Twice, fire nearly destroyed the life of Robert Falzon, yet it is exactly what is needed to rejuvenate the Church today, he told over 80 men gathered in Perth on May 16.
Speaking at the second instalment of the Catholic Man Breakfast Series, the passionate Falzon could easily have been mistaken for the coach of a struggling football team, rather than the cofounder of menALIVE, an organisation dedicated to reinvigorating the impact of Catholic men today, but essentially his message would be the same.
“Where are all the wild men today?” he asked as he lamented not only the dwindling number of males in congregations but, more so, the lack of masculine soul of those who remained.
But Falzon’s rousing message is one of hope, not despair. Having founded menALIVE along with a small but dedicated group of Brisbane-based Catholics in 2003, he now dedicates his life to inspiring men to return to their rightful place in the Church, and to also flame the fire within them.
“We need men like John the Baptist,” he declared to those who had gathered from parishes across the diocese, “men prepared to break free from their comfort zones and fight against the tepidity that has infiltrated the Church.”
Falzon explained to the audience that his first experience of fire was a spiritual encounter that was overwhelming and intense.
At the age of 16, after being inspired by a Redemptorist priest who “knew this man, Jesus”, Falzon found himself wandering in bushland on the outskirts of Perth, prayerfully searching for direction.
He came across a dry creek bed and, in a moment of grace, fell to his knees and exhorted God, “Let the river run again in my heart and in the Church”.
He was then overwhelmed with an image that was to ignite the fire within him. He envisioned a raging current carrying buildings downstream.
He soon realised they were churches and amongst them were lecterns, pews and then people being smashed within the powerful force.
Three times, a quiet voice whispered within him, the third calling him by name, “Robert, who will stand against the torrent that rages against My Church and My people?” He threw his arms out and responded, “I will stand”, and the seed for MenALIVE had been planted.
However, it would take two more fires, destructive ones, before God’s plan in Falzon’s life began to germinate.
Years later, he had moved to Queensland, married and begun his own business. Life was relatively comfortable until police knocked on his door one evening to deliver the devastating news that his business premises had been burned to the ground.
With no insurance, any fire within Falzon was extinguished and he lost all sense of hope.
In this time of darkness, it was only the words of his wife, Alicia, that kept a spark aflame. “We have only lost what can burn,” she said.
Falzon was able to resurrect his business and a number of years later would receive several prestigious Business Awards.
However, his momentum was interrupted by a financial crisis and he soon realised the fire within him had been fuelled more by cash flow than God.
Once again, Falzon’s world had fallen apart and he could barely drag himself from his house. “But this is where faith begins,” he shared, “not when everything is going well, but when we are brought to our knees.”
It was only then, he said, that he “began to fight like a man”.
His prayers were soon answered and he received a two year contract to refurbish the 60m yacht of a billionaire businessman.
This led to a period of smooth sailing until, following the pattern of Falzon’s journey, the forces of fire once again reshaped his destiny.
The businessman’s yacht was destroyed by fire and Falzon’s company faced a $55 million law suit.
A stressful, drawn out court battle found him not responsible, but this time, when he had run into the limits of his own humanity, he turned his eyes to God.
Soon after, Falzon found himself in Barcelona, Spain and was surprised and disappointed to find a church, Sagrada Familia, he had come to see was covered in scaffolding.
As he gazed upon it, he once again heard a voice resounding within him. Again, it spoke three times, the third time by name, “Robert, what do you see?” He answered, “It is a church in ruins.” “No,” the voice replied, “it is a basilica under construction. Come and join my team in rebuilding the church.”
On return to Australia, the absence of men in the pews of his church became increasingly apparent. “It was then that my desire crossed paths with God’s,” he said, and menALIVE began.
Falzon’s journey is, in essence, a microcosm of the renewal he desires for the Church. His story is a living testimony to the powerful force of fire, both natural and spiritual.
When human grit and God’s grace are the sticks being rubbed together, the resulting spark, he proclaims, will ensure that new life will rise, even from the ashes of despair.
Since that time, in 2003, menALIVE has touched the lives of over 10,000 men through seminars, retreats, weekends for young men, father/son encounters and the Catholic Man Breakfast Series.
They have adopted St Iraneaus’ quote, “God is glorified when men are fully alive”, and it is this intent they have taken to 23 dioceses throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and will soon be introducing to Canada.
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, guest speaker at the inaugural Man Breakfast event in November last year, opened and closed the event with prayer and expressed his excitement at the impact the organisation has already had in Perth.
“I am thrilled that menALIVE is coming alive in our Archdiocese”, he said. “I hope we all leave here this morning with a desire burning in our hearts.”
For more information on menALIVE in Perth, contact Greg Diamond on 0499 900 208 or see www.menalive.org.au.