Registration is now open for the 2025 Men's Mile Marker
Men's Mile Marker 2025
WHEN: February 22, 2025
WHERE: St. Joseph's Church
4545 New Rd
Austintown, OH, 44515
COST: Free to attend
Day includes fellowship, food, fun and faith sharing
through various activities
For more detail please contact:
Chad Rachic - 330-507-8045
Brought to you by the Men's Mile Marker Team
WHEN: February 22, 2025
WHERE: St. Joseph's Church
4545 New Rd
Austintown, OH, 44515
COST: Free to attend
Day includes fellowship, food, fun and faith sharing
through various activities
For more detail please contact:
Chad Rachic - 330-507-8045
Brought to you by the Men's Mile Marker Team
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Vindicator Article from 3/2/2024
Stories of faith shared at Mile Marker event
AUSTINTOWN — Men of different denominations shared their own personal stories of faith as they gathered for a day of support and fellowship as part of the annual Men’s Mile Marker.
The gathering took place recently at St. Joseph Parish in Austintown with more than 400 men from 13 denominations.
Chad Rachic of Immaculate Heart of Mary said the Men’s Mile Marker event focuses on where men are in their lives and the transformations that have taken place since the second Sunday of Lent focuses on transformation.
“Our talks, songs and discussion are on transformation in men’s lives with a focus on their faith,” he said.
Rachic, one of the event organizers, said the gathering allows men to get together and share their faith and stories while taking part in fellowship through Scripture and song.
The name of the event, Men’s Mile Marker, is because men are at different mile markers in their faith and personal lives.
“The mile marker means where each person is in their journey of faith,” Rachic said.
Men took part in group activities and discussed how tragedies or incidents in their own lives led to a transformation in their life of faith.
“This allows men to be open minded in their faith and focus on Jesus Christ and trying to reach others in their lives,” Rachic said.
The Rev. Kenneth Miller, a retired pastor with the Diocese of Youngstown who also taught economic classes at Youngstown State University, shared significant times in his own life, including working in parishes and schools for the Diocese.
“Each of us faces change and challenges in our lives. In 1992, while at the Diocese of Youngstown, Bishop Malone asked me to work on the child protection policies, which was 10 years before the child abuse crisis and the church was made known nationwide,” Miller said.
He said the Diocese of Youngstown was one of the few in the nation to have such a policy in place in the early 1990s.
“When the child-abuse crisis broke, I began to realize that the authorities of the churches nationwide and the Vatican at that time had covered up this issue,” he said.
Miller, pastor emeritus at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Austintown, said there are two films about the abuse crisis that he recommends people watch. “Spotlight” told of how the Boston Archdiocese covered up child abuse and focused on the Boston Globe reporters and other journalists who tried to bring the story to light. The movie “Doubt,” starring Meryl Streep, told the story of a nun who suspects a priest of child abuse and how she protected the children.
Miller said dealing with the crisis was a major transformation in his life as was a trip to El Salvador in Central America, where there were concerns about the government and killing of people in churches there.
Miller said these transformations in his life made him think about how to come to terms with what was happening and not being afraid to criticize what he saw was wrong.
In his career, Miller helped at SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish and St. James Parish in Warren. He also was active at Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Joseph parishes in Austintown.
“When I preach, I do not intend to offend. I am not afraid to try and make connections. I feel that sometimes the personal crises in someone’s life can often be blessings in disguise,” Miller said.
Rachic said the event has been successful for the past four years and hopes to continue it for many years to come.
Have an interesting story? Contact Bob Coupland by email at [email protected].
AUSTINTOWN — Men of different denominations shared their own personal stories of faith as they gathered for a day of support and fellowship as part of the annual Men’s Mile Marker.
The gathering took place recently at St. Joseph Parish in Austintown with more than 400 men from 13 denominations.
Chad Rachic of Immaculate Heart of Mary said the Men’s Mile Marker event focuses on where men are in their lives and the transformations that have taken place since the second Sunday of Lent focuses on transformation.
“Our talks, songs and discussion are on transformation in men’s lives with a focus on their faith,” he said.
Rachic, one of the event organizers, said the gathering allows men to get together and share their faith and stories while taking part in fellowship through Scripture and song.
The name of the event, Men’s Mile Marker, is because men are at different mile markers in their faith and personal lives.
“The mile marker means where each person is in their journey of faith,” Rachic said.
Men took part in group activities and discussed how tragedies or incidents in their own lives led to a transformation in their life of faith.
“This allows men to be open minded in their faith and focus on Jesus Christ and trying to reach others in their lives,” Rachic said.
The Rev. Kenneth Miller, a retired pastor with the Diocese of Youngstown who also taught economic classes at Youngstown State University, shared significant times in his own life, including working in parishes and schools for the Diocese.
“Each of us faces change and challenges in our lives. In 1992, while at the Diocese of Youngstown, Bishop Malone asked me to work on the child protection policies, which was 10 years before the child abuse crisis and the church was made known nationwide,” Miller said.
He said the Diocese of Youngstown was one of the few in the nation to have such a policy in place in the early 1990s.
“When the child-abuse crisis broke, I began to realize that the authorities of the churches nationwide and the Vatican at that time had covered up this issue,” he said.
Miller, pastor emeritus at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Austintown, said there are two films about the abuse crisis that he recommends people watch. “Spotlight” told of how the Boston Archdiocese covered up child abuse and focused on the Boston Globe reporters and other journalists who tried to bring the story to light. The movie “Doubt,” starring Meryl Streep, told the story of a nun who suspects a priest of child abuse and how she protected the children.
Miller said dealing with the crisis was a major transformation in his life as was a trip to El Salvador in Central America, where there were concerns about the government and killing of people in churches there.
Miller said these transformations in his life made him think about how to come to terms with what was happening and not being afraid to criticize what he saw was wrong.
In his career, Miller helped at SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish and St. James Parish in Warren. He also was active at Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Joseph parishes in Austintown.
“When I preach, I do not intend to offend. I am not afraid to try and make connections. I feel that sometimes the personal crises in someone’s life can often be blessings in disguise,” Miller said.
Rachic said the event has been successful for the past four years and hopes to continue it for many years to come.
Have an interesting story? Contact Bob Coupland by email at [email protected].
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Vindicator Article from 3/4/2023
Men share faith journey
AUSTINTOWN — Men continuing on their faith journey was the focus of a weekend event that included testimonies and stories about what men have faced on those journeys.
More than 40 people attended the Men’s Mile Marker 2023 event at St. Joseph Parish in Austintown.
Chad Rachic of Austintown and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish said this year’s event was very similar to that in 2022, with a focus on where men are in their faith journey.
”The difference is that every year men are at different spots in their lives. Discussion is on assisting each other and helping each other in a time of need,” he said.
Rachic said that men of faith are much more open to discuss things at events such as this as opposed to other venues and settings.
He said the daylong event had speakers discussing their own faiths, both in person and on videos.
”Men spoke about through their faith they needed God in their lives. Many of us are part of other men’s groups at different churches,” he said.
He said there were men from 15 churches, with some Catholic and some non-Catholic.
The event included testimonies, musical performances and fellowship.
Bob Gugliotti of Austintown and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary, said he enjoys sharing fellowship and stories.
He liked how men were inspired by either a topic that someone brought up on the videos or something that was presented during the day.
”A lot of discussion triggered thoughts and feelings. They were able to do this in this setting where privacy was emphasized. We shared stories independently. It was nice to hear from a variety of people from various walks of life who have had different experiences,” he said. Gugliotti said there were different perspectives on faith based on different age group.
”Everyone was able to contribute something based on experiences that they have had,” he said.
Tom Bobby of Austintown with Immaculate Heart of Mary said as men come to functions like this, they realize that all men face challenges and problems.
”Everyone has problems in their lives and events like this allow for sharing of issues and providing of support. We are all here to help each other out. That is the unity created,” he said.
[email protected]
AUSTINTOWN — Men continuing on their faith journey was the focus of a weekend event that included testimonies and stories about what men have faced on those journeys.
More than 40 people attended the Men’s Mile Marker 2023 event at St. Joseph Parish in Austintown.
Chad Rachic of Austintown and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish said this year’s event was very similar to that in 2022, with a focus on where men are in their faith journey.
”The difference is that every year men are at different spots in their lives. Discussion is on assisting each other and helping each other in a time of need,” he said.
Rachic said that men of faith are much more open to discuss things at events such as this as opposed to other venues and settings.
He said the daylong event had speakers discussing their own faiths, both in person and on videos.
”Men spoke about through their faith they needed God in their lives. Many of us are part of other men’s groups at different churches,” he said.
He said there were men from 15 churches, with some Catholic and some non-Catholic.
The event included testimonies, musical performances and fellowship.
Bob Gugliotti of Austintown and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary, said he enjoys sharing fellowship and stories.
He liked how men were inspired by either a topic that someone brought up on the videos or something that was presented during the day.
”A lot of discussion triggered thoughts and feelings. They were able to do this in this setting where privacy was emphasized. We shared stories independently. It was nice to hear from a variety of people from various walks of life who have had different experiences,” he said. Gugliotti said there were different perspectives on faith based on different age group.
”Everyone was able to contribute something based on experiences that they have had,” he said.
Tom Bobby of Austintown with Immaculate Heart of Mary said as men come to functions like this, they realize that all men face challenges and problems.
”Everyone has problems in their lives and events like this allow for sharing of issues and providing of support. We are all here to help each other out. That is the unity created,” he said.
[email protected]
Vindicator Article from 3/5/2022
Christian men share stories of faith at Mile Marker in Austintown
AUSTINTOWN — Men shared their own personal stories of faith as they gathered for a day of support and fellowship at the annual Men’s Mile Marker event at St. Joseph Parish.
Chad Rachic, one of the event organizers, said the event allows men to get together and share their faith and stories while also taking part in fellowship through Scripture and song.
“This will continue to be an annual event. We did the first one in February 2020 before COVID hit. Many men from local parishes in the area want to be part of this,” Rachic said.
He said more than 55 people from a dozen parishes in the area attended.
Rachic said plans are to hold the event at different locations with the first event taking place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Austintown.
The name of the event, Men’s Mile Marker, is because men are at different mile markers in their faith and personal lives.
“It shows men’s growth in their lives reaching different mile markers,” Rachic said.
Rachic said the event is an offshoot of the church’s men’s renewal program.
“Many of the team members share their stories of their faith and family,” Rachic said.
Jason Volovar, music director at St. Joseph Parish, said he received much positive and uplifting moments throughout the event.
“This is something that is much needed in this time for men to be able to share their stories and help each other. It’s a great chance to get to meet new people and also learn about Scripture. You can tell the people here really appreciate the Lord. People get to showcase how great God has been in their lives and helped them through obstacles in their lives. You learn that we all share many of the same things. To me it has been very rewarding to be here,” Volovar said.
Tom McGahagan of Immaculate Heart of Mary said he feels that being part of the event will include transformation.
“When we formed as a team, we felt that change in ourselves. We hope for transformation not only in ourselves but others. The men leave here and take the message of Christ to their families, friends and others,” he said.
[email protected]
AUSTINTOWN — Men shared their own personal stories of faith as they gathered for a day of support and fellowship at the annual Men’s Mile Marker event at St. Joseph Parish.
Chad Rachic, one of the event organizers, said the event allows men to get together and share their faith and stories while also taking part in fellowship through Scripture and song.
“This will continue to be an annual event. We did the first one in February 2020 before COVID hit. Many men from local parishes in the area want to be part of this,” Rachic said.
He said more than 55 people from a dozen parishes in the area attended.
Rachic said plans are to hold the event at different locations with the first event taking place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Austintown.
The name of the event, Men’s Mile Marker, is because men are at different mile markers in their faith and personal lives.
“It shows men’s growth in their lives reaching different mile markers,” Rachic said.
Rachic said the event is an offshoot of the church’s men’s renewal program.
“Many of the team members share their stories of their faith and family,” Rachic said.
Jason Volovar, music director at St. Joseph Parish, said he received much positive and uplifting moments throughout the event.
“This is something that is much needed in this time for men to be able to share their stories and help each other. It’s a great chance to get to meet new people and also learn about Scripture. You can tell the people here really appreciate the Lord. People get to showcase how great God has been in their lives and helped them through obstacles in their lives. You learn that we all share many of the same things. To me it has been very rewarding to be here,” Volovar said.
Tom McGahagan of Immaculate Heart of Mary said he feels that being part of the event will include transformation.
“When we formed as a team, we felt that change in ourselves. We hope for transformation not only in ourselves but others. The men leave here and take the message of Christ to their families, friends and others,” he said.
[email protected]
