ALM BEACH GARDENS | The men who attended the annual rally presented by Catholic Men for Jesus Christ didn’t have to look far to find many golden nuggets of knowledge and inspiration.
Dion DiMucci, who is 85 and lives in Boca Raton, was introduced to the rally attendees by Adam Jablin, who co-wrote the book “Dion: The Rock and Roll Philosopher” with the music legend. Dion accompanied himself on guitar and sang “I’m Your Gangster of Love” from his 2016 album as part of his presentation.
At the Diocese of Palm Beach Men's Rally, Jim Wahlberg speaks about his life and the new film about Carlo Acutis that is coming out in April.
After achieving phenomenal early success, with 12 gold records by age 23, Dion said he fell into addiction after enduring tragedies such as the deaths of his friends Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper in a plane crash. Dion said, “In the Bronx they didn’t have grief counseling in 1959. My aunt gave me a tuna fish sandwich. ‘Eat! Don’t even talk about it. Just eat!’”
Finding the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and turning his life around, Dion said he learned a valuable lesson: “This blew my mind. You guys all know this, but to me this was like, ‘You kidding me? Who told you that?’ That you are punished by your sins, not for them. God is love. He doesn’t punish you.”
Nathan Crankfield offered a younger take on life’s challenges, talking about growing up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and entering the Catholic faith at age 13, becoming the first Catholic in his family. Serving for three years in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division with a deployment in Afghanistan, Crankfield now works for Hallow, the Catholic prayer and meditation app. He became a Catholic speaker and podcaster four and a half years ago.
Urging the men to step up and lead their families and society, he said, “Men, I charge you today to better yourselves and society. That is our challenge. That is what God wants each and every one of us to do.”
Film producer and author Jim Wahlberg spoke briefly about his life, meeting Mother Teresa while he was in prison. He encouraged attendees to watch his new movie about soon-to-be-saint Carlo Acutis, “Roadmap to Reality: Carlo Acutis and our Digital Age,” due for release on April 27. Learn more at www.carloacutisfilm.com.
When the Men’s Rally concluded, Jim Manhardt, organizer of the 24th annual event, told the Florida Catholic that he was pleased with the number of men who attended and the team of volunteers and supporters. “We could have had more. We sold out, so we had to stop the sales,” he said. “Father Mike Schmitz is a great draw, and there was a tremendous amount of preparation for today.
“I think the men very much enjoyed the day, benefited from the day. That’s why we do it, right?” Manhardt said.
One of the dedicated volunteers, John Stoltz, part of a group of helpers from St. Joan of Arc in Boca Raton, said one of the messages that resonated with him was “that you don’t have to be super manly to be a man. Just step up and take charge of your own affairs basically. It’s very easy to lay back and be a yes man.”
Mike Macy of St. Ann in West Palm Beach, who said he was the first attendee to enter the cathedral for the rally so he could get a prime seat, was excited about seeing Father Mike Schmitz’s presentation. Though he has watched a lot of Father Schmitz’s videos through the years, seeing him in person was a treat.
“Last year when I came, I had a knee replacement five days before the rally,” he said. “And I came here with a walker and my leg was immobilized. I could not miss it for anything in the world. Same thing this morning. When I got here, I sat down, I didn’t get up until the Mass was concluded. That’s just the way it is.
“Father Mike is such a dynamic individual and speaker, you cannot help but be motivated or moved by listening to him,” Macy added. “Which is precisely why I wanted to get right in front of him. When people are around you, there’s distractions and stuff. This was tremendous.”
For more information about the Diocese of Palm Beach, visit www.DiocesePB.org.
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