M.A.L.Es - Men As Learners and Elders - is a program for men based on the work of Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, of Albuquerque. He has spent many years exploring and developing programs about male spirituality. The M.A.L.Es program is a result of this work. It is now an international brotherhood, with local programs in over 36 countries. 

The program is designed to help men explore and better understand their spirituality and to become stronger ‘beloved Sons of God’ and brothers to Jesus. This is done through regular meetings at which we study and discuss Scriptures, study and discuss Scriptural, theological, and faith-enhancing materials and writings, personal sharing, and discernment about how we can take and live what we have discovered out to the world through our lives, families and community. 

Our main goal for the M.A.L.Es group is our study of male spirituality. Our main thrust for the group is a closer relationship with the Holy Trinity, and to explore ways to bring that relationship to fruition in how we conduct our lives as fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, friends, workers, and any way we interact with people around us. 

We have come to recognize the other men in the group as brothers, as our family. We look forward to our meetings as a place and time when we can connect and share our lives - good or bad. 

This is very important to us. It is a driving force for us. We are there for each other. Our brothers will all testify that something is missing in their lives if they cannot take part in our weekly meetings. 

We meet every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m., in the parish library. We start our meeting with a short (10-15 min) business discussion, a 15 minute prayer of some type, and use the remaining time to study and discuss whatever materials we are using at the time. 

In addition to our regular meetings, we cook and serve a pancake/french toast breakfast for the parish on the 2nd Sunday of each month, (except during May as that Sunday is Mothers Day). We try to have a Mens’ breakfast on the 4th Saturday of each month from 8 - 10 a.m. This breakfast usually includes some form of teaching or planned socializing among the brothers. 

Beyond these activities, we are available to help the parish in many ways, through work projects, financial aid where needed, parish activities and events, and other ways as they arise. We try to have Mens’ Retreats each year that are open to all men of the parish.  We also plan and present events with noted speakers whenever possible. These events are open to the public. 

If you would like to become involved with M.A.L.Es of MHT, please contact:
Marti Fleming
irishtenor2@cox.net
(520) 903.1493

For more information about M.A.L.Es, please visit: http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/menaslearnerselders
For the Phoenix, AZ M.A.L.Es, visit: http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/menaslearnerselders/mens-regions/arizona