Christmas Greeting 2007

On behalf of our Catholic Men's Fellowship community, we would like to wish each of you a Christ-filled Christmas season. Monsignor Bill, Fr. Al, and Fr. Tom, have each reminded us that the holiday season presents an opportunity for either much anxiety or much peace. The world tells us that we need to make our Christmas gift list our central priority, which will usually create unneeded anxiety. We have been gifted with the Advent season as a means to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus, a renewed appreciation of the "tidings of great joy," the Incarnation, which is Jesus’ saving love offered to all people and all nations. We pray that the spirit of Advent helped to distance you from the anxieties of the "holidays" and to promote the love of our God in your life through his son Jesus.

The Church calendar is masterful in knowing when we need help. Our local church community, our Scared Traditions, the Sacraments, and the Holy Scriptures offer much to help us grow closer to Christ. We hope that our group, Catholic Men’s Fellowship, has helped in your personal journey.

We gathered ten times for mass, breakfast and fellowship during 2007. Our attendance at the meetings ranged from the high 30s to the mid 50s. We had approximately 97 men from the parish that attended at least one of our gatherings and 16 men who were visiting from surrounding parishes. Our topics were designed to help us grow closer to Christ, framed within our seven core principals: be a man of Jesus, be a man for others, be a man of integrity, be a man of forgiveness and discipline, be a man of prayer and responsibility, be a man of humility and love, and be a man on a mission.

We have had some wonderful speakers, testimonies, and discussions this past year. It’s time to thank everyone involved, as this is a community effort. Also to everyone who has attended, you have been called to attend for a reason. Let us know your thoughts on where we’ve been together in 2007, and where you think we should head in 2008. Please take a moment and share how CMF has helped your spiritual life as well as ideas on how we can make 2008 even more enriching. You can do this now by clicking on the word “comments” below or you can email your comments to sshanklin@verizon.net.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CMF planning committee

December 2007 Breakfast Meeting - Saturday 12/8/07

This December, the whole family is invited to breakfast and to hear guest speaker, former MLB pitcher Dave Frost.

Dave pitched for the California Angels from 1978 to 1981. In 1979, his first full season with the club, he won sixteen games and helped lead the Angels to their first division championship. At the conclusion of the season he was chosen as the team’s most valuable pitcher by the Baseball Writer’s Association of America. Dave also pitched for the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals.

Upon retirement from baseball, he worked as a floor trader at the commodities exchange in Chicago. Dave has also presented seminars and training to businesses on a wide range of topics such as motivation, team building, attitude, and stress management. He has been a columnist for the Orange County Register in which he wrote a weekly feature on "sports and family issues." He has also been a frequent guest on radio talk shows discussing subjects such as life transitions, family sports issues, and athletes in crisis.

Dave received his Bachelors degree in Political Science from Stanford University. He also has a Master’s degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. He and his wife, Alla, have one child and reside in Long Beach, Ca.

We will begin as usual with 8 AM Mass, followed by a fantastic family breakfast at 8:30 in the Cafeteria. Dave will speak immediately following breakfast. The event will conclude at 10:30 AM. Please RSVP to Steve at sshanklin@verizon.net including the number of guests you will be bringing, so that we can plan properly for food.

So take a break from stringing house lights, setting out the the snow domes and twinkling reindeer, and trying to find a parking spot at the mall. Faith, food & fellowship for the whole family! Bring a friend (and his family too.)

Catholic Men's Fellowship of California - Leadership Gathering

Bishop Alex Salazar, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles San Pedro Region will be the keynote speaker at the Catholic Men's Fellowship of California's Leadership Day "Walking the Walk as a Catholic Man: Taking the Next Step". The 1 day retreat will be held on Saturday November 3, 2007 at Our Lady of Refuge in Long Beach. The day will be divided into two sections: the General Session will begin with 8:00 am Mass and end at 11:20 am; the Leadership Session will start at 11:30 am and conclude at 2:00 pm. Great speakers, including Bishop Alex Salazar and Deacon Roger Faubert, live music by Pillar, small and large group discussions, and fellowship are some of the items on the agenda. Breakfast & lunch will be provided. All men are welcome. To register for the event online, CLICK HERE. For more information email OLR Catholic Men's Fellowship at olrcmenf@ourladyofrefuge.org .

September 2007 Breakfast Meeting - Saturday 9/8/07

September's Guest Speaker will be Dr. Bradley Hawkins. Dr. Hawkins is a specialist in the early religious history of South and Southeast Asia. He received his Hons. B.A. in Islamic and Asian Studies, and a Master’s degree in South Asian Studies from the University of Toronto where he studied under such teachers as A. K. Warder and A. L. Basham, a Master’s degree in Catholic theology from Loyola University and his doctorate in comparative religions with an emphasis in Southeast Asian religions under the supervision of Ninian Smart.

Dr. Hawkins is currently a full time lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at California State University Long Beach. He has authored a number of books including Buddhism: Many Paths, One Goal and Introduction to Asian Religions. He is working on a new book, The World Religions and the Challenge of Modernity, to be published by Longman. Dr. Hawkins will speak to us of his conversion to Catholicism at the age of 50. We will begin as usual with 8 AM Mass, followed by breakfast at 8:30 in the Cafeteria. Dr. Hawkins will begin immediately following breakfast, and conclude at 10 AM. Please RSVP to Steve at SShanklin@ verizon.net including the number of guest you will be bringing, so that we can plan properly for food. Faith, food & fellowship. Come and get fed. Bring a friend.

36th Annual SCRC Charismatic Renewal Conference

Anaheim, California, August 31, 2007 - September 2, 2007 Trust in the Lord, the 36th Annual SCRC Charasmatic Conference will be held in Anaheim this coming Labor Day Weekend. Guest speakers include award winning recording artist John Michael Talbot, Fr. Michael Manning SVD, TV Host and President of WordNet Productions, and Fr. Robert Faricy SJ, Professor Emeritus, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy. This year's conference will include additional special tracks for children, Young Adults & Teens, featuring Matt Maher live in concert. For full details on speakers and events visit the SCRC Site by Clicking Here or view the pdf convention flyer by Clicking Here. Life changing talks, spiritually inspiring speakers, powerful prayer experience, soul stirring music, dynamic masses & healing service. All in all, the SCRC Convention is always an awesome way to spend quality time with the Lord among His people. If you've never been, then Trust in the Lord and give it a try.

17th Annual National Catholic Family Conference

July 28-29, 2007 at the Anaheim Convention Center Join Fr. Bill Casey, Bishop Andrew Francis from Pakistan, Michael Barber, Jesse Romero and many more speakers at this year's conference. Each session will offer 3 concurrent Adult Presentations, plus a Teen/Young Adult Session and a full Children's program. Faith, family & fun! Read and print the Conference Flyer. Find out more and Register

Catholic Men’s Fellowship of California Summer Retreat 2007

August 10-12, 2007 The California Catholic Men's Fellowship invites you to spend a weekend away from the world in fellowship with your brothers in Christ. Recharge your spiritual batteries and enjoy the presence of the Lord. Prayer, reflection, worship - even free time relaxing by the pool. The retreat leader for 2007 will be Fr. Charbel Grbavac, a young, dynamic Norbertine priest from St. Michaels Abbey in Orange County. Fr. Charbel received his BA degree in Philosophyat St. John's Seminary and later reveived his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University in Rome. He presently is presently secretary to the Abbot and teaches religion at JSerra Catholic High School. The retreat will be held at Mission San Luic Rey. For registration information Click Here.

July 2007 Breakfast Meeting - Saturday 7/14/07

The July OLR Catholic Men's Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, July 14th. This month our guest speaker will be Cliff Armstrong. A long time OLR parishioner, Cliff will discuss the story of his Father's quest to reunite his family, fighting to reclaim his children who had been made wards of the court. The family's heartwrenching yet triumphant story was dramatized in the 1987 film After the Promise, starring Mark Harmon.

Cliff will relate the events from a child's perspective, using various clips from the film to help illustrate the story. All men are welcome to attend. We will start with 8:00 am Mass, followed at 8:30 by breakfast and fellowship in the parish Cafeteria. Bring a friend. RSVP to Steve Shanklin at sshanklin@verizon.net with expected headcount so that we can be prepared with enough food.

National Fellowship of Catholic Men - Audio Reflection on Upcoming Sunday Mass Readings

The National Fellowship of Catholic Men (NFCM) and the Catholic Men's Fellowship of Pittsburgh (CMFPitt) have joined forces to provide a 10 minute weekly podcast reflection on the upcoming Sundays Mass readings. This podcast is available to men worldwide, including all men who register on the NFCM website (http://www.catholicmensresources.org/) and all those who have subscribed on the CMFPitt website (http://www.cmfpitt.org/).

Listen at your computer by clicking on the link below, or download it to an iPod or MP3 player. The weekly podcasts are provided by clergy, who are gifted men of God who know how to speak to men. We are encouraged to listen each week. The Podcast page also provides a link to the corresponding readings so that you can scan the readings in conjunction with listening to the podcast.

Click here to go to the web page with the podcasts.

June 2007 Breakfast Meeting - Saturday 6/9/07

The June OLR Catholic Men's Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, June 9th. This month we are celebrating Fatherhood. All attendees are invited to bring their fathers and children along to join us for our monthly breakfast and fellowship. The morning will begin with Mass at 8 PM in the Church, followed by breakfast at 8:30 in the Cafeteria. After breakfast there will be an Open Forum on fatherhood, with all present invited to take part in small and large group discussions. During the Open Forum, alternate activities will be offered for the younger children, including music and crafts. So - bring your father (grandfather, godfather), your kids, and some friends (and their fathers . . .) and everyone's appetites. RSVP to Steve Shanklin at sshanklin@verizon.net with expected headcount so that we can be prepared with enough food. ALSO - visit AmericanCatholic.org for some Father's Day articles.

Pentecost Sunday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! "Did you know that the feast of Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the Church? It is called that because Pentecost is when the apostles went out among the people and began spreading Jesus' message, thus establishing the beginning of the Church." from St. Anthony's Messenger at AmericanCatholic.org. To read the online article Click Here.

Thank you to our Parish web site for the following Pentecost links:

Pentecost Story in Acts 2

Read the story of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Mary and the Apostles from the Book of Acts, Chapter 2.

The Life of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in the World

Encyclical letter of Pope John Paul II on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Catholic Teaching on the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Charismatic Gifts

Series of articles from EWTN on the feast of Pentecost and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit

Meditation for Pentecost by Father Victor Hoagland, C.P.

Prayers for Pentecost

Liturgical prayers, personal prayers, novenas, litanie

1st Annual Men's Pentecost Vigil

Join us as we greet the Feast of Pentecost! Beginning with dinner at 6 pm, followed by the lighting of the Pentecostal fire, music, large and small group discussions, fellowship and prayer.

May 26
6 pm to Midnight
Our Lady of Refuge Church
(Parish Hall Patio)

BYOLC - Bring Your Own Lawn Chair

RSVP at olr.dad@gmail.com

May 2007 Breakfast Meeting - Saturday 5/12/07

Father Michael Heher is the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Orange. His essays have appeared in America, Church and Image. He is the author of The Lost Art of Walking on Water; Reimagining the Priesthood. He has a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Join us for Mass at 8 Am. Breakfast will be at 8:30 in the OLR Cafeteria, followed by Fr. Michael's talk, music, and fellowship. All men are welcome. Bring a friend. Please RSVP to Steve Shanklin at sshanklin@verizon.net .

Catholic Men's Fellowship of California Leadership Day

Walking The Walk As Catholic Men
Corpus Christi CMF will be host to the next Catholic Men’s Fellowship Day - April 28th, 2007.

Featured speaker - Fr. Steve Sallot, Pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Chruch in Dana Point.
Fr. Steve’s theme will be “Walking The Walk As Catholic Men: Living The Adventure And Challenging The Struggles.”

Morning Session Will Include:

• Mass at 8 A.M.
• Breakfast
• Keynote Speaker
• Discussion Groups

Afternoon Session will focus on men’s ministry leadership topics.

All men are welcome to attend both sessions. For more information and to Register online CLICK HERE.

April 2007 Breakfast Meeting - Saturday 4/14/07

The April OLR Catholic Men's Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 14th. This months guest speaker will be parishioner and clinical psychologist Dr. Nick De Los Reyes.

Dr. Nick De Los Reyes is an accomplished professional with over 27 years of experience in the field of psychological counseling, consulting and training. Dr. De Los Reyes received an Associate of Arts Degree from St Mary's College in Moraga, CA, Bachelor Degrees in Philosophy and Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Santa Clara in Santa Clara, CA, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the International College in Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. De Los Reyes is licensed by the State of California as both a Marriage and Family Therapist and as a Clinical Psychologist. He holds certification as an Anger Management Facilitator from Anderson & Anderson, the first global anger management trainer. He also has a diplomate from the American Association of Anger Management Providers.

Over the years Dr. De Los Reyes served in many capacities as a counselor, teacher and advisor. He was a counselor to staff personnel and a chaplain to dying patients and their families at Kaiser-Permanente Hospice in Norwalk. For more than six years he worked for Olive Crest Group Homes in Orange County, providing psychological services to abused and neglected children and teens. He provided inpatient services to the American Psychological Institute in Anaheim and outpatient therapy at Pacific Resources Psychological Group in Long Beach, where he also conducted training in Effective Parenting. Prior to this, Dr. De Los Reyes worked with the Catholic Church doing parish and vocation ministry and high school teaching. Dr. Nick and his wife Mary have been OLR parishioners and OLR School parents for many years. They have been active in many parish school and parish organizations and ministries including RCIA and music ministry.

In his presentation this Saturday morning, Dr. Nick will be exploring the human need in each of us to belong, to feel connected, and the drive to know and encounter our creator. Dr. Nick will be illustrating his talk by drawing comparisons with creation gone wrong in Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein. Bring a friend and your appetites. RSVP to Steve Shanklin at sshanklin@verizon.net.

March 2007 Breakfast Meeting - Saturday March 10

GREAT SCOTT! This March we are very excited to announce that our very own Fr. Al Scott will be the keynote speaker at our monthly Men's Fellowship Breakfast. Fr. Al will share with us the story of his earlier years, especially the influence of his grandfather, "Mr. Los Angeles," attorney Joseph Scott. The day will start with the celebration of the Eucharist at 8:00am Mass and then move to the cafeteria for breakfast and fellowship. ALL parish men are invited. As always, bring some hungry friends. REMEMBER - friends don't let friends sleep in and go hungry on the 2nd Saturday of the month! Please RSVP your planned attendance and any guests to sshanklin@verizon.net .

February 2007 Breakfast Meeting - Saturday 1/10/07

February's OLR Catholic Men's Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, February 10th. As usual we will begin with 8 AM Mass in the Church followed by breakfast & fellowship in the Cafeteria from 8:30 to 10. This month the OLRCMF Core Team will be taking the lead during the Speaker Segment, as team members will look back on our first months together, and relate how one particular meeting, event or speaker profoundly impacted their own faith life. Eucharist, food, music and a chance to hear and tell our storys. All parish men are invited. Bring some hungry friends. Please RSVP your planned attendance and any guests to sshanklin@verizon.net .

NOTE: There have been some new links added to our Blog site, including a link to our own Chef Lawrence's "Green Parrot Cafe." Lawrence definiely cooks up more than a great breakfast. Check them out.