Men’s Small Group Resources – Recommended Books
Title: Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You to Be by Fr. Larry Richards
Description: In Be a Man!, Fr. Larry recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well as the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as a priest. He tells men how to focus on the right goal, how to live as a beloved son of God, of the need to acknowledge one’s faults and to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father Richards challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or machismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitations, while urging them to find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (10 sessions are provided)
Website: http://www.thereasonforourhope.org/meet_father/index.html
Title: Signposts, How to be a Catholic Man in the World Today by Bill Bawden and Tim Sullivan
Description: If you are a new men’s group, or you are not sure where to start, the National Fellowship of Catholic Men recommend starting with this book. The book was specifically developed by two Catholic deacons who are heavily involved in the Catholic men’s movement, and is ideal for a small-group setting or individual study. This powerful resource uses Scripture and Catechism references, short real life stories, and challenging questions to aid in the group discussion. The individual lessons are broken down into four different categories: Man and God, The Measure of a Man, Man and Family, and Man and His World.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (6-8 meetings or throughout a year)
Title: Discipleship for Catholic Men by Peter Ziolkowski
Description: This book can help men grapple with the question of what it means for Jesus to be Lord of our life and to be disciples in the modern, secular world. The book is broken into practical studies on prayer, spiritual battle, the Holy Spirit, growth in holiness, examination of conscience, evangelism, and mission.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (6-8 meetings or throughout a year)
Title: Brothers! Calling Catholic Men into Vital Relationship by Geoff Gorsuch
Description: If your group wants to go deeper into what it means to build strong relationships with other Catholic men, as brothers in Christ, consider using this book. The book uses the baseball diamond to represent the process of building vital relationships with other Catholic men. Thus, we need to get to first base where we learn to “accept one another,” to second base where we develop our friendship as we “encourage and build up one another,” to third base where after much time and practice, we feel free to “exhort one another” as we face life’s challenges together, and finally we help one another reach home plate as we grow in Christlikeness. Each chapter ends with excellent discussion questions for the men’s group.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (6-8 meetings or throughout a year)
Title: Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue by Tim Gray and Curtis Martin
Description: If your group wants to go deeper into what it means to live a virtuous life as a Catholic man, consider usingthis book. Each chapter is on a different virtue, with challenging questions at the end of each chapter. This book is ideal for Catholic men’s groups who want to find out why “real men” choose the virtuous life.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (nine sessions are provided)
Title: Spiritual Workout of a Former Saint by Danny Abramowicz
Description: If your group wants to grow deeper spiritually, consider using this book by a former All-Pro wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints. It is more than the story of a recovering alcoholic grabbing onto – and working hard at – his second chance at a happy, spiritually rich life. This book, based on proven NFL workout techniques, is a practical, encouraging, step-by-step method to help you grow spiritually; add new life to your relationships with the your spouse, family, and friends; and re-energize your soul as you deepen your love of Christ and His Church.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (eight sessions are provided)
Title: Velvet and Steel: A Practical Guide for Christian Fathers and Grandfathers by John Ream
Description: If your group wants to go deeper in understanding solid principles on how fathers and grandfathers can have a positive effect on their children’s (and grandchildren’s) lives, consider using this book. Also, the book provides practical ways for husbands to be more effective fathers and to relate to their wives as full partners in marriage and family life.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (14 sessions are provided)
Men’s Small Group Programs
That Man is You! Men’s Leadership Program
This is a 26 week interactive Bible study focusing on the development of men in the modern world. It combines research from science with the teachings of the Catholic faith and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of authentic men capable of transforming society.
The program is divided into two 13 week sessions. The Fall session emphasizes the development of the Spiritual vision of man, especially in his relationship to his family and society. The Spring session emphasizes the practical means of becoming that man.
Website: http://www.paradisusdei.org/tmiy/learn.asp?varflag=content
Websites for Catholic Men
Catholic Men’s Alliance
Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance (CMLA) exists to help build dynamic ministry to men in every diocese in North America and beyond. Ministry to men is about the ongoing conversion, transformation and mobilization of our Catholic men as they deepen their relationship with Christ. We are building a team of regional, state and diocesan leaders to accomplish this mission and vision. Collaboration is essential to accomplishing our mission. We partner with other Christian ministries to men and other member groups that are engaged in ministry to men.
Website: https://www.catholicmenleaders.org/