Q: As the father of young boys, I am trying to find Catholic programs and activities that would be beneficial to them. However, there are no Regnum Christi activities in my area, and my parish does not have any youth ministry. I don’t feel comfortable or called to lead, but I would be happy to get involved and support an activity in my area. Do you have any suggestions? -J.L.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: As a member of an ecclesial movement such as Regnum Christi, you are part of a spiritual family within the Church, and so you are understandably keen to tap into the treasures offered by that family. The same would apply to someone who is a Third Order Dominican or a member of the Knights of Columbus. Going deeper into a particular spirituality is one way by which a person draws ever closer to God. That you desire to form your sons in the Catholic faith is admirable and a sure sign of your deepening relation with Christ.
At a practical level, you might try getting in touch with other dads who are searching for the same type of programs for their sons. From such a group a leader might emerge. Then, you and the others could organize, say, a father-and-son event that has some aspect of Catholic formation at its core. It could be linked to a local need — for instance, a fund-raiser for a pro-life agency.
If you want to take advantage of a Regnum Christi-affiliated program, you could start a Conquest Club in your area. It is not very difficult. You could find details at http://www.conquestclubs.com/clubs-and-programs. The main Conquest office can provide all the step-by-step materials you need. In turn you could present the ideas to other interested dads.
An alternative would be to bring your sons to an ECYD convention or summer camp. The possibilities are abundant. The important thing is to pursue ways to pass on the faith to your children.
