By Jim Rossman, Men’s Prayer Group
Dear Men of Sacred Heart,
What would inspire you to prepare for an event at 7:30 a.m. on a Friday morning?
- A golf outing with good friends
- Preparation to attend the “Super Bowl”
- Early to the airport for an international trip
- Preparing mind and soul to live the life of faith God calls us to perform
I’ve gotten up for all of these reasons and more —- and, for the last ten years, on every Friday morning at 7:30, I have met with men of Sacred Heart for coffee and breakfast snacks, for the warmth of deepening friendships, and, most importantly, to discuss subjects —- personal, social, worldly, issues of morality and faith, opportunities for service to parish and community —- our emphasis always on developing understanding, humility, gratitude and joy.
The Men’s Prayer Group (which in earnest is more of a “Discussion Group”) meets every other Friday at the North Campus for an hour. We have a theme for each meeting —- usually a perspective on a moral issue; a Catholic view on happenings in the world; the pressing needs of the poor; our longing for community and belonging; what God is calling us to do with our lives; to reflect on our own pathway to holiness; and to offer thanksgiving for the overwhelming blessings we have received. Most of our hour together is spent at tables of 5-6 men sharing our thoughts on the subject in small groups. We wrap up with each table sharing their learnings with the entire group.
Frequently, our discussions lead to a “call to action” and most of our men find their way to a Parish ministry where they can engage in community service. Our men have also begun new ministries to serve our neighbors in need — such as, Bikes from the Heart, Love INC, Portico Housing, and Dorothy Day Tampa.
If you want to meet other Sacred Heart men of all ages who are serious about friendship, energized by discussion of Christian values, learning to more fully practice our faith in a culture of chaos, understanding what God is asking of us, and accepting the unconditional love and empowering grace the Holy Spirit showers on us —- please sacrifice that extra hour of sleep and join us next Friday, December 5 (7:30 a.m.) at the North Campus.
We will also hold an Open House in the Alumni Hall at the North Campus, Saturday, December 6, from 9 to 10 a.m. Please plan on attending to meet some of our members and to learn more about who we are and what we do. We will also discuss the possibility of beginning an evening meeting time for those men who simply can’t balance sleep, work schedules and a 7:30 a.m. meeting time. Learn more about our group at shfla.org/mpg.
