Press Room ...
Here are some items which have appeared in the local press and present useful insight into the activities of menAlive.
God glorified as man thrives
Men Alive Retreat clarifies masculinity. By Mark Reidy
When three wise men travel from the East bearing gifts, it is not surprising that people’s lives are transformed. This was the case on
May16-17 when over 60 men gathered at Our Lady of the Mission Church in Craigie to hear the inspiring message of hope delivered by the
Brisbane-based menAlive Catholic ministry.
The weekend team of Robert Falzon, Peter Shakhovsky and Peter Gabauer, along with other members, have delivered this message with
passion, humour and vitality to over 2500 since 2003 and their goal of bringing men together to renew their faith in God and to
encourage them to become active forces in the renewal of the church, has sparked revival in parishes across Australia and New Zealand.
“God is glorified when men are fully alive” is the motto that the ministry have borrowed from St Ireneaus and the weekend of talks,
testimonies, sharing, reflection and fellowship is designed to guide and challenge men both as individuals and members of the Church
to seek this fullness of life.
Presenters told the audience that men’s sense of purpose and mission, both personally and collectively had been lost. Too many men
within the Church, they said, were simply existing and not fully living and this was impacting on families, parishes and the wider
Church. They believe that the restoration of man’s rightful place needs to begin with an understanding of the love of God the Father,
as well as a belief that He has gifted each person with a unique capacity to make a difference in the world.
A major problem, they explained, was that men’s relationship with God had often been distorted by their relationship with their
earthly father.
“It is a sad reality”, Mr Shakhovsky explained, “That almost every time we ask a roomful of men if any of them can remember intimate
moments with their fathers, we are greeted with a deafening silence.” It is a generational issue, he said, that needed to be healed
before men could have the impact that God intended. “What is not resolved” he warned, “will be repeated.” By the end of the weekend
many participants testified to receiving the knowledge and desire that would equip them to become better husbands, fathers,
parishioners and Catholics. Wounds had been healed, burdens had been released and new paths had been discovered.
“It has reopened my eyes and ears to God”, said one satisfied participant and the energy and enthusiasm that gathered momentum
throughout the retreat, indicated that he wasn’t alone in his awakening.
Men Alive will present another Retreat in Perth later this year. For further information on the ministry or for future events
see www.menalive.org.au or ring (07) 33671402
( Copyright -- The Record, Perth, 3.6.09)
Men Grow in Faith
DEACON Gary Stone and many others from Brisbane parishes said their literal "mountain top" experience at a February menALIVE weekend
also provided a spiritual "high point".
Held "on a mountain top overlooking Somerset Dam", north of Brisbane, the live-in retreat took Deacon Stone "above the ordinary".
"(It was a) special experience . .. of seeing things more clearly, seeing the bigger picture," he said.
"(But) the best part of this experience was gathering with over one hundred Catholic men to reflect upon our faith and our relationships."
menALIVE began in 2003, recognising a need for males to be provided a prayerful yet non-threatening forum to share openly of their
struggles and successes.
Almost 40 such weekend experiences have since been offered in Brisbane, interstate and overseas.
"I was really inspired by the talks given by team members," Deacon Stone said.
"Wonderful stories of men, ordinary Catholic men coming back to . . . strong faith in God and a great love and appreciation for their
families, through participating in one of these retreat programs.
"Clearly, for many, the experience of taking time out to be with God, to listen to Him and to share with others had been transformational."
menALIVE participant Bruce Lane, of Warwick, said his February attendance was spurred by the question, "Where are all the men?", when
looking about Catholic churches
.
"Our sisters (women) tend to respond to God much more readily than we do," he said.
"We men need a little more encouragement to participate fully in Church life.
"It often requires an 'encounter' moment with the person of Jesus and the support of other men.
"The weekend provided such an 'encounter' for many men."
Mr Lane said many "left the weekend ready to read the daily readings of the Church and record their thoughts and prayers in a daily
journal".
"They planned to come together in fellowship periodically," he said.
"Some groups meet in coffee shops or church halls or people's homes."
Mr Lane's group meets in the parish centre at Warwick, with others continuing conversation via email.
"My life has been turned around since I first went to a menALIVE weekend," the more senior gentleman said.
A menALIVE retreat was held in Daisy Hill parish mid-March with future weekends planned in Perth (May 16-17), Wollongong
(May 30-31) and Townsville (June 13-14).
"Sons of the Father", a retreat weekend for teenagers and fathers, will be offered in early June at Redland Bay. For more information
go to www.menalive.org.au or call Robert Falzon on 0412 745 734 or email mail@menalive .org.au
( Copyright -- Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 14.12.08)
Helping Faith to Grow
FATHERS and their teenage sons have a unique opportunity available to them from June 5-7.
The team offering menALIVE will launch "Sons of the Father", a weekend experience "every young man needs".
"The relationship between a father and his son is one of the primary and most critical relationships a man will have, particularly in
the teen years," organiser Robert Falzon said.
"The impact our fathers have on us and we as fathers have on our children, is profound."
Looking at key issues such as "How does a boy learn to become a man?" and "How does he come to understand his masculinity?", the
live-in experience at Redland Bay will tie in some of the content overed at the regular and highly commended menALIVE weekends.
"There is a hunger in boys to become men," Robert said.
"There is a fire in young men to follow those who have gone before them and to go further still . . . a desire to rise up and face the
expectations and challenges placed before them by the men who have fought more battles in their lives."
Robert said the June weekend would also answer "Who has the map to get young men through the maze? How do they make it through without
hitting the `land mines' and how they face the battle of life?"
"As fathers we too have desires, a desire to transform a young boy into a powerful man," he said.
"To speak to him, guide him through what can be an arduous road, help him go after dreams, help create vision and most of all, to just
share life," The menALIVE team has discovered "some pieces missing in young men's journey in life".
"Whether it be a fathers' encouraging words or just his presence in a boys' life," Robert said, "This absence is leading droves of
young men to go and find that acceptance in other places . . . places which are actually potentially harmful to the journey."
Enjoying a recent "menALIVE to the Max" weekend, Josh Ariens, of Gladstone, commended organisers, saying the "sense of camaraderie on the
weekend was truly uplifting" and will no doubt be witnessed in June.
"It (the retreat) held joy and hope because we became more aware of our common mission as Christian men - as husbands and fathers, yes,
but as men 'on fire with the love of Jesus'," he said.
For more information contact Robert on 0412 745 734 or email mail@menalive.org.au
(Copyright -- Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 14.12.08)
A Partnership Building Bonds
MORE than 105 men braved the beautiful but long and winding
roads past Samford and Mt Glorious on a late afternoon rive on February 20 to the Somerset Dam retreat centre for the powerful
menALIVE to the MAX 2009 weekend.
Capturing the vision from the St Ireneaus quote, "God is glorified when men are truly alive", menALIVE is one of Australia's leading
ministries to men. Its mission is to encourage men in their faith journey.
menALIVE is well on its way with that, with more than 36 events conducted through Australia and New Zealand in the past five years.
This means that more than 3000 men have been invited to renew their faith and challenged to become a force of renewal for the Church.
"My heart is to see men throughout Australia connecting with the love of the Father - to have each man know that there is something
more for them, that they were made for God and for God's work in the earth, that they can live a life that is full and fulfilling,"
menALIVE founding director Robert Falzon said.
Christian Supplies manager Greg Shakhovskoy said it was pleased to have formed a partnership with menALIVE and was committed
to provide essential resources such as DVDs, books, CDs, amongst other things, for its weekends and events.
These resources cover topics like male spirituality, sexuality and personal faith. Mr Shakhovskoy said this support was vital as
many of the topics from the retreat weekend needed to be further explored by reading or watching resource materials that helped men
to continue their journey.
"Our commitment is to support the vibrant ministry of menALIVE in reaching out to men who are searching for more," he said.
My hope is that we can lighten the load on the menALIVE team by doing what we are good at - sourcing and providing resources.
This leaves them free to minister, knowing that they can put quality and relevant resources in the hands of men after the weekend."
Christian Supplies would be pleased to talk with other organisations that could benefit by being provided with quality Christian
resources that enhance their ministry. Contact Greg on (07) 3221 1925 for a chat about what is possible. For more information on menAlive
visit www.menalive .org .au
( Copyright -- Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 22.03.09)
Revving uo to share God's love.
Men proclaiming the Gospel in a 'pretty dark world'
WITH their own "formation" program and as fervent witnesses of the Gospel, it's easy to draw some parallels between
Australia's God's Squad ministry - the bikers who were in Sydney for World Youth Day - and the priesthood.
"Joining God's Squad is a little bit like training for the priesthood," president of the squad's Sydney chapter and life member since
the early '90s Dave Hansen said.
"Or even like an apprenticeship. As you progress through as a nominee or an apprentice member, finally you become a full member
which is signified with a full set of colours," he said, referring to a decorated leather vest worn by another.
A striking group of God's Squad "members and nominees" were gathered beside their immaculate motorcycles for the World Youth
Day menAlive session of MAD (Make a Difference), at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney.
Key member Peter Hilton, of Melbourne, a former 13-year parishioner of Petrie parish on Brisbane's northside, said God's Squad had
come along "to support their brothers".
He described the squad as "very ecumenical Christian motorcycle club" whose goal was to "proclaim the Gospel and be the light
of Christ in what is a pretty dark world".
"The God's Squad ministry outreaches to a wide cross-section of society right to the outdoor motorcyclists," Peter said.
"We do school work, prison ministry and work with kids that are on the edge."
God's Squad Christian Motorcycle Club was founded by John Smith about 35 years ago, and Peter said while they have a "visible
and noisy presence", their message is a "quiet" one.
"In a very quiet way, what we do is about building relationships with people, mainly men," he said.
"As we build relationships and gain their trust we gradually introduce the message of the Gospel to them."
With Baptist and Uniting Church pastors as members among their nine chapters Australia-wide, the ministry has also established
clubs in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Finland and Norway with "prospective" groups in Germany, the Ukraine,
the Netherlands and America.
Gathering annually for a "national run", to access membership the men must not only undergo three years of formation, but also be
active in a Church and demonstrate competency as a rider.
Their brand of bike is also particular.
Peter said membership in God's Squad was a certain "calling".
"It's a tough ministry and you have to be called," he said.
"Some of those guys we minister to, whilst they may be big, tough, hairy bikers, they are guys with often a soft heart . They care a lot
for their families, their kids."
Saying they'd "dearly love to have a Catholic priest that rides a motorcycle" as a member, God's Squad is often called upon to officiate
at weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies, but will seek a Catholic priest if needed.
As a Catholic convert, Peter said he had found sustenance within the sacramental life of the Church adding, "My wife is a Catholic,
deeply committed to her faith as is her family."
He said the menAlive ministry, begun by Catholic men in Brisbane, gives hope to males who "are searching".
"There are so many men out there who have lost their sense of direction and personal worth," Peter said.
"menAlive is run by a bunch of men who are very grounded, with very strong faith, that can talk about their maleness and encourage
others to do the same."
Encouraging other young men through the Inside Out program is Steve Brown, of Melbourne, working within the juvenile justice system
among youths "post-release".
Steve, who also rides a Harley and is undergoing formation as a full God's Squad member, said it's often those men who inspired
him to greater holiness.
"More often than not the boys I see are more spiritual than I am because they've lived such a hard life on their own, out on the
edge," Steve said.
"They really do depend on God more than I've ever had to, just to survive.
"So they teach me so much but at the same time they're hungry to know more."
Inside Out, who predominantly help 15-21-year-olds, is co-ordinated by Concert Australia, under God's Squad founder John Smith's
outreach umbrella.
He has other outreaches such as Hand Break Turn, a ministry for youths involved in motor vehicle crime or who are at risk of "becoming
long-term unemployed".
Steve said his work was "intensive".
"We take the higher-end boys . . . we work with them on a volunteer-type basis where they choose to work with us," he said.
"We build solid and intense relationships with them and support them whether it be for family reunification or getting them through
the period of parole."
Steve said often such males related to to "God would never love me because of all the things I've done" mentality.
"All of us have fallen short of the glory God, not just those who have stolen some cars," he said.
"But we are all sinners and Christ died for us and, through grace, we get forgiveness ."
( Copyright -- Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 2.8.08)
Helping men to come to life
The menAlive outreach to Catholic
men continues to gather momentum.
SELINA HARRIS reports on its
remarkable success
THE name “menAlive” has become synonymous with change and renewal in the hearts and lives of men – locally, interstate and overseas
– since its inception in 2003.
Co-founder Robert Falzon, of Brisbane, said menAlive’s first gathering heralded what was to come.
“We ran our very first menAlive with a simple ad,” he said. “We got 74 men just turn up out of the blue.”
The result was an experience where participants “found meaning and purpose … in being together as men”.
Team member Peter Gabuer has journeyed alongside Robert and a core team of faithfilled others, bringing the menAlive outreach
to almost 3000.
“I’ve seen men’s lives transformed,” Peter said. “I’ve seen tough men … experience freedom and joy through reconciliation with God.”
Throughout the course of a weekend experience based on Scripture and with heartfelt sharing about the struggles men face, Peter said
men committed to praying daily, to meeting regularly beyond the retreat and also to ongoing involvement in the Church.
With 20 retreats already booked for 2009 – significant because in five years they have run 32 retreats in total – members of the
core group have shared their testimony and “brought the Word of God to men in a fresh way” as far afield as New Zealand.
They have had enquiries from South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Papua New Guinea, America, England and Uganda, and “ministry teams” exist in
Adelaide, Tasmania and far north Queensland, and soon operating out of Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
The team’s most recent visit to Toowong parish on November 8 and 9 spurred more of the “menAlive meaningfulness” among 40 participants,
organiser and team member Mike Bennett said.
- “I just wanted to keep in touch with you and say thank-you for an awesome weekend retreat,” wrote one participant via email afterwards.
- “If you were to save one soul last weekend, I have to say that was mine.
- “Thanks … the Holy Spirit came and touched me.
- “I am now alive and living with a sense of purpose in life.”
Robert said the key menAlive message was based on God’s love and His fulfilling purpose for a faith-filled life.
“Your life matters to God,” he said when encouraging men to attend.
“Your life matters to the Church.
“You can make a difference with your life. Don’t waste your life on meaningless, don’t waste your life on ‘averageness’.
“Invest your life on something that is going to be meaningful and make a difference in the world.
“That is your family, your children and the Church.”
It’s impossible for Robert to select “a highlight” of the five years. “There are so many moments,” he said. “Starting this ministry,
writing the material, experimenting with our methods and having God just visit and bless our very humble and ordinary efforts.
“… every weekend, seeing with our own eyes men’s lives being transformed.
“ … the team of volunteers who are just ordinary blokes rise up to the challenge, capture the vision and do the most extraordinary
things.”
menAlive was recently asked, among only two lay-led ministries, to address an evangelisation conference in Sydney.
Robert spoke of the need for urgent action to reach men, quoting numbers from Brisbane archdiocese.
“There are approximately 600,000 Catholics,” he said of Brisbane. “There are approximately 80,000 regular worshippers … there are
approximately 27,000 men who regularly worship.
“These numbers have to disturb us. They must provoke us to action. There is a crisis for men in the Church, so menAlive is called to
‘wake the sleeping giant’.”
Robert said the benefits in doing so were ongoing.
“We believe if we can reach the man we will reach the marriage and if we can reach the marriage we will reach the family, and if we can
reach the family we will reach the Church and if we can reach the Church we will reach the nation,” he said.
menAlive also encourages ongoing participation in the sacraments of Penance (Confession) and Eucharist. “The experience of Confession is
very profound for many of the men,” Robert said. “In some cases it is the first time in many, many years that the men have been to
Confession.
“There are many testimonies of this being a life-changing experience for the men. “Some of the priests that participate in hearing
confessions on the weekend say that this is also a profound experience for them. Imagine hearing 50 to 60 men’s Confessions in a row.”
Robert said there were key learnings as part of the menAlive experience including a discovery that “sin is not the deepest part of them”.
“They (the men) discover that they are always sons, no matter what they do or don’t do,” he said.
“They discover that their heart matters and is worth fighting and dying for.
“They discover that they are not alone. In fact there are many men who are going through very similar things to them.
“They discover that they have a story to tell, a role to play, a battle to fight and that they can make a difference – that they can be
involved in something really meaningful … and that they have a job in the Church and that the Church needs them to wake up and
get active.
“They discover a sense of hope.”
In 2009, menAlive will launch “Sons of the Father”, a weekend especially for fathers and their teenage sons, something Robert says
there is “a massive demand” for.
This month they held a specifically designed weekend for 18 to 30-year-olds on Moreton Island.
“The world is waiting for us who have met Jesus to proclaim with fervour and missionary energy, that we have found the answer to all
they are looking for, we have found the object of their heart’s restless longing, that we have found the Messiah,” Robert said.
“The menAlive mission and its primary ministry is … specifically to the men of the Church and those who have drifted away from the Church.”
( Copyright -- Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 14.12.08)
Men Encouraged to share their faith
MEN "encouraging and supporting each other" is what
participants will experience first-hand at the next menAlive weekend in Brisbane's west on November 8 and 9.
Organiser Mike Bennett said it would "lift up and deepen the faith level" of those present, with men as young as 15 invited.
"menAlive is a chance for men to walk the faith journey and to realise that we are all normal, we do all have the same
problems," he said.
Offering testimony from the menAlive team and encouraging sharing "otherwise not heard in the outside world", Mr Bennett said
the facilitators provided "a wealth of talent" adding, "We are ordinary people leading ordinary lives".
The weekend will be hosted by Toowong parish in Holy Spirit Church, Auchentlower, and parish priest Jesuit Father Peter Quin
encourages men of all faith levels and backgroundsto take part.
Organisers are also planning "menAlive Moreton Island" on December 5-7 particularly for those aged 18-35.
This weekend will combine physical activity (including fishing, snorkelling and sand tobogganing) with the spiritual side.
For details about menAlive in Auchenflower contact Mike Bennett on 0439 209 332, while Brendan Maloney (phone 0407 657 283) can
provide details on the Moreton Island trip. The menAlive initiative started in Brisbane in 2003 with the approval of Archbishop
John Bathersby.
( Copyright -- Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 26.10.08)
WYD08 - MAD08 Make a Difference
Men Alive hold 'Make A Difference' rally (MAD08) at WYD
The Men Alive movement from Brisbane Archdiocese held their MAD08 rally (Make a difference) in Sydney on the opening night of World
Youth Day.
Despite pilgrims having to make their way back from the busy Opening Mass, a crowd of 1000 came and assented to the call for God to
make a difference in their lives.
Men Alive is a movement that promotes young men becoming an active force again in the life of parishes and the wider church. One of
the movements’ chief architects, Robert Falzon, was the MC for the night.
The event combined the music of Roby Curtis and the Emmanuel Worship Band, along with AV presentations and a slate of charsimatic
speakers to give witness to the power of prayer and the graces that flow from making a difference in the church.
Fr Chris Ryan MGL, a priest well known in Queensland for his visits with the WYD Cross and Icon in 2007, began proceedings with a
reflection on how important prayer is to the young man.
“For me it began when I met people who talked as though Jesus was still alive,” Fr Ryan said.
“I said ‘you’ve got something I’m looking for’ and they said if you pray you can have it too.”
“It worked because at Uni I prayed to God to show me how to live. I prayed and prayed until he showed me the way to be a priest as a
Missionary of God’s Love (Fr Ryan’s Religious Order).
“I’ve never regretted the decision to follow God’s call and I wouldn’t have known it if I hadn’t learnt how to pray.
“If you want to make a difference then you have to be a man of prayer and have a relationship with Jesus everyday,” he said.
Fr Ryan strongly recommended Fr Ken Barker’s book ‘Young Men Rise Up’ which has a specific chapter showing young men how to pray.
The second speaker was Paul Mimis, the first of many lay people making testimonials on the night.
Paul spoke of the transforming power of the sacraments in his life, in particular reconciliation and eucharist. He recalled vividly
his attendance at the final Mass of WYD in Cologne.
“I remember during that Mass I received communion and prayed,” Mimis said.
“I looked around at the one million people there and I finally got it. It made sense.
“It was the same eucharist that I received every week, and sometimes I struggled with it, but here, on the far side of the
world, I understood that it was Jesus that brought us all together,” he said.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge, of the Canberra-Goulbourn diocese, was next on stage and reflected on the importance of the bible.
“Read that book and leaping from the bible is the recurring theme that when you are weak you are actually strong,” Archbishop Coleridge
said.
“It was John who said that there is no wound that cannot become a fountain. From the overcoming of that wound, or weakness, you can
make a big difference.
“So I would encourage you then to go and read the bible with big wide open ears, the ears of your heart,” he said.
The powerful testimony of Paul Hayes signaled the urgency of Men Alive and the brotherhood and fellowship it offers.
“I only came back to the church four years ago,” Hayes said.
“There was a void in my heart that only God could fill, and when I went to reconciliation I felt cleansed and as though a weight had
been lifted.
“Although there was a bit of backsliding to my old behaviours, I finally met a group of guys that supported me.
“I opened up and put to death all the things that had been binding and worrying me,” he said.
Henry Capillo talked about mission and how he had learned so much since making the most important decision of his life, the one to
make the Lord his saviour.
Capillo impressed upon the gathering the five most important things he had learned, namely :
- God wants us to know he trusts us
- God wants to build his kingdom using us
- God wants us to believe his will is the best for me
- God wants us to be bold, courageous and to change nations
- God wants us to commit and believe that with him we can make a difference
The night’s final speaker was Shayne Bennett, of Net Ministries, who talked about the Church.
Bennett recalled how as a young man he had learnt to be cynical about his faith.
“One brave priest had invited me to a prayer meeting at the end of Grade 12. I left and I hated it but one of my teachers had the
courage to breakthrough and asked to pray with me.
“I began to look at people differently,” he said.
Bennett unveiled one of his core beliefs that Jesus wants to transform the world and wishes to use us, not just as individuals,
but as a people.
“He’s chosen us to work together,” Bennett said.
“Unfortunately what is missing in church today is the potency of young men.”
“I know that sometimes the church is difficult – it’s like a family where some people can drive you nuts. And yet they are
still family, they’re the ones that you hold together with.
“There is a call on us, a perseverance that is necessary to get past it, but definitely there is a call on young men to stand
together with Jesus and make a difference,” Bennett said.
(Released by the Catholic Communications Office)
A new movement is seeking to encourage more men to
take an active role in the Church.
PETER BUGDEN reports in the Catholic Leader:
The founders of a new movement in Brisbane believe they are awakening one of the Church's 'sleeping giants' - men.
Peter Shakhovskoy, a married 51 year-old father of five boys who has a successful career in middle management in a large corporation,
looks around his parish church on Sunday mornings and wonders at the scarcity of men.
'Where are the men of our age' he asks himself. 'Where are the young men?'
The same questions have troubled Peter's friend, Robert Falzon, so they have decided to take up the challenge of doing something
about it.
Together, they and three others have developed a program called Men Alive, aimed at rousing male Catholics into living their faith
in a way that makes a difference.
And, even though it is only early days, it seems to be working.
One indicator Robert
offers is the success of a recent weekend, when many participants were so moved by
the discussions and reflection that they took up the offer of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in years.
Robert said one man told him he had not been to reconciliation in 30 years and another 55 year-old said he could not remember his
last time because it was when he was a boy.
'They're real graces - that men would go back to the sacraments after so long,' Robert said.
Men Alive uses the words of St Ireneaus as its inspiration - 'God is glorified when men are fully alive'.
The group says the movement was founded 'in response to a great need evident in the hearts and lives of men and a great need in
the life of the Church.'
We believe the Church is waiting for men to wake up, to become fully alive and to take their place among the people of God and in
His world.
'We envisage men finding their purpose anew, becoming active, and so making the Church a more potent influence in the world.
'Our focus is the lost territory in the hearts of men and the impact this has on the life of the Church.'
The aim of Men Alive is to minister to men by providing opportunities for them to gather, initially for a weekend and then regularly
in small groups if they decide the experience benefits them.
It offers inspiration
, encouragement, a chance to reflect and ponder, and to share with one another in
groups about 'the real issues of their lives.'
Participants are motivated to take up the challenge and call 'to become a fully alive man', and to be a fully active member of the
Church'.
After an initial weekend, Men Alive encourages men to gather regularly in small groups to pray, read the Scriptures, write about
their reflections and for discussion.
Ultimately, this is to provide support, and encourage growth and action.
Ricci Barros, 41, of St Bernard's Parish at Upper Mt Gravatt in Brisbane>, was part of the Men Alive team that organised a recent
weekend for St Bernard's and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Sunnybank.
He said Men Alive 'offers something practical and down to earth that most Catholic guys can relate to.'
It gave an opportunity to break through the 'barbecue talk' with other fellas and to build a basis for support.
'If there are any spiritual issues you need to deal with there's a group of fellas with a similar mindset that you can come
back to.'
Ricci said the Men Alive
weekend gave him the chance to step back from a busy life to focus on spirituality
and to reflect on that.
Paul Risitano, 51, who attended the same weekend, said it was very rewarding.
He had found it valuable to put into practice the SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) method of nurturing spirituality
which was covered at the weekend.
The weekend experience had encouraged him to continue to reflect on how Scripture impacts on his daily living. He was looking
forward to being part of a group praying and reflecting on Scripture.
'Hopefully it will bring Scripture alive for us on a daily basis,' he said.
The two brains behind Men Alive,
Peter Shakhovskoy and colleague Robert Falzon, 48, who is married with four
daughters, have worked together in the Church for 20 years.
Peter has worked in a ministry for fathers and sons, and Robert has
run an annual weekend for men in Brisbane for several years.
'There's sort of a dream or energy in both of our hearts, a dream of lay people playing a part in the renewal in the life of the
Church,' Robert said.
Common issues they have noticed among men in the Church are loneliness, dealing with transition, marriage, sexuality and purpose.
Caught up in the 'busy-ness' of modern life, men often face 'a lack of meaningless', and Men Alive offers a chance to fill that gap
and to invite men into the 'task' of being part of Church renewal.
The movement is about
helping men realise the importance of that task.
Men Alive offers two simple propositions; Being spiritually alive and adult is of great personal value. Having a real relationship
with God, a prayer life, and being in relationship with other Christians will transform you. You are of great value to God, the
Church and the world. As you come 'alive', God will use you as a co-agent to transform the lives of others and the Church and world
around you.
In pondering the value of Men Alive, Robert thinks of one particular man for whom the movement has been an opportunity for change.
He's a truck driver in his late 40s. He's a guy who wants to make a difference, and if you scratch the tough surface, here's a guy
who's never had a chance to share in a room with other guys and to tell his own story and his own needs.
It's an incredible need in the Church but we see it as an incredible resource.
What if the men in the Church could wake up and be fully alive?
'We want them to be involved in the Church and to go to Mass because they see
they can make a difference,' Robert said.
The Church is no longer reaching the lapsed and lost. We see the lapsed, lost and discouraged can be reached.
'We see we can reach men.'
Peter and Robert believe Men Alive can engage and empower men.
They believe they can minister to men in the areas of prayer, fellowship, health and well-being, sexuality, fatherhood, marriage,
vocation (purpose), and contributing to the life of the Church.
As the group works on establishing the movement in Brisbane archdiocese, it also hopes it will spread to other parts of
Queensland and Australia.
One of its aims is for at least 300 men to gather for a major event in Brisbane next year as the group consolidates its work.
Peter and Robert are quick to stress that this is a developing movement and they are flexible about how it progresses.
They see the movement as a vocation for them, and they believe the Holy Spirit is at work in it.
(Copyright -- Catholic Leader, Brisbane)