WHY START A CHAPTER?
The Men of St Joseph gives its members the opportunity to grow spiritually, lead their family in faith by example, and help the parish grow spiritually. Catholic parishes are blessed with many great opportunities for involvement; rosary groups, planning committees, Bible studies, Knights of Columbus, sports, and other programs help build community and spiritual life within a parish. Some parishes even have programs intended to strengthen male spirituality. What separates the Men of St Joseph from others is that it is not a short-term program requiring curricular to sustain itself. The goal of of the Men of St Joseph is to be a lifelong fellowship which strengthens its members over the long haul – day-to-day, week-to week, and year-to-year. Also, rather than being seen as competition to other parish groups the Men of St. Joseph has a long record of feeding and bolstering other aspects of parish life. Ultimately, a thriving Men of St. Joseph chapter will not only benefit the parish but, most importantly, will directly affect its members and their families by helping them to grow closer in relationship with Christ and His Church. If that happens the effects are like dropping rock in a pool. The ripple effect is felt everywhere.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN THE MEN OF ST JOSEPH?
As a man you have a deep, almost instinctual call to accomplish and have impact. That need is what drives men to discover new worlds, develop new technologies, and accomplish “impossible tasks”. It’s also with pushes us to succeed in business, build, create, hunt, fish, and compete in sports. But in the end we are all called for more than reaching the mountain tops of this world. Our ultimate goal is much more significant: Eternal Life with Christ. For most of us that can seem more daunting than scaling a high cliff face. But the truth is that is what men are built to do. Men are called to be spiritual leaders. Our number one goal in life is not wealth or professional esteem but to get ourselves, our wives, children, and even our friends to heaven. It may seem an impossible task but it’s not. Our calling to become spiritual leaders becomes easier when we have the accountability, support, and example of other men all focused on the same goal. That is the purpose of the Men of St. Joseph. And that is why we hope you will join us.
The Men of St Joseph is designed to give you the structure, insight, confidence and support you need to help get you and your family to heaven. In the end we have to ask ourselves, is there anything more important than that? Join the Men of St. Joseph. Help yourself and your family climb that Most Important Mountain.
WHO ARE THE MEN OF ST. JOSEPH?
We, the Men of St. Joseph, are a group of lay Catholic men dedicated to becoming the spiritual leaders of our families by strengthening our faith and being “real world” examples of Christ. Our group bolsters discussion of faith and prayer life specifically for men, giving men new ways to reflect upon their lives and be better servants to God and their family. The result is nothing less than a revived culture, the same culture that Pope John Paul II called the Culture of Life.
WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?
Our mission is “To put the family in the hands of the Father.” We believe it is time for men to step up and take a leadership role in guiding their families, friends, parishes and their communities towards Christ and the fullness of His Catholic Church.
WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU MEET?
Men of St. Joseph meet as parish based groups, or chapters, once per week. Click here to find a group near you.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT A MEN OF ST. JOSEPH MEETING?
The hour-long meetings are simple. The meetings begin with group prayers from the Magnificat*, followed by prayer intentions, then a reading from the Gospel or an apologetic text, and finally discussion. Simply put: read, pray and discuss.
ARE YOU A “SMALL-GROUP BIBLE STUDY?”
No, Men of St. Joseph is not a “small-group” organization. It is common to start a group with 5 or 6 men, but depending on parish size, chapters grow to 20, 30, 40, or more men. Growth is encouraged. During the discussion portion of meetings, though, some of the larger groups do break out into smaller groups, to facilitate discussion.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE A PARENT TO BE IN THE MEN OF ST. JOSEPH?
No, not at all. Men of St. Joseph are made up of men in all states of life, single, married, widowed, and divorced.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE CATHOLIC TO ATTEND MEN OF ST. JOSEPH MEETINGS?
Catholics and non-Catholics alike are welcome. The structure and mission itself are fully Catholic in nature, adhering to all the teachings of the Catholic Church.
ARE YOU A SERVICE OR FUND RAISING GROUP?
No, the Men of St. Joseph is not a civic group, nor a service group, nor a fund raising group. We are a spiritually oriented group of Catholic men.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE MEN OF ST. JOSEPH?
You become a member of the Men of St. Joseph by attending the weekly Men of St. Joseph meetings at your parish.
HOW DO I FIND OUT IF MY PARISH HAS A MEN OF ST. JOSEPH CHAPTER?
Click here for a list of Men of St. Joseph chapters.
HOW DO I START A MEN OF ST. JOSEPH GROUP AT MY PARISH?
If there is not a Men of St. Joseph chapter at your parish, and you wish to explore starting one, click here and we will contact you.
HOW IS THE MEN OF ST. JOSEPH ORGANIZED?
The Men of St. Joseph is a private juridic person and private association of the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church, in accord with the Code of Canon Law, erected, established and approved by the Archbishop of Mobile, on June 13, 2011. In civil law, the Men of St. Joseph is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation.
IS THE MEN OF ST. JOSEPH A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION?
Yes; in the United States the Men of St. Joseph is listed in the Official Catholic Directory, under the Archdiocese of Mobile, and is thus recognized as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
*Magnificat is a monthly Catholic publication containing daily prayers for morning and evening, the official text of the daily Mass, and daily meditations and devotions. www.magnificat.com
