Because I attend and participate at various men’s ministry activities — small and large — as an outreach calling, I’m blessed to witness the vast gifts, strengths and charisms of men across the generations.

Bringing others to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ takes a strong, daily dose of the Holy Spirit — no doubt. The Spirit dwells in these men, providing them the faith, energy, humility, creativity and intellect to lead and multiply their efforts through others.

As Catholic Watchmen, all of us are called to be leaders, protectors and providers — not just in physically and materially, but in spiritual matters. Indeed, we are body and spirit. The latter, which is the foundation of the CW movement, is the challenge we are compelled to embrace.

Avenue for embracing that challenge will be explored March 28 at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights. There, we will have an opportunity not only to gain some spiritual insight, but to renew and refresh relationships at a larger than normal venue — the annual Archdiocesan Men’s Conference.

There, men will get a chance to experience the charism of our keynote speaker, Father Paul Scalia, a dynamic presenter, author and son of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

A priest of the Diocese of Arlington in Virginia, Father Scalia will help provide spiritual leadership, teaching and guiding men in ways to Embrace the Challenge — the theme of the conference. The challenge is becoming better each day in leading others as spiritual fathers, husbands, brothers and friends — in virtue, in truth, in sacrifice and in gift of self. We encourage all men to come!

How can we prepare for the upcoming conference? An open mind and heart will do. As Watchmen of the Catholic faith, many men are probably already doing it. As spiritual fathers, brothers and friends who meet regularly, we keep each other accountable, disciplined and prepared to take on responsibilities as Catholic men. Many CW gatherings I attend have religious treasures, tokens and trinkets on display — created and designed to assist in spiritual reflection, meditation and/or warfare. Some time back I picked up a memento the size of a business card. On this card are action items that remind me of my duties as a Catholic man: Pray, read the Bible, be a present father, engage at Mass, serve family, go to confession, evangelize others. We are challenged to carry out three daily, two weekly and two monthly practices of the Catholic Watchmen. Prayer takes prime of place, to start the day and help prepare for anything!

Catholic Watchmen prayer intentions of Archbishop Bernard Hebda for March are fitting as we undertake our first discipline (i.e. to pray with persistence and with devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph): “For men’s ministry and especially this month’s Archdiocesan Men’s Conference. May it bear the fruits of spiritual leadership, protection and provision of the attendees and the family and friends with whom they encounter through spiritual fatherhood and brotherhood.”

These prayer intentions are for the largest yearly event for Catholic men in Minnesota. (Yet, please invite and bring all men — fathers, brothers, friends — to join us, to Embrace the Challenge!) All brethren are welcome!

Yes, the upcoming conference is for men, but everyone benefits — family, parish, workplace, community. Men complement others in their supernatural call to “bear fruits of spiritual leadership, protection and provision…” Especially to those they love the most.

Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville, and assists the Catholic Watchmen movement of the archdiocese’s Office of Evangelization. Reach him at [email protected]. Learn about the archdiocese’s Catholic Watchmen initiative at the-catholic-watchmen.com.