STARTING A CATHOLIC
MEN'S FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY

Thank you for your interest in starting a CMF in your area.  The traditional components of a CMF are the following:

1. Annual or semi-annual event-usually a conference.
2. Commitment to help begin and support parish based men's groups for growth in faith and friendship
3. Other activities to bring Catholic men together from a diocese or region for mutual support in other ways.

This commitment can, at the beginnig appear quite large.  In reality, a relatively small group of men (8-10) can manage creation of a CMF.  Most CMF's begin with identifying this "leadership team" to create an event to invite men from multi-parishes.  Usually this is a Catholic men's conference-of which there are now over 50 per year in the U.S.  This event can be quite modest or quite involved depending on how broad of an area you want to draw from. The NFCM provides a Conference Handbook you can order to help with this. Just email Conferences@nfcm.net and we will be in touch. You should begin this process at least 6-8 months in advance of your target event date.

Many ask where to get your first leadership team from. If you are already involved in a parish men's group you might approach them.  If not, look to existing men's groups in yours and other parishes to discuss. You might also ask your pastor what he thinks of the idea and who he might recommend.

If the idea of a conference is too much to bite off, you might consider a men's retreat where you identify men in the diocese who might constitute a leadership group.  Other alternatives might be to approach national groups with men who are active such as Cursillo or Knights of Columbus.

The NFCM has many members who would be glad to give advice about how to create a powerful CMF in your area.  Contact us at Info@NFCM.net and we will be in touch.

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