The Knights of Columbus are “Calling Men into the Breach,” Friday, April 1, with a diocesan men’s gathering at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Superior.
“Chase perfection, catch excellence” is one theme of the event, which features talks by Bishop James Powers and Fr. Richard Heilman, a priest in the Diocese of Madison and state chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.
Tom Hoffman, a member of KC Council 7106, is a past district deputy for Superior, Iron River and Hayward. He’s currently a state director.
Men don’t often talk about their spirituality, Hoffman said.
“That’s one of the aims of the Knights of Columbus, to get men in touch with God … with their spiritual side, among their other aims,” he said.
“Calling Men into the Breach” is billed as an opportunity for men to begin training to meet the challenge of holiness. The Knights are sponsoring the five-diocese state tour, which began in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in mid-February and finishes in the Diocese of Superior on Divine Mercy weekend.
The motto, “Chase perfection, catch excellence,” is based on a Vince Lombardi quote, “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
All men are invited to the 6 p.m. event, which will be followed by a social.
“There’s adoration, there’ll be talks by Fr. Heilman and Bishop Powers, and there’s going to be confessions available,” Hoffman said.
He’s looking forward to hearing Fr. Heilman speak.
“He’s a very good speaker,” Hoffman added. “I’ve heard him do homilies at Mass and other talks like that at get-togethers we’ve had. He’s very knowledgeable, very good homilist.”
Men who attend the gathering will be rallied in their faith, and they can also chat with fellow Catholic men.
“It’s a good way to spend some time with like-minded men. There will be a social afterward, so they will have time to talk to men,” he added. “For most men, my experience has been in the workplace, or even at home, you don’t talk about spiritual things. Here’s a chance for them to talk about spiritual things.”
The two-hour event requires less commitment than a retreat, Hoffman said, and it’s also a chance for the Knights to gauge interest in a longer event for men in the Diocese of Superior.
The Diocese of Green Bay’s recent men’s conference, featuring Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy, attracted 1,500 men, he said, and the Diocese of La Crosse hosts similar retreats that generate large turnouts.
“This would be something of an abbreviated version of something like that,” he said.
For more information, contact Hoffman at 715-394-4834.
