As the fifth annual ManUp South Jersey Conference approaches, its director is excited about “the day that will change lives.”
The “one-day retreat,” set for Nov. 11 at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, will “provide men with spiritual opportunities that will lead them to encounter Christ in a special way and [help them] understand what it is to be a Catholic, courageous man,” says Deacon Anthony Cioe of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Turnersville. “They’ll become better fathers, better husbands, better men – the person God created them to be.”
These opportunities for growth, he noted, will include Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, fellowship, spiritual reflection, vocations talks, and the witness of four national speakers: Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, international Irish Tenor Mark Forrest, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Karl H. Gingrich and Cpt. Daniel L. Mode, CHC, USN, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1992.
Known around the world as the “Dynamic Deacon,” Burke-Sivers is a powerful and passionate evangelist and preacher, and host/co-host of several EWTN series. He is also the author of “Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality,” “Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African American Priest” and “Our Life of Service: The Handbook for Catholic Deacons.”
Forrest returns to the spirituality conference to share his voice and personal story of triumph over tragedy. His has performed at concert halls and cathedrals worldwide; some of his audiences have included Pope Saint John Paul II and Saint Teresa of Kolkata. He and his wife, Muriel, are founders of The Faith & Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports individuals and families with special needs.
Maj. Gen. Gingrich, director of program analysis and evaluation in the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, assists the secretary and chief of staff in budget allocation for their programs. He received his officer commission from Temple University, Philadelphia, as an armor officer with a degree in civil and construction engineering technology. After leading tactical formations in the U.S. Army, he embarked on a career in operations research, supporting and leading the Army’s Force and Program Development.
Capt. Mode, current chaplain of the U.S. Coast Guard, has been a U.S. Navy chaplain for the past 35 years. He is the author of “The Grunt Padre,” a biography on the life and heroics of Navy Chaplain Father Vincent Capodanno, who was killed in Vietnam.
In a distinguished military career that has included dedicated service in such places as Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Father Mode has received awards and decorations such as the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Deacon Cioe said this year’s event, themed “To Know, to Love, and Serve,” will also tie into the National Eucharistic Revival. “The speakers will reflect on this, answering how they came to know the Lord and how, through their work, they are helping others come to know Him, experience His love and learning to serve those around them.”
He added that it is also appropriate that two of the speakers come from military backgrounds, as the conference falls on Veterans Day.
Deacon Cioe is confident that no matter where attendees are in their lives – young professionals, new parents, grandparents, single or newlywed – those of all backgrounds will find at Man Up South Jersey “an environment where they are going to hear and feel the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s love. It’ll give them something to hold onto through difficult times.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit manupsouthjersey.com.
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