PROVIDENCE - For almost a quarter-century, a group of local, faith-filled men have gathered every other Tuesday morning in the basement of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul for the Christian Men's Breakfast Meeting, where they enjoy fellowship and opportunities for reflection, teaching and prayer.
The ecumenical group began in 1984, following discussions by members of a Catholic businessmen's group who indicated the need to bring Christian men together to share their faith journey.
The Christian Men's Breakfast Meeting was initiated by Don Turbitt of Providence, assisted by members of People of God's Love, a Catholic charismatic group no longer in existence. The CMBM began with the permission of Bishop Louis E. Gelineau; Father Francis J. Guidice serves as chaplain of the men's organization.
After a change of leadership and after holding meetings in a series of public venues during its first year, the CMBM moved to the Cathedral. Meetings begin at 6:45 a.m. for coffee and doughnuts, followed by song, prayer and discussion on a pertinent topic related to Christianity or a guest speaker.
"The meetings allow me to enjoy fellowship and to get together with a group of men that espouse the same values and beliefs," said Bob Arciero, a parishioner of St. Ambrose Church, Lincoln, who shares the responsibility of organizing the group with Robert Cote of Narragansett.
"These guys echo for me the things that I have inside me," Arciero said. "There is one very important element here. When I am here, I can speak without fear of recrimination. We need to speak about those things that we hold dear."
Bob Boutin, who also is a member of St. Ambrose Church, echoed his friend's sentiments.
"I just feel that being here makes me feel closer to my religion and closer to God," he said.
Arciero said the men's group is guided by three principles - worship, teaching and service. Members regularly support local Catholic schools, mission projects in Haiti and Amos House, and have appeared at the R.I. State House to lobby on behalf of legislation that supports Catholic teaching.
"We are happy to see Bishop Tobin speaking on the forefront of these issues," Arciero noted, referring to the bishop's public stance opposing same-sex marriage.
"We fully support him," Arciero said. "We are happy to see his comments in print and in the media."
The next CMBM is a special weekend event, scheduled for April 14 at 9:30 a.m. Former state Senate Majority Leader David Carlin, a professor of sociology and philosophy at the Community College of Rhode Island and Visitor columnist, will offer a presentation entitled "Can You Be a Democrat and Still be a Catholic?"
For more information about the group, call Arciero at 333-6169, or Cote at 789-1877.
(This article originally appeared in The Providence Journal)
