Men combine works, prayer

Throughout the Albany Diocese, parish-based men's clubs are dedicated to fostering fellowship and strengthening spirituality.

Many of the clubs also host events to raise money for needs within their parish boundaries. The one at St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland, for example, funds scholarships and tackles community outreach projects (see sidebar).

One of the newest men's clubs in the Diocese is at St. John's/St. Ann's Church in Albany. The group's slogan, "Good Food, Good Company and Good News," pretty much sums up what membership is all about, according to Rev. John Kirwin.

Male bonding

In addition to being pastor, Father Kirwin is an active men's club member whose presence is strongly felt at monthly meetings. Indeed, were it not for him, it's doubtful the group would have gotten off the ground earlier this year.

The group began after Father Kirwin and Kevin O'Brien, a social worker, co-facilitated a retreat for men at Pyramid Lake.

"Women's retreats have always been popular, so we decided to try a copycat sort of event for men," recalled Father Kirwin. "Our theme centered around getting in touch with oneself as a man -- a husband, a father, a mentor, that sort of thing."

Keeping it going

The retreat was so successful that they are planning a second one for January. In the meantime, however, they decided that something more was needed to keep the positive feelings going. That's when the seeds for the men's club took root.

"We ran an item in the bulletin and had a sign-up sheet in the gathering area," explained Father Kirwin. The result was 19 names of men from all walks of life, ranging in age from their 30s to their 70s. What they shared in a common was a desire to gather informally on a regular basis to share everything from soup to Scripture.

On a recent Thursday evening, the men hosted a potluck dinner where members brought cover dishes to share. In addition to the "Good Food," the men also shared "Good Company" (one another) and "Good News" -- from the Bible.

Commitment

Also strongly spiritual in nature is the men's club of St. Anthony/St. Joseph Church in Herkimer where Rev. Robert Shinos is pastor. William Paslak and John Macraina are credited with co-founding the group after participating in the diocesan Renew program several years ago.

Mr. Paslak said the current group is a "small, but committed" one that consists mostly of older men. He quickly added that younger parishioners are welcome at the weekly meetings.

"We usually read the daily Scripture for the week and then go wherever the Spirit leads us," he said. "We discuss various Church-related topics as well as timely social issues, such as abortion, doctor-assisted suicides, the death penalty. The opinions really fly some nights. Men tend to open up and share their deeper feelings a lot more when women aren't in the room."

Outreach

Jim Plotnik, president of the men's club at St. Gabriel the Archangel parish in Rotterdam, said the group includes spiritual, social and outreach components.

Founded approximately a decade ago, it consists "mostly of older, retired gents," although those in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are still on the career track can also be found at the monthly meetings.

"We've got accountants, engineers, custodians, you name it," said Mr. Plotnik, a payroll manager. "It's a very diverse group of men."

Typically, Rev. Leo Markert, pastor, opens meetings with a prayer. That is followed by discussions of old and new business, and then a presentation by a guest speaker or performer.

"Once, we had someone in from the Town of Rotterdam to talk about taxes. Another time, it was an insurance man explaining retirement funds. We've also had members demonstrate their hobbies. We even had Snappy the Clown [parishioner Bill Hart] entertain us one evening," recalled Mr. Plotnik.

Bought, not baked

Following the formal portion of the meetings, members enjoy refreshments. Asked if the men prepare their own dishes, Mr. Plotnik replied: "As far I know, men don't bake; they buy. At least, you don't see many home-made pies at our gatherings!"

But there's more to St. Gabriel's men's club than food and fun. Members sponsor such fund-raising activities as fish dinners, pancake breakfasts and ziti suppers. Proceeds are donated to the church. The men's club also puts on a parish family picnic each summer at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland, providing all of the food and beverages, except hot dishes.

(Those interesting in joining the men's club at St. John/St. Ann's in Albany should contact Father Kirwin at 472-9091. Those interested in joining the St. Anthony/St. Joseph's men's club in Herkimer should call William Paslak at 315-866-4801. For more information about St. Gabriel's men's club, call Jim Plotnik at 356-0153.)

Men's group works to help family get decent housing

Some men spend a lot of time complaining about all the chores that need doing around their own homes on the weekends. Others willingly take on extra repair and maintenance work to help those who are unable to complete such tasks on their own.

Members of the men's club at St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland fall into the latter category.

For example, after learning earlier this year that a disadvantaged couple had purchased a used trailer with an addition that lacked heat, several members of the club, led by president Paul Czesak, went out to see what they could do to remedy the situation. While there, the members also discovered that the floor needed insulating and that trailer could also benefit from new vinyl skirting.

"One member knew a tradesman who could run a heat duct out, so that part of the job got done," Mr. Czesak said. "We're not finished with the project yet, though. The floor still needs to be insulated and then we need to finish the skirting. Those are jobs that we will most likely be tackling in the fall." The biggest job of all will entail "setting the trailer on its permanent foundation."

Helping those in need is nothing new to the men's club, which boasts a roster of more than 40 members with Rev. Desmond Rossi, associate pastor, serving as the spiritual director. Each year, the men's club organizes fund-raising events to benefit a number of worthy causes. On Sept. 14, for example, the club is bringing in Major Gen. Rosetta Burke as keynote speaker at a community pancake breakfast. The proceeds will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. That charity also benefits from the club's annual sale of Entertainment Books, which also funds scholarships to outstanding students.

Asked what takes place at the club's monthly meetings, Mr. Czesak quipped: "That's when we discuss what to do with our limited resources. We listen to the younger members who tend to be very optimistic and idealistic, and then we older ones temper their suggestions with our sad experiences."

(For more information about the men's club at St. Madeleine Sophie Church, call Paul Czesak at 355-8646.)(AH)

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