Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men€¦ · Mission: To encourage and embolden men to deepen...

Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men

Mission:ToencourageandemboldenmentodeepentheirrelationshipwithChrist,family,Church,andcommunitybylivingtheirCatholic

faithineverydaylife.

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Section1:ExecutiveSummary TheCentralTexasFellowshipofCatholicMen(CTFCM)isadiocese1-wideorganizationconceivedin2005whenRobertTunmiremetwithBishopGregoryAymondtodiscussstartingamen’sfellowshiporganization.ThefirstkickoffmeetingwasheldinJuneof2006. TheCTFCMisdedicatedtoevangelizingallCatholicmenintheDioceseofAustintoJesusChristandrootingthemintheChurchbyassistinginthedevelopmentofmen’sfellowshipgroupsandactivitiesaimedatenrichingtheirspiritual,sacramental,family,andcommunitylives. TheCTFCMvisionisfortheretobeNoCatholicManLeftBehind. TheCTFCMmissionis:ToencourageandemboldenmentodeepentheirrelationshipwithChrist,family,Church,andcommunitybylivingtheirCatholicfaithineverydaylife.Itiscarriedoutthroughthesourcinganddevelopmentofmaterials,programs,andeventsdesignedtoleadmenalongthepathofconversion,transformation,andmobilizationsothattheirfaithandlifebecomeoneinChristandinsodoingbecomealighttotheirfamilies,theirfaithcommunity,andtotheworld. TheCTFCMhascontinuedtogrowsincethatfirstkick-offmeetinginJune2006.In2015,theorganizationnameditsfirstExecutiveDirector,MikeKelly.InFebruary2017,CTFCMwillputonits5thannualmen’sconference. Section2:VisionandMission TheCTFCMVision:NoCatholicManLeftBehind Ourvisioncomesfromafirmbeliefthateverymaniscalledandintendedtobeasaint.Thisvisionis inspired and formedby the soon to be released bookNoCatholicMan Left Behindwhichfocusesonhowtobringmenalongonanexcitingjourneyofholinessandaction. Christ died for each one of us and the CTFCM seeks tomake sure that every Catholic manunderstandsandhastheopportunitytogrowinthegiftsofgrace,power,andtheHolySpiritthatwerewonforusbyChristJesus. 1 From the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's publishing guidelines: "diocese: Lowercase diocese and archdiocese unless either is part of a proper noun."




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“JesusinviteseachoneofusCatholicMentodayon…thequesttobechangedintomenofholiness,menofaction,menwholeadourtroubledworldintoaplaceofunderstanding,mercyandpeace.”–FromtheintroductionofNoCatholicManLeftBehind

TheCTFCMMission:ToencourageandemboldenmentodeepentheirrelationshipwithChrist,family,Church,andcommunitybylivingtheirCatholicfaithineverydaylife.

WeknowthatthemenoftheDioceseofAustinarehungryforspiritualformationandwanttobebetterhusbands,fathers,andleaders.Weknowthatinourdiocese,differentapproachesareneededtosuccessfullyreachourdiverseaudience. Wemeetthishungerthroughprovidingmaterials,programs,andeventstohelpguidemenontheirspiritualjourney. Thisstrategicplanwilloutlinehowwewillaccomplishthismissionoverthenextthreeyears. Section3:Fellowship Inordertoliveoutourmissionandvisionfullywemusthaveaclearunderstandingofwhatfellowshipactuallyis.Withoutthiscontext,thevisionandmissionarelimitedintheirscopeandimpact. CatholicFellowshipreferstothecommunityofthefaithfulboundtogetherbyfaithandworshipinChrist’sChurch. WhilefellowshipisoftenthoughtofassmalltalkovercoffeeanddoughnutsafterMass,itisinrealitymuchdeeper.WecanturntoScripture,asalways,forguidance. Thefirstcommunityofdisciplesisourmodel.TheyaredescribedinActs4:32:

“Nowthecompanyofthosewhobelievedwereofoneheartandsoul,andnoonesaidthatanyofthethingswhichhepossessedwashisown,buttheyhadeverythingincommon.”

Thisvisiondisplaysforusthedepthandpoweroffellowship.Thebelieverswere“ofoneheartandsoul.”FellowshipiscenteredonunityinChrist.Unitydoesnotimplyblanduniformity.ThegreattreasureofourdiversityintheDioceseofAustinoughttobecelebratedandencouraged.




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UnitymeansthatinallthingswerecognizethatwearechildrenofthesameFather,savedbythesameSon,andblessedthroughthesameSpirit. Weareformedbythesamefaithandsharethesamecreedbutwetakeasmanydifferentformsasthesameclaycanunderthehandsofapotter.Wecanlookatthemanyformsofreligiouslifetoseethisreality.ThereareFranciscans,Dominicans,Capuchins,Jesuits,Carmelites,andmanymoreallwhoexpresstheloveofGodindifferentwaysandyetareundeniablyboundtoChristandthereforetooneanother. WhetherweworshipinEnglishorSpanish,preferspontaneousprayerorrecitation,whateverdifferencestherearemustbehumblyrejoicedinandswallowedupbyoursharedloveofChrist.Themenwhoprayorlivedifferentlythanusarenolessourbrothersandcompanionsbecauseweshare“oneheartandsoul,”aloveforourLordJesusChrist. Inaddition,“Theyhadeverythingincommon.”Alimitedreadingofthisfocusesonmaterialcommonality.Thisistrueandnottobeunderestimated.Truefellowshipdoesinvolveasharingofmaterialgoodsforthebenefitofallbutitgoeswellbeyondthat. ThephilosopherAristotledescribestruefriendshipashaving“anotherself.”Thisiswhathappensintruefellowship.Iexperiencethelossandjoyofothersasmyown.Iexperienceothers’hopesandgoalsasmyown.InCatholicFellowshipourbasisforunityisChristandHisChurch,andwebecometooneanother“otherselves.”Throughthisweindeedhaveallthingsincommon. Thisisthebasisofourdesirethattherebe“NoCatholicManLeftBehind.”ToloseafellowCatholicmanistoloseapartofourselves.TheRenaissancepoetJohnDonnecaptureditperfectly:

Nomanisanisland,Entireofitself, Everymanisapieceofthecontinent,Apartofthemain. Ifaclodbewashedawaybythesea,Europeistheless.

Aswellasifapromontorywere. Aswellasifamanorofthyfriend's

Orofthineownwere: Anyman'sdeathdiminishesme, BecauseIaminvolvedinmankind,

Andthereforeneversendtoknowforwhomthebelltolls; Ittollsforthee.




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Section4:ValuesStatement

TheCTFCMValues: Humility-WeseektoglorifyGodandfollowtheinspirationoftheHolySpirit.WewillnotputourselvesorourplansfirstbutalwaysseektobeeffectiveservantsoftheLord’swill.WithSt.JohntheBaptistwesay,“Hemustincrease,butImustdecrease.”-John3:30

Unity–IntheChurchthereiseveryformofdiversity.ThisdiversityisunifiedaroundtheloveofChristandhisChurch.WeareChrist’sdisciplesandwepraywithhim,“thatthey[theChurch]maybeone.”-John17:11 Obedience-WerecognizethatobedienceisthegreatestformofhumilityandwemakeourselvesobedientinallthingstoGodandtothosewhohavereceivedthesacramentalgracetoguardandtoguidehisflock:ourPope,bishops,andpriests.WefollowSt.Paul’sinstruction,“Obeyyourleadersandsubmittothem;fortheyarekeepingwatchoveryoursouls,asmenwhowillhavetogiveaccount.”-Hebrews13:17

Perseverance–WewillpersevereinoureffortsandourprayerstobringChrist’skingdomtotheheartofeveryCatholicmaninanewway.WewillanswerSt.Paul’scall,“letusrunwithperseverancetheracethatissetbeforeus,lookingtoJesusthepioneerandperfecterofourfaith.”-Hebrews12:1-2a

Integrity–Ouractionswillalignwithourwords.WewillseektheLordwithpurehearts,practicingwhatwepreachandwalkinginfaitheachmomentofthedayforweknowthat“Theintegrityoftheuprightguidesthem.”-Proverbs11:3a

Witness–TheverywitnessofaChristianlifeandgoodworksdoneinasupernaturalspiritareeffectiveindrawingmentothefaithandtoGod.WefollowChrist’scommandaswegivewitnesstoourfaith,“Letyourlightsoshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgoodworksandgiveglorytoyourFatherwhoisinheaven”-Matthew5:16

Service-Toloveistoserve.WestriveeachdaytofollowSt.Paul’sexhortation,“throughlovebeservantsofoneanother.”-Galatians5:13




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Section5:TheCTFCMStrategicPlanandtheDiocesanPastoralPlan ThecentralthemeoftheDioceseofAustinPastoralPlanis“ENCOUNTERthatleadstoTRANSFORMATION.”TheCTFCMhasauniqueopportunitytosupportthisplanthroughourmissiontotheCatholicmenofthediocese.Therearemanywaysthatourmissionandworkoverlapwiththatofthediocese.Belowarethreespecificwaysthatourmissionandworkalignwiththegoalsofthediocesanpastoralplan.

1. TheDioceseofAustinwantstobuilda“CultureofMinistry”whichrequiresagreatdealofteamwork.Thedioceserecognizestheneedforawidespreadcollaborativeefforttocreatethiscultureinadiverseandgrowingdiocese.ThenetworkthatwebuildaswereachouttomoreparishesandbuildourpresencewillbeastrongassetforthedioceseaswemovetogethertowardsoursharedgoalofbringingmentoChristandmeetingthediverseneedsofCatholicmenthroughoutthediocese.

2. TheDioceseofAustinisworkingtobuildup“SpiritualFormationthatLeadsto

Encounter.”Thisispreciselywhatweseektodoaswebuildmenupandequipmentobemoreeffectivewitnessesintheirparishes,communities,andhomes.Throughtheresourcesweprovidewecanhelptomakeavailabletransformativecontentandprogramstoallmeninthediocese.WecanworkwiththediocesetogethertobuildourCatholicmenintoactivedisciplesspreadingGod’sWord.

3. TheDioceseofAustinalsohasagoalofgreater“WitnessandOutreach.”Ourmission

alignshereinmanyways.Wehaveastrongannualconferenceandmen’sMass.Wecanbuildonthattodrawmoremeninandhelpthemtobewitnessestotheirownparishes.Oneofthesurveysweconductedaspartofthestrategicplanningprocessfoundthat67.5%ofrespondentssaidtheyaremostlikelytoparticipateinserviceandoutreachattheirhomeparishes.Themenofthisdiocesecanbeatremendousassetinreachingoutandservingtheirhomecommunities.




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Section6:SWOTAnalysis

Strengths AnnualConference

AnnualMen’sMass

Strongresourcesandprograms

PassionateandActiveBoard

SupportoftheDiocese

Closetiesbetweenourmissionand

visionandtheplanforthediocese.

Weaknesses Communication/CommitteesNeed

Structure

Absenceofafocusedoutreachplan

Shortonparishlevelmanpower/volunteers

Clarityandcommunicationregardingthe

visionandspecificstepsandfocustoreachit

LackofgeneralawarenessofCTFCMand

ourmissionthroughoutthediocesewhichinhibitseffectiveness

Unevendemographicengagement

Lackofnewboard

membership/perspectives

Opportunities Missionandvisioncloselyrelatedto

thoseofthedioceseleadstoopportunitiestocollaborateandnetwork

Strongfoundationtobuildoffofinthe

conferenceandMass

Existinggroupstopartnerwith,i.e.KofC,ACTS,Cursillo,etc.

ResourcestoreachagrowingHispanic

demographic

Threats Geographicallylargediocese

Verydiverseaudiencesrepresented

Focusisnotclearlydefined




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Section7:Goals

Everythingwedooverthenextthreeyearswillmovetowardsthesefourglobalgoals.Belowthefourmaingoalsaresubgoalsorobjectivesthatwillleadtotheaccomplishmentofthemaingoals.Otherobjectiveswillbeaddedthroughoutthelifeofthisplan.Tacticswillbeaddedaspartofanimplementationplanthatwillbedevelopedfollowingtheapprovalofthestrategicplan.

1. TheCTFCMwillgivemenineveryparishintheDioceseofAustinanopportunitytobeapartofamen'sgroup.

A. TheCTFCMwillestablishasupportstructuretoassistparishesingrowing

theirfellowshipsandestablishfellowshipsinnewparishes.B. Increasethenumberofactiveparishfellowshipgroupsby20%annually.

2. TheCTFCMBoardofDirectorswillbecomeagoverningandstrategicboard

focusedonthegrowthandvision/missionoftheorganization. A. CTFCMwillclarifytherolesandresponsibilitiesofboardmembers.B. CTFCMwillstrategicallyaddboardmemberswhoofferarepresentation

oftheDioceseofAustinwhilealsobeingabletogovernandgrowtheorganization.

C. CTFCMwillestablishasuccessionplanforcurrentboardmembersandfounders.

D. CTFCMwillestablishaninfrastructureattheparishleveltoexecuteoperationalplanstoallowforastrategicfocusattheboardlevel.

3. TheCTFCMwillmeasuretheimpactofitsprogramofferingsalongwithsmall

groupmeetingsaroundthediocese. A. Surveythemenparticipatinginfellowshipgroupsastotheimpacton

theirlives,spiritualpractices,ministryparticipationbeforeandsinceattendingthefellowshipgroup.

B. Annuallymonitorthenumberofmenregularlyattendingeachgroup.

4. TheCTFCMwilldevelopamodelformen'sfellowshipgroupsandworktoscalethemodelthroughouttheAustinDiocese.




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A. Evaluateandupdateasneededtheleader’sguideforstartingandsustainingafellowshipgroupontheCTFCMwebsite.

B. Leadleadershiptrainingsthroughouteachyeartohelpbuildupmenasleadersintheirparishesandmen’sgroups.

C. CTFCMwillutilizetheNoCatholicManLeftBehindbookasatoolforgrowingmen’sgroupsandleadersthroughouttheDioceseofAustin.

Toachievethesegoals,CTFCMwilldosignificantplanningandevaluationsin2016inthefirsthalfof2017.Animplementationplanwillbecreatedandwillbeexecutedbythe

BoardofDirectorsandtheExecutiveDirector. Section8:SurveySummary InordertoeffectivelyreachthesegoalsandobjectivesitiscriticaltotakeintoaccountthefeedbackwehavereceivedfrommenthroughouttheDioceseofAustin.Thegoalsandobjectiveswerecreatedfromthefeedbackthatwasreceived. Belowisabriefcombinedsummaryoftwosurveysundertakenin2016.Thisisintendedasanoverviewofthemainthemesandpointsthatcameupinthesurveysandisbynomeansexhaustive.Pleaseseethesurveyresultsthemselvesintheappendixfortheentiretyofthesurveyresults. Keypoints

- Themajorityofthemencurrentlyactiveinourprogramsarebetweentheagesof40-50andaremarried.

- ThemajorityofrespondentswouldliketoseeanincreaseisparishbasedprogrammingasafocusoftheCTFCM.

- Theannualconferenceandmen’sMassarewellregarded. - Anoverwhelmingmajorityofrespondentswantasmallgroupwheretheycanstudy

leadershipanddiscusslifeissues. - Themajorityofrespondentsfindsmallgroupstobethemostspirituallybeneficialnon-

liturgicalpublicactivity. - ThereisagenerallackofawarenessofCTFCManditsmissionthroughoutthediocese.




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AppendixA:Surveys Survey1 CurrentMissionofCTFCM:-TheMissionoftheCentralTexasFellowshipofCatholicMen(CTFCM)istoencourageandempowermentodeepentheirrelationshipwithChrist,theirfamilies,church,communities,Catholicmenandtolivetheirfaithineverydaylife. ResultsfromSurvey:Asmallsamplesizeof95menweresurveyedoveratwoweekperiodfromMay29-toJune12representing12differentparishes.Thesemencamefrompersonalnetworkssoalthoughthegroupwasdiverse,itshouldnotbeconsideredarandomsample. Agesrepresented: 21-35:46respondents 36-49:31respondents 50-65:18respondents SurveyQuestions/Responses: HaveyouheardoftheCentralTexasFellowshipofCatholicMen?

HaveyouheardoforattendedoneoftheCatholicMen’sConferencesintheAustinDioceseoverthepastthreeyears?

HaveyouheardoforattendedaCatholicMen’sMass?

Yes 44No 29Usure 22

Attended 28Haveheardofbutnotattended 52Havenotheardofnorattended 15

Attended 36Haveheardofbutnotattended 47Havenotheardofnorattended 12




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Doyouactively(meaningattendedmorethan3timesoverthelastyear)participateinsomekindofministrygearedtowardsmeneitheratyourParishorwithintheAustinDiocese?Examples-BibleStudy,ThatManisYou,ACTS,KnightsofColumbus,etc.

DoyouunderstandthemissionofCTFCMasitstatesonitswebsite:TheMissionoftheCentralTexasFellowshipofCatholicMen(CTFCM)istoencourageandempowermentodeepentheirrelationshipwithChrist,theirfamilies,church,communities,Catholicmenandtolivetheirfaithineverydaylife.

BasedoffwhatyouknowaboutMen’sMinistryintheAustinDiocesewhatwouldyouliketoseeCTFCMfocusonoverthenext1--3years?

Responses: 26peoplementionedcontinuingexistingprograminsomeway.ProgrammingthatwasmentionedspecificallywastheMen’sMassandConference.AlsomentionedwasThatManisYou. 19peoplementionedhavingmoreoffocusonyoungermenorgettingyoungermenmoreinvolvedinsomeway. 14peoplementionedhavingmoreofanemphasisonHispanicMen. 33peoplementionedhelpinggetmoreprogrammingrunningatparishes.MentoringandBibleStudieswerementionedspecifically14times. Moreclergyinvolvementwasmentioned8times. Morefocusonmenandhusbandsandfatherswasmentioned9times. Morefocusonmenwithoutfamilieswasmentioned5times. 3peopledidnothaveanopiniononthisquestion.

CombinedResultsfromPlanningCommittee/BoardMembers/OrotherinfluentialMen Whattopicsormattersdoyouhopewecanaddressatthefirstplanningsession?Or,whatwouldyoulikeCTFCMtofocusoninthenextyearahead? Howdowemovetheorganizationtothenextlevel?

Yes 54No 16Waspreviouslyactive 25

Yes 62No 18Unsure 15




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Weneedsomeresolutiononthis'vision'issue,aswearespendingtoomuchtimeinmeetingsrehashingtheissue.Secondly,weneedaframeworkforhowwearegoingtotransitiontoastrategicboard.Frankly,Iamconcernedwewillnotfindthe'armsandlegs'todothework,asourParishCaptainnetworkisweak. Publicity,menneedtoknowtheyhaveacommunityoffaiththatwillpenetratetheirlivesinapracticalandmeaningfulway.Identifyingvariousgroupsofmenandwhatneedsareuniquetoeachgroupandwhatneedsareuniversal.Ayoungmaninhighschoolisfacingchallengesdifferentthanthenewlywedisdifferentfromthemandealingwithamidlifecrisis.They'reallmen,sothereisplentyincommon,butbyidentifyingspecificareasofneedyoucantailorthemessagetoreachtheheartsofyouraudiencemoreeffectively. ConfirmordevelopavisionandmissionfortheCTFCM,confirmthedesiretooutreachtomen,proposeanddiscussanorganizationalapproachtoachievingsaidoutreach Clarificationondirection/targettoappliedefforts RecommitmenttooriginalcharterofCTFCM.Wehavebecomeverytaskorientedandhavelostsightofgettingmentogetherinparishbasedfellowshipgroups. IfeelitisveryimportantforCTFCMtoidentifyitspurposeandrollswithintheDiocese.Whilethetwoannualevents,themen'smassandmen'sconference,areincrediblyimportant,IfeelthatCTFCMhasbecomedisconnectedfromitsprimaryobjectiveofestablishingandsupportingparishbasedmen'sgroups. Focusforthecomingyear:ClarityoftheroleandresponsibilitiesboardmembersAttractionofqualified,committednewboardmembersImprovedconnectiontoandongoingcommunicationwithparishfellowshipsacrosstheDioceseWebsitewhichisregularlyupdatedandrelevanttothemeninsupportingtheCTFCMmission 1.Theveryfirsttopicreallyshouldbethestructuralcontextandfunctionalpurposedefining(a)whoandwhatCTFCMis,(b)whatagoverningBoardis,and(c)howbothappropriatelyservethegreaterencompassingbody.Viewing(envisioning)withopeneyestheanatomyandrealpresentdynamicsofCTFCMinthestructureoftheChurchandsocietyistheessentialfirststep.ThatmeansacknowledgementanddeliberateaffirmationthatCTFCMischarteredwithagoverningBoardofDIRECTORS,notaboardof"Advisors"(asdescribedinthecurrentStrategic




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Plan)andmostcertainlynotaworkteamofsubordinatestothedirectionofanyoneindividualofficer.AsDirectors,membersarepresumedtobringvaluableindividualperspective--"direction"--andskillstothecorporatedeliberation.Suchattributesshouldbeinventoried,openlyacknowledged,andrationallyappliedaccordingtoobjectivetopicalrelevance--andNOTaccordingto3subjectiveassumptionsanddispositionsregardingtheindividualortheperceivedinconvenienceofhisinput.2.Thesecondtopicshouldbethe"missionofplanning"whichis,ofcourse,todevelopaworkable,flexible,optimalcourseforthefulfillmentofavision.Thevisionisusuallyadualvision--portrayingcircumstancesbeforeandafter,orwithandwithout,fulfillment.Absolutelyessentialhereisdistinguishingdetailedoperationalplanninganditsmostnecessarytechnicalterminologyfromthatportrayedinpublicrelationsstory-telling(eg.,themythsof15-wordvisionsandmissions).3.ThethirdtopicshouldbeFellowship--itsdefinition,itsattributes,atalllevelsfromintimatedyad,tolocalandregionalnetworks,tonationalandmultinationalinterests.Literally,CTFCMisabout"fellowship"innameonly,itsstrategicplananddocumentationsimplyneverusingthetermoutsidetheorganizationaltitleorinvaguereferencetoambiguous"fellowshipgroups." ShareyourcurrentunderstandingofwhatthemissionofCTFCMisandwhatareitsorganizationalvalues? Ithinkourmissionisclearandworks.Weneedtofocusonit. Simplyput,tohelpmengetclosertoChristandtolivetheirfaithdaytodaybyfacilitatinglocalgroupsandnetworks.Wearenotequippedorsetupthemanagetheseprograms,norshouldbe.Wedon'thavethefundingormanpowertoexecutetheselocalprograms.....onlytofacilitatethepromotetheconcepts. IunderstandthemissionofCTFCMtobearesourceformentogrowdeeperintheirfaithinawaythatimpactsdailyliving. Toensurethateachparishinthediocesehastheopportunityforamen'sministryforthecatholicdevelopmentofmen.Nocatholicmanleftbehind. Todrawmentogreaterparticipationinlivingouttheirfaith ToencourageandemboldenmentodeepentheirrelationshipwithChrist,theirfamily,theirChurch,theircommunity;andtolivetheirfaithineverydaylife.Itisassimpleasthat.Ourvaluesarelistedasguidingprinciples-theyare:Humility,Unity,Obedience,Perseverance,Integrity,Witness,Service.




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Withoutsimplyrestatingthemission:IbelievethatthemissionoftheorganizationistofacilitatethegatheringofmenintoacommunityofChristianfellowshipinorderthattheymaylearnfromeachother'slifeexperiencesandChristianresponsetothoseexperiencesandthattheybeemboldenedtolivetheirlivesaccordingtoGod'swill. IunderstandthemissiontobediscipleshipofCatholicmenValues:Witnesstoothersthroughlivingoutanddeepeningourfaith,integrity,service Inyouropinion,whatarethemostimportantservicesthatCTFCMcurrentlyprovidestoitsmembersorconstituents? Weusetodoagoodjobgettingmen'sgroupsgoingintheparishesbuthavelostthatfocus.Theannualandconferencearegoodevents. Men'sconferenceandsupport(programideasandmaterials)forlocal,parishbasedgroups.Ilovethemen'smass,butfrankly,Iamnotsurewearegettingmuchmileageoutofit. Probablytheconference.Itputsmeninthepresenceofothermenwhichcanleadtoapositiveexperienceofcommunity.Books,prayers,websites,etc.aregoodbutthegreatestneedIperceiveisthatmenunderstandandseethatthereareothermenmakingthesamejourney.Theconferencegivesmenachancetomeetthatcommunity.Frododoesn'tmakeitwithoutSamandviceversa. Annualconference,annualmen'smass,men'sprogramawareness. Acentrallocationwheremensspiritualneedaremet(resourcecouldbefound) Aformatforweeklyfellowshipgroupsthatareparishbased-toolslikeTMIYandotherprogramsthataredesignedtoequipmentoliveouttheirfaith.2majorevents-Men'sMassandMen'sConferencetobringtheentireDiocesetogether. IfthequestioniswhatarethemostimportantservicesthatCTFCMiscurrentlyproviding,thenIwouldsayitisthegatheringofmenfromacrosstheDiocesetoitstwoannualevents.WhileIdobelievetheirisamorecriticalroleforittoplay,Idobelievethatthesetwoannualeventsareveryimportant.IfthequestioniswhatarethemostimportantservicesthatCTFCMcanprovide,thenIwouldsayitisthefacilitatingandsupportofparishbasedgroups.Theorganization'seffortsattheparishlevelwillprovideforaleveragingeffectofitseffortsand




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appliedresources.Itisthroughtheorganizationencouragingandhelpingmentofeel"emboldened"thatmenwilllivetheirChristianlives"outintheworld"thattheorganizationcanhaveitsgreatestimpact.SomethingthatwesaidwhenwefirststartedthisorganizationandIbelieveitstillappliestoday-ifmenarenotaskingthetwoquestionswhentheyreadorhearscriptureoraChristianteaching:Whatdoesitmean?andHowdoIrespond?thentheeffortsoftheBoardarefornaught.Weneedtocontinuetoprovidevenuesthatwillcausementoaskthesetwoquestions.TherestisuptotheHolySpirit. Annualconferenceandmen'sMass Inyouropinion,arethereanyservicesthatCTFCMdoesnotcurrentlyprovidetoitsmembersorconstituentsthatitshouldconsiderofferingorfocusingon? weneedtofocusthemen'sgroupsandshowmentheresourcesthatareavailabletothem. Betterfeedbackandideasonprogramsthatcanbeexecuted.Weneedtobea'resource'centerthatprovidestheprogramsandmaterials. Somesortofforumformentoaskforcounsel,prayer,orjustsolidarityandreceivethesupportoftheirfellowmen.And/oraplacejusttoaskquestions.Evenifithastobeanonymous.Itishardasmentoaskforhelp,butweallneedit.Somesortofsocialevent.PeopleoftenloosenupabitoutsideofaChurchsetting(suchastheconference)andgreatministrycantakeplace.Perhapsadaylongorhalfdaytypeeventsuchasahikewithacookout?Notquitetheintensityofaretreatbutwiththeopportunitytogetawayfromthesocial/culturalpressuresthatsurroundmenandjustenjoybrotherhoodforawhile. Firsttheoutreachisminimal,theredoesnotappeartobeastructuredapproachforoutreachorparishintroduction.ThereisminimalknowledgeoftheproductsservicesorprocessesbywhichCTFCMistomakeoutreachhappen.PriestsandDeaconsaretoobusytocomeupwithprogramsontheirownfortheirparishioners.Wecanhelpthemgetmenengaged. Ibelievewegotenoughtogetstarted LeadershipDevelopforitsleadersattheparishlevelandawebsitethatprovidesaccesstotoolsandresources.




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IbelieveIhavealreadyansweredthisintheabovequestions-butfocusingonestablishingandongoingsupportofparishbasedgroups. Conducttwomeetingsperyearofparishleadersandpotentialleadersforfellowship,trainingandleadershipdevelopment WhatdoyouconsidertobeCTFCM’sstrengths? AgroupofhighlycommittedCatholicmen. Actionorientedboard,momentumonconferences,programdetailsfromvariouslocalprograms,Diocesanconnection. TherearelotsofresourcesavailablethroughCTFCM theorganizationaroundtheeventplanningappearstobeastrength It'svolunteers Asmallgroupofmenwithpassionformakingadifferenceinthelivesofmenandfamilies.Strongresourcesforsettingupmen'sfellowshipgroups. IdonotfeelqualifiedtoanswerthisquestionsinceIhavebeenawayfromtheBoardsinceDecember2012. CommitmentanddedicationofkeyboardmembersThequalityoftheannualconferenceand men'sMass WhatdoyouconsidertobeCTFCM’sweaknessesorareastobeimprovedupon? Weneedmoreleadersandweneedtomovetheorganization'snextlevel. notfocusedenoughongettinglocalgroupsgoing,poorcommunicationaroundprogramideas,needmoreboardmembers. Moreoutreach.Ican'tspeakforotherparishesbutatmineIhavenotseenastrongconnectionbetweentheparishandCTFCM.




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Theredoesnotappeartobeacohesivevisionandmission,statedgoals,organizationorprocesstoaccomplishsaidgoals. Needmoremembers/volunteers Theboardisverydisjointed.Theyaretiredfrombeingpulledintoomanydirections.Noclearonboardingprocessfornewboardmembers. IdonotfeelthatIamqualifiedtoanswerthisquestionsinceIhavebeenawayfromtheBoardsinceDecember2012. DwindlingnumberofboardmembersLackofdefinitionoftheroleandresponsibilitiesofboardmembersAttractionofnewboardmembersConnectiontotheparishfellowshipgroupsWebsiteandelectronicmedia WhatwouldyouliketoseeCTFCMdoinordertobecomeabetterormoreeffectiveorganization?Thinkintermsofopportunities. Weneedtofocusonsmallmen'sgroupsintheparishesandengageleaders. Recruitmoreactive,localvolunteersthatcanhelpusgetthingsaccomplished. AgainIthinkclarityofwhotheaudienceisandwhattheirneedsare.Thisleadstomoreeffectivespeakers,resources,events,etc. 1)Defineavisionandmission,2)Setclearobjectives,3)Defineanorganizationalstructuretoaccomplishthestatedobjectives.4)Createastandardrolloutapproachandpackageforparishes5)EstablishateamtofocusontheproductorservicesoftheCTFCM,6)Establishteamstofocusondemandgenerationoroutreach.7)Establishteamstofocusonsupplyingtheparisheswiththesupporttogettheirministriesstarted. Addtomembershipandwithitwewillalsoaddtalent/ideas Simplifywhatitdoes.Focuson2or3thingsthatitdoeswell.Don'ttrytobeallthingstoallpeople. ThisstrategicplanningprocessisagoodstartbutIwouldliketoseeitstrengthenitsBoardbyaddingmemberswithmoreleadershipandmanagementexperience.Ifwearetalkingabouta




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nextlevel,weneedtounderstandthelevelofmanagementexperienceitmaytaketoreachahigherlevelandbeyond.Again,sinceIhavebeenawayfromtheBoardforsolong,thiscommentisbasedonmyexperiencewhileontheBoard.IdobelievehiringanExecutiveDirectorisapositivestepforward. HaveparishfellowshiprepresentativesregularlyattendboardmeetingasguestFormsub-committeesconsistingofnonboardmemberstoplanandexecuteeventsandactivitiesSeecommentsforthecomingyear,servicestobeprovidedandweaknesses WhatshouldCTFCMdodifferentlyorchangeinordertoremainarelevantandeffectiveorganization?Remembertoconsider“competing”organizationsandthestructureoftheCatholicChurch. bettercoordinationwiththeDiocese?Weareindependent,butweshouldreallybecoordinatingourfocuswiththeDiocesanofficeresponsibilityforevangelizationandfamilyissues. IamnotintimatelyfamiliarwitheverythingthatCTFCMdoesbutagainIthinkmoreoutreachwouldhelp.Beitthroughstrongrelationshipswiththe"competition"orthroughinitiatingnewgroups/ideasIthinkforsomanymenthefirststephastobereallyeasytogetthemtoevenconsidertakingthefirststep. Thereshouldbenocompetition.CTFCMis"for"men,toenabletheirgrowthascatholics.Otherorganizationsarefor"men"toparticipateinservicetothechurchorcommunity. Mediamarketing/Internet Bearesourcetoothergroups.Weareasupportgroupnotaclubormembershipgroup.Collaboratemorecreativity. (1)AddmanagementexperiencetotheBoard,(basedonmyexperiencewhileontheBoardthreeyearsago);(2)"Brand"itselfasanorganizationleadingmenintheDiocesethroughincreasedinteractionwithparishesandselfpromotionofitseffortsandsuccesses.Menareattractedtosuccessandaccomplishments,andlettingmenknowthatCTFCMisanorganizingandsupportgroupthathassuccessfullyhelpedorganizedxnumberofmen'sgroupsandisthehostofthemen'smassandconferenceswillhelpmenoftheDioceseseetheorganizationasrelevantandanorganizationthatcanberelieduponforsupportandassistance;(3)Organize




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geographicmultiparishleadershipteamswiththeintenttofosteranddevelopmen'sfellowshipgroupswithinthegeographicarea. Developaplanandprogramtobefinanciallyselfsustaining HowisCTFCMcurrentlyviewedbyitskeymembersandconstituents? Ithinkwe'veaccomplishedalot,butwehavegottotaketheorganizationtothenextlevelwhateverthatlookslike. IthinktheboardandDiocesestaffhavepositiveviewsonCTFCManditsaccomplishments.Idon'tthinkourconstituentsknowwhatweareaboutandwhatwedo. Ihavelittlefirsthandknowledge.Theoutreachhasbeguninjustafewparishes. Unclearvision/mission Eitherdon'tknowwhoweareorthinkweareamen'sconferencegroup. IdonotbelievethatCTFCMisviewedinanywayandthatistheproblem.Ifknown,itisonlyknownforthemen'smassandconference.Overtheyears,CTFCMhaslostitsconnectiontotheexistingparishbasedmen'sgroupsandhasbecomeirrelevant. Withachangeofparishleadershipovertimeandnewgroupsbegunindependentofthe CTFCM,itisidentifiedsolely,bymanygroups,forit'sroleinconductingtheconferenceandmen'smass Othercomments,suggestions,orideas: Thisisthemostimportantplanningwehavedoneandweneedtogetitright. Ithinkitcomesdowntorelationships.WhatistherelationshipbetweenCTFCMandvariousparishes.Doyouknowallthepriests?Dotheyknowyouandwhatyoudo?Dotheotherleaderswithinthechurchknowaboutyou,wheretofindyou,etc?WithanorganizationthesizeandmodeloftheCatholicChurchitcanbedifficulttohelpwithoutseemingintrusiveonaparticularparish's"turf"sotospeak.ButwithstrongrelationshipsandcommunicationIthinkCTFCMcanbeaneffectiveresourceformenthroughoutthediocese.




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CTFCMhasbeenaroundforawhile,butIamexcitedaboutre-energizingandgettingbeyondWacoandAustin.Wecan'tdoitallatoncebutwithastrategicintentalongwithsomegoodtacticalplansweshouldbeabletomobilizeourselvestoenablethemissionoftheChurch.Evangelization,beginningwithinourownparishes. Let'spraymoreasaunit Weallneedto"park"ouregosandfocuson"becoming"whatGodiscallingusto. Survey2

CTFCMMEN’SMASSSURVEYRESULTS

TotalResponses:83

AverageAge:50

HomeParishes:

St.ThomasMore–8 St.Jerome–7 St.Teresa–6 St.Helen's–6 St.MaryCathedral–5 St.LouisKingofFrance–5 St.JohnVianney–5 St.JohnNeumann–4 St.VincentdePaul–4 St.AlberttheGreat–4 EmmausCatholicParish–3 St.Williams–3 St.CatherineofSienna–2 ChristtheKing–2 St.Ignatius–2 Onerespondentateachofthefollowingparishes:StPaulChongHashsongHarker

HeightsTexas,SantaCruzCatholicChurch,SacredHeart,Elgin,St.Anthony-Kyle,Tx,St.MargaretMary,Ascension,St.ThomasAquinas,StMary'sWaco,St.Luke'sinTemple,St.Mary'sinWest,SantaCruzinBuda,SanJose,UniversityCatholicCenter,St.Austin's




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MaritalStatus?Married–73.5%Single–26.5%

AreyouinvolvedinaMen'sgroupinyourparishorDeanery?

Yes:52.4%

No:47.6%

WhatdoyouthinktheareaofgreatestfocusofCTFCMshouldbemovingforwardinordertobetterserveyouandyourfellowmen?

StartingMoreSmallGroupswithinParishes–42.2%

Outreach/Marketing–26.5%




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ExpandingProgramOfferings–22.9%

Improving/ExpandingtheConference–8.4%

Igetthegreatestspiritualbenefitfrom:

SmallGroups–55.4%

FellowshipActivities–16.9%

Retreats–10.8%

Conferences–8.4%

Other–6%

ServiceProjects–2.5%




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Iwouldenjoyopportunitiestostudy:

LeadershipasaChristianMan–62.7%

Men’sSpirituality–39.8%

MeninRelatioships(Son,Husband,Father)–22.9%

LivesoftheSaints–21.7%

TheBible–16.9%

Iwouldmostlikelyparticipateinoutreach/mission:

Atmyhomeparish–67.5%

SomewhereintheDiocese–30.1%

InternationalMissionTrip–2.4%




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Importanttopicstomeare:

Work/HomeBalance–55.4%

HowtoEvangelize–41%

Relationships(dating/marriage)–26.5%

Parenting–12%

Other–12%

Ienjoythesetypesoffellowship(multipleanswer):

Discussiongroups,bookstudies,etc.–83.1%

ServiceProjects–34.9%

Cooking,barbeque,etc.–25.3%

Outdoors(camping,hiking,etc.)–21.7%




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Sports–18.1%

Other–3.6%

InasmallgroupsettingIwanttheprimaryfocustobe:

Discussionoflifeissues–62.7%

Study–13.3%

Prayer–13.3%

Accountability–7.2%

Other–3.5%

ImostwantCTFCMtohelpme:

GrowPersonallyClosertoGod–33.7%




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MeetOtherCatholicMen–28.9%

Findpeopletolistenandrelatetowhatisgoingoninmylife–28.9%

Other–4.8%

FindOpportunitiestobemoreinvolvedinChurch–3.6%

InthepastIhavenotattendedCTFCMevents/groupsbecause:

Notawareofevent–43.4%

Schedulingconflict–26.5%

Other–13.3%

Didnotknowanyoneelsegoing–10.8%

Notinterestedinthetopic–6%

Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men€¦ · Mission: To encourage and embolden men to deepen...

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Transcript of Central Texas Fellowship of Catholic Men€¦ · Mission: To encourage and embolden men to deepen...