Deacon Joe Grote, a Catholic deacon and author, is passionate about strengthening families by increasing awareness of the breakdown of the nuclear family. His book, "Where Have All the Fathers Gone? Daily Thoughts for Dads, Dads-to-Be, and Papas" was inspired by a 2010 letter he wrote to the Cincinnati Enquirer regarding the absence of grieving fathers in local murder cases. This sparked a mission to address the growing crisis of fatherlessness.
Deacon Joe's talks open the eyes and hearts of those in attendance to the countless obstacles that families face in our disjointed culture. He helps men and women, and husbands and wives understand that they are at war, with influences that easy get out of control and divide families, as they strive to live as God intended.
Deacon Joe draws on his experience as a husband, father, grandfather, as well as the lessons he learned while leading the F.A.T.H.E.R.S. group at his parish for eighteen years. He relates how men and women need each other to share their faith, their successes and their struggles with like-minded friends and parishioners through small groups and retreats. In his book: “Where Have All the Fathers Gone”, he relates the importance of telling your wife, your children and your grandchildren that they are loved. He shares the importance of mentoring and how you cannot be successful at all of the above without the support of friends, who are on their own walk with Our Lord.
Deacon Joe is putting the finishing touches on a mission/retreat entitled: “Come Walk with Me.” Based on the Calling of Matthew, and the mission/retreat will walk attendees through selected verses of the Bible that focus on building a relationship with Our Lord. Building and maintaining that relationship will be accomplished through ongoing participation in small groups. Deacon Joe has spoken to Catholic Business Groups (from Cincinnati to Fresno, CA.), Parish Missions, F.A.T.H.E.R.S. groups and various Catholic social groups, i.e. Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society.
Deacon Joe lives in Cincinnati, OH, with his wife, Ann, of 46 years, four children, five grandchildren and Levon, their yellow Labrador.
Selected Speaking Topics:
How to be a Better Husband, Father and Friend – Insights from his book on strengthening key relationships. How recognizing you need help along the way to be a better Husband, Father and Friend, leads to a richer and more complete life.
Come Walk with Me – A mission/retreat focusing on building a closer relationship with Our Lord. Leading to a recommended small group component.
How Did We Get Here? – A historical look at fatherhood over the past 70 years and the steps needed to reverse fatherlessness.
Being the Religious Leader in Your Home – Practical advice on leading a faith-centered family amidst challenges seemingly out of our control.
You Can’t Do This Alone – Challenges men and women to take their eyes off their phone and computer to access why they feel so lonely. It is only through building relationships that you truly prosper in life.
