As we pulled up to the beachfront church, the same thing was going through all of our minds… “I can’t believe this is happening”. For four years, founding father Justin Biance has been slowly developing this project, and on this (someday) historic Saturday morning, we were about to see this baby of a program take it’s first steps. And say its first words. And then dunk a basketball… All in a three-hour span. If you have ever been a parent before, you would know why the excitement and achievements of this day had Justin giddy with anticipation.

Justin, Thomas Van Horn, and I (intern #2) had all taken the weekend to drive to Pensacola, and put on FRATERNUS’s first ever Parish Men’s Workshop. The drive into the “unknown” was, in a way, nerve wracking. But after a decade of the Holy Rosary, and an invocation of our favorite Saints (dude, Saints are so cool), we were ready. We had no clue exactly what would await us, but we knew Mother Mary had our backs, so we were ready for anything.

The day could not have started any better, as the 13 men in attendance were treated to a delicious bagel/coffee combo form Panera Bread (I hope I didn’t break a licensing agreement by mentioning them by name). Once we finished eating and socializing, it was time to start! The first part of the day was a PowerPoint presentation, aimed at capturing the essence of the entire FRATERNUS program in one hour. In other words, it is not an easy task. Between Justin’s opening, Thomas Van Horn’s missionary description, and local leader Tommy Williams, the PowerPoint was extremely efficient, and left the men in attendance very excited about the possibility of helping out the Saint Paul’s FRATERNUS chapter.

In case you do not know why we would put on a men’s workshop, allow me to step aside from this narration and fill you in a little bit. FRATERNUS will be piloting at three parishes in the fall, and since FRATERNUS is run mostly by volunteers, we must first spread the word to the men of each parish that…

1. Hey, FRATERNUS is coming.
2. It’s awesome… and it will change lives!
   and
3. We need volunteers

These workshops are extremely important, as the success at each workshop really shapes the success of that program. Needless to say, we were very nervous coming into our very first one. Despite our anxieties, we knew that God was ultimately in control, and all we need to do is TRUST, and He will do the rest. In a way, that has really been the overlying story of my FRATERNUS experience… Trusting in God’s providence, and the watching Him do the impossible!

This men’s workshop in Pensacola also provided us with a first-time look into what a Frat night will flow like. The men participated in Part 2 of the workshop by playing the part of 9 ^th grade boys, and they graciously allowed us to simulate how a weekly meeting will look. It was extremely encouraging to see these men (who had taken a Saturday morning off of their busy summers!) take part in a “Mock Frat Nite”, as if they were test running it for the numerous boys that will follow behind. It was truly inspiring to see these men’s enthusiasm, and their desire to help in any way they could, to better the lives of the young men at their parish. For the men who came out to Assumption parish that Saturday, we can’t tell you how thankful we are!

After Mass and lunch had come and gone, the day had finally come to an end. The anticipation the day began with had now subsided, and we were left with overwhelming joy and excitement. God showed Tommy, Justin, and myself once again, that he truly is a Father who keeps His promises. He has provided thus far, and he will continue to provide for the hopes and dreams of FRATERNUS, by doing for us, what we may write off as impossible. I am honored to say that I was part to the first of many FRATERNUS men’s workshops, and I left with a sense of pride for the Church. I am proud to be part of something so much bigger than myself!

“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. For each one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, if his son asks a loaf, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a snake? 1 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” (Matt 7:7-11)

God is so good!
Over and out

Titus

So I guess it’s my turn.  I am intern #2, and my number coincidentally coincides with my importance on the intern chain-of-command.  I, like Sarah, am going to write a little bit about how I came to be on the Fraternus team, and also attest to the ongoing miracle of my continued employment by Fraternus Inc.

My story starts over 21 years ago, when my parents found out I was to be a boy.  Ever since then, I have loved all things masculine, which inevitably led me to Fraternus.  Unlike Sarah, I am a dime-a-dozen here at Fraternus headquarters; just another one of the dudes, trying to do anything I can to help develop this program… Which, by the amazing grace of God, is developing and growing at a neck-breaking pace.  I am just so thrilled and awed to be a part of this exciting time for Fraternus. As I try and give this time of service to the Lord, I can plainly see that I am receiving much more than I could ever hope to give.  God truly can never be outdone in generosity!

My relationship with Fraternus started a few years back, when it was just an idea.  Justin presented it to my brother, Mike, and I heard about this program that was going to respond to the assault that the men of our world have suffered.  The concept spoke deeply to my heart, but never in a million years did I ever think:
A.) Anything tangible would ever come about from this brilliant idea
B.)  I would ever be a part of it.

The vision began to take form for me, earlier this fall, when I was privileged, along with 7 other men from Florida State University (Go Noles), to help further the program.  We were to put some “meat on the bones” of the different nights for the Fraternus program.  Once again, I felt like this was the last time I would come near Fraternus

Now fast forward a bit, and here comes summer 2008.  My summer started with about as much uncertainty as the movie title “Definitely, Maybe” (Swear I’ve never seen it).  I had a strong desire to spend my time in some sort of service role, doing something to better the world (Isn’t that the great commission at any good High School graduation ceremony?).  But this desire began to look grim, as nothing seemed to be working out for me.  I sort of gave up on the desires God had put in my heart, and even doubted that God knew the desires of my heart at all.  I was your typical Doubting Titus.

The good news is God is God, and I am not.  He knew the desire of my heart, and He knew exactly how he would bless it the entire time.  I was eventually in contact with Justin, who offered me an intern spot for the summer.  And whadayaknow?!  Here I am today, blessed enough to spend my time in such an awesome situation.  God is so gracious!

“I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.  When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the LORD, and I will change your lot. (Jer 29:11-14)

Praise Him.  Over and out

-Titus

Random person : “So you are a girl, working for a not-for-profit geared solely towards guys?”

Me: “Yes.”

Random person: “Oh…So…what exactly do you do ?”

I have experienced this conversation more often than Jim Halpert plays jokes on Dwight Schrute, but it’s understandable (this sentence is my attempt at humor; someone laugh, please!). Fraternus is definitely geared towards guys…all the other people who work for the organization are guys…and then there is me. It all started with Franciscan University of Steubenville. Are you thinking you have heard this story before? I’m a student there, living with the sister of our missionary, Thomas. Michelle told me about Fraternus when he first went full time, and I became very interested in the cause (didn’t really know why, again because I am girl, but God puts crazy things on our hearts). Thomas was touring the country to gather spiritual and monetary support, and was stopping in Steubenville for the Easter Tridium. I realized that I could help. Hoping to not sound creepy, I facebooked (of course) Thomas and tossed the idea out there of promoting Fraternus at FUS. He agreed, and to make a long story a little shorter, while Thomas was in Steubenville, I revealed in conversation that my summer plans consisted of not-sure-what-I’m-doing-except-I’m-going-to-be-Florida-and-let’s-hope-there-is-free-housing-somewhere. Next thing I knew, he was offering me an internship.

So here I am in St Augustine, and totally blown away by this privilege to be a part of making Fraternus real. God understands the desires on our heart better than we can ever articulate. Tai and I are really hoping to give you all a glimpse into the makings of Fraternus, and how this time of service is working within us. Don’t hesitate to give us a shout out!

-Sarah

To our fellow FRAT bloggers,

Welcome! We are new to this whole blogging scene, so all you veteran LiveJournal/Xanga people, don’t judge. We are the summer interns for Fraternus, and are totally stoked that we are here in St Augustine serving the men of tomorrow! Before going any further, we should probably introduce ourselves: Tai Nixon and Sarah Bartley (more details later). We thought it would be a good idea to share with y’all our thoughts, feelings and experiences as we get the privilege of seeing God’s hand working through Fraternus in crazy ways!

That’s it for now…but more soon to come. Until then, make like a banana and keep your eyes and ears peeled for more words from you number one(s) interns!

-Tai and Sarah