ST. JOHN – Men journeying in faith can find something to do at St. John the Evangelist that will mesh their interests to stay active spiritually, physically and socially.
The SJE Men’s Club, which celebrated its 31st year in September, meets the first Thursday of each month in Trinity Hall in St. John. A typical meeting includes prayer, pizza, conversation, and a card game or other activity.
“It’s a really good group,” said long-time member Steve Backe. “There are other groups that are more spiritual; we are more of a social organization. We sometimes have a guest speaker. We work for the betterment of the church and the community.”
Some guest speakers during the past 15 years have included: the St. John fire chief, the St. John police chief, insurance agents, financial planners, carpenters, lawyers and even a mortician.
On Sept. 7, Victoria Cain spoke to the Men’s Club about Merrillville-based Women’s Care Center. “We are a pro-life pregnancy resource center creating an environment in which women can come and feel comfortable and completely cared for,” said Cain, WCC’s outreach director.
Cain shared information about personalized, one-on-one counseling, group classes, free ultrasounds, a new “strong fathers” class, and more. “The women and men earn diapers and coupons. They can get everything –crib, car seat, stroller and wipes from us.
“The moms feel loved, accepted and supported in a tangible way as we help them care for themselves and their babies,” she said.
In addition to hosting its own events, the Men’s Club has a strong affiliation with the St. John Knights of Columbus. “Many of the men are in both groups,” Backe noted. “We help each other with fundraisers, pancake breakfasts and many things.”
He said that the Knights of Columbus and Men’s Group are the guys who can be seen helping with whatever is needed at the church – Oktoberfest, Summer festival, and more.
Another men’s group meets and plays basketball in the school gym from 7-11 p.m. once or twice a week just for sport.
Ascent, an SJE men’s group that was founded in Summer 2021, combines physical activity with religion. Led by Robert “Bobby” Fredericksen. Ascent helps its participants grow as disciples of Jesus.
“Ascent’s men’s group has been a blessing and an opportunity for men to come together in fraternity to grow spiritually and physically,” Fredericksen said. “Before every meeting, we have fellowship time to catch up. Then, we call on God to be with us. We pray together, then, we offer up our workout as a sacrifice for someone who needs prayer.”
The group, which meets once or twice per month, last gathered at 7 a.m. Sept. 8 at a park in St. John. Participants completed a crossfit-style workout – a form of high intensity interval training.
“We workout hard for 45 minutes. Afterwards, we head to SJE for Confession and Holy Mass,: said Fredericksen. “It is a great group of guys, who are trying to be the best they can be by ‘working out’ our physical and spiritual muscles.”
Another men’s group, Iron Disciples, which began in Summer 2012 with a focus on spiritual growth for men, is being transitioned into a new group called That Man Is You, explained member Joe Suppes.
That Man is You, which hosted its first meeting on Sept. 16, currently meets twice a week in order to accommodate any man from the parish, Suppes said.
The two options include Saturday mornings 6:30 a.m. or Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. The program begins with food, then participants watch videos and break into small groups for discussion.
Coordinator Rick Ziegelhofer said about 25 men attended the first session and another 30 attended the second. “The men were engaged…and the sharing was awesome! The group has a willingness to share openly about the challenges that they face as men today in being leaders in the Catholic church, in their families, on the job and in society in general.”
Any man over 18 years old is welcome to join the dynamic one-and-a-half-hour-long program to help discover what it means to be a man of God, Suppes said. “I think this is going to be a great opportunity. It is like Alpha for men,” he said. “This will be an incredible group of men striving to be the men God created them to be.”
Backe said he is pleased to be part of such a thriving parish community with so many opportunities for men.
The Men’s Club appreciated when Cain shared information about the WCC. Following her presentation, the 30 attendees voted to donate money to WCC, as well as take up a personal collection. There is also talk about a fundraiser for the non-profit, pro-life pregnancy resource center, noted Backe.
In addition to WCC, the Men’s Club has donated to Carmelite Home, the Women’s Center in Crown Point, Boy Scouts, SJE School, Doctors without Borders, St. Vincent DePaul and the Adoration Chapel.
Caption: Several members of the St. John the Evangelist Men's Club met Sept. 7 in Trinity Hall for a regular meeting. The social organization, which meets for dinner and comradery, regularly host fundraisers to donate money to the parish and community. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)