This week on Man Up, Joe Stopulos is joined again by his brothers Pete and Tim for part two of their tribute to their late father, Mike Stopulos. After last week's biographical look at Mike's life, this episode turns to the lessons: what did their dad actually do that made him the kind of man an entire community showed up to grieve?
The brothers walk through it lesson by lesson:
Be there — Mike coached freshman basketball at Assumption High School (earning the nickname "Papa Stop"), showed up for backyard football and homework, and made sure his kids never felt his absence even during years of financial strain he never mentioned.
Take calculated risks — from proposing to their mother six months into dating, to launching side businesses, to investing in Airbnb properties with his sons during the pandemic, Mike modeled fearless but thoughtful risk-taking that paid off far beyond money.
Order your life rightly — faith first, then family (wife before kids), then work, then friends. The brothers share how Mike's sacrificial love for their mother, especially through her health struggles, shaped how they lead their own households today.
Pour out love on everyone — stories pour out about Mike's daily visits to a local Starbucks and grocery store, his habit of embracing a disfigured cart-pusher by name, and quietly slipping strangers at Walmart one hundred dollars with no explanation.
Fear no one — from cracking jokes with hospital staff during his final weeks to evangelizing nurses about their faith, Mike lived out the Gospel call to approach every person without fear or judgment.
A model Catholic death — the episode closes with the family's account of Mike's final hours: receiving anointing, an apostolic blessing, and communion, then passing peacefully as his six children prayed a rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet at his bedside.
This episode is brought to you by Construction Professionals. Learn more at CPCustomHomes.com
Man Up airs on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network. Listen to more at IowaCatholicRadio.com
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