God's Gifts: Bible study group offers support for Catholic men

By Kenny Keane, Globe staff reporter
Posted December 12, 2002

CARROLL - A men's Bible study group has been a staple for a handful of male parishioners at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll since about August of 2000.

According to Scott Steffen, the parishioner who started the group, it was something he needed, and he knew at the time that there was nothing like it in the Carroll area.

"I was in a faith-sharing group while I was living in Arizona," he said. "I always knew it was one of those things that I needed as a man, to make sure I grow in our Catholic faith, is to be surrounded by other guys who have the same beliefs to support, encourage and defend our Catholic faith."

So with the support of Father Jim McCormick, pastor of Holy Spirit, Steffen put a notice in the bulletin, which he has continued to do every week since. The group gathers at 6:30 Mass every Friday morning, after which they meet for 45 minutes to an hour giving everyone a chance to get to work by 8.

"It works out really good. We open up with the opening prayers, and sometimes we sing," Steffen said. "We've done mornings where we'll pick a saint to discuss. A lot of times we'll just pick a topic that we want to know more about or that someone in the group doesn't know about."

Steffen said there are about six regulars, Dave Prenger, Mark Beardmore, Clete Windschitl, Denny Schleisman, Pat Hall and Rick Boes, who show up every week. He said there are also some who come from time to time when they can make it with the whole gamut consisting of 12 to 13 men.

However, Steffen said it is open for everyone, and he believes every man should join a group like this where they can find encouragement from each other.

"I think because of our Catholic faith we need to know what we believe in," he said. "Once a week you remind each other what this world is all about and what's important in the world. It's an encouraging group. We all have strong spouses, but having men supporting you is different."

Prenger said he enjoys the chance to share his faith with other men, which he had not had much of an opportunity to do before.

"It seems like most of the prayer groups in this area are mostly women or retired people, and this group is a younger group of men who are still working every day," he said. "Learning more about the Bible, reading Scripture and discussing how it relates to our daily lives has really been kind of neat. Also, learning how other people see it relating to their lives helps me see it from a different perspective."

Steffen said those outside the group seem to have the perception that they wouldn't fit in with such biblical scholars.

"Honestly, the people outside, I don't think they really know what it's all about," he said. "I've heard a comment once before that they think, 'I can't join you guys. You guys know way too much about the Catholic faith.' Needless to say, we don't agree with that. We're all learning."

Beardmore admits that he is probably the one who learns the most from these weekly gatherings.

"I kind of jokingly say that I'm the low end of the learning curve," he said. "I think that's probably what motivates me so much more like somebody who's cast out in the desert for water. There is certainly something to gain by it."

As for gaining new members, Beardmore said the most challenging task has been trying to coin a title for the group.

"When you use the term 'Bible study group,' I can see where people would say, 'Gee, what do I know about the Bible. I'll be a fish out of water.' Then if we say, let's just call it a 'men's spirituality group,' then I think some people see us being a little too charismatic and singing and chanting in unison while wearing white robes," Beardmore said. "The best way that I have attempted to describe it is that each and every single week there's something that you can add and there's something that you can take away on an equal basis."

One of the main things Beardmore said he has gained from this group of men is a sense of brotherhood.

"I knew most of these guys superficially if you will, and now they are clearly brothers of mine," he said. "I know that in the event of need these are going to be the first guys there. We can never be too short of that."