The third Catholic Men’s Conference was held on Sunday, September 6, at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Ras Al Khaimah, under the theme “Builders of Peace in the Family.” Promoted by the Family Ministry of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, the gathering brought together around 200 men, husbands, and fathers from the UAE parishes for a day of prayer, reflection, testimony, and practical formation.

The gathering opened with Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia. In the following keynote address, the Bishop reflected on peace in society and in family life, noting that the divisions, fears, and broken relationships caused by conflict among peoples can also enter the home when peace is lacking within the family. “War divides us; peace creates bonds. Conflict isolates us; peace brings us together, reassures, and unites.”

Recalling the difficult months experienced in the region, Bishop Paolo expressed gratitude to the families who continued to pray together, especially through the Rosary, and to the Family Ministry for organizing online moments of prayer.

At the heart of Bishop’s message was the family as the first place where peace is learned and built. Men are called to build peace by loving their wives as Christ loves the Church and by being signs of God’s fatherhood to their children. This mission is demanding, but becomes possible when husbands and fathers remember that they are first sons of God: “Knowing that we are loved children is a source of peace.”

An engaging Q&A session followed, during which Bishop Paolo answered questions from the participants on the role and specific vocation of men in the family, within a wider social context that often challenges family unity, the education of children, and the transmission of faith.

The conference continued with the session of Fr. Peter Fernando, Director of the Family Ministry, on “Bridging the Gap Between Husband and Wife,” a practical reflection on rebuilding connection in marriage. “Love is a decision,” he reminded them, stressing that marriage requires communication, forgiveness, prayer, attention, and daily effort.

Through questions, examples, and activities, Fr. Peter invited the participants to notice their wives again, to speak with them rather than about them, and to build bridges before distance becomes deeper. One of the questions he offered remained especially strong: “When did you and your spouse stop talking to each other and start talking about each other?”

The day also included testimonies and interactive sessions led by lay speakers, who addressed the pressures men often carry silently: work, money, responsibilities, emotional struggles, digital distractions, and the difficulty of asking for help. 

During one of the workshops, the participants were invited to use LEGO bricks to create something that represented peace for them. The activity encouraged creativity, teamwork, and personal reflection, allowing each person to give visible form to its understanding of peace.

The atmosphere was one of fraternity and openness, where participants were invited not only to listen, but also to reflect on their own lives and return home with concrete steps.

The conference concluded with Eucharistic Adoration, placing before the Lord the reflections, questions, and commitments of the day. More than a formation event, the 3rd Catholic Men’s Conference was a call to conversion and responsibility: to build peace first within the home, through faith, presence, forgiveness, service, and love.

As the men returned to their families, the final message was clear: peace is not built by words alone. It begins with small, faithful choices, with hearts rooted in God, and with husbands and fathers willing to become true builders of peace in the family.