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Chris Hixon, Athletic Director at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was killed on February 14, 2018, protecting his students, while attempting to disarm the Parkland shooter. All to often we remember the perpetrators and forget the Heroes. Reported in the Miami Herald: Chris Hixon, the athletic director and wrestling coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, was so dedicated to his students that when coaching vacancies forced him to consider discontinuation of various sports, he stepped to the sideline and coached them himself. At different times, he coached five sports at the school, for zero supplemental pay. “He did it for free because he wasn’t eligible for extra pay,” said Jeff Morford, an assistant principal. “Cross country, volleyball, wrestling, basketball and track and field. He was there until 9 p.m. most nights. He was all about the kids. He would do anything for them.” So no one was surprised to hear the accounts of Hixon speeding in a golf cart toward the sound of gunfire Wednesday when a former student walked into the school at dismissal time with an AR-15 rifle and began shooting people in the freshman building. Hixon’s immediate reaction was to protect the students and stop the attack. Hixon was one of 17 victims at the Parkland school gunned down by the 19-year-old shooter. What most people don't know is that Chris was a Roman Catholic man who attended Nativity Church in Hollywood, Florida. He was married to his wife Debbie who was also a teacher. His wife described him as an awesome husband, father and American. “Every one of those students he thought of as his own kid,” Hixon said of her husband in 2018. A naval reservist, Chris Hixon had deployed to Iraq in 2007. The Hixon's have two sons. Tom the oldest started a scholarship fund in his dads honor. Deborah Hixon has gone on to win an elected seat on the local school board. Their were two other men who lost their lives at Stoneman Douglas High School that day. Scott Beigel a cross country coach and Geography teacher, as well as Aron Fries a football Coach at the school. Do you know any Catholic Men Heroes? Please share their names and their stories here.

Hello men, sharing a helpful resource we've used. I typically meet with a pastor and some men he is thinking of working with to start a men's group. Or, men of a parish will call for a meeting and invite their pastor. I usually bring 1 or 2 men with me that lead a group. We bring these slides, discuss the concepts, then follow up by sending copies of No Man Left Behind to all attendees. It's led a to a few groups starting. I hope others find this helpful. Thank you CMLA for all you do!

Tom Mignery sent me the photo with Bishop Brennan. He was having difficulty posting it on our gallery. So, I took the liberty of doing so. You're welcome Tom! The least I could do for a chilli dog or a White Castle slider. You were a great host in Columbus.