The Men’s Club: Growing Together in Faith, Fellowship and Service to the Community

At St. Timothy’s Parish, when men become members of the parish, they automatically become a member of the Men’s Club. Being involved in the Men’s Club is one way to be a good steward.

“The Men’s Club is a vehicle for joining together with other men of the parish to deliver services to the community and to our own parish,” says Chris Canedy, an active member of the Men’s Club. “To do that individually can be rather difficult. But when you show up and are a part of this group, you are immediately a part of the activities that we do, which are very fulfilling.” Giving of your time and energy to these projects and activities is a gift of yourself to others in that regard.

The Men’s Club has a history as long as the parish itself. The group was formed at the very beginning of our parish with the objective of reaching out to others to help in very practical ways.

“The Men’s Club has a very impressive ability to raise money,” Chris says. “We are a source of funding for all sorts of projects for the church and the community. We also have a great propensity to have wonderful cooks and chefs so we have a reputation for fantastic meals. We use these talents for the benefit of our parish and community for many fundraisers such as the Lenten fish frys and monthly breakfasts after Sunday Mass.

“These funds go to helping with projects for many different ministries within the parish,” he adds. “We help with scholarships for Mother Teresa Catholic School as well. Also, helping the homeless population in our area is a very big part of our mission.”

Men’s Club leader Doug Funsch encourages all of the men in the parish to get involved in this active group.

“I joined the Men’s Club when I was about 35 years old,” he says. “I had two young kids, always running to soccer and dance. I felt like I had no time for anything else in my life, but I did find the time one month to attend a general meeting and I am so glad I did. There, I met men who have since become very close friends. I never thought anything would come of it but I got to know them and their families personally.

“I know as a young father, time with work, kids and family take up most of your week, but I highly encourage you to find the time once a month for two hours to come and see what we are all about,” he adds. “It changed my life and I encourage you to give it a try.”

In his 2002 address during World Youth Day, Pope St. John Paul II told the assembled young Catholics, “The joy promised by the Beatitudes is the very joy of Jesus himself: a joy sought and found in obedience to the Father, and in the gift of self to others.”

This quote sums up what the St. Timothy Men's Club is all about. These dedicated stewards actively live out their duties and roles within the church and our community. The Men's Club members have faithful prayer lives and attend Mass, they do their best to live their vocations faithfully and listen to Jesus’ command to love our neighbors.

“The Men's Club is an opportunity to carry out Christ’s mission for us to love our neighbors,” Chris says. “We are more powerful with you as a part of our group.”

Meetings are on the first Monday of the month in the parish center. For more information about Men’s Club meetings or activities, please contact Doug Funsch at DPFunsch@verizon.net.

Outreach activities fOr Our Men’s club include:

• Liberty Manor Veteran’s Home Food Donations

• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Homeless Program

• MTC Student Financial Assistance Program

• Youth Group Monthly Dinners •

Gifted Ministry Dinners

• Santa Maria Mission Workers Thanksgiving Dinner

• Santa Maria Mission Financial Assistance

• St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Dinner for Needy

• Christmas Family Adoptions

• Faith Formation Dinner

• Sponsor Pancake Breakfast Ministry

• Sponsor Bingo Ministry

• Sponsor Lenten Fish Fry Ministry

• Funding for Green Team Campus Projects

• Green Team Parish Workday Lunches

• Support for Trinity Cafe

• Vacation Bible School Tee Shirts

• Co-Sponsor Annual Charity Golf Tournament

• Sponsor Youth Mission Activities

• Assist Parishioners with Individual Needs

• Sponsor Pre-School Parent Dinner and Auction