East Freetown Hosts Massive Men’s BBQ Featuring 50 Pounds of Bacon

If there are three words that can bring a group of guys together, “50 pounds of bacon” will probably do the trick. Add burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and a little friendly competition, and you have the recipe for one epic Sunday afternoon.

The Men’s Meat N Greet is happening Sunday, September 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown, located on the grounds of the former Cathedral Camp. The annual gathering is presented by the Men of St. Joseph group from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet and is open to men from across the Fall River Diocese.

More than 100 men from Bristol and Barnstable counties had already registered when I spoke with guest speaker Father Christopher Peschel. Peschel was invited to deliver an uplifting message at the end of the evening.

More Than an Epic Barbecue

While the meat may get people through the door, the “meet” is just as important. Peschel described the event as a fraternal gathering where men at different stages of life can connect, strengthen their faith and enjoy some good old-fashioned camaraderie.

Those attending may be newly married, raising young children, watching their grown children begin lives of their own, retired, single or serving as priests. Despite their different stories, Peschel said they share a desire to become better men, husbands, fathers and members of their communities.

“My real hope is for the guys that are from families and are going back to wives and children that they’re able to bring some kind of betterment from that day and from that fraternity into their own homes,” he said.

The Importance of Coming Together

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and as someone who has advocated for men’s mental health and suicide awareness for years, I immediately saw another important side to this event. You never truly know what someone else is carrying, especially when many men have been taught to carry those struggles silently.

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Peschel agreed that simply bringing people together can be powerful. In his experience helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives, knowing they were loved and supported sometimes made all the difference.

East Freetown Hosts Massive Men’s BBQ Featuring 50 Pounds of Bacon and Team Events

Tickets are $25 and include the barbecue, men’s team events and Peschel’s talk, “Rise Up, O Men of God!” Registration is available now, and signing up ahead of time is encouraged so organizers can plan for food. Especially all that bacon.

For more information, contact Jay Hamel via email at jayhamel8@yahoo.com.