WHAT HAPPENS AT A CMF MEETING?

        The heart of the Catholic Men’s Fellowship program rests with the parish level men’s faith, sharing and fellowship groups. These groups are based on and grounded in Holy Scripture and Catholic Tradition. 

            Men are encouraged to form groups of four to ten men and meet weekly, biweekly or monthly for approximately ninety minutes. (Preference is weekly or biweekly). At these gatherings they discuss their lives in the light of their Catholic faith and life experiences through friendship, prayer and fraternity. 

 Most groups use guidebooks to stimulate discussion and focus on spiritual topics. A commonly used guide book is “Signposts / How to be Catholic Man in the World Today”. It should be available through your local Catholic bookstore, or it can be ordered on line (see resource page). 

Men participating in parish CMF groups form a communion cultivating deep friendships among their fellow parishioners, learning from one another, and provided materials, how to be a better husband, father, son, employee, Christian man and Catholic parishioner. Spiritual growth and accountability become factors as the men get to know each other. Often, certain members of the group who are quiet and seldom participate in Church activities will “come out of the shell” as friendships grow. Men are awakened to the needs of the Church and are encouraged to offer their time, talent and treasure. It is important to know, however, that CMF is designed to focus on the individual development of spirituality in men through prayer and study with the hope that their new communion with God will produce a more active parish life. 

            Typically a meeting begins with prayer and/or song. Scripture and Catechism passages are read which support the theme. Men are challenged through the guidebooks to adopt an action point for the coming week or two. Meetings close with prayer and attendance to Mass if available. Some groups include a social time with refreshments to encourage fellowship. 

            Most men’s groups meet in parish meeting rooms or homes on a rotating basis. Groups set their own times and agendas with little or no commitment of time from clergy and parish staff.

For more set up information e-mail cmfkazoo@yahoo.com.