This year’s God Squad men’s conference is called The Power of Redemption: Our Father’s Love, the Ultimate Reality. It goes this year at St Albert the Great Church in south east Calgary on March 18- Friday evening, and March 19- Saturday during the day.

Each year when we consider possible themes for the God Squad  men’s conferences, it becomes clear that we are talking about the need for transforming society through families. Since everyone is part of a family, we can say that our speakers and themes will be relevant for men of all ages, including teens.

God Squad member Tim O’Connor reflects on his interest: “My first God Squad Men’s Conference was back in 2000 at the Red and White Club (at that time it was called St. Joseph’s Covenant Keepers).  I was absolutely blown away by the experience of seeing so many faithful Christian men gathered together for fellowship and common purpose.  It was such a contrast to my ‘normal’, secular life, and it seemed to be an event so badly needed for men just like me.”

“Around the same time I was thinking about my young family and fretting about how I was ever going to be a good spiritual leader for them.  It’s easy to be discouraged and feel inadequate. Just turn on the television, computer or any form of media and you’ll see that non-Christian values take the main stage.  My family was being exposed to these media constantly. How was I going to lead them through this deluge of negative influences?”
Soon after that first conference, Tim joined the God Squad and has been helping other men to take Christian leadership initiative in their families. Still, he admits “It’s really the Holy Spirit that is doing all the hard work with our families, all the ‘heavy lifting’.  We just need to help make sure our hearts and homes are open to Him.” That’s what God Squad activities are for.

God Squad founder, Sean Lynn, talks about his experiences as a police officer on the streets: “I have been working with youth at risk. Technologically, they face a very different world than most of us grew up in. It seems that there is always a crisis happening. Often it starts with texting or chatting on social networks. Many issues start fights and the young men do not want to back down when they feel slighted. Then they need five friends to watch their back. The rules of fighting have changed from face to face after school to where a young person tries to jump their ‘prey’ when they can outnumber them.”

Sean goes on to say that “many men are drawn to the God Squad conferences because they are dads who want help and advice in raising children in today’s environment. The formula is still simple: live the faith, love your wife, be a provider, spend time with your kids, and hang out with the right people.  Then stand back and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.”

This year’s conference speakers are particularly understanding of the issues teens and younger men face. Sean Dalton was a college football player and an academic All-American.  As a power lifter with a 400 lb bench press, his message to guys is “we were made to offer our strength for others, and that strength is acquired through discipline, growing in virtue, and above all a co-operation with God’s grace.”

Twenty-five years ago Joseph Pearce was a radical activist, a skinhead, and the editor of two hate-filled, extremist magazines. Today, he is the author of a number of critically acclaimed, best-selling biographies of great 19th and 20th-century Christian authors. He is also the co-founder and co-editor of an international magazine dedicated to reclaiming Catholic culture.

We also have Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson, a strong advocate of our conferences and someone who believes we need stronger families to make Calgary streets safer for all citizens, including our children.

Last year, Bishop Henry suggested that “what brings men together for this conference is not some political program or ideological agenda, but the Word of God, the teachings of His Church, and a commitment to help people live their faith in the world.”

The Power of Redemption: Our Father’s Love, the Ultimate Reality is a conference to support parents (and grandparents, uncles etc.) to bring about the kingdom of love for which we all long in some way or other. See god-squad.ca or call 403-282-8130 for details and registration.

Deacon Stephen Robinson
St Pius X Parish