The Catholic men’s movement continues to be blessed by God, and has grown in size, breadth and interest across the country. One indication of this growth is the abundance of men's conferences held this year throughout the United States. Up from 16 in 2002, men gathered in 30 conference locations for inspiring talks, faith formation, fellowship, and worship. New conferences were held in Ohio, New York, Mississippi and Michigan and 2005 looks even more promising with new sites booked in Massachusetts, Arizona, and Northern Virginia.
Another indication of this growing Catholic movement is the number of new regional Catholic men’s fellowships (from 20 in 2002 to over 40 in 2004) and the increase in small parish-based men’s fellowship groups all over the US (for example, the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Greater Cincinnati has 185 men’s fellowship groups).
This ongoing growth in the Catholic men’s movement is a fulfillment of what many Catholic leaders believe is a special movement of God among Catholic men. In 1999, the American bishops observed that, “there is a growing hunger for God among Catholic men. They are meeting together in large and small groups, sharing their burdens, listening to each other's stories, and celebrating Eucharist. Call it a revival, an awakening. Call it a work of the Holy Spirit at the grass roots level. The emergence of new ministries with men is a welcome development in the Church.” In support of this observation, the bishops issued a report, “Catholic Men's Ministry, an Introductory Report” which was published in July 1999.
Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati, in his letter of endorsement (July 2004) of the work of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, also had this to say about the Catholic men’s movement: “I believe there is a move of God among Catholic men and that the Holy Spirit has placed a hunger in the hearts of many men to go deeper into their Catholic faith. The support and prayers of other men within their faith groups can play a significant role in deepening their faith and living it out as Catholic men.”
In many ways, this move of God among Catholic men also confirms the Holy Father's prophetic words about a “great springtime for Christianity” in his encyclical, Mission of the Redeemer: “As the third millennium of the Redemption draws near, God is preparing a great springtime for Christianity, and we can already see its first signs” (Mission of the Redeemer, Pope John Paul II, 1991).
What is stirring in the hearts of many Catholic men? I believe that many Catholic men are recognizing how difficult it is to thrive in today's culture. The growing demands on their time and energies and the collapse of traditional values and support structures underscore this challenge. The tragedies of September 11th, all that followed it, and the current world situation, also serve to remind men that they can’t fight and overcome evil on their own by being Lone Ranger Christians. If Catholic men are to combat these negative trends and challenges to their way of life, they know they need the support of other men.
The National Fellowship of Catholic Men (NFCM) has played a major role in the growth of the Catholic men’s movement through its support to Catholic men’s fellowships and conferences, Catholic men's groups, and individual Catholic men. In 2004, NFCM was pleased to announce and welcome Cardinal Maida, the Archbishop of Detroit and a strong supporter of the Catholic men's movement, as its Ecclesial Advisor. We encourage you to check out our website and get a thorough look at our vision and foundational beliefs.
The NFCM provides high-quality resources, leadership training, and communications to Catholic men’s leaders and individual Catholics, through its website. For example, the NFCM now offers 19 Catholic men’s group resources that can be ordered directly from them on their website, plus four training resources. The NFCM also offers over 30 other books and resources for men that can be ordered via links to other websites. In addition, NFCM has supported the start-up of many parish-based men’s ministries and small men’s groups. (As executive director of the NFCM, I get many calls and emails from men every day, including pastors, who request this support for their parishes.)
The NFCM is also pleased to sponsor the Catholic Man channel right here on Catholicexchange.com providing timely and topical articles for Catholic men. Thousands of Catholic men have already visited the Catholic Man channel since its inception.
In 2005, we hope to impact the lives of tens of thousands of Catholic men through support of Catholic men's fellowships, conferences, and men's groups; through leadership training workshops; and through the sale and distribution of thousands of men's group resources and training materials. The goal of the NFCM is to have Catholic men’s conferences in every diocese and Catholic men’s groups in all 19,000 parishes in the US. Please consider partnering with us in achieving these goals.
The NFCM, like many other Catholic ministries today, has critical financial needs. We are totally supported by the generosity of men (and women) who believe that the Church, now more than ever, needs Catholic men to take their rightful roles in their families, the Church and their communities. I ask you to prayerfully consider the National Fellowship of Catholic Men in your end-of-year giving. Here are two ways to contribute:
1) Send a check payable to the NFCM to: National Fellowship of Catholic Men, PO Box 86381, Gaithersburg, MD 20886.
2) Make an online contribution by going to the NFCM website and then clicking on the Contributions link.
All contributions are tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt from the NFCM.
I know you receive many requests for money from worthwhile Catholic organizations at this time of the year, but we believe that nothing will impact our families, our culture, the Church and the whole world like faith-filled Catholic men standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the power of the Holy Spirit. God is indeed moving in a very powerful way among Catholic men. We are grateful for your prayers and your support to the NFCM, especially your prayers.
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 during this Advent season of grace.
(Maurice Blumberg is Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men. This article is part of NFCM's sponsorship of the Catholic Man channel. Contact NFCM at P.O. Box 86381, Gaithersburg, MD 20886 or email them at info@nrccm.org)
