The sixth annual Man Up Philly men’s spirituality conference drew a large crowd of enthusiastic Catholic men sharing their faith, praying together and spending friendly time together Saturday, March 15 at St. Joseph’s University.
Archbishop Charles Chaput celebrated morning Mass at 8:30 a.m. and spoke to the men to begin the day. Conferences, discussion time, confessions and prayers plus meals together rounded out the day.
The conference was organized by Man Up Philly, a group whose initial ministry was parish-based Gospel reflection groups. (Photos by Sarah Webb)
About 1,400 men attended the conference, according to organizers. Here they listen to a morning talk by Archbishop Charles Chaput.
Men pray together at the Man Up Philly Men’s Spirituality Conference March 15 at St. Joseph’s University’s Hagan Arena. (Photos by Sarah Webb)
Brian Waweru (left), Moses Mutoko (students from University of Pennsylvania) and John Thomas (in red cape, vice commander of St. John Neumann Chapter 933 Bristol of the Knights of Columbus) chat with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey after his talk at the conference.
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This was my third Man Up event, and my second with my 14 year old son. God willing I can make many more. I thought it was an absolutely spot on and uplifting event. Pornography is such
an evil in our society, and it was a Man’s conference. I think the speaker’s each in their own way delivered a message strait to the heart of the listeners with much emotion and concern. I feel that this issue cannot be talked about enough, with stats,personal testimonials etc. Porn is a scourge on our society, and needs to be dealt with as best we can. This is a great platform on which we can hear these speaker tell men what they need to hear. I only wish more and more would attend the Man Up Philly events.
Rick Borrajo
This was my first “Man Up” and it may very well be my last. I say this because the day overwhelmed me with the multiple, lengthy presentations on the subject of pornography. Granted, it is a serious problem, and, perhaps one person’s experience (abbreviated), followed by the doctor from Penn with her “stats”, would have gotten the message across.
I went looking for a spiritual “uplift”, but left depressed. Thank God for the archbishop and Commissioner Ramsey.
Furthermore, when it came time for the closing liturgy, it was hardly a Eucharistic celebration. The responses were printed in the program but the music was ignored and replaced by the choir’s own responses and music.
A choir should not perform; they should lead the congregation. Saint Raymond’s choir chose to sing their own music that was unfamiliar to the one thousand white men in the room.
I sincerely wish I could have been more positive, but I had to be honest.