In 2011, Henry Jacky and Bob Grady, longtime friends, were out eating breakfast after Mass at St. Ann Church in Stoughton, now part of St. Cletus Pastorate.
When, as Henry put it, “we realized we didn’t have anything more to talk about,” they began to invite other older gentlemen for dinner.
In truth, the ROMEO (Really Old Men Eating Out) group started because Henry and Bob wanted more men to join together in socializing and community.
The group has grown to 38 men, with hopes of gathering more. They range in age from the late 60s to the 80s.
The ROMEOs eat breakfast at the Sunrise Family Restaurant at 9 a.m. in Stoughton every Wednesday and meet at different locations for lunch once a month.
The only rule is that you’re over 60 and you can pay your own way.
The group meets at the St. Ann Church parking lot for those who want to carpool.
“We always wondered why the women always get to go out together, but there isn’t something for the men. So, it’s nice that now the men can get together.”
There are special occasions in which all the couples will eat out together, such as St. Valentine’s Day.
But otherwise, as Bernie Rivers put it, “It’s a nice way for the wives to get the men out of the house for a little while.”
The group has a “pay it forward” fund which they use to buy someone a meal every week, buy donuts for the teachers at St. Ann School in Stoughton, and buy lunch for the school staff at St. Ann.
Many of the members are involved with various ministries of St. Cletus Pastorate.
Some of the ROMEO group found out about the meals through Henry and Fr. Randy Budnar, parochial vicar for the pastorate.
Bob Joyes, who has been a member for six years was invited to the group by Henry and has loved it ever since.
“It’s a good way to meet some guys from the parish that you don’t get to see too often outside of parish ministry.”
The other gentlemen agreed that one of the best things about ROMEO is the opportunity to socialize with other Catholic men.
Even with 36 more members, the group finds that occasionally someone will share a story they’ve already heard.
If this happens someone shouts “pineapple” so the person knows they’ve already heard it.
Among the stories of family, old jobs, and many jokes, they also share prayer intentions and beautiful things going on in their parish.
The ROMEO group always welcomes new members and hopes to continue to grow. Not only in numbers but in more conversations to be “pineappled”.