History
The Sons and Daughters Movement was born in 1998 out of a conversation between two longtime friends, one a Catholic priest and the other a Catholic layman, who shared a
burning desire to awaken in other men an awareness of their call to holiness by following Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God and by striving to be positive influences at home, at work, in the church and in the world.
The layman, Hector J. Ibarra, had seen the need for this in the course of witnessing Christ to other men, principally to those men in prison. The priest, Father Robert E. Maher, had sensed for years, like many other priests, that too many men have not discovered their dignity or gifts as God's sons. God is calling them to be leaders in their family, workplace, in the church, and the world. Fr. Maher also believed that it was not enough for clerics alone to call men to live up to their exalted vocation as God's sons but that men needed to challenge, strengthen, and support each other in their spiritual journey.
Fr. Maher asked Hector Ibarra to organize the men who worked with him in the prison apostolate, and together to lead a conference for the men of St. Joseph Church in Edinburg, Texas.
Soon afterwards Fr. Maher presented the idea to Bishop Raymundo J. Pena, Bishop of Brownsville, and asked him to consider approving the conference for all the men of the Diocese. Bishop Pena indicated that he, too, had desired to see such a conference to take place and was also searching for a way to create a conference. Bishop Pena approved the conference at once and the first Sons of God conference subsequently took place in the fall of 1999 at Resurrection Church in Alamo, Texas. The conference was attended by 400 men and was a great success.
Hector Ibarra contacted Fr. Francis Frankovich and Fr. Ed Wade at the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston and presented the idea of the Sons of God Men's
Conference for Houston. Soon afterwards Fr. Ed Wade presented the Sons of God Men's conference to Bishop Fiorenza, Bishop of Galveston-Houston diocese, and asked him
to consider approving the conference for all the men of the Diocese. Bishop Fiorenza expressed his vision of such a lay movement and stressed the importance of a spiritual
director such as Rev. Robert E. Maher, who he considers, to be a profound writer.
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Fr. Ed Wade along with Hector Ibarra contacted and met with a small group of men from the Catholic Charismatic Center. They presented the idea of the Sons of God Conference to the group who enthusiastically accepted the idea and volunteered to help in anyway. So with Fr. Ed Wade and Hector Ibarra along with the support and the guidance from Bishop Fiorenza this small but dedicated group of men started organizing and coordinating the first annual Sons of God Men's conference in the Galveston-Houston Diocese.
After months of planning this small but energetic group grew to include men from different parts of Houston and the surrounding areas. Businessmen like Jim McIngvale owner of Gallery Furniture became involved with his generous donations as well as his inspiring and energetic support, without which, the Sons of God could not have progressed After months of planning the first Sons of God Men's conference took place in the Spring of 2000 at the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston. It was attended by 500 men who were inspired and motivated to devote their time, talents and treasure
to help the Sons of God Men's Laity Movement.
The second Sons of God Men's Conference was held on Saturday January 27, 2001 and again it was a tremendous success. Jim Mclngvale was the keynote speaker along with testimonials and group interaction. It was inspiring to see men empowered with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Monsignor Anderson and Fr. Mario Arroyo celebrated the Mass.
To pray for an understanding of,
and desire 
