TMIY is offering a men’s program for our Family of Parishes that focuses on helping us become better men, husbands and fathers. Join us on Saturdays, beginning Sept. 10, 6:30 am – 8:00 am at Incarnation’s PAC (behind & left of the church):
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- 6:30 – 7 Breakfast & Fellowship
- 7 – 7:30 Video Presentation
- 7:30 – 8 Small Group Discussions
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To register or for more info contact Matt Day, 937- 231-8231 or jday01@udayton.edu.
For more information download the flyer at tiny.cc/thatmanisyou-flyer or visit http://TMIY.org
That Man Is You: What’s Up With That?
That Man Is You (TMIY) is a national organization with a goal to encourage and assist men in following Christ as they embrace and fulfill their roles as spouses, fathers, church members, neighbors, and citizens. Although Catholic based, all Christian men are welcome to participate. TMIY currently includes thousands of men from over 700 parishes in the US and beyond.
Chris Bramlage and a core team of men at Incarnation Parish began our local TMIY group two years ago and it has been a very popular parish activity. There are currently 70 active participants, with ages ranging from the teen years to the 90s and everything in between. Thus, all participants benefit from the knowledge and insights of men in every phase of life. Each year, there are 26 Saturday morning sessions lasting 1.5 hours during the fall through spring.
Every meeting begins with a fellowship breakfast facilitated by our selfless group of support women. A video presentation follows, which is provided to us by the national organization. A wide variety of topics are presented over time, each pertinent to the goal of the organization as mentioned above. The presentations are given by a gifted group of speakers from all walks of life. A priest discussing the power of the Holy Spirit, the conversion story of a former mafia member, a detailed look at a portion of John’s gospel by a noted theologian, a physicist discussing the interface of scripture and science. The list goes on and on. Our weekly sessions are completed by breaking up into small groups to discuss what we have taken away from our learning, share our experiences, and deepen our relationship and support of each other. We form a “band of brothers” and help each other continually “put on the full armor of God.” The small groups are central to the mission of TMIY.
The men of TMIY have several important role models and patrons we follow in our journey. Most importantly, we seek to obey the directives of our Almighty Father, by aspiring to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, propelled by the love and power of the Holy Spirit. We actively honor our heavenly mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and call upon her intercessions especially through praying the rosary.
David was “a man after God’s own heart.” But like all of us, he was subject to sin and was prompted to learn the primary importance of repentance and forgiveness in his relationship with the Father. After David’s atrocious sin, the Father sent the prophet Nathan to tell the story of a fictitious man committing another grave sin. David was outraged and felt the man should be put to death as his punishment. Nathan responded, “well guess what David, that man is you.” (paraphrased) Thus, the origin of the name for TMIY. David responded with deep repentance and by recommitting himself to God. (Psalms 51 and 32) TMIY men are encouraged to enter the sacrament of reconciliation regularly.
St. Joseph was “a just man” and unwilling to put Mary to shame. He was called by the Father to fill an important part in salvation history- to love, support and protect Mary and Jesus and to become Jesus’ adoptive father on earth. Like Mary, he immediately responded to the Father’s call with a “yes.” Joseph undoubtedly played an important role in Jesus’ foundational years as a spiritual mentor and guide and in instructing Him in many of life’s important lessons including teaching Him a trade and the importance of a work discipline. The men of TMIY look upon Joseph as an outstanding example of how we should conduct ourselves, especially within our households.
During the past 5 months, Joe Walusis and I were called upon to attempt to fill the big shoes of Chris Bramlage as temporary leaders of the Incarnation TMIY group. What initially seemed a daunting task turned into a blessing as we trusted in Jesus and the Holy Spirit and were buoyed up by our fantastic band or brothers engaged in a common purpose.
Sorrowfully, it appears that a very common characteristic in the lives of men like the shooter in the recent Texas school massacre is the lack of a dedicated father and a coherent family unit. TMIY is one weapon in God’s arsenal designed to push back in the other direction in a world filled with evil and hardship.
The next session of TMIY at Incarnation will begin September 10, 2022. For those men who desire to be better spouses, fathers, church members, neighbors, and citizens in the name of Christ and have yet to experience TMIY, please consider joining us. You won’t be disappointed!
Mark Bidwell
To register or for more info contact Matt Day, 937- 231-8231 or jday01@udayton.edu.
For more information download the flyer at tiny.cc/thatmanisyou-flyer or visit http://TMIY.org