In 2007, God has truly blessed the efforts of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men (NFCM), and its support of the Catholic men's movement. This was a year of significant growth in size and breadth and interest all across the USA, and in many foreign countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Guam, and Africa. I ask for your prayers for this important ministry to Catholic men.
The NFCM is impacting the lives of tens of thousands of Catholic men for Jesus Christ though its support to Catholic men's fellowships and conferences, Catholic men's groups, and individual Catholic men. This year has been especially fruitful as we supported 46 large regional Catholic men's conferences and thousands of parish-based men's groups with excellent Catholic resources for men. Over 50 men's conferences are planned in 2008, including new conferences in Lansing, MI, Portland, OR, and St. Louis, MO. In March of 2001, when I became the first executive director of the NFCM there were only a dozen conferences.
Our Vision — Catholic Men, Linked as Brothers in Jesus Christ, and Called to Bring Him to Others — is being fulfilled! God is indeed moving powerfully among Catholic men. Our goal is to have Catholic men's conferences in all of the 200 Dioceses in the U.S., to have men's fellowship groups in each of the 19,000 U.S. Parishes, and to provide the necessary support and resources to help bring all of this about.
Here are a few examples of what men have to say:
"We at Fishers of Men want to be a financial supporter of your ministry. Thank you for all the support you have given to our conferences." Bob Bennett
"Thank you for the Sunday Mass Scripture podcasts. This is a wonderful–very useful resource for members of men's ministry groups and others involved in sharing our Catholic Christian Faith." Jerry Cozart
"I love the podcasts. I'm trying to share these teachings with fellow Catholics and Christians. This is a great evangelizing tool." Joseph Kiibler
"Thank you for the Sunday Mass Meditation and discussion questions for men. My small group uses it weekly and it makes proclamation of the Gospel enjoyable for me on Sundays." Rob Miller
"Men are being inspired and fed spiritually by the ministry of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men Keep up the good work. I have a small, special event coming up at a parish to initiate a Men's fellowship. We are going to copy your web site page and give it out as a handout. We will be using your Catholic Men's E-zine Mass readings for discussion." Gerry Connell
I hope you have also benefited from the many resources available on our website, including some of our new capabilities — podcast homilies for men on the Sunday Mass readings, a BLOG, and inspired talks from Catholic Men's Conferences.
We are privileged to continue to serve you. What we have done during our short 6 1/2 year life-span has only been accomplished because God's hand has been on this ministry, and because of your support. Yet, we are only at the beginning of what we are planning to do in providing leadership, resources, and a communications network for Catholic men.
We don't ask you very often for financial support, and we have always been extremely reliable stewards of donation dollars. Please consider financially supporting this important ministry to Catholic men in your end of year giving. I'm asking you to be as generous as you possibly can and to please pray that our work will continue to be effective. I thank you in advance for your continued support and generosity. Of course, all contributions are tax-deductible.
It is easy to give to the National Fellowship of Catholic Men:
You can make a secure contribution on the NFCM website, just click here or go to www.catholicmensresources.org.
You can mail a check to National Fellowship of Catholic Men, P.O. Box 86381, Gaithersburg, MD 20886
You can call Terry Vanderpool, the NFCM Development Director, at 254-640-4054
Let's continue to partner together to reach Catholic men for Jesus Christ and to bring the light of Christ and his Gospel to a darkened, hurting world.
As we move closer to celebrating the birth of our Savior at Christmas, I pray that you and your family will experience special blessings and favor from the Lord throughout this season of grace.
God bless you
Maurice Blumberg
Executive Director
National Fellowship of Catholic Men
