The inaugural meeting drew six men to Merciful Redeemer Parish in Mississauga for Resolved, the archdiocese’s first men's group exclusively for young adults aged 19–35.
Fredritze Jacob Yap, OCY’s young adult minister for the western and central regions, led discussions about the launch of the program and the overarching importance of Catholic men to society as a whole during the Aug. 17 launch.
Resolved’s debut comes after months of planning by Yap, who created the idea for the men’s group after noticing the lack of a program specifically focusing on masculine Catholic values.
“Directors Fr. Paul Magyar, John MacMullen and I were having a casual conversation with some of our other co-workers about the women’s group we know as Refinement. They are very successful with things like book clubs, different activities and fellowships and how they can talk and express themselves through that, but when men try to do it, it becomes a completely different story,” Yap said.
“That really started from that question of ‘How can we tackle men's groups?' By May, I started to think about what a men’s group could look like compared to the women's group as women and men have different needs on how to best be together and grow with one another.”
It was decided not long after that the best approach for Resolved was a combination of group outreach opportunities, fellowship and fasting with integrated teachings about how to best understand the role of Catholic men in society. It was determined by the team that most men, especially Catholic men, tend to grow and open up with one another through activities as well as when they better understand the struggles that they may be collectively facing.
While the idea of a men’s group specifically for younger demographics sounds like a no-brainer, the idea and subsequent creation of Resolved is one that holds personal meaning to Yap.
“It is certainly difficult I feel as a man to try and find your purpose in this world and be able to understand how we can move through this world with the identity as a Catholic man,” he said. “I want this to be something that can provide a sense of purpose for (fellow Catholic men).”
Other men’s groups offered at nearby parishes often focus exclusively on older age groups, whereas the opposite is true of the OCY's latest offering which will surely be intriguing for younger audiences looking to ease their way into discussions about self-identity through a Catholic lens.
Although plans were discussed during the inaugural soft launch, there are currently no official hard dates in terms of the delivery of the program. However, the creator noted that by the new year, he hopes to start a dedicated Bible study, a book club and group participation in Exodus 90 — an intense 90-day fast that includes prayer, exercise and a complete reading of the book of Exodus.
Other proposed plans include elements of city outreach at places such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or Salvation Army, various weekend gatherings and even the introduction of a potential prison ministry as hinted at by Magyar, the OCY’s newest director.
No matter the specific activity, Yap is confident the necessary aspect of camaraderie will allow for the deeper importance of a Catholic young men’s group to be conveyed to those who participate in the first stint of Resolved Men's Group.
“Brotherhood is such an important thing that has been lost in a way, especially in today's day and age. It starts with understanding our role as men, knowing that we contribute to better families and create a better future for others too,” he said. “It is important to identify and define who we are together because if we don’t, we lose an important aspect of our society.”
The important aspect touched upon is one embodied by a particular Catholic saint who looms large in the mind of the group’s creator as his idea begins to be established in practice.
“Looking to St. Joseph, we know him as a provider and protecter and while I think we definitely have the silent part down, it is now a matter of letting our actions speak louder than our words which is what made St. Joseph so great,” he continued. “Doing the little things, whether outreach or any of the activities we plan to do will help in building these young men into an imitation of St. Joseph … or at least that is the hope anyways."