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March 11, 2021The 2021 Oklahoma Catholic Men's Conference was mostly a virtual experience. Yet that didn't seem to lessen the holy experience for hundreds.
The 25th edition of “In the Father's Footsteps,” put on by the Oklahoma Fellowship of Catholic Men, had the theme of "Walking with the Risen Christ." Four speakers spoke on ways for men to enrich their faith and become better fathers, husbands and spiritual leaders for their families.
A few dozen men wearing masks and socially distanced attended the conference in person at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Oklahoma City with most of the attendees watching online.
"The hybrid concept of live/virtual was a new challenge to the team," Conference Director Ray Haefele said.
"We had great feedback. The Holy Spirit was alive and well. We had 18 parish remote events across Oklahoma."
Haefele said one of the men watching online was doing so from Madison, Wis. Many other men met at their respective parish halls. Haefele pointed out some non-Catholic men registered. Handling emcee duties during the day was Adam Minihan.
Some mention was given to the founding of the conference in 1996. Helping to start the annual event was the late Father John Petuskey. Earlier this year, the group lost another founder, Deacon Bill Bawden. He served as a deacon at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond and Saint Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City.
Archbishop Paul Coakley welcomed the men and noted "the Lord looks on us with love as we enter into the season of Lent."
Attendees also heard greetings from another founder, Deacon Roy Forsythe as well as live spiritual music during the day from Emmaus Road.
The main attraction were the four speakers.
Jeff Cavins
Jeff Cavins, a national and international Bible teacher as well as successful podcaster, urged others to "become more like Jesus and take on his world view."
"Hear the voice of God and be where he's speaking, in the Scriptures."
He compared going out into the world for Christ much like the valor the Apostles had in leaving behind their lives as fishermen.
"Get out of your boat and be courageous and be men. Truth is related to justice," he said.
During the day, some short video clips discussing the benefits of the men's conference, were provided. One was from Father Joe Jacobi, pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mustang.
"The secular world challenges men," Father Jacobi said. "The conference helps men grow in the knowledge of God's love for them.”
Steve Angrisano
The second speaker was Steve Angrisano, a national ministry leader and committed witness to the life and love of Jesus.
He asked men to be like clay so God can mold them. The speaker also stressed the vital need to pray every day. He thanked his late grandfather for helping him to learn the Rosary. He pointed out that men were the leaders of the faith and that 80 percent of Catholics only would become faithful adult Catholics if their fathers were.
"Be a person who goes to daily Mass and invite others with you," Angrisano said.
Tony Ferraro
After lunch, Tony Ferraro, a faithful executive coach for many business leaders nationally, spoke on the theme of being a "man capable of dreaming."
He mentioned a quote from Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
"Let no one come to you without leaving happier," he noted.
He added everyone can dream and plan a bigger and better future. He also cited statistics showing 7 percent of a parish responsible for contributing 80 percent of a parish's time, talent and money. He asked men to recognize that Catholicism had "housed and fed" more people than any group in history.
Jim Beckman
Jim Beckman, the archdiocesan executive director of evangelization and catechesis, closed out the conference, reminding all the men to follow up on the notes and lessons they learned during the conference.
"It's all about the follow through," he said. He also said we lived in a climate "hostile to God."
"There's more we can give," Beckman said. "We can never outgive God."
He also pointed out Jesus walks with us.
"We need to listen to the word and walk in his footsteps."
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City was one of the locations that viewed the conference online. Their pastor, Father William Novak, urged men to watch in the parish hall.
Kirk Broussard attended at Saint Francis.
"Participating together helps us to go out afterwards and try to be the best disciples that we can be," he said.
Perry Hatch of Saint Francis agreed.
"Praying the Rosary as a group was wonderful and powerful," he said.
The 26th Oklahoma Catholic Men's Conference will be March 12, 2022.
Steve Gust is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
