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"God is glorified when men are fully alive!" St Ireneaus > mPages > MackayWeekend09
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Mackay
Weekend
A very sucessful weekend was held in Mackay on 10/11 October 2009.
Paul Vander Loos wrote this report for the Daily Mercury.
Chance for men to learn to cope
WOMEN have a lot of support organisations and programs, but when it comes to men there is very little.
And that is probably due to the fact that men think they can tough it out and don't know how to discuss
their feelings with other men.
Conversation seldom goes beyond the footy game on television or some DIY project that they are working on.
Women, on the other hand, freely open up to their friends, allowing them to cope better with the struggles of life and
relationships.
Last weekend, however, Catholic men had the opportunity to break through that communication barrier and make a connection to
enrich their spiritual lives and consequently help them to make sense out of life.
A team of three Catholic men from Brisbane co-ordinated a men's retreat called menAlive, starting from Saturday morning and
ending with a mass on Sunday around noon. I was one of the 40 men who attended, and all were changed and renewed by the experience.
It may have been specifically spiritual, but some of the techniques used throughout the weekend could well be applied at any
men's retreat. It is something that men are crying out for and need badly. Discussion sessions gradually allow men to open up
about their private lives - the highlights and struggles, hopes and fears.
It also helps when the menAlive team of Robert, Justin and Peter are themselves so inspiring in their talks, and opening up
their inner feelings about their relationships with their own fathers and sons.
There were some high-profile names among the men who attended - some known from their business or occupation, others for
community volunteer work.
But many were just ordinary blokes who were looking for some meaning and direction.
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