Centuries-Old Society Helps Parish Men Follow and Proclaim Jesus’ Holy Name

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The Holy Name Society may be centuries old—it’s been around since the Middle Ages—but it’s still relevant today.

At one parish, St. John the Evangelist in Mahopac, the number of men that meet for the monthly Mass and meeting is around 40. “We are young and old, are at different stages of our spiritual development. We are totally engaged in the teachings of Jesus, and trying to live the life taught by Jesus in the Gospels,” said Charlie McCarthy, president of the society at St. John’s.

“From the time I was a kid, the Holy Name Society was full of the men who were active in the parish,” McCarthy said. “Invariably, most members of the Holy Name are also involved in other organizations of the parish. They usually are well aware of what is going on in the parish and actively engaged.”

He was also sure to note, “We want the main focus to be on our spiritual development and enhancement.”

McCarthy, 75, moved to St. John’s parish in the 1970s and became involved in the Holy Name Society through a retreat he attended. Like other Holy Name members, he is an active parishioner: extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, coordinator of the homebound ministry and coordinator of the Nocturnal Adoration Society.

Some of the men in the Holy Name Society serve as catechists in the religious education program. Many serve as lectors, ushers and Eucharistic ministers at Mass. Others belong to the Knights of Columbus.

Father Jarlath Quinn, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, told CNY, “We are very happy to have them; they are very active in the parish and do a lot for the parish.”

At the parish, the principal activity of the Holy Name Society is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Holy Name sponsors nocturnal adoration every first Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday morning. “We have Holy Namers covering every hour,” McCarthy said.

“I think it’s a very supportive role for men,” he said. “Men always seem to fall back at church. They need good examples of men attending Mass with the family, doing the things that are done, and having a good time doing it. We do things happily. That is important for other men, especially young men, to see.”

Ronald Williams, 56, a member of the society said for 10 years said he joined because “I wanted to be of service to the church.” He said he is involved in many parish activities, including the Knights of Columbus and the Nocturnal Adoration Society. “I wanted to expand my spirituality,” he said.

He noted that in the society he finds “camaraderie around like-minded Catholic men. With a jovial laugh, he added, “I guess it’s better than playing darts and bowling!”

On a more serious note, he said, “I wish more men would become involved in it. A lot of men are hesitant to do so, but once they get involved, they get satisfaction in helping out and expanding their spirituality.”

Jake Lugay, 75, is a member of the Holy Name Society at St. John’s and has been a member for five decades. He said he joined because “the purpose of the society is to honor the name of Jesus and use him as a template as the way to live.”

“I believe in the wonders of the Holy Name,” he added with conviction. He also knows he is not alone in his thinking.

“Every month on the second Sunday, we attend the 7:30 Mass,” he said. “That Mass is our Mass. We come together and receive Communion and then after that we go and have breakfast.”

Each breakfast features a speaker, generally from St. John’s Holy Name Society or another parish’s. “We want the speaker to get the participants involved in talking and thinking about their spiritual journey,” he said.

“The main purpose for the society is our spiritual development, to respond to the call to holiness. That can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. We are young and old, and are at different stages of our spiritual development. But we are totally engaged in the teachings of Jesus, trying to live the life taught by Jesus in the Gospels.”