"About Us"
What we do - for the greater glory of God
From The Lamb, December, 2007
Individually, our members tend to be humble—ready, but not seeking recognition; willing, but not seeking to profit; and able, but realizing we can do nothing without the talents, treasures, and free will God has blessed us with. Then again, as a group, we take great pride in the service our brothers offer in the name of Christ Jesus. Take, for example, one member who volunteers his services every Wednesday at East Jefferson General Hospital. The company he retired from pays him so much an hour up to $750 a year for his generous service. He recently gave his $750 check to the SCB Building Fund for his service hours in 2007. Another member, who also wishes to remain anonymous, donated a similar amount that was earned as a management fee to St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, which was severely damaged by Katrina. Four of our members routinely assist our priests at the Monday Mass at the nursing home volunteering as altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, readers, song leaders and/or assisting the elderly to and from Mass. One member and his wife recently volunteered to spend the 11 p.m. to midnight hours in adoration at St. Dominick Church in New Orleans. Prior to adoration they enjoyed a part of the holy hour following Mass and Benediction. The week-long activity was part of the 17th Annual Greater New Orleans Rosary Congress for Life, Reparation and Peace for our city, our nation and the world. Other members routinely are part of our parish ministries, such as St. Vincent de Paul, church cleaning, all ministers of Mass, Eucharist for the homebound, CCD, PTFO, and more. Thanks, men, for many hours of service. All this is driven by our common motto: “To Our Lord I give the hours of my life and the use of my death”.
Driving force is fellowship in Christ
From The Lamb, July 2005
The name “Men of Manresa” means many things to many people in our parish. Our priests have come to treasure the name because it is an organization that for all the right reasons can’t say “no” to priestly suggestions and requests. To many others it is an organization that has been extremely involved with financial assistance for spiritual projects, service within and beyond the church doors, and a helping hand throughout our St. Charles Parish. Allow me to explain. M.o.M. started well over twenty (if not thirty) years ago Harry “Prof” Hurst. Most of us know a part of Prof’s legacy right here in Destrehan: Harry Hurst Middle School on River Road. Prof organized a men’s group that still attends retreats at Manresa. The Jesuits have retreat centers throughout the world, including one in Convent, Louisiana, named “Manresa”. Ignatius Loyola, who founded the Jesuits, made his own personal retreat and wrote his “Spiritual Exercises” while holed up in a cave in Manresa, Spain. Hence the origins of the retreat house nomenclature. The organization has grown from a handful of men to some eighty plus names on our roll of rank and file. What most people do not realize are the following: 1.) To be a member does not mean you have to make an annual retreat. Our primary two retreats are weekend #29 in mid-July and weekend #36 in early September, commonly referred to as “the Labor Day retreat”. Some members attend retreat with other Manresa groups but still attend our monthly meetings. 2.) One does not have to be Catholic to be a member or even to make a retreat. Generally speaking, our members are faith-filled Christians who are interested in sharing a Mass, scriptural Rosary, a wonderful meal and a light-hearted, loose meeting together but with a mission, to love and serve others. 3.) There are no dues, initiation fees, or anything of the sort to attend the monthly meetings, which generally are held on the third Thursday of each month. Scheduling conflicts do arise so we are rather flexible especially come November and December. The only money that ever changes hands is a mere three dollars for a home-cooked South Louisiana meal that is the best bargain outside of SCB’s world renowned garage sales. 4.) It is not just a men's organization even though only men can make the retreats to Manresa. The wives and significant others are invited four times a year, traditionally in May (Mother’s Day and Mary’s month), Thanksgiving, Christmas and one other time. In June we officially invite sons to attend in honor of Father’s Day but they are always welcome. What do these men (and women) do? The answer quite simply is: EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. To list the activities would bore you and for fear of missing one it is our intent to share with you just a few. Suffice it to say that at almost every single church activity, one or more of our members are involved. From school board to Extraordinary Ministers, from Deacons to fair workers, from church cleaning and decoration to tree trimming and Saturday morning work days. From lectures on stem cell research to planting crosses to commemorate Roe vs. Wade, from sponsoring dances to supporting our youth organization with their H.E.A.R.T. camp, from serving Mass at the nursing home, altar serving at daily Mass, to sponsoring one of the largest garage sales in the Parish and even this humble publication, The Lamb! Our motto, from Father Joe Tetlow, speaks for itself. “To our Lord we give the hours of our life and the use of our death.” How can you distinguish a member? When they greet each other they usually embrace rather than a handshake. If you could see or read their lips you’d most likely hear something to the effect of, “The Peace of the Lord be with you” and “And also with you”. One member’s greeting when a hand is trust out for a handshake always responds, “I don’t want your hand, I want your heart!” As one of the members was heard to say after morning mass recently, “This is the kissingest parish anyway”. If you have to leave the parish, the love and sincere friendship and caring you notice on your return truly is second to none. St. Charles Borromeo is a rich parish. Its parishioners come from between the elevators and between the tracks. They live anywhere from St. Rose to “Sarpy,” Norco and even across the “Big Creek”. It has one of the longest histories in this state, let alone our nation. Its traditions have deep and strong roots in hardworking and God-fearing people, roots like our beloved oak trees. It is an open, loving parish where Blacks and Whites, Orientals and Hispanics, Cajuns and Vietnamese worship our Lord in a peace filled Mass or in the simple confines of the Adoration Chapel. And, significantly, it is home to the Men and Women of Manresa, a family of parishioners that shares life’s joys and set-backs, her successes and failures, the ups and downs. This organization is pure fellowship.
SCBMoM group easy to describe, hard to define
From The Lamb, May 2001
The St. Charles Borromeo Men of Manresa is a group of men who endeavor to practice throughout the year what they have gained from their annual retreat at Manresa.
Originally founded years ago by famed educator Harry Hurst, the Men of Manresa still meet once a month to celebrate a beautiful Mass, recite together the Luminous Mysteries on the rosary, and enjoy a delicious meal.
The men and their families can also participate in many other enjoyable and rewarding activities. For example, this year on Palm Sunday the group staged a timely and touching performance of "The Story of Jesus", produced and directed by one of our own members. Several times a year, the men's wives are invited to participate in the monthly meetings. The group also co-hosts an annual flea market and uses the proceeds throughout the year to sponsor various worthwhile spiritual projects.
New members are always welcome. In case you're interested, the monthly meeting is usually scheduled for the third Thursday of the month. Meetings begin with Mass at 6:00 PM, and the activities generally conclude by 8:00 PM. There are no dues, "first-timers" eat free (just $3.00 for dinner thereafter), dress is casual, activities are optional, and the worship and fellowship are truly wonderful.
To join us in a monthly meeting, an annual retreat or any of our other activities, just contact our co-captain Nick Sardegna at 764-7821, or consult the St. Charles Borromeo Parish weekly bulletin.