Men's Ministry
The Brotherhood participates in and promotes outreach to men in various ways. Among other goals, our campus missions aim to foster environments conducive for young men to encounter Christ, challenge one another spiritually, and grow in manly virtue. Also, we assist in several ongoing men’s ministries, including the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, regional men’s conferences, and local men’s events.
After a weekend retreat planned and directed by the Brotherhood at the Air Force Academy, Joseph Vaeth, an AFA cadet, commented, “The Brotherhood’s retreat message fit in perfectly with the Air Force Academy’s calling to build tough men of character.”
Youth
The Brotherhood conducts numerous events that reach out to teenagers and young adults. Our primary focus involves training students from our campus missions and other youth leaders to evangelize at Catholic schools, retreats, and youth groups.
After one peer led retreat at North Cambridge Catholic H.S., Scott VanDerveer (the current campus minister at the high school) recounted the experience, “My students said, ‘Those guys are really in love with God!’ They could feel how passionately and authentically they loved God… It was a great day for our school!”
Mission Trips
The Brotherhood of Hope has initiated several service trips to assist those in material need – a corporal work of mercy. These events include service trips to hurricane victims, projects for the needy through our campus outreaches, and a yearly mission trip to Tanzania, Africa.
In reflecting on his time of service in Tanzania, Joe Meany (Rutgers University, 2010) said, “How destitute the conditions were, and yet how openly generous and friendly the people of Tanzania were with their strong faith! We both were able to learn from each other.”
Seminarians
Three of our members assist in the formation and training of young seminarians at St. John Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts, and with seminarians in the Diocese of Metuchen. The Brotherhood also has done occasional retreats for seminarians on spirituality and Christian manhood.
Eric Bennett, a seminarian currently studying in Rome, commented on the Brotherhood’s influence on his discernment for the priesthood: “I know that I would not be a seminarian if I had not come to know the Brotherhood of Hope… They showed me what it means to be a Christian man… and continue to encourage me to know Jesus Christ… In the first years of seminary, their consistent witness has guided my vocation to the priesthood.”
