Testimony ...
Those who have attended the menALIVE events
are often moved to share the depth of their experience. This testimony can be very powerful and is worth a wide audience.
Dear brothers,
I had to write to let you all know my heartfelt and deep thanks for the weekend. Words
cannot convey nor describe my gratitude but let me try.
I sat down before going to bed last night to pray the Office of Readings for today. The first
thing my eyes saw was the first antiphon: "God keeps silence no longer; he has come out into
the open." Wow! That's what I saw in our men over the weekend. God was silent no longer in
them and through them He has come out into the open. Although I trusted God would work in
ways I could not describe nor imagine, I was hesitant how the menAlive experience would be
taken up by our parish and then what would happen as a result. All my fears and worries were
groundless.
It was so encouraging for me to go away from the retreat to do the other things I had to do
and each time I came back I could sense a change in the men. They were becoming more
energised, more enthusiastic and more God-centred.
Thank you for all you have done for us here at Southport. Congratulations on the work you do.
Thanks be to God for the gifts, the talents, the energy, the openness that is in each of you
and that you have laid at the service of the Church.
Finally, the weekend was an encouragement and an affirmation of my own vocation to be a
priest. Although I was not fully involved in all sessions just being there and soaking up the
spirit and the Spirit has made me glad to be a priest.
God will continue to bless you and your mission, I am sure. I shall keep you in prayer and let
me also offer my help as a priest in the work you do. If ever I can be available, I will be.
Yours in Christ,
Paul
Rev Fr Paul Chandler
Southport Catholic Parish
Robert Massey. Booval Parish. Queensland.
In my research (UQ). looking into issues for men,
boys and older men I find the older guys are often ommitted. Men Alive is the first org. that I
have encountered to cater for the older guys. God knows we need nurturing of the spirit and
that we have a lot to contribute to the spiritual development of men and boys.
The menAlive conference challenged me to really think about what is important to me as a
man, as a father, a husband and as someone who wants to make a solid contribution to the
world I live in. I felt encouraged by the calibre of the men attended and inspired to be alive
and active in the church.
The ongoing participation in the Men Alive Journaling group has really helped me in my faith
journey. Our weekly journaling group meeting has become a great source of inspiration.
Men set to come alive
"LOVE - for men" was the title for Steve Biddulph's talk given
in Brisbane some years ago. Steve has published and lectured in the area of personal development and relationships throughout
Australia.
I attended, and experienced two surprises.
First 200 men attended his talk, on a Sunday night!
Second, there was deep anger hurt and frustration associated with marriage and family relationships voiced by so many of the men
during small-group and plenary segments of the evening.
Several renewal movements (of which Archbishop Francis Rush used say that the Church itself is the most important) have served the
Brisbane and Australian Church well. These movements have mostly addressed the Catholic, Chrirtian and spiritual dimensions
of peopte's lives.
However, the dimension of personal and relational development in people's lives has only been minimally addressed in the Church and
the broader civil community of Brisbane and Australia.
This is surprising, especially in the Church, because the key to understanding God's grace in our lives is personal relationship. As
well we readily accept the teaching that "grace builds on nature".
Very recently I had a long discussion with one of the leaders of the "menAlive experience" and came away impressed. I was also
given a bochure and DVD.
I have registered for the menAlive weekend retreat for November 8 and 9 (advertised
in "Happenings" of the Catholic Leader on October 19) at Holy Spirit Church Auchennower.
My learnings so far about menAlive are: it is not a movement; does not seek membership; does not seek donations or funds; is
initially but not exclusively parish based; is approved by Archbishop lohn Bathersby; is not charismatic in origin, aim or expression;
and does aim to help participants find their purpose and mission in the various environments of life such as mariage, family, work and
parish.
Perhaps menAlive will address the great need for personal and relationship development obviously evident today in society and
the Church.
Fr James Hynes
Lutwyche, Qld
Feedback from the November 2008 Toowong Weekend
“There are so many things I appreciated about the weekend – it was accessible in its format, time frame, and
financial cost. It meets a need where there is a vacuum in the area of ministry to men” Kevin – Toowong.
”Thankyou for a much needed refocus on my spiritual journey” Tony – Mt Gravatt
“I feared the weekend would just be happy clappers – it was great and down to earth and I did some clapping
too!” Jock – Toowong
“I had not been to confession for nearly 30 years – I feel a freedom now that I did not think possible” – Bruce,
Toowong
Feedback from the March 2009 Sydney Weekend
You men are great! You have Made me fall more in love with Jesus
and Mary. Thank you Rob for those encouraging words in church. I had
never experienced that before. Thank you Peter Gabauer for sitting next
to me in church after I had told you all my problems. You were like a
father, brother and a friend all in one. I love you blokes if i may say
that. LUKE
I wish to extend my gratitude for the experience you and your
team brought us in this weekend.
It was one great fruitful weekend for most of us who obviously
needed it. To be led by you and ultimately touched by the holy spirit
and received the graces from our Lord, made every moment worthwhile. It was
apparent that something got re-ignited from within our selves.
I hope to continue and raise my commitment to our Father in heaven
and earth. Therefore, I'd like to register my name for your plans in
extending the "Men Alive" group in Sydney at any capacity where you feel
my service is required. EDWARD
I have experienced a Conversion on this weekend. KEN
Can you please come and do menALIVE in my Community. ABE (He is a leader of a Community that is in 127 countries)
What can I say Just Awesome.
Jose
Three words capture my experience: Beautiful, Heartfelt and
Inspiring...Thank you for your hearts and transparency.
Mijo
I am leaving with renewed Peace and Contentment that I have not
felt in a long time. Peter D
My heart burned, I recognized Jesus in the talks and the men.
Thank you. Peter B
Thank you for helping me to open my heart it has been a
long,long,long time!!!!!!! Greg
Good Format - Opportunity to Share - but not dwell - moved along. Set
Challenges which was good. In the beginning I thought talk was cheap,
however the honesty and openness in the sharing by the presenters and
their genuine concern changed my mind. John
The topics that were talked about really had a special connection
with the current situation of my life. Jason
We are so grateful to God for all he does. Our Father is very interested
when his Sons gather.