Men’s Group Inspired by St. Joseph the Worker
Story by Joe Pisani
Thirty years ago, when Deacon Nick Genovese and his friends approached the now-deceased Father Francis X. Callahan about starting a men’s group at St. Agnes Church, he asked half-jokingly, “What do you guys want to do? Play cards?”
Of course, that was never part of the plan, Deacon Genovese recalls, laughing. Today, the St. Joseph Men’s Society of Precious Blood Parish, made up of St. Agnes and St. Mary churches in Milford, is known for its service to the church and the community, which includes everything from an annual golf tournament to a Lenten dinner, a parish picnic, a Communion breakfast, ‘coffee and’ after Mass, and a St. Patrick’s dinner.The list also includes occasional chores and repair work, such as replacing the padding on the kneelers at St. Agnes, all done in the spirit of their patron, St. Joseph the Worker.
Deacon Genovese, the group’s president, says some 20 members willingly volunteer as the occasion requires.
“We named it for St. Joseph the Worker because the guys do work,” he says. “If there’s anything that needs to be done or if the men can help with projects in the parish, they are there.”
The group meets the first Monday of the month from September to June, 5:30 p.m., in Father Callahan Hall at St. Agnes Church.
The men begin with a prayer and then a Scriptural reading, followed by a reflection by Deacon Genovese. Then, they have dinner and a business meeting to discuss upcoming activities and the distribution of funds to groups they help. A parish priest, including Father Aidan Donahue, the pastor, usually attends the meetings.
The monthly meal is a tradition that goes back almost to the beginning. Deacon Genovese recalls it was Father Callahan’s idea to boost membership; and it worked. Thomas Maguire is the resident chef who prepares everything in the kitchen at the church hall.
The biggest event the men’s society sponsors is the annual golf tournament, held on the last Monday in July. Proceeds from the tournament, which is organized by Jerry Farina, who succeeded his father as golf chairman, are used to benefit charitable organizations, including the pro-life group for unwed mothers, Ronald McDonald House®, the Boys and Girls Club, veterans organizations, and the homeless.
“We’ve been very successful over the years, thanks to all the support we got,” Deacon Genovese says. “It’s a great bunch of guys, and now we have some from St. Mary’s since we combined with them to form Precious Blood Parish.” Dues are still $5 a year.
He credits the other founding members — the late Bill McMullen, Lou Elmo and Richard Carnaval — for their vision in starting the society.
“Jack Jansen has been our treasurer for 30 years, since the organization started, and he recently turned 90 and still plays golf,” Deacon Genovese said. “We had a party for him and honored him with a plaque.
Fundamental to the group’s success all these years is their patron, St. Joseph the Worker.
“Think about it. St. Joseph was the protector of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a model father and a model worker. We all look up to him and respect him as a saint,” Deacon Genovese says.
He also tells a story about the annual golf tournament and St. Joseph: “When you play golf, you want good weather, and in the 25 years of the tournament, it has never been rained out,” which is a blessing he attributes to their patron.
For more information about the St. Joseph Men’s Society of Precious Blood Parish, contact Deacon Nick Genovese at nicholasgenovese@sbcglobal.net.