The Men’s Club Provides a Sense of Community Through Service and Fellowship

In today’s world, it can be hard for Catholic men to find support in living their faith. But here at Immaculate Conception, we hope to provide a place where men can find camaraderie and fellowship, as well as opportunities to serve others while deepening their understanding of our faith.

“Men’s Club exists to help guys in the parish connect socially and spiritually, and to continue doing the work of the church and the school, to help where we can, and where we’re needed,” says lifelong parishioner Casey Simon, who joined the Men’s Club in 2013 and has previously served as the President of the group. “I joined because of the guys — I didn’t know them that well, but there were great guys who were involved, and I was looking for a new place to spend time and focus energy and get involved.”

While the Men’s Club currently remains on hiatus, the group usually gathers about once every two months for a social, spiritual, or service event. And, while they are notably missing this year, the Men’s Club annual Fish Frys are an opportunity for fellowship not only among our parish and school but also for our broader community. The Men’s Club fundraisers — the Fish Frys and an annual golf tournament —primarily support the various needs of the parish and school.

For Casey, being part of the Men’s Club has been an opportunity to get to know a broader circle of the men in the parish, benefit from the wisdom and experience of those older than him, meet friends in similar stages of life, and provide informal mentorship to those a few steps behind him.

“There are guys with their children still in grade school, and then there’s another group who has long since passed that,” Casey says. “You have a good mix of guys and life experiences, and what they can offer.

“I think what I have gained is realizing that there are other people who have walked in my shoes and you’re not alone,” he adds. “You can draw on their life experiences to help you get through what you’re going through because they’ve done it, and you can also mentor those who are in a spot where you’ve been.”

Although it can sometimes be challenging to find meaningful friendships with other men, Casey has found that those who are involved in the Men’s Club are open and genuine, truly hoping to encourage their fellow parishioners, while also welcoming newcomers.

“If you can let down your guard and you’re willing to peel back some layers, you’ll find a lot of common ground between the guys,” Casey says. “You can spark a friendship with people you normally wouldn’t come in contact with.”

In many cases, getting involved in the Men’s Club and meeting other guys also opens the door to other forms of involvement in the parish and school.

“You get involved in one thing and you see those guys doing something else, and it can inspire you to take an adoration hour, or to usher, or to get involved in the school,” Casey says.

All men of the parish are invited and encouraged to attend a Men’s Club meeting, and to find out what it’s all about!

“If you’re looking for a laid-back group of guys to hang out with and have a good time with, Men’s Club is definitely the place for you,” Casey says. “It’s an easy-going group of guys that will work hard and play hard and are there for each other.

“I think it’s important to be involved and to know what’s going on in your parish, and this gives you an education on what’s going on in your parish and gives you a sense of community,” he adds. “You get to feel like you are part of something — an organization that benefits the parish and fills a need.”

If you would like more information and updates on Men’s Club events in the coming months, please email icmensclub18@gmail.com or refer to the weekly bulletin for announcements.

Although suspended during the present pandemic, the Fish Fry is a community tradition hosted by the Men's Club.