Catholic men’s ministry moving forward in 2020

Having been commissioned by Archbishop Jason Gordon on March 19, the National Catholic Men’s Ministry (NCMM) under the patronage of St Joseph has been working to remedy the deep systematic issue in the Church –the Catholic male crisis.

The NCMM, empowered with the task of reforming this aspect, decided on a methodical approach of laying the foundation for this transformation through a number of activities.

Firstly, an on-going project of creating a complete database of all existing men’s groups and their details (leadership, meeting schedules, contacts etc.) is being undertaken. We must know where and who are our soldiers and what their needs are.

Through the Vicars, a number of Vicariate meetings were also held throughout the Archdiocese, including Tobago, to listen to the leaders in men’s ministries and hear their concerns and suggestions for the ministry in 2020.

A key focus was on getting our young men’s participation and views at these sessions. These sessions were extremely fruitful and will lay the path forward for the NCMM in 2020.

While doing all the above, the NCMM organised its first Annual Advent Retreat for the leadership of men’s groups. The retreat was held on Sunday, December 1 at the Catholic Centre, Chaguanas. Archbishop Gordon was the retreat director. With a mixed attendance of 70 young and mature men, Archbishop Gordon led the day of intense, profound and practical reflections and insights into Matthew Kelly’s book, Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic.

The Archbishop challenged all present to make a specific goal and commitment to build up each one of the signs in their personal, spiritual and family journey. The four signs are Prayer, Study, Generosity and Mission.

The NCMM has undertaken an on-going formation plan for all the leaders in men’s ministry, while simultaneously building up men in each parish-cluster and ecclesial communities with a study course on the book Archbishop Gordon started with us. This process will begin in January 2020.

As part of the formation process the NCMM is planning an annual Men’s Conference in March 2020. Look out for more details on the conference; it’s going to be fantastic with a projection of over 1,000 men in attendance.

The NCMM calls on all our brothers to walk with us in 2020 on this journey of renewal and mission as we bring new life to the Church through the formation of dynamic Catholic men in every parish.

We wish all men, your families and communities a Holy and Blessed Christmas Season and a truly Happy New Year! St Joseph pray for us! —NCMM