Saints Michael and John Cathedral Parish in Bathurst had a Men’s Breakfast group for many years but, like many such activities, COVID brought it to a halt. Fortunately, the group recommenced about 2 years ago when it was recognised that this activity was sorely missed by the men in the parish.

We meet four times a year in February, May, August and November gathering at 7.30 on Saturday morning for mass in the chapel of Saint Stanislaus college celebrated by one of the Vincentian Priests. Saint Stanislaus is an independent Catholic College for boys and young men run by the Vincentians. We are very grateful to the Vincentians for their ongoing support. Following mass we move to the Senior Ref (Refectory) for a warm and hearty breakfast. The usual fare is Cereal followed by bacon, eggs, sausages, mushrooms with toast and a cuppa – tea or coffee. We try to keep the format simple. $10 provides the warm breakfast and a ticket in the Raffle- “you just cannot have a catholic event without a raffle” the initial organisers decided. The modest funds raised are donated to a local social welfare project on an annual basis.

This warm meal always goes down well especially in the cooler months of May and August. Although all look forward to the meal, the real attraction is the chance to have a chat with other men from our parish. When the group first commenced it was very obviously an Anglo Celtic gathering. As Bathurst and its surrounds have become more multi-cultural, we now have men from Indian, Vietnamese and Filipino backgrounds. At a recent breakfast one of the Vietnamese men introduced us to coffee made in the Vietnamese style.

Bathurst has a diverse range of industries and occupations and many are represented in our relatively small group of 20 to 30 men. Chatting with men from these diverse backgrounds is a part of the richness of the gathering. The men really appreciate the chance to gather and share their experiences. It reassures each of us that we are not alone in the day-to-day struggles and celebrations that life brings us and that our catholic faith is a firm anchor in times of strife and a strong platform to guide our lives and the lives of our families.