KEPHA

Apologetics

Apologetics, the first of Kepha's five anchors, trains members to embrace and defend Jesus Christ and His Church. KEPHA is faithful to the Holy Father and the Magestrium of the Roman Catholic Church. Youth members move up our 8 apologetics levels, mastering bible verses, Church Fathers, and reason that is used to defend the faith. We live 2 Peter 3:15; "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." As signified by the cavalier swordsman we sport on our shirts, the Catholic sword of truth must be sharp and ready in hand. The purpose of our apologetics anchor is to win souls, not arguments.

Brotherhood

“Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.” 2 Thes. 2:15. These words are part of the apologetics program and were chosen primarily because they uphold oral traditions-part of the Catholic Faith. They also show the need for brotherhood. We in Kepha mimic Paul by helping to ensure that our brothers don’t succumb to false teachings, to support one another when something brings our faith into question, by teaching one another through our words and actions and by holding each other accountable for our actions or inactions. We PLAY together and PRAY together so that ultimately we’ll STAY together for eternity. The bonds formed in Kepha are one of true brotherhood; One for all and all for One!

Charity

Each member of Kepha is called to love his neighbor as Christ loves all of us. We do this by following the heroic example of charity of Mother Teresa, Pier Giorgio Frassati, and Don Bosco, our patrons. Each retreat includes a charitable event, such as visiting a nursing home, and half of the money we raise for our retreats is given to charity. We recently donated $2500 to various pro-life charities, including $1800 given to crisis pregnancy centers. In addition, this year we solicited donations from all over the country for Hurricane Katrina relief and gave $15000 to victims of the hurricane.

Mortification

The Christian practice of denying certain bodily pleasures as a way of training the soul in virtuous and holy living. Within Kepha, these may take the form of waking in the middle of the night for prayer, eating no sweets or drinking only water as a beverage for the day, and perhaps taking a cold shower or performing an anonymous act of kindness.

Prayer

That moment of meeting between creature and Creator. Kepha desires to train dads and sons in developing a daily prayer life and a deeper relationship with God. Kepha’s charism requires that we pray specific morning prayers and either the Divine Mercy chaplet or Rosary daily. Frequent confession (at least monthly) is encouraged providing that wonderful opportunity to examine our faithfulness and recommit through the grace of the sacrament. Once a month Kepha dads and sons must make an hour of Eucharistic adoration, although not required, (a monthly holy hour at any time fulfills the requirement) many fulfill this hour by participating in our 2 AM “Yawns for Christ” where we join together for Adoration at 2 AM on the first Saturday of the month. In so doing we are afforded the opportunity to grow in our personal relationship with God in union with our Kepha brothers. Modern day man busies himself with so much nothing. It’s essential that we make that time for God in each moment of our lives. Kepha provides special leadership in this regard, nurturing that special role a father made in God’s image fulfills for his family and especially for his sons.