1. Forward! Into The Breach A Leadership Seminar for Men Based on “Into The Breach” an Apostolic Exhortation for Men Written by +Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix A Leadership Seminar for Men Based on “Into The Breach” an Apostolic Exhortation for Men Written by +Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix Summer 2016Summer 2016 St. John Neumann Catholic ChurchSt. John Neumann Catholic Church Gaithersburg, MDGaithersburg, MD Summer 2016Summer 2016 St. John Neumann Catholic ChurchSt. John Neumann Catholic Church Gaithersburg, MDGaithersburg, MD

2. May 17 th – Session 1 Introduction & Purpose Welcome & Introduction Welcome & Introduction Why this is an Important Moment in the Life of the Church? Why this is an Important Moment in the Life of the Church? How does “Into the Breach” fit in? How does “Into the Breach” fit in? What is the material all about? What is the material all about? How to get the most from this Seminar How to get the most from this Seminar Steps in building YOUR personal spiritual battle plan Steps in building YOUR personal spiritual battle plan Importance of fellowship Importance of fellowship Small group process throughout the Seminar Small group process throughout the Seminar

3. May 17 th – Session 1 Introduction What is “Into the Breach” What is “Into the Breach” Apostolic Exhortation Promulgated on the Feast of the Archangels, September 29, 2015 Apostolic Exhortation Promulgated on the Feast of the Archangels, September 29, 2015 Video Trailer also Published on Sep 29, 2015 Video Trailer also Published on Sep 29, 2015 Articles immediately start being published about the Letter Articles immediately start being published about the Letter

4. May 17 th – Session 1 Introduction & Purpose What is “Into the Breach” What is “Into the Breach” “A Call to Battle” - A Short Film on ‘Society’s Crisis in Masculinity’; Published on Jan 5, 2016 “A Call to Battle” - A Short Film on ‘Society’s Crisis in Masculinity’; Published on Jan 5, 2016 Compendium Workbook Project begins January 13 Compendium Workbook Project begins January 13 2016 Phoenix Into the Breach Men’s Conference February 6 2016 Phoenix Into the Breach Men’s Conference February 6 Purpose of the Conference was to determine strategies to encourage men to ‘Step Into The Breach’ Purpose of the Conference was to determine strategies to encourage men to ‘Step Into The Breach’ Compendium Workbook receives Final Approval of Diocese of Phoenix and Bishop Olmsted’s written Foreword May 2016 Compendium Workbook receives Final Approval of Diocese of Phoenix and Bishop Olmsted’s written Foreword May 2016  IntoTheBreach.org – Diocese of Phoenix’s website, download ‘Into the Breach’ pdf (English & Spanish), mp3 audio of Into the Breach, and videos  ForwardIntoTheBreach.com – Compendium Workbook & Leadership Seminar website, download pdf’s of ‘Forward! Into the Breach’, and Seminar Guide

5. May 17 th – Session 1 Introduction & Purpose Why Chi-Rho? Ancient Christogram where the intersecting Greek letters Chi (X) and Rho (P) form the first two letters of “Christ” in Greek. Ancient Christogram where the intersecting Greek letters Chi (X) and Rho (P) form the first two letters of “Christ” in Greek. Used as a labarum, or banner, prominently held high by Roman Emperor Constantine & his men in the 3 rd century. Used as a labarum, or banner, prominently held high by Roman Emperor Constantine & his men in the 3 rd century. It is said, that as Constantine marched with his army before a battle he looked up into the sky and saw the Chi-Rho, along with the words, “In this sign, you will conquer.” It is said, that as Constantine marched with his army before a battle he looked up into the sky and saw the Chi-Rho, along with the words, “In this sign, you will conquer.” And so, it is in the cross of Jesus Christ that we will triumph. May Chi-Rho lead our way today!

7. May 17 th – Session 1 A Critical Moment Why this is an Important Moment in the Life of the Church? How does “Into the Breach” fit in? Why this is an Important Moment in the Life of the Church? How does “Into the Breach” fit in? What “Breach”? What “Breach”? Definition: “a gap (as in a wall) made by battering” Definition: “a gap (as in a wall) made by battering” Ezekiel 22:30 - “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 - “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.” Is there a “Breach” today? Is there a “Breach” today? Who? Me?? Who? Me??

8. May 17 th – Session 1 Format for the next 6-weeks What is the material all about? What is the material all about? Format for the next 6-weeks Format for the next 6-weeks Presentation, Small Groups Presentation, Small Groups How to get the most from this Seminar How to get the most from this Seminar Importance of reading ahead & Answering questions BEFORE the next meeting Importance of reading ahead & Answering questions BEFORE the next meeting KEY: Working towards building YOUR personal spiritual battle plan each week with ‘Action Plan Items’ KEY: Working towards building YOUR personal spiritual battle plan each week with ‘Action Plan Items’ Identification of plan elements; and the discernment process Identification of plan elements; and the discernment process

9. Purpose of the Apostolic Exhortation To clarify the nature of the Mission from Christ to all men To provide encouragement To present a challenge And to call forth men to Mission Why? Because the battle is occurring in the Church herself, and the devastation is all too evident One of the key reasons that the Church is faltering under the attacks of Satan is that many Catholic men have not been willing to “step into the breach” – to fill this gap that lies open and vulnerable to further attack

10. What is the problem? Statistics for the church* *Statistics from the year 2000

11. What is the problem? Statistics for Catholic men Only 26% consider themselves to be “practicing Catholics” Only 29% believe weekly Mass is “very important” Only 28% believe that Confession is “very important” Only 37% strongly agree that “daily prayer is important” 83% rarely or never participate in a parish activity outside of Mass

12. What is Bishop Olmsted encouraging men to do? See that only in Jesus Christ is the highest display of masculine virtue and strength, and is what we need to live our personal lives and to live in society itself. Let our mind’s and heart’s be formed with the light of the Gospel to step into the breach – to do the work of Christ’s soldiers in the world today. Each Catholic man must be prepared to give himself completely to Christ (the fullness of masculinity), to charge into the breach, to engage in spiritual combat, to defend women, children, and others against the wickedness and snares of the devil!

13. Ponder What it Means to be an Apostle – One who is Sent Sent to do the work of Christ’s soldiers in the world today Sent to do the work of Christ’s soldiers in the world today Realize and believe that you are that apostle sent by Christ Himself Realize and believe that you are that apostle sent by Christ Himself Our Father calls all men to Himself, and we as His sons, can rejoice in knowing that we can participate in that journey Our Father calls all men to Himself, and we as His sons, can rejoice in knowing that we can participate in that journey