Programming Note:
For June 2024 I will share blogs and videos from the CMCS archives, in case you have not, or want to again, see them. This also allows me to concentrate on restoration of my health set back. And since the lights still have to go on, so to speak, I will stay on top of the basic functioning of this apostolate so, please, if you have not financially supported CMCS, since we're coming to the close of the Fiscal Year on July 1, 2024, and wish to do so, Go Here. Thank you and please pray for me and the CMCS Team, and know that we are praying for you! -- Frank J Casella |
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Searching for Truth in Numbers
Have you noticed in our culture how we have this focus on numbers?
Like the more followers, friends, possessions, fill in the blank ____, mean that you're more successful.
The question I ask myself, though, is what is truly success?
I like this one:
"Success is the maximization of the abilities that God gave you."
- Zig Ziglar
There are many distractions in this world that make us believe that we are successful. What should be most important to us, as Catholic men, is how God sees it.
Take for example Colossians, Chapter 3:5-6
"Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.*Because of these the wrath of God* is coming [upon the disobedient]."
I recall in the early days of (what was then called) the Bishop Perry Men's Prayer Breakfast, the other founders and I were decideing on what type of person was going to be invited as a keynote speaker for our events. Do we bring in a popular and magnetizing person to pack the house, or do we bring in a person who will speak the Truth of the Catholic Magisterial teachings regardless of their popularity.
Like, I'm sure you've been to (or heard of) the many dinners and fund raisers where a packed house of people show up not because of what the speaker will say, but rather because the organizer can get that figure into the room.
Yes, there is a certain energy that comes from having a packed house, the energy you might also find like a sports stadium or concert. Yet, numbers alone does not mean success.
Take a look at social media. What goes through your mind when you see a person on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram who has a boat-load of followers? Too, if you own a business, do you believe that more followers means that you're seen by more people, and thus make more sales?
The thinking on Linkedin is that 'it's not who you know (your connections), but it's who they know (their connections)'.
There's some truth to all of this, and on social media, as in life, its more true that activity doesn't mean accomplishment. It's like going to a Chamber of Commerce meeting and passing out business cards.
That's just activity.
For accomplishment to happen, usually networking, conversations, and developing relationships takes place, and this takes time before a sale happens. And then, because of the relationship, when done correctly, many more sales can follow that.
So back to the prayer breakfast's and finding a speaker. There's this concept that is known as growth by attraction, not by promotion. It's like how several years ago what caused all of this is that we became interested in a Chicago baseball player, who publicly was known as a devout Catholic, to speak for us.
But we learned that we could not afford his fees, and his organizers would not let us talk to him directly to see if he might do special arrangements for a Catholic apostolate. This caused us to reflect on why it was important for us to have this man speak in the first place.
We knew there would be a lot of autographs, (selfie) photographs made, and a packed house, etc.. So could what this man had to say be
'watered down' or even heard, or, more importantly, remembered and lived out?
It's about the message, not the messenger.
This is where the truth in numbers comes into play. Something my late Father often said:
"You know that you're doing your life's work when people tell you that you are."
Notice that he didn't say make a lot of money, have many friends, or possessions (above our true needs).
I remember reading about Zig Ziglar around the time he passed away, and how his speaking fee was six figures, because this is what the level of his client was paying at the time, and he was known to be sincerely concerned that he delivered more value than what his client paid for.
Yet, he also stopped into the local church group or business association at a very reduced rate or did pro-bono presentations.
This difference is that Mr.Ziglar felt that he had something important to say. That, through his struggles in life, he had much experience to speak from. Did you know that Zig made over 3,000 speeches before he was paid for one?
You will never be successful by your own efforts, but through the abilities that God gives you.
The lesson here, I have found, is when you have something to say, or contribute to the world, and you actually see impact in others from it, this is one form of
the maximization of the abilities that God gave you. But don't let this overwhelm you, because numbers alone don't matter.
"It's the embrace of the journey rather than the end result."
-- John Abbate
Your life may impact three thousand others, before
one person will tell you what you have done for them. It's about 'Living the Goodness of a Catholic Man'.
The same is true with the Men's Prayer Breakfast, most recently called Catholic Chicago Men's Conference. Because we have something (different) to say to make disciples, by developing men who stick and stay with the mission, rather than (us) do the things that build the numbers.
Jesus said
"Feed my sheep". He didn't say to count them. John 21:17
Ultimately, us men live for an audience of One. God is the only One who is worthy of our affections and allegiance. When we compare ourselves with others, we quickly become consumed with pride or envy, and our passion for Christ quickly fades.
To make the choice for Godly passion, we need to value God's purposes more than getting ahead of others, and we need to care about people's souls (including our own) than cars, clothes, and vacations.
As for CMCS, here is what Deacon John Rangel, CMCS co-founder and director of Mission, has to say:
"Evangelization is ALL about attraction because of the zeal of the evangelizers fired by the power of the Holy Spirit.
CMCS' effort should be no different!
But remember all three synoptic Gospels conclude with Jesus Christ's command to "Go and make disciples of ALL nations....".
The Apostles were not satisfied with sharing the Good News only in
Jerusalem but rather joyfully spread it throughout the whole world.
Our (CMCS) mission statement is exactly about making Disciples not followers." |
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Frank J Casella, CMCS executive director
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This newsletter is making Catholic men holy again.
Forward it to the men at your parish - they can sign up here today. |
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Please Help Support the Mission of Catholic Men Chicago Southland to Close the End of the Fiscal Year.
Dear Reader,
We hope you are encouraged and challenged by the content you are reading. Our mission is to provide a perspective on the news of the culture as seen through the eyes of the Catholic Man.
We encourage and assist Catholic Men in personal holiness, to make Jesus Christ the center of our daily lives -
'Living the Goodness of a Catholic Man'.
CMCS is a Catholic Apostolate of Very Reverend Larry Sullivan, founded by Bishop Emeritus Joseph Perry and Deacon John Rangel, as well as Executive Director, Frank J Casella
After more than 20 years, the Catholic Men Chicago Southland Apostolate and blog nurtures Catholic men's spirituality in Chicagoland, an with men from across the United States.
It is important for you to know that the content from the CMCS online ministry is completely free because of the generous support of our readers.
Would you consider making a donation to ensure that the CMCS online content and apostolate can strive to be Chicagoland's most complete and faithful Catholic men's resource and remain as effective as possible?
If you rely on CMCS for relevant and Catholic manhood information, please take a moment and give today, and help us to close out the end of the fiscal year July 1, 2024.
Every donation, large and small helps!
May God returen to you double for what you share with us! Fr. Larry and the CMCS Team keep you and your family in our prayers, always! |
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Catholic Men Chicago Southland
Aplostolate of Very Reverend Larry Sullivan
Executive Director, Frank J Casella
Phone calls by appointment via email.
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3525 South Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. 60653 |
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