CHARLOTTE — Men of the Diocese of Charlotte gathered March 20 to pray, learn and deepen their faith during the 11th annual Catholic Men’s Conference.
The one-day conference, held in person at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte and virtually, featured Mass with Bishop Peter Jugis, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, confessions and prayer time, as well as talks by Bear Woznick, surf champion and author; Dr. William Thierfelder, Olympic athlete and president of Belmont Abbey College; and John Eades, author and motivational speaker.
The speakers encouraged the men to deepen their personal relationship with God and live up to their callings as Catholic men, husbands and fathers, focusing on the conference theme “As iron sharpens iron,” taken from Proverbs 27: “Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another.”
During his talk, Woznick described how he drifted away from his faith in adulthood, focusing on his work as a world champion surfer, stuntman and adventurer. But the more he achieved success, he said, the more he began to question his life, asking “Is that all there is? I want more.” His father gave him a copy of Stephen K. Ray’s book “Crossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historical Church.” Through prayer, study and self-examination, Woznick rediscovered his faith, and now he strives to help other men find that same connection to their faith and to the Church through his “Deep Adventure Ministries” podcast, books and motivational talks.
“The Church isn’t a club. It isn’t an organization. It’s an organism – it’s the living Body of Jesus Christ,” he said, challenging the men to explore their relationship with God and embrace His will for them.
Thierfelder echoed the same message, noting that money, power and fame are not the keys to true happiness – a relationship with God is.
“You will never have enough money, you will never have enough fame, or pleasure or power – you will never have enough,” he said.
It is in relationship with God and one another that we find love, he said, and while love requires sacrifice, it is the path to true happiness. He urged the attendees to go deeper with their relationship with God in order to fulfill their calling as Catholic men.
While the conference was also made available online, it was important to put on an in-person event within what public health protocols would allow, said Jason Murphy, one of the organizers.
“You just cannot replicate an event like this online,” Murphy said. “Guys need to be around other guys – see each other’s faces, hear each other’s voices, be a part of something greater than ourselves. There is nothing like the sound of 200 men praying and singing together. It is powerful, encouraging and uplifting as we storm heaven as a united battalion of Christian soldiers fighting the battle of our lives to be the men, fathers and husbands God has called us to be in the face of a world that does its best to stand in our way.”
— Catholic News Herald. Photo provided by James J. Sarkis
A heart of gold
SALISBURY — Within the Sacred Heart School community there is a longtime staff member so beloved that a special endowment has been set up in his name.
The new John Michael Thompson Endowment Fund – honoring the man everyone at the school calls simply “Mr. T” – will give more students the opportunity to receive a Catholic education through tuition assistance.
“Over the years, Mr. T has inspired and touched the lives of so many students and families in our school community,” said Camile Denhard, the school’s operations manager. “Always staying positive and focused on the teachings of the Gospel, Mr. T is an example of an incredible Catholic role model for our entire community.”
The endowment is made possible by donations to the Sacred Heart Catholic School 1882 Fund. Named for the year when the roots of Sacred Heart School were planted in Salisbury, the fund is an annual giving program to support and enhance all aspects of the school community, including academics, leadership, technology, arts, athletics, financial aid and professional development.
According to Denhard, this year’s 1882 Fund campaign far exceeded its $82,000 goal, bringing in $150,405. Proceeds of 18.82 percent, more than $28,306, are being used to launch the John Michael Thompson Endowment Fund.
Father Eckert, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, is excited for this opportunity to help build an endowment that will be used for tuition assistance.
“Catholic education has meant so much to me personally, to this parish and to the Church in the U.S.,” he said. “And whatever we can do to help our young people get in here, with the financial realities that are there, whatever we can do to assist families, we are striving to do it.”
And, he added, “We couldn’t name the endowment after a better person than Mike Thompson.”
Principal Tyler Kulp attests to Thompson’s engagement with the school community, recalling that in addition to his faithful assistance at the school for the past 37 years, “Mr. T is famous for writing cards to students, alumni and staff for their birthdays or special events that happen in students’ lives.”
“This endowment will provide tuition assistance for students in years to come,” Kulp said, “so his legacy will be remembered forever. Mr. T has always made the difference in students’ lives and now will continue to provide students an opportunity for a Catholic education.”
Former student Gianna Patella noted, “Growing up going to Sacred Heart, I always heard stories about Mr. T and how amazing a man he was. I never fully understood how special he was until I was finally old enough to have him as a teacher. He is the person who taught me the most about my faith, not only through books and worksheets, but in his actions as well. Mr. T is a prime example of what it means to be a true, devoted Catholic, and I am honored to say that I had the opportunity to be his student.”
So what does Thompson have to say about the new endowment?
He is gratified because of how the money will be used, he said. “A joy will come to both God and myself knowing that students in need will have the opportunity to receive a Catholic education.”
“Sacred Heart School is committed to adding to the John Michael Thompson Endowment Fund every year through the annual fund which is so inspiring,” said Gina Rhodes, diocesan director of planned giving. “More and more people and schools themselves are establishing endowments for the benefit of our Catholic students. We are very grateful.”
Create an endowment
Interested in setting up an endowment at your parish or Catholic school? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate, a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment, or a life income arrangement such as a trust or annuity. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter