 |
| Fr. Van Hager |
 |
| Mark Houck |
Before I headed up to New York City to appear on The Howard Stern Show, I made a very important stop at The King's Men “Samson” Retreat in New Jersey. I had become acquainted with one of The King's Men, Mark Houck, about a year before. At the time, I was in the midst of writing a book about my various experiences in pornography and the gay lifestyle. Then, I was reaching out to various Catholic publishers, authors, journalists, bloggers, and speakers in an unorganized effort to understand how one goes about getting a book published. Sadly, I found charity lacking, and professional courtesy almost non-existent. One very well-known and respected Catholic public-personality even told me that no one would be interested in my story as it will “never sell.” It wasn’t his candid honestly that bothered me, but his curt and dismissive attitude. Are we only here to sell books? I thought to myself, I guess Catholic men with homosexual tendencies are not deserving of help; after-all, it's too small of a population; we should just run back to the gay ghettos or hide in some dark corner to die.
Then, suddenly, I got a response from Mark Houck at The King's Men. He said he was impressed with my story and would help me in any way he could. Wow! I never even met this guy. He gave me his phone number and we talked a few times. He told me he wanted to read the manuscript that I was working on and then offer his opinion. He liked it. Afterward, I asked if he was interested in writing a short blurb for the back of the book cover. When I received it, I was so overwhelmed and impressed I decided to make it the “Forward.” Therefore, before I even met him in person, I knew that Mark was a worthy example for all Catholic men (everywhere.) Because, he simply and boldly reached out to a fellow Catholic man and extended a helping hand to someone in need. He always took the time to answer my e-mails, field questions, offer suggestions. For some, that might appear to be of little import. But, after getting silence and rejection, a few kind words of encouragement meant a lot.
When I arrived at the retreat house in New Jersey. I felt like I already knew him so well. He made me feel like I was family; for we are all children of God and brothers in Christ. The other men, as I learned later, though they exhibited one of the most joyous forms of masculine Catholic love, were oftentimes victims of childhood abuse, porn addictions, and or substance abuse. When Mark talked with the retreat attendees, I really marveled at his compassion and self-giving love. Mark is straight, married, and a father, but he is so firmly secured in his own manhood that he can empathize and show love for men who are sexually wounded, confused, or experiencing same-sex attraction. In our culture, especially in the lay Catholic world, that often finds it easier to condemn and criticize gays, or lazily give-in to the gay agenda - rather than stand-up for the Truth and help them, this is a rare commodity indeed. In this, I believe that all Catholic men have much to learn: to show love for another human being (that might be caught in a sinful life,) does not mean that you accept that sin or that your are any less of a man. In fact, it makes you more like Christ: for He sought out the sick, the twisted, the wretched, the rejected, and the outsider.
Lastly, since attempting to start this outreach, I have questioned the motivations of some “Catholic” authors and speakers. Why are they doing this? Is it a career or a vocation? Mark is the real deal. He isn’t building a brand image. He is not a mere poser. He is just doing the Lord's Will.
Thank you Mark, and everyone associated with The King's Men.
The King's Men: