our committee will stay focused and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I see our committee growing as we make every effort to share this opportunity for men throughout each parish in the Diocese.”

It would be an understatement to say that the conference planning committee is excited. They just love it when a plan comes together!

Deacon Anthony Cioe is director of the ManUp South Jersey Men’s Spirituality Conference. He is assigned to Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Turnersville.

This year’s ManUp South Jersey Men’s Spirituality Conference is scheduled for Nov. 11 at Paul VI High School, Haddonfield. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit manupsouthjersey.com.