A brief history of CMF of Kalamazoo

In the late 1980′s, all across our nation, the Holy Spirit began touching the hearts of Catholic men in a very special way. Those men have been inspired to call other Catholic men into small fellowships at the parish level. They have come together in groups to share their faith, life experiences and prayer. They study Scripture and Catholic tradition together and have grown in friendship and brotherhood. These small, weekly, gatherings have come to be known as Catholic Men’s Fellowships.

These Catholic men recognize their need for God’s help and gather in Christ’s presence in an atmosphere of trust, equality and anonymity. They unconditionally accept each other and prayerfully support one another. They are committed to growing closer to Jesus Christ and encouraging each other in practicing and sharing their Catholic faith every day. They learn to accept the responsibility of leading their families to holiness and supporting our clergy and each other spiritually.

More than 15 years ago Mike Anderson, a parishioner at St.Martin of Tours in Vicksburg, discussed with his pastor, Fr.Tom Martin, the possibility of forming a men’s group that would meet once a week to focus exclusively on spiritual growth through the study of Scripture and the Catechism. Fr.Tom agreed and the formation began. The first year was successful and at the end of that year the group decided to have a one-day retreat to review the year and see where the Holy Spirit might be leading them. That men’s group retreat has since become an all parish, annual Lenten retreat for the men of St. Martin. The men’s group is still meeting weekly and the Men’s Lenten Retreat draws 30 to 40 men each year.

Something that has developed from that program, and that began in 2004, is the annual Kalamazoo Catholic Men’s Conference that invites all Catholic men in the diocese to a one-day gathering. In an environment with hundreds of men, speakers offer presentations on many issues that men deal with in the contemporary world. The topics vary from year to year but usually include the value of prayer, an active spiritual life, moral issues, evangelizing, strong marriages and family life and the value of brotherhood in small men’s groups.

In this “charged” atmosphere, men learn they are not alone in the struggle. It is a time of great spiritual encouragement. In short, the conference gives men the ammunition to do battle for God and live in peace in a world centered in secularism, and they learn to do it with dignity. The conferences also include the celebration of Mass, an opportunity for confession, lively music, meals and camaraderie. The men are given tools to help strengthen them spirituality and are challenged to participate and grow through Catholic Men’s Fellowship groups at their parishes. There are currently 28 parish based CMF groups in the Kalamazoo Diocese.