Back about three decades ago, I used to have this spiritual void as a man.
…. But I didn’t know it
But then I was invited to this businessmen’s Bible study. They talked about family life, working in this world as a believer in God, and the challenges we face as men.
I wanted more.
As men we hold thoughts in and do not talk openly about our feelings. Men are not like women, when we’re spiritually hurting we don’t normally turn to each other in looking for God’s direction.
My eyes were opened to the needs of Catholic men, and I quickly became a coordinator for a Chicago movement called
Catholic Men in Action (CMA).
I was meeting new friends through CMA, before the internet, and from this I experienced support, wisdom and a place to see and feel what a practicing Catholic man’s life is about.
But then CMA lost its funding and fizzled out, and I felt that void again over time.
For many men, building our connection with each other is the first and primary step to live out our identity. To be a contemporary Catholic man means to grow in holiness to make Our Lord the center of our lives. ... and to share this with other men.
So fifteen years ago I co-founded, with a deacon and a bishop, an apostolate to men just in Vicariate VI of the Archdiocese of Chicago, so that we’re all
in the neighborhood so to speak and get to know each other in due time.
It’s not for everyone, and other Vicariates want all we’re doing.
For example, at Catholic Men Chicago Southland (CMCS), as you may know, we have presenters at our annual Forum who leave us with a challenge.
Catholic men NEED to be challenged!
What we found that works, and is special, as you also know, is we have group discussions where men connect the dots with each other on our spiritual journey. And we have resources online to continue this journey.
When you foster a Man in holiness, the positive adjustments he makes can create an upstanding man, husband, or father, and this impact can be felt for three generations.
The CMCS apostolate gets stronger and better every day towards men in the Chicago Sothland growing our spirituality thanks to the consistent support and prayers from believers like you!
Otherwise we’d lose our funding and have to fizzle out.