A time for men to step back for a few hours and reflect on their faith: that’s what the men envision who are planning the 2012 Blessed Trinity and Marist Morning of Reflection for Dads/Men.

The event, Saturday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is offered for fathers, grandfathers, alumni and friends of the two Catholic high schools, but because the planners know it is a great morning that can meet the needs of a lot of guys, they welcome all men, whether they have a connection to the schools or not.

“The format is very simple. It is a morning of reflection and retreat,” said Vince Baker, a Blessed Trinity High School parent. “We hope to get a lot of men to participate, to take that break out of their lives and focus on what their role is. … It is really just a time for men to reflect on God’s call for men as Christians. We want to open it up to the widest possible community.”

Held annually for nearly 10 years around Lent, this year’s morning of reflection will be led by Marist priests, explaining the meaning of Mary’s “yes” in their lives. Also, three men from the Marist and Blessed Trinity communities and their older offspring will talk about their spiritual journeys in light of what Marist founder Father Jean-Claude Colin described as the three “nos”: pride, power and greed. After short presentations, there will be time for participants to reflect on their own lives and how they are handling human inclinations and their spiritual calling by saying “yes” or “no.”

The morning will be held at Marist School and will begin with Mass in the Marist School Chapel at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast and lunch are provided and the sacrament of reconciliation will be available during the retreat. There is no fee to attend.

Baker, a father of five, including two Blessed Trinity students, is a former Army officer now in corporate management at Colgate Palmolive.

“I need this retreat, believe me,” he said. “It’s a great program.”

Men from the two schools’ Bible study and spiritual life committees plan the event each year and it has grown to now draw 100 to 150 men, but “the more, the merrier,” he said.

“While the event is rooted in the fullness of our Catholic identity, the intent of the event has always been to provide an opportunity for fathers and men of all faiths to come together in a simple manner, reflect on God’s call for us in becoming the men he has called us to be, and inspire us to work towards fulfilling that call given the challenges and demands on us as fathers and men in our secular world.”

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Baker at vbakerjr@netzero.net or (678) 656-8344 or Marist School representatives Bill Herald at wmcherald@yahoo.com or (770) 730-8844 or Salvador Arias at salvador_arias@comcast.net or (678) 613-6440.