The all-day men\u2019s spirituality conference has become an annual tradition in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 2008.<\/p>\n
\u201cWelcome to the rescue mission, because you\u2019re rescuing souls,\u201d said Man Up Philly Chairman Eustace Mita welcoming the assembled men \u2014 one-third of whom were attending for the first time.<\/p>\n
He began the day leading solemn prayer in union with the Holy Father\u2019s monthly intentions.<\/p>\n
The men then clapped and sang along to \u201cStand By Me,\u201d a hymn acknowledging God as father and their assembled brothers in faith.<\/p>\n
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Ed Morris speaks to attendees at Man Up Philly 2026, sharing the story of his family\u2019s grief and renewed trust in God following the death of his son\u2011in\u2011law, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau. (Dan Tarrant\/Personally Catholic)<\/p>\n
Then came an unexpected appearance by Ed Morris, the father-in-law of the late NHL hockey star Johnny Gaudreau, who died suddenly in 2024. Encouraged by Mita, Morris opened up about his experience watching the U.S. men\u2019s Olympic hockey team without Gaudreau. NBC executives invited Gaudreau\u2019s widow, Meredith, and children to the Olympics.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a weak moment,\u201d Morris said. \u201cI didn\u2019t know how I would get happy, didn\u2019t know my family would get happy. I lost a little bit of trust. But what did I learn? That God would never stop working for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he was at a family event in Florida when the U.S. men\u2019s team won the gold medal on an overtime goal over Canada.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife said, \u2018Hey, stop! Look at the screen.\u2019 It was right when they won the gold medal, right when they skated John\u2019s jersey around, and right when his kids came on the ice. (It) was such a beautiful moment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went home, saw these people, and said \u2018Hey guys, are we happy?\u2019\u201d And we all smiled. We said we were happy. First time in 18 months my family was happy. I have to trust (God) every minute of every day, 100%. I can never back off of my trust. He had a plan. He had his timing. He knew that day was gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chris Gheysens, Wawa CEO and a man whom Mita said \u201clives the example of St. Francis of Assisi to always preach the Gospel, and use words when necessary,\u201d then took the stage to share lessons of humility.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomebody said in a comment, \u2018Let\u2019s face it, you could put a live goose in the CEO chair of Wawa, and (it) would do really well.\u2019 I just sit in the seat,\u201d he said. \u201cLead goose. That\u2019s the business card I hand out.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also spoke about a life of mission and authenticity.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to find out who you are first, what you believe in deeply. That takes time,\u201d Gheysens said. \u201cWhere your private inner voice exactly aligns with your public outer voice, that\u2019s called being authentic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before eucharistic adoration Irish Catholic singer Mark Forrest encouraged the men to bring their struggles to God through the Eucharist. He shared his own battles, as his son Francesco passed away from a heart issue and three children battle a rare medical condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat keeps it going for me is the fact that I know that the Lord has got this, and He\u2019s got a plan for all of my children. And I know no matter what cross you carry in your life, I promise you Christ with that cross will also give you the grace to carry it,\u201d Forrest said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a care package that comes with a cross. And for so many of us, we continue to complain about that cross, but the Lord is saying to us in prayer, \u2018Open up the package.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
A time of adoration preceded opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered by about 45 priests spread throughout the high school. The men also had a chance to venerate relics of St. Padre Pio.<\/p>\n
Fueled with the sacraments and with lunch, the men then listened to Father Doug McKay, founder of Our House Ministries in South Philadelphia\u2019s Gray\u2019s Ferry neighborhood. He shared his powerful journey of recovery from alcohol addiction and recounted times when the Lord empowered him to serve the needs of others who have faced similar battles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t possess grace, but I receive it. I grew up in \u2018Grace Ferry,\u2019\u201d he joked. \u201cI preach what I believe. I proclaim what I know \u2026 I proclaim mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Father Douglas McKay addresses attendees at Man Up Philly 2026, sharing his journey of recovery and the power of God\u2019s mercy during his keynote at Cardinal O\u2019Hara High School. (Dan Tarrant\/Personally Catholic)<\/p>\n