CMCSMen -
A Blog for Chicago Catholic Men
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Please note that blog posts will be published approximately every 12 days instead of weekly, leading up to the Bishop Perry Catholic Men's Forum on April 26, 2025. The Catholic Man Moment Gospel Messages will continue to go out weekly as usual. This change is intended to manage the extra emails promoting the Forum and to prioritize quality content over quantity. We appreciate your understanding and hope you find this adjustment valuable |
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Vision:
To Foster Catholic Men's Spirituality in Chicago Southland
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By Frank J Casella, CMCS Co-founder and Execuitve Director |
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“In today’s world, relationships are often viewed as disposable. The commitment to fidelity and love that marriage entails is a source of hope for all generations,” says Bishop Robert Barron. “It is an antidote to the loneliness and discouragement of many young people today and deserves our prioritization as a Church and society.” Each year, National Marriage Week USA and World Marriage Day provide an opportunity for the Catholic Church to focus on and celebrate the vocation to marriage and family life. This year, National Marriage Week USA will be celebrated February 7-14 and World Marriage Day, which is commemorated on the second Sunday of February, will be celebrated on February 9. Resources. Love Means More Website. |
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On my wedding day a few decades ago, I fondly recall my uncle, Fr. Joseph Stobba, OSA, an Augustinian Priest, sharing a meaningful message during his homily. He referenced an interview by ABC's Barbara Walters with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, discussing what contributes to a lasting marriage. Nancy remarked that the common belief of relationships needing to be 50/50 isn't always accurate; sometimes, it's more about one partner giving 90%. She emphasized the importance of being willing to make that 90% contribution—something that should come from the heart. |
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Through years of conversations with CMCS men, a recurring theme emerges about the key to a lasting marriage: prioritizing forgiveness over seeking apologies. Additionally, when we, as men, do
guy things and our wives express their frustration, we should listen quietly and accept it, as we likely deserve their critique. |
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“A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life.”
― John Fisher
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The Bible does not instruct us to love ourselves; instead, it emphasizes the importance of loving God. Understanding that we are created in God's image is a natural outcome of this love. Ephesians Chapter 5 outlines your responsibilities as a man and leader. Here are five essential tips that I believe will help foster love in your relationships and enhance your spiritual leadership at home: |
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Tip #1: HUSBANDS – Your wife longs for love and connection. It's critical for her to feel cherished, appreciated, and significant. To meet this need, make sure your love and affection genuinely resonate with her heart. If you don’t fulfill this, someone or something else will. |
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Tip #2: WIVES – Your husband craves respect. He relies on YOU to honor him as a leader and acknowledge his role as a man. |
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Tip #3: PROVISION – As a man, taking charge of your financial stability is not just a duty when possible; it reflects the love you have for your wife, as highlighted in 1 Timothy 5:8. Embracing the value of work is indeed a gift. Unfortunately, societal pressures surrounding retirement and reliance on government support have adversely affected our culture. This influence has led many to view work merely as a means to an end, focusing on retirement instead of using those later years to serve God more effectively, or to seek effortless ways to make a living until retirement comes. |
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Tip #4: PARTNERSHIP – Marriage is a commitment to being gifts to one another; it's not about ownership but about what belongs to both of you. This extends to your finances as well. Remember Matthew 12:25:
“But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and no town or house divided against itself will stand.’ As the saying goes '
Anything with two heads is a monster.' |
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Tip #5: TRUTH – Build your relationships on the foundation of God’s Word, the Catechism, the Ten Commandments, and Sunday Mass, rather than on fleeting feelings. God's transformative power can reshape your life and home when you remain steadfast in prayer. True love and effective leadership are forged in the daily challenges and struggles we face. The romantic ideals and candlelit dinners that our culture promotes as love are merely the fruits of dedication, open communication, conflict resolution, sacrifice, and a heartfelt reliance on Jesus Christ. |
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CCC 1660
The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament (cf. CIC, can. 1055 § 1; cf. GS 48 § 1).
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If you benefit from our Catholic manhood commentary, Man Moment videos, CMCSMen Blogs and other resources, please consider a monthly or one-time pledge in support of CMCSMen.net. Everything we post is always free, and we depend completely on regular, ongoing support to continue our Catholic mission. (The way you create a monthly pledge is to go to our donation form, enter the amount you wish to give, and then select the tick box highlighted in yellow for Monthly recurring donation.) Thanks!
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Catholic Men Chicago Southland
Aplostolate of Bishop-elect Lawrence J Sullivan
Founded in 2004 by Bishop Emeritus Joseph N Perry
Executive Director, Frank J Casella
Phone calls by appointment via email.
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Catholic Men Chicago Southland | 3525 South Lake Park Avenue | Chicago, IL. 60653 |
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The CMCS Mission: Catholic Men Chicago Southland (CMCS) is engaged in fostering holy and courageous men and proclaiming the importance of husbands and fathers to children and the family. CMCS is a Catholic Apostolate of Bishop-elect Lawrence Sullivan, and founded in 2004 by Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Deacon John Rangel, and Mr. Frank J Casella.
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