The Delta Marriott in Breinigsville came alive with faith and fraternity on Oct. 11 as hundreds of men from across the Diocese of Allentown gathered for the annual Men Alive in Christ Conference.
The theme – “Pilgrims Anchored in the Hope of Christ” – invited every man to rediscover his divine purpose and walk boldly in the light of Jesus Christ.
The day featured four inspiring presenters — Father John Maria, Diocesan Director of Vocations and Pastor of St. Mary, Kutztown; Catholic entrepreneur Jeff Schiefelbein; Father Chris Alar, MIC; and Father Bill Casey, CPM – each offering a distinct yet complementary vision of hope, discipleship, and authentic Christian manhood.
Father Maria talked about vocations, addressing both the call to priesthood and the universal call to holiness. Speaking with pastoral warmth, he invited young men to listen attentively to God’s voice and to be open to where He leads.
Father Maria’s testimony reminded all present that vocation is not only about priesthood but about responding to God’s invitation with generosity – in marriage, fatherhood, or ministry.
Schiefelbein, a devoted father of seven and businessman, shared how his company was built entirely on Catholic social teaching – grounded in human dignity, subsidiarity, solidarity, and the common good – and later recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the best places to work in America. “Once you realize Christ must be the center of your entire life, everything changes,” he said.
He spoke movingly about the miraculous survival of his son Ambrose and the faith-filled perseverance of his family during his son Benny’s battle with brain cancer. His message invited men to see holiness not as separate from work or family life, but as their true vocation.
Father Chris Alar, Provincial Superior of the Marian Fathers and Director of the National Shrine of Divine Mercy, gave talks on fatherhood and the Sacraments.
“The only guaranteed way to receive God’s grace is through the Sacraments,” he said, urging the men to rediscover the transformative power of Baptism, Confession, and the Eucharist.
He emphasized a father’s sacred responsibility: “If your children are not baptized, you will be held responsible before God for their salvation.” His reflections culminated in a meditation on the Eucharist as “the perfect sacrifice – God offering [Himself] to God,” calling men to anchor their lives in this divine grace.
A nationally known speaker and member of the Fathers of Mercy, Father Casey presented the central themes of his book “You Shall Stay Firm.” He challenged men to defend truth with courage and conviction.
At the heart of the day was Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Alfred Schlert. Liturgical music was led by Beverly McDevitt, organist, and John De Angelo, cantor. Glenn Mummey proclaimed the readings, and Deacon Jeff Tomczyk read the Gospel.
In his homily, Bishop Schlert tied the conference theme to daily Christian living: “Hope is not optimism or wishful thinking. It is the sure confidence that God is faithful to His promises, that His grace sustains us through every struggle.”
He described hope as a masculine virtue: “Authentic masculinity requires strength to endure and persevere. Hope allows a man to see the unseen – to keep building, protecting, and loving even when results aren’t immediate.”
Delivering his message also in Spanish, Bishop Schlert said, “I am just so edified and grateful to God when I come every year to this conference for men and see so many men here. Your presence today is testimony that true masculinity is found not in domination or bravado, but in the discipleship of Jesus Christ, in the humility through which it must be lived.”
The Bishop concluded with a call to action: “The Diocese of Allentown, our parishes, our families, and our community of faith need men of hope. We need you. The world is so filled with discouragement. Too many men are tempted to give up, give up on marriage, on family, on their faith. Brothers, you are called to stand against that tide. You are called to be men who lift others up, who persevere in prayer, who refuse to give in to bitterness. You are called to build a culture where hope is alive because Christ is alive.”
Mission and Growth of Commission for Men
Conference co-chairs Kevin O’Connell and Glenn Mummey reflected on the mission and growth of the Commission for Men, now celebrating its 15th year.
Mummey noted that the Commission continues to “challenge men to grow as fathers, brothers, and sons” through conferences, mornings of reflection, and outreach programs.
About 400 men attended this year’s event – from teenagers to veterans of faith in their 90s – representing all five diocesan counties, as well as West Virginia, New Jersey, and New York.
O’Connell emphasized the importance of personal invitation: “Nothing replaces the one-on-one connection of men inviting other men.” He highlighted a beautiful trend of generational faith: “We’re always trying to reach younger men – fathers, college students, sons. This year, we saw a real shift: grandfathers, fathers, and sons attending together. It’s becoming generational.”
Beyond the conference, the Commission sustains engagement through mornings of reflection, a summer picnic for seminarians and clergy, and bilingual initiatives for the Diocese’s Spanish-speaking faithful.
For upcoming events and resources, go to www.menaliveinchrist.org.
Article and Photos by Waldo Alvarado.
