By Mark C. McCann

Recently, I attended a series of Christian talks on the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” given at a local Protestant church. I thought it would be good to understand more clearly the evangelical point of view on the subject of gifts and how it compared to Catholic teaching. As I listened to the speaker offer his opinions on the subject, I was called to consider the Spirit behind those gifts and the role he plays in guiding the Church.

One thing Catholics have is an anchor to the teaching and traditions of the Church that have been passed down through the ages through her leaders. The Holy Spirit has guided the Church in spite of the imperfect men who were in charge. We have a treasure of knowledge and wisdom that is ours, if only we will reach out and take hold of it.

Each year at the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference, we as men have the opportunity to hear the wisdom of men grounded in the authority and traditions of the Church. Through their wise words, we can grow in our faith and learn what it means to live out the theme of this year’s conference: Forge Your Path to Holiness.

Each of us is a member of the Body of Christ. No one is more important than anyone else. We all need to discover and carry out our personal apostolate as men, growing in holiness as we help to shape the Church that has so graciously shaped us.

Join us for this year’s conference. Visit ctcatholicmen.org/speakers to learn about the godly men who will be sharing a message of hope with you this year. Come for wonderful talks, great fellowship, the sacrament of Confession, a quiet time of Adoration, and the celebration of the Mass at the end.

Men, let’s rest on the authority of the Church, and allow God’s Spirit to forge us into men who are instruments of righteousness, building the Kingdom of God, one precious day at a time. 

We invite you to join us on Saturday, October 19th at St. Paul Catholic High School, in Bristol, Connecticut, where you will find a place of acceptance, refreshment, and supreme satisfaction; where you will once again come to see your place within the Body of believers and claim your role in God’s plan for your life. For more information, visit us at https://www.ctcatholicmen.org/. We hope to see you there!