Feb 12

Written by: host
2/12/2009 10:27 PM

    When we first moved here, three and a half years ago, we didn’t know anybody.  Now, my wife and I are involved in numerous ministries at Holy Family and elsewhere.  We have been paid back sevenfold of blessings in friends and favors.  But I “didn’t know” until I knew.

    After attending several Masses with my family, I saw the bulletin listing for a Men’s Fellowship Group that met on Friday morning at 6:15am.  I showed up the next week not knowing what to expect.  They were studying a book by Matthew Kelly entitled “Rediscovering Catholicism”.  The men took me in as a brother and shared their passion for knowing more.  I still look forward to that time every week.  It is a great way to share your troubles and help each other to be better men.

    A few months later we began to read the Adult Catechism (Red Book).  Talk about what I didn’t know!  This in-depth review of our Catholic faith was a teacher for all of us. Participation in this study gave me a new love for the Church.   Being a Catholic gives me access to the lessons of the Saints, the history of the Magesterium, and the blessings of God’s sacrements.

    All of us were changed by that experience and continued to seek out more.  A group us from Men’s Fellowship took the Holy Family bus down to a Catholic Men’s Conference in Birmingham in the spring of ‘07.  Three speakers challenged us to be men of faith.  Daily prayer and readings were encouraged to help our focus on our families.  I went to confession for the first time in 18 years.  What did I know?

    When we returned I immediately began doing the daily readings on the USCCB web site.  I joined the Men’s Club and started volunteering where I could.   A few months later a group of us teamed up with men from St. Philip to put on the 1st annual Nashville Catholic Men’s Conference in March of 2008. 

    Over 500 men attended that first conference.  The speakers filled the day with a conversion message and affirmed our responsibilities as men of faith.  Everyone participated in Benediction and Mass with Bishop Choby.  Confession lines at lunch were two hours long!  Who would know?

    This year’s conference is being held on March 7th.  St. Philip will host the Women’s Conference as well on March 28th that attracts even more attendance.

    Working on the Men’s Conference I met so many wonderful people from all around the Diocese of Nashville.  I began to think “Wouldn’t it be great to gather these people together more often?”  The contacts and the fellowship that were evident at the conference could be used to benefit each other and the Diocese as a whole. 

    From this concept came the Catholic Business League.  A steering committee was formed last summer and we have since held 4 Prayer Breakfasts.  We have a guest speaker each month.  There is always much networking and fellowship for all.  As of February we have 135 members and inquiries continue to come in.  What do you know?

    The Catholic Business League meetings the second Thursday of each month at the Martin Center in Brentwood from 7-8:30am.  Bring a stack of business cards and attitude of fellowship.

    There are a hundred things you can do to get involved and get to know people at Holy Family.  Participating in that first ministry was a small step to take.  I just picked one and look where it has led me; blessed with acquaintances, friends, and family so large it is humbling to consider; all brothers and sisters in Christ.

    But I didn’t know, what I didn’t know, until I knew.

www.thehighestcalltn.org
www.catholicbusinessleague.org

TCP

For although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike
Mt 11

 

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