Senior Joe Bianco teaching fire building at the Men’s Ministry Fair Saturday afternoon.
BY DANIEL KIM
STAFF WRITER
On Saturday, Franciscan University men had a chance to find out about their role in the church and learn some very important skills at an event organized by Franciscan Men’s Ministry.
As young Franciscan men gathered in front of the Finnegan Fieldhouse, Tim Jara, coordinator of Franciscan’s Men’s Ministry, said, “Even though God created man and women as equal, men is uniquely different from women, and women is uniquely different from men. … We are men of God. We are called to act and protect.”
In modern society where advances in technology replaced many men’s responsibilities and where defining characteristics of male are often considered barbaric, men often times find themselves perplexed in terms of their masculinity, and as a result, men are not learning proper skills needed perform their function.
In the 21st century, it is most likely not necessary for men to hunt for food or make fire with flint.
“As Christian men, we are called to action. In order to do that, we need to be ready,” said Jara who believes in the mission of encouraging, motivating and equipping Christen men to do what God created them to do.
At the event, various activities were prepared for guys to work on from splitting wood and grilling steaks, to fire starting and the fundamental workings of car mechanics. Young men who participated gained valuable knowledge of many things which are essential qualities of men through core members of Franciscan University Ministry, such as Joey Harris, Mark Graham, David Moran.
Jara also talked about the “bystander effect,” which is a psychological phenomenon where in an emergency situation people tend to withholding from helping other people.
“If you don’t stop to think about the ‘bystander effect,’ a strong temptation to dismiss someone’s call of distress will overwhelm you,” said Jara.
Overall, the event was a success despite the chilly weather. All who participated in the event acquired a set of new skills that would help them realize their masculine role in a society with better understanding of their responsibility.
Justin Keusenkothen, a freshman who came out to the event said, “I’m glad I came out (to the event). I think I learned much more than I expected.”