Men’s ministry helps restore lives and build community

A MOVEMENT that brings men together renews their faith in God and encourages them to become an active force within the Catholic Church is making a significant difference in the community, according to local organiser Mat Wolnicki.

The menAlive Men’s Weekend, hosted by Mary Help of Christians Parish in Pearce this May, offers an opportunity for men to explore what makes them feel fully alive.

“It is a movement and ministry – a group of men reaching out to other men,” Mat said.

“The purpose is to encourage men to be involved in their parish and local ministry.”

Since founding in 2003, menALIVE has run 350 events in 25 dioceses in Australia and New Zealand for more than 20,000 men.

Mat said that in his own experience, the menAlive community and parish-based weekends opened up the depth of his relationship with God.

“It made me think about my relationship with God and my relationship with my family and raised many questions in my mind – what am I doing within the church? What does my relationship with God look like? Is it active? Or am I just sitting there waiting for something to happen? It was a wake-up call,” he explained.

“Being with other men in that context and having other men asking some of the hard questions was useful for me at the start. It can be hard to ask those questions, and having someone push me further was necessary.”

Mat said the weekly sharing group had also been a valuable addition to his life.

“I don’t have any other opportunity in the week where I can talk to men I trust openly and share the sadnesses, anxieties, and traumas I have been going through, but also how

God has been responding and working in my life,” he said.

“Being able to share that with other men is important.”

Mat has a strong personal commitment to reaching out to other men after his 16-year-old son, Bruno, died of suicide three years ago.

“I think reaching out to the 15 and 16-year-old cohort is crucial,” he said.

“I know these boys are dealing with a lot of issues. The school knows it; everyone knows it. It is incredibly close to my heart.”

Mat said it was only after three years that he could talk about it and support others.

“It has taken a long time to get out of that cloud,” he said.

“The groups have been a huge part of sharing after Bruno’s death. If it wasn’t for the menAlive program, I don’t think I could say what I am saying.”

Mat said the parish-based weekends made a difference in participants’ lives and, through them, the wider community.

“Relationships with other men, joining the parish, sharing your stuff, not internalising, empowering others as well and helping others share their needs – that builds community and relationships,” he said.

“Being connected, joining a small share group, and knowing they are not alone is the biggest thing.”

• The menAlive weekend will be held on the 25th and 26th of May at Mary Help of Christians parish in Pearce.