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About the
Catholic Men's Fellowship of Pittsburgh (CMF)
CMF is a private association of the laity operating and functioning in accordance with the Code of Canon Law and the blessings of the Church in Pittsburgh (A “lay apostolate”). The mission of the CMF is a response to the call made by Pope John Paul II, for a new evangelization, particularly the reinvigoration of faith among Catholics. Our mission is summarized as follows:
1. To raise awareness among Catholic men of their need to re-experience the spiritual awakening they originally received at their baptism, to nurture and deepen their ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ through the working of the Holy Spirit, so single and married men can accept their God-given roles as individuals in families, marriages, and churches (“Conversion”);
2. To encourage men to seek opportunities for faith-formation which may include forming or participating in a men's faith sharing group at the parish level and/or other forms of catechesis (“Formation”); and
3. To affirm and encourage our clergy while enthusiastically a) encouraging men to recognize their healing potential for our Church through their chosen vocation, religious or otherwise and b) teaching men how to pro-actively support their Catholic faith at the family, parish, and community levels. (“Mobilization”)
To communicate its vision, CMF uses the image of a rotating flywheel that consists of three parts: “Conversion>Formation>Mobilization”. This rotating flywheel image demonstrates that although growth in faith has distinct aspects, all three aspects are integrated in a continuing process.
To carry out this continuing process of Conversion>Formation>Mobilization CMF engages in four separate but related efforts;
First, CMF sponsors the annual Gathering of Catholic Men each year at the Palumbo Center. It is a day of significant conversion. This Gathering has resulted in numerous non-practicing Catholic men returning to the Church, often receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the Gathering for the first time in many years. We have heard many stories of men experiencing a true conversion of heart at this event. The Gathering attracts between 1,400 and 1,700 men each year. Through the Office for Evangelization CMF collaborates with Bishop Zubik to mobilize active Catholic men to engage in evangelization by asking them to identify non-practicing Catholic men, for whom Bishop Zubik sends a personal invitation with complimentary tickets.
Second, CMF mobilizes and trains men to facilitate faith based men’s groups at the Parish level. These groups meet regularly to read scripture, study the catechism and discuss how God’s word can be lived in their homes, workplaces and communities. Several parishes already have established men's groups, other lay organizations, movements or ministries that support men's faith-formation. CMF supports and encourages these efforts, and also offers new models of faith-formation for Catholic men in the context of Pope John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization. Many dioceses across the country support these initiatives as a response to this call. Already, in the brief 2 years that CMF Men’s Groups have been operating in Pittsburgh, we have seen much fruit from this “launching pad” ministry, manifested by men becoming more engaged in their parish life, for example as RCIA teachers, as volunteers for St. Vincent DePaul and other charitable organizations and becoming more involved in liturgical ministries. However, small men’s faith groups at the parish level require each pastor’s support to succeed. This effort uses only approved (imprimatur) Catholic material distributed by the National Resource Center for Catholic Men (also known as the National Catholic Men's Fellowship) www.catholicmensresources.org. Therefore, it is truly rooted in Catholic teaching.
Third, CMF mobilizes resources and fellowship through its “Men’s Battle” outreach to help transform men who battle attacks against sexual integrity. This is geared toward men who struggle with pornography & self gratification, men fathering children in a sexually charged culture, and men who are seeking a better understanding of Catholic teaching as it relates to sexuality in their marriage. This initiative offers solid Catholic based material to men to help minimize the effects of inappropriate media influences upon themeseves and their families. CMF Pgh is collaborating with national men's movement leaders on a Battle for Sexual Integrity Initiative (BSII). BSII is a national outreach in collaboration with Catholic Men's Movement Leaders accross the US that helps link men with other men for Sexual Integrity Accountability and Prayer Partnerships.
Volunteers from Pittsbrugh have also mobilized their charisms to bring male spirituality formation content to men worldwide using New Media (see below for more details).
Fourth, CMF is offering many doctrinal formation opportunities for men three ways;
1) Retreats and workshops presented by gifted priests and deacons.
2) CD of the month club. The CD of the month club provides pre-recorded talks by nationally recognized Catholic speakers, such as Scott Hahn, Steven Ray, and Fr. Corapi. It also provides CD's by up and coming speakers such as Father Jim Wehner, Father Jim Farnan, Father Roger Landry, Father John Riccardo, and Father Phillip Chavez.
3) Online Media Outreach. The technology and Online Media volunteers of Pittsburgh's CMF have joined forces with the National Fellowship of Catholic Men (NFCM) to create the NFCM Online Media Network. This Network brings male spirituality content to the men in Pittsburgh as well as men worldwide. The first phase of the Network was a podcast launched Fathers Day 2007 that is short reflection by a member of the clergy on the upcoming Sunday readings. This podcasts is used by thousands of men and men’s groups locally and worldwide each week to prepare for Mass. Starting in the Fall of 2008 additional podcasts with male spirituality content and formats are scheduled to be added.
Partial List of CMF Volunteers:
Jeff Ludwikowski (Conference: jeff@cmfpitt.org)
Patrick Molyneaux ( Conference and podcasts: pat@cmfpitt.org)
Larry Fagan (Men’s Groups: larry@cmfpitt.org)
Pete Diulus (CD of the month Club: peter@cmfpitt.org)
Bill Talerico (Men’s Battle Committee: bill@cmfpitt.org)
Larry Squires (Men’s Groups: Email: LSquires@descomm.com)
Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Pittsburgh
PO Box 13235
Pittsburgh PA 15243
412-276-2685
www.cmfpitt.org
Revised July 25, 2008 | 
