Men are called, they belong, and they matter, says Bishop McGrattan for Renew Men Heroic30 March Challenge
Thirty days. Five minutes a day. On March 1, men across North America and beyond step into Heroic30 — a focused, prayer-charged renewal built for real life. No apps to master. No feeds to scroll. One short daily video delivered straight to you.
Christ prepared for His mission with forty days in the desert. We’re asking for thirty — and we’ve removed every excuse. This is a sprint, not a seminar. A reset, not a lecture.
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March is dedicated to St. Joseph — protector, provider, and servant who spoke little and acted decisively. This challenge follows his pattern and calls men to do the same.
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CALGARY, Alberta — As Catholic dioceses across Canada continue to grapple with post-pandemic realities, Bishop William McGrattan of the Diocese of Calgary is calling men to step forward during the month of March in what he describes as a renewed invitation to conversion, community, and responsibility.
Speaking during a special edition of the Heroic Hotline, McGrattan said the initiative grew out of both the COVID-19 aftermath and the diocesan listening sessions held during the global synodal process.
“Coming out of COVID and as the church had just finished or was in the process of synodality, it was an opportunity to present to the diocese a path of renewal,” McGrattan said. “Which is really just the call to conversion, to deepen our commitment, our relationship with Christ.”
A path shaped by synod listening
McGrattan said the Diocese of Calgary formally entered its renewal process after hearing consistent themes from parish listening sessions.
“What we started to see was that three priorities emerged,” he said.
The first was forming missionary disciples — not only deepening knowledge of the faith, but strengthening lived witness.
The second focused on parish life and community, responding to Pope Francis’ call for the church to be both welcoming and outward-facing.
The third priority centered on strengthening family life.
“Family is the basic foundation of society, but also of our church, the domestic church,” McGrattan said. “These priorities interweave, and our parishes are beginning to see how to live them out in renewed ways.”
He said early signs have been encouraging, with increased parish engagement and continued growth among those entering the church.
‘You are called. You matter. You belong.’
Central to the diocesan renewal effort is a simple message McGrattan said resonates across age and vocation.
“The tagline is: you are called, you matter, and you belong,” he said. “The Lord calls each of us. We matter in his eyes. And we need to belong in a real way to Christ’s presence in and through the church.”
Host Sean Lynn said that message has particular relevance for men facing isolation and loneliness.
“That’s where we’re leaning into this loneliness and isolation epidemic that men are facing,” Lynn said. “They’re called, they belong, and they matter.”
McGrattan said that conviction was part of why he challenged Lynn and leaders involved with Heroic Men to focus March on renewal for men — a challenge now extending beyond Calgary to parishes across Canada and North America.
Men, witness, and humility
McGrattan emphasized that male leadership in faith often begins with visible humility rather than authority.
“When men and children see their father kneeling and praying in church, it is often a great sign,” he said. “That humble kneeling, that act of prayer, that act of thanksgiving — it’s a witness.”
He reflected on his own upbringing, saying kneeling beside his father left a lasting impression.
“We shouldn’t underestimate those very powerful signs,” he said, adding that service within parishes can be another expression of humility.
“When we do that, we not only strengthen our own faith, but we’re generative in giving that gift of faith to others.”
Faith lived together
Both McGrattan and Lynn stressed that renewal is more likely when men act together.
“Men might not do it for themselves, but they’ll do it for their team,” Lynn said, referencing research on male motivation and accountability.
McGrattan agreed, saying shared commitment strengthens perseverance.
“This is an opportunity for men to discover that others are committed to this path of renewal,” he said. “They’re walking together. They have each other’s backs. They’re not doing it alone.”
He added that the timing of the challenge — during Lent and the month dedicated to St. Joseph — gives it added spiritual weight.
“This is what Lent is about,” McGrattan said. “Growing in discipline, growing in witness, preparing for Easter.”
A blessing and a broader hope
As the conversation closed, McGrattan framed the initiative not as competition between dioceses, but as shared pursuit.
“If it’s a competition, let it be one where we’re all striving toward the same goal,” he said. “Strengthening our witness as men in our Catholic faith.”
He ended with a blessing for those considering the March challenge.
“May the Lord convict you in your hearts that this is the true challenge he is calling you to,” McGrattan said. “May your witness and your prayers bear fruit in the life of your parishes and in the church.”