FAQs

In 2009 there was a void for men’s fellowship at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth, MI.  Around us there were activities, conferences that called out to us, but nothing close to home enough to move us.  Finally, in September, after many months of discernment, a group of four men set out to invite men to start taking responsibility.

Not easy, but a ministry was created, a group based on the men’s prayer breakfast at the First United Methodist church down the road.  Our brothers in Christ had been meeting at 6 am every Wednesday for many years.  Even some men from OLGC attended.  This group gave us a framework for what to do in our time-frame and space.

We began inviting men to join us.

The model came from the First United Methodist Church Men's Prayer Breakfast. See our History. 

The middle of the week provided men with fewer excuses.  Weekend days were not as well attended because men were spending time with their families or taking trips to cabins.

A dedicated hour this early in the morning did not cut into work or family life (for most) providing less disruption to the day.  Evenings have many other distractions that can come up and would lead to lesser attendance. We do have quarterly Tuesday evening events to allow for all men, who cannot attend our Wednesday sessions, an opportunity for men's fellowship

Our new sessions start each July.  At this time, the curriculum team offers up to 10 different books for the men to choose from for our "Summer Reading".  Each man picks his first, second, and third choice.  Men choose for different reasons, but certainly one of the reasons is their book choice is addressing some issue in their personal walk with Christ.  We then (with the Holy Spirit) assign men to groups who have a similar interest in that book.  This is the basis for common ground with the group.  Rotating tables is a great way for someone new to the area to meet faith filled men and develop more than just an after Mass small talk relationship.

We have some groups of men who like to stick together.  Over the years, they have developed strong bonds of brotherhood. They have learned to trust, depend on, and walk with men who are now considered brothers.  They collectively decide as a group which of the books they will do for summer reading.

It doesn't matter which path you choose.  Men move from being in rotating tables to fixed tables and back.  What matters is that you are coming and growing in your Faith!

Every man likes food.  Many men like coffee in the morning.

We rotate tables for two reasons:

• it shares the workload across those who benefit

• it teaches men how to serve

We have a Advisory Leadership and Curriculum Team pulling together all that is Men's Prayer Breakfast.  These groups meet monthly to keep topics relevant to events impacting the lives of men.

We have guidelines for giving. Primarily we support parish groups that do not get funding directly from the parish. Our core team takes into consideration all those who ask.

We are in lock step with our priests, getting guidance and spiritual support. We meet with our priests on a regular basis to share ideas and provide updates. One of our priests sits on our Advisory Leadership Team. Most of what we are doing comes from the Advisory Leadership and Curriculum teams of Men's Prayer Breakfast.

If you had some great news, wouldn't you want to share it?

Listening to one another and praying for each other is an essential part of our walk in faith. In James 2:14-26, we are confronted with the truth that faith without works is dead. We must not only Learn our Faith, but we must also Live it.  If a man is hurting and needs prayer or support, his brothers should attend to him. It isn't an either-or, it's a both-and.

Quarterly.  See the Events Calendar for specific dates and who will be speaking.

Our discussions can involve mature and sensitive subjects. We strive to provide a comfortable and confidential environment. Some topics are not suitable for minors.

Some men who attend are from other churches. All are welcome. There have been other MPB groups started from the inspiration of OLGC MPB. We offer help and support if there is an interest to do so. There have been at least 5 groups started from our MPB.