* June 21, 2010 – SJC Garage Sale Cleanup - The Men’s Club helped with the final clean-up of another successful garage sale sponsored by the Women’s Club.

* June 9, 2010 – Blackhawks Hockey Game - Members gathered for pizza, beverages and an exciting game as we celebrated the Stanley Cup coming home to Chicago.

* May 28, 2010 – SJC Teachers Appreciation Lunch - The Men’s Club once again helped to offer a big "thank you" to the SJC School Teachers, following a similar event held for Youth Catechesis Staff and Teachers. Enjoy the summer!

* April 25, 2010 - Catechist Appreciation Lunch - The Men's Club once again helped offer a big "thank you" to the Youth Catechesis Staff and Teacherswith a cookout, including barbequed burgers and hot dogs. The Teacher appreciation lunch is comming soon.

* April 22, 2010 - Spiritual Lecture Series - Fr. Dom Grassi led a discussion titled, "How Men Share their Stories."

* March 24, 2010 – Greater Chicago Food Depository - The Men’s Club, along with some generous teens, volunteered to help out at this facility. A few hours of time was given to help prepare boxes of food for the “Nutrition for Knowledge” program. The assembly line preparing the bags of food was established and Chris F. and Guy V. worked frantically to keep up in providing the boxes. Thanks to all who participated.

* March 19-21, 2010 – Men’s Club Retreat - The Men’s Club held its first annual retreat at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. The physical and spiritual surroundings provided a reflective weekend for the participants. Fr. Kevin Feeney, Director of Pastoral Studies at St. Mary of the Lake, served as retreat master. Some comments from a few participants:
• “Fr. Kevin delivered a strike by taking the theme and making it memorable for us.”
• “Celebrating Mass together and the fellowship afterwards are the most memorable.”
• “I found Reconciliation to be the most beneficial just because I needed to look at my life closer.”
• “Great camaraderie! Great sense of community! “
• “The talks by Fr. Feeney and the group discussions were most beneficial to me.”
• “Great! Excellent! Loved the setting! The seminary is beautiful!”

* March 11, 2010 – Commissioner Brendan Houlihan - The Men’s Club meeting was followed by an informative presentation by Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Houlihan and his colleagues. The property tax review process was summarized, accompanied by actual filing forms to clarify the process. The presentation was followed by numerous questions with candid answers on this topic that affects us all. Thank to Commissioner Houlihan and his colleagues for an informative evening.

* February 26, 2010 - Lenten Fish Fry - The Men's Club joined with the Crossroads Teen Group in hosting a Fish Fry in the Parish Center. The support shown by the SJC community was nothing less than extraordinary. The Parish Center was filled with laughter, conversation, face-painting for the kids...and lots of fish!!! Thanks to all who attended with a special thanks to those who organized and volunteered that evening.

* February 11, 2010 - The first annual Chili Cook-off and Cards night warmed the members during a cold winter. There were nine chili entrants from among SJC Men's Club members and each member in attendance sampled and voted for his top three choices. First place and the Chili Bowl trophy went to Steve Ryan! Cards followed, along with more chili. Thanks to all who entered their favorite recipe.

* February 6, 2010 - The Spiritual Lecture Series kicked off 2010 with Fr. John Cusick speaking on "Wisdom from my Father." This engaging presentation and discussion occurred after the 8am Mass. Don't forget to register for the Men's Club Retreat March 19-21.

* November 19, 2009 - The spiritual lecture series continued with Fr. John Canary leading a discussion with a focus prayer. Fran Connelly continues to do a great job in finding high-quality inspirational speakers. Watch for additional speakers in 2010 and don't forget about the Men's Club Retreat March 19-21, 2010 at Mundelein Seminary.

* November 12, 2009 - The second annual Bears' Game was enjoyed by the men in the parish. New this year was a silent auction with many great items. Great company, delicious food, tasty snacks and cold beverages offered comfort for a disappointing Bears' loss.

* October 22, 2009 – Patrick McCaskey, Chicago Bears Co-Owner and Chairman of Sports Faith International, discussed faith, family and football. Mr. McCaskey also described his High School All Star Team comprised of young teens who excel in sports while being devout, caring Catholics. See the link to Sports Faith International under the “Related Links” section of the SJC MC web page.

* October 8, 2009 - John Kass – noted Chicago Tribune Columnist – entertained and informed over 100 members and guests with memories of his childhood in a southside Chicago neighborhood and delight in raising his family in Western Springs with his lovely wife. Mr. Kass fielded numerous questions regarding both local and state political agenda and amazed the audience with his knowledge of the players, issues, along with his personal insights into those key factors that will drive current and future decision-making.

* September 24, 2009 - Father Frank "Rocky" Hoffman of Relevant Radio provided a terrific opportunity for gaining insight into the faith and, more importantly, to bolster our energies for sharing such enthusiasm with family, friends and neighbors. To hear Father on Relevant Radio, tune-in to AM 950 on your dial each Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM. You can also listen to him on the web. See the RELATED LINKS section of the SJCMC site.

* Various social services events including collecting items for the Kolbe House, collected jeans for Catholic Charities, transported food to the food depository, assisted with the clean-up of the garage sale and helped with partial funding of the sidewalk outside of the SJC School entrance for the kindergarteners.

* July 24, 2009 – A good time was had by all at the Men’s Club barbeque. Chris Fox grilled some tasty burgers, brats and chicken, the chips were crisp and the beverages cold. The bean bag tournament provided competitive fun and even the rain couldn’t stop the event as the final match was completed indoors.

* June 13, 2009 - Fr. Kieran Kemnar, O.F.M. "Franciscan Values for Today". Fr. Kieran spoke about the timeliness and the timelessness of the values that St. Francis of Assisi voiced hundreds of years ago: kindness, courage and humility. And though often seemingly at odds with our modern day culture, it takes a strong man to be comfortable being kind to others. Small group discussion followed.

* May 21, 2009 - Fr. Jordan Kelly, O.P spoke about "The Triumphs and Challenges of being a Catholic Man in 2009". We are the spiritual leaders of our families. Too few of us recognize how important that role of ours is in our family life. The challenge is to live our faith especially in our jobs where we often feel tension to "get the job done" at whatever cost it takes. Small group discussion followed his presentation.

* April 26 and May 15, 2009 - The Men’s Club helped offer a big ‘thank you’ to SJC and Youth Catechesis Staff and Teachers with a cookout, including barbequed burgers and hot dogs.

* April 23, 2009 - Fr. Gary Graf: A Catholic Priest's Experiences in Latin America and the Catholic response to Immigration. Fr. Gary spoke from his rich experience of being a pastor to the immigrant as well as trying to find common ground as Catholic Americans on this often divisive issue. Group dialogue followed his presentation.

* February 19, 2009 - Financial advisor Jim Stork and accountant Frank Munaretto provided great insights to the changing financial environment. This was followed by questions and discussions from our members. Thanks Jim and Frank!

* December 11, 2008 - Bears Game Kick-off Event was a big success thanks to exceptional efforts by the entire event team. The football pool was fun, the Men’s Club got new members, Kolbe House Donations worked out very well and the event essentially paid for itself. What a great way to kick off the Men’s Club.