Men's Faith Sharing Groups

This is a ministry of men and for men of all ages, 18 years old and up.
Men gather to share their faith, study the scriptures, grow and support each
other in their roles as single men of God, husbands and fathers. In the hustle
and bustle of today’s world, men need a place where they can grow spiritually,
understand themselves better as sons of God, encourage each other and pursue
fellowship with other men who share their similar value and principles.

What is it all about?

Groups gather on a regular basis to discuss their lives through the
perspective of their Catholic Faith and share experiences through friendship,
prayer and fraternity. It will be set up in small groups of men, usually less
than 10 in a group. A dozen facilitators have already committed to this new
program and they will be involved in setting up individual small groups at
places and times that are convenient for your busy schedules.
What happens at a Faith Sharing Group?

    Socialize
    Opening Prayer
    Scripture Reading
    Discussion
    Action Plan
    Concluding Prayer

Men’s Faith Sharing Groups

    Mondays 8:30pm @ St. John Neumann Parish Office
    Facilitator(s): Deacon Carl, Dave Hamann

    Tuesdays 6:30am @ Panera – Rte 23 and Polaris
    Facilitator: Rick Bidwell

    Wednesdays 7:00am @ Lower Social Hall
    Facilitator: Bob Hetterscheidt

    Thursdays 6:00am @ Polaris Panera (south side of Polaris, west of Lowes)
    Facilitator: John McKinley

    Saturdays 8:00am @ St. John Neumann
    Facilitator: Mike Young

Q & A

What happens at a Faith Sharing Group?

Socialize, Opening prayer, Scripture reading, open discussion, develop an
action plan, concluding prayer
What is the time commitment?

The ideal commitment is an hour a week in the small group that you select.
However, understanding how busy everyone is, you’re welcome to attend whenever
you can. Each group lesson is designed to stand on its’ own.
Where will we meet?

Each facilitator will decide where and when their group will meet. Choose a
group that fits your needs.
What if I don’t fit in well with the group that I have chosen?

We encourage you to stay in the groups that you’ve selected for the sake of
continuity and team growth. However, if a group is not right for you, you may
join another group.
I don’t know much about Scripture or church doctrine, is this for me?

The workbook and group discussions are designed to stimulate discussion and
personal growth and are based upon broad, scripture-based themes. Anyone can
participate.
What can I expect as these groups begin to grow in size?

The ideal group size is 6 to 8 men. As the groups grow beyond that number we
will need to split it into two groups. We expect the groups to be very dynamic
with new members joining and others leaving as lives change.
Will I have to facilitate meetings?

Not if you do not want to. However, as our group grows, you may wish to
consider becoming a facilitator and starting your own group. You need not be an
expert and you do not function as a teacher. You only need to keep the group
focused, make sure that everyone has an opportunity to participate and keep the
discussion moving.
Will outside work or preparation prior to meetings be necessary?

No, each session stands on it’s own and the short Scripture reading for that
session is read during the meeting. There is no pre-work involved.
Will I need to bring anything to the sessions?

You will need a copy of SIGNPOSTS – How to be a Catholic Man in the World
Today. It would also be helpful to have a New American Bible-Study Edition and a
copy of Catholic Catechism. If you do not have these, you can share with others
in your group.