‘Crisis of friendship’ focus of men’s conference Feb. 24

By Peter Finney Jr.
Clarion Herald

More than 600 men are expected to participate in the 2024 Archdiocese of New Orleans Men’s Conference,  “I Have Called You Friends,” Feb. 24 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie.

“The theme on friendship is very important,” said Chris O’Neill, director of the archdiocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life, which annually hosts the event. “There is a growing awareness, both inside and outside the church, of a crisis of friendship among men. Recent studies have shown that the number of close friends that men, across the culture, report having has been cut in half since the  mid-1990s.

“A ‘close’ friend would be someone you could call if you really needed something. So, there’s definitely something going on in the culture that’s making it difficult for men to establish and maintain friendships. In one study, something like 20% of guys reported having no close friends. So, we know that’s a problem for the church.”

The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature three keynote addresses on the friendship theme.

Three keynoters

► Dr. Tim Hogan, a psychologist and certified relationship therapist, has written extensively on the difficulties men have in forming relationships in the current culture.

“He’ll be able to articulate for us the state of the question – ‘this is what the issue is, and this is why it’s a problem and this is what we can do better,’” O’Neill said.

► Mike Phelan, who served for many years in the Diocese of Phoenix and now works in catechesis with the Knights of Columbus, has experience encouraging men to live “authentic masculinity,” which includes a call to marriage and family life.

“His team is producing print and video materials to help members of the Knights of Columbus grow in their faith,” O’Neill said. “The Knights are very aware of forming bonds of friendship among men. They are starting a ‘COR’ (‘cor’ is Latin for heart) to gather men together in parishes and help them grow in their faith. It’s separate from the normal Knights of Columbus business meetings.”

► Jason Angelette, a widower and father of five children, will share his thoughts on marriage and friendship.

“He’s our local guy and will give more of a testimony of his own experience of friendship and the importance it’s had in his life,” O’Neill said.

There will be a chance for confession and eucharistic adoration, and Archbishop Gregory Aymond will celebrate a closing afternoon Mass.

There are group and individual registrations and even a “pay what you can” option.

Register at https://www.neworleanscatholic.com.

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