Henri Tran

Something I missed the most from my Protestant days was the weekly fellowship meetings. We prayed, read Scripture, sang hymns, had fun and grew in faith as brothers and sisters in Christ.  In the Catholic Church, attending mass on Sundays is great, but it seems like that's the only thing there is, and I was out looking for something in addition to it.

Even though I am not a parishioner of San Gabriel Mission, I go there to pray every now and then.  One day in November of last year, I came across a newsletter of Men Of Promise.  On the one hand, I was excited and thought this is what I am looking for.  On the other hand, I was hesitant because I am a little worried that this Men Of Promise fellowship is like the Promise Keepers from the Protestants.  In the past, I had heard that the Promise Keepers is a very "hard-core" group and am not too sure I want to be involved with a group quite like that.

I made it to my very first Men Of Promise meeting February this year, and have been back every month since.  What I find at the Men of Promise meeting is that a group of men from different walks of life, sharing the same faith, gathered together to pray, read Scriptures, share our ups and downs in life and simply be supportive to each other.  Nobody is being critical at what you would share at the meetings, and we are there for each other in our walk of faith.  I am one of the few non-Latinos in the group, but still I feel very comfortable in there.  After all, we are all one family in God's covenant love.

Perhaps this is the first time you have come to this website or maybe you are a regular visitor; you too may be looking for a group like this.  If you are, don't hesitate to come join us.  Even if you are just looking for something in the parish to get involved in, feel free to check us out.  Honestly, I do like to sleep in during the weekend, but somehow I find enough initiative to get up early for it.  You know, when I think about it, it was only about 6 months ago that I read my first Men Of Promise newsletter, and here I am writing my own little testimonial for it!