The Catholic Men's Fellowship will convene a meeting of its leaders this weekend in Orange County, looking to generate new enthusiasm for the organization that began more than a decade ago.
"We are urging men to become daily followers of Christ, and have them take that spirit back into their parishes," stated Fred Picciano of Encinitas, in his fourth year as president of CMF. "We know that whether we have 100 or 500 or 5,000, the key is to get them to fall in love with their church and their faith, in spite of all that occurs in our society and even in our church."
CMF is rooted in the Promise Keepers Christian movement in the early 1990s. To bring a more Catholic character into the movement, the Men of Promise (in Los Angeles) and Catholicmen Fellowships (in Orange) were formed, then merged in the late 1990s to form CMF.
As of January 2005, CMF was present in seven California dioceses, including Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego. Some parishes maintain CMF chapters
The organization's website, www.catholicmen.org, states that the organization's mission is "to help men renew their minds and transform their hearts and lives for Christ." CMF also asks its members to adhere to a series of principles (an outgrowth of "promises"), such as to be men "for Jesus and for others"; to be men "of integrity, forgiveness, discipline, prayer and responsibility, humility and love"; and to be men "on a mission."
"We ask our members to embrace the Nicene Creed," said Picciano. "That really forms the basis of who we are and what we are about as Catholic men." San Pedro Region Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar will become the group's Episcopal liaison. The Nov. 5 leadership day will be held at Rancho Santa Margarita High School in Santa Margarita, and while it is intended primarily for leaders, Picciano said that CMF is always open to receive and welcome newcomers.
"In the past," he said, "we have had men who maybe came to an event, had a good experience, but then went back to their parishes and their lives and returned to being Sunday Catholics. But when a Catholic man really lives his faith all the time, it is powerful sign in his family and in his community We hope to generate enthusiasm among Catholic men for bringing their faith into their lives, not just on Sundays but every day."
For information on Catholic Men's Fellowship, email CMF@Catholicmen.org, or visit the aforementioned website. ---Mike Nelson |