Catholic Frontier....Promise of the " New Evangelization"

Witness of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor

2012-01-28T17:49:00.002-07:00

Excerpt from "Holy Spirit Interactive" article about St. Thomas Aquinas:

"In recent days, Pope Benedict XVI has severely criticized the "dictatorship of relativism" and has called for a return to a metaphysics that promotes objective truth. The witness of St. Thomas should be the foundation of this return. Though so highly versed in reason that he could comment on most of the works of Aristotle, and so intellectual that he could synthesize such disparate sources as Scripture, St. Augustine, Plato, and Aristotle, St. Thomas always remained a humble servant of the truth and the Church. In his last words, he submitted one of his deepest and most influential treatises on the Eucharist to the "judgment of the Roman pontiff."

His legacy and example demand that we not merely imitate him, but also study what he actually said. For as such diverse authorities as St. Ignatius of Loyola and John Paul II have constantly noted, when the Church reads St. Thomas, theology always comes back to secure moorings.

Since the master is more succinct and eloquent than the student, the best summary of his ideal of life should be given by him:"
"Because our perfection consists in our union with God, we must have access to the divine to the fullest extent possible, using everything in our power, that our mind might be occupied with contemplation and our reason with the investigation of divine realities. As Psalm [73:28] says: "It is good to adhere to my God." So Aristotle rejects the opinion of those who held that we should not meddle with what is divine, but only with what is human. "But we must not follow those," he says, "who advise us, being human to think of human things, and, being mortal, of mortal things, but must, so far as we can, make ourselves immortal, and strain every nerve to live in accord with what is best in us." (Commentary on Boethius’s De Trinitate, 2, 1, ad corp.)
Read Entire Article Here

Feast of St. Timothy

2012-01-26T11:34:00.007-07:00

St. Timothy was a close associate of St. Paul, who called him "my own son in faith" and "my dearly beloved son".

Today is the Feast Day of St. Timothy, who was a teacher,

catechist and a product of his sweet mother's constant and heartfelt prayers and faithfulness. He became a strong protector of the faith and a first-century evangelist filled with total conviction . He is an appropriate example and model for us in our present experience of the New Evangelization.

The New Testament books of the Holy Bible, 1 and 2 Timothy were written by St. Paul to St. Timothy. Later in life St. Timothy became an author, the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians seem to be co-written by both St. Paul and St. Timothy.

"For our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6)

"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)

Click on following link to learn more about the Patron Saint of this blog:

St. Timothy

ALL Christians Must Announce the Gospel, World Mission Message

2012-01-25T12:13:00.002-07:00

"All Christians have the Duty to Announce the Gospel", the theme of the Pope's message for World Mission Day in October has been announced today on the Vatican News Service site. The message, focused on the New Evangelization, is entitled, "Called to Radiate the Word of Truth".

Read Excerpts Here

Path of Evangelization: Silence and Word

2012-01-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

"Word and silence: learning to communicate is learning to listen and contemplate as well as speak. This is especially important for those engaged in the task of evangelization: both silence and word are essential elements, integral to the Church’s work of communication for the sake of a renewed proclamation of Christ in today’s world."

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI
FOR THE 46th WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization

Greatest American Evangelist - Archbishop Fulton Sheen

2012-01-23T16:26:00.001-07:00

A new doctumentary, "Servant of All", about the life and mission of Archbishop Fulton Sheen has just been produced. Many Catholics consider Archbishope Sheen to be the patron of the New Evangelization. The Vatican is now considering him for Sainthood.

The following video previews the new documentary and tells how to get a DVD copy

New Evangelization With All the Energy of Life

2012-01-23T13:30:00.002-07:00

Insights from an inspirational address given by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from August 2010. It includes much advice for those involved in the New Evangelization...that would be all of us!

"Living within the truth means living according to Jesus Christ and God's Word in Sacred Scripture. It means proclaiming the truth of the Christian Gospel, not only by our words but by our example. It means living every day and every moment from the unshakeable conviction that God lives, and that his love is the motive force of human history and the engine of every authentic human life. It means believing that the truths of the Creed are worth suffering and dying for.

The world urgently needs a re-awakening of the Church in our actions and in our public and private witness..
We need to really believe what we say we believe. We need to be so convinced of the truths of the Creed that we are on fire to live by these truths, to love by these truths, and to defend these truths, even to the point of our own discomfort and suffering.

We are ambassadors of the living God to a world that is on the verge of forgetting him. Our work is to make God real; to be the face of his love; to propose once more to the men and women of our day, the dialogue of salvation.... Our lives must become a liturgy, a self-offering that embodies the love of God and the renewal of the world...

Let us preach Jesus Christ with all the energy of our lives."

Read Entire Speech Here

Cardinal Wurel on Catholic Education and Evangelization

2012-01-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

Cardinal Donald Wuerl, head of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C., in his new book, "Seek First the Kingdom", and in a recent interview with the Catholic News Service, stresses that Catholic Education will be an important part of the New Evangelization and keeping the faith vibrant in the United States. Catholic education, Cardinal Wuerl stated, will also be a defense against "radical secularism" which Pope Benedict XVI warned is a present threat to American moral values.

Cardinal Wuerl: Education Key to New Evangelization

Today's Church Needs Heroes, aka Holy Men

2012-01-19T14:26:00.002-07:00

Michael Voris of "RealCatholicTV" has been doing a series of videos this week, looking at the lack of masculinity in the Church today.

The latest video looks at how the womens lib movement has contributed to this serious condition in the Catholic Church. Men seem to have lost their place in the Church and this displacement is quickly causing the Church to be void of heroes, growth, decisiveness and protection of Truth.

A very interesting video and sure to stir up the fury of liberal and modernist Catholics. And that could be a good thing.... a clear wake up call to orthodoxy.

Fr. Robert Barron: "To Evangelize the Culture"

2012-01-19T11:49:00.001-07:00

One of the Church's best messengers, Fr. Robert Barron gave the John M. Kelly Lecture in Theology on September 28, 2011.

Fr. Barron is widely known as an acclaimed author, speaker and theologian. He is currently the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary, near Chicago, Illinois. As the founder of "Word on Fire", he is the creator and host of "CATHOLICISM", a ten-part documentary series and study program about the Catholic faith.

In this lecture, Fr. Barron asks and answers the following questions:

What does it mean to evangelize?

What is the culture?

How do we bring the two together?

And Fr. Barron suggests we ask ourselves, "What are you doing to evangelize the culture?"

Papal Recommendations for "The Year of Faith"

2012-01-19T11:34:00.001-07:00

In the News:
From the Vatican Information Service blog

VATICAN CITY, 7 JAN 2012 (VIS) - Made public today was a Note from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith containing pastoral recommendations for the Year of Faith. Summarised extracts of the English-language version are given below.

"With the Apostolic Letter of 11 October 2011, 'Porta fidei', Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith. This Year will begin on 11 October 2012, … and will conclude on 24 November 2013, the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King".

"The beginning of the Year of Faith coincides with the anniversaries of two great events which have marked the life of the Church in our days: the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, … and the twentieth of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church".

"The main ecclesial event will be the thirteenth General Assembly of the Ordinary Synod of Bishops, on "The New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Christian Faith" to be held in October. It is during the Synod that the Year of Faith will begin."

Recommendations for the Universal Church

St. Anthony of the Desert, an early Catholic Evangelizer?

2012-01-17T12:53:00.008-07:00

It was interesting to learn that St. Anthony of the Desert, the founder of monastic living, was also in a way, through his complete devotion to Christ, an example of an early Catholic evangelizer. It wasn't through his words, so much, that others were drawn to him, it was through his total devotion to Christ. St. Anthony chose to live a life of dedication and seclusion, but others would not leave him alone! Seekers travelled far distances out into the remote desert to be taught (evangelized) by St. Anthony.

This is a great encouragement to realize that anyone who loves the Lord can be involved in the New Evangelization. Whether in a desert, a jungle, an island, a nursing home, a hospital, a jail or simply homebound, anyone can be an evangelizer, through their complete devotion and adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ. They cannot help but radiate that divine love, and others will be drawn to them.

Pope John Paul II once expressed the importance of adoration, of the true Presence of Christ in the Sacrament, to the success of the New Evangelization.

“Contemplating more assiduously the countenance of the Incarnate Word, really present in the Sacrament, they will be able to exercise themselves in the art of prayer, and commit themselves in that high degree of the Christian life which is the indispensable condition to develop in an effective manner the New Evangelization.” ~Pope John Paul II

This contemplation, adoration and prayer can be done wherever you are. The time and place are insignificant. It is the attitudes of love and devotion that are important, and the required condition for the blessings of the New Evangelization.

So, St. Anthony though secluded, living a holy life of solitude in the desert, became one of the first great evangelizers. And, an example for all of us.

"After twenty years, his reputation attracted many followers who settled near him, and wished to copy his holy life. Saint Anthony became their spiritual leader, teaching them constantly by word and by example the ascetic life. From every part of the world, people came to him, even to the innermost part of the desert, seeking cures of the body, mind, and soul; and as they did at Pispir, monks came to him for his sympathy and practical advice."

Read more about the life of St. Anthony HERE.

Dr. Scott Hahn on "The New Evangelization"

2012-01-14T17:44:00.002-07:00

Dr. Scott Hahn is currently a Professor of Theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990, and is the founder and director of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

Dr. Hahn is also the bestselling author of numerous books including The Lamb's Supper, Reasons to Believe, and Rome Sweet Home (co-authored with his wife, Kimberly). Some of his newest books are Many Are Called, Hope for Hard Times, The Catholic Bible Dictionary, Covenant and Communion, and Signs of Life.

In the following video, Dr. Hahn explains "The New Evangelization", for "Catholic Answers".

Christ Gives True Life

2012-01-12T17:45:00.003-07:00

"Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing

away, and he gives you EVERYTHING!

When we give ourselves to him, we receive a

hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide

the doors to Christ – and you will find

true life".

~ Pope Benedict XVI

This is the message of the New Evangelization! Our task is simply to share this message with our families, friends, and the world. It is a message of hope, love, joy, and true life. It is the deepest heart's desire of every soul.

We must not keep it to ourselves!

Real Catholic TV - Archdiocese of Detroit Showdown

2012-01-11T12:09:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the most rational and compelling thoughts come from "the frontier". In the Catholic blog, "Defend Us in Battle" written from Alaska, the author, Joseph K.,from Michigan, has written an interesting, thoughtful, insightful article about the spat happening in Michigan between the online "Real Catholic TV", Michael Voris, and the Archdiocese of Detroit.

The article comes to a conclusion worth reading about... and praying about.

Read the article,

"This isn't about Canon Law" HERE

Cardinal Donald Wuerl's New Book, "Seek First the Kingdom"

2012-01-09T05:00:00.005-07:00

"In this insightful and highly relevant book, Cardinal Donald Wuerl makes the case that Catholics do not have the option of absenting themselves from the world, taking refuge in a completely private spirituality. As citizens of two worlds, it is precisely within the context of our faith that we can play a decisive role in transforming American society while furthering the goals of the kingdom of God." (Amazon.com)

I've always enjoyed Cardinal Donald Wuerl's books, and I have a feeling his newest one will be my favorite. "Seek First the Kingdom" just came out this week and I'm excited to read it. I've scanned a preview of this new hardcover and am happy to see a lot of discussion about and explaination of the New Evangelization. Cardinal Wuerl explains that the Holy Father's hope and purpose of the New Evangelization is "to re-propose the perennial Truth of Christ's Gospel".

Cardinal Wuerl shows us how all Catholics can make a big difference in bringing our American culture back to a more Christian focus and environment. And we, as Catholics, can begin by being ready and willing to make the New Evangelization, not just a one-time process, but a continuous, diligent way of life.

"We are--all of us--called to water, nurture, and cultivate those seeds already sown, or to plant new seeds where we recognize the opportunity...every Catholic can make a difference.
This is the New Evangelization."
(Cardinal Donald Wuerl, "Seek First the Kingdom")

This book is an exciting and important read with which to start off the New Year and the New Evangelization!

Love Powers the New Evangelization

2012-01-05T11:18:00.008-07:00

Families begin in Love, the New Evangelization begins with familes, therefore..
the New Evangelization must always begin in Love!

"The new evangelization depends largely on the Domestic Church (cf. ibid., n. 65). In our time, as in times past, the eclipse of God, the spread of ideologies contrary to the family and the degradation of sexual ethics are connected. And just as the eclipse of God and the crisis of the family are linked, so the new evangelization is inseparable from the Christian family. The family is indeed the way of the Church because it is the “human space” of our encounter with Christ. Spouses, “not only receive the love of Christ and become a saved community, but they are also called upon to communicate Christ's love to their brethren, thus becoming a saving community” (ibid., n. 49). The family founded on the Sacrament of Marriage is a particular realization of the Church, saved and saving, evangelized and evangelizing community. Just like the Church, it is called to welcome, radiate and show the world the love and presence of Christ. The reception and transmission of divine love are realized in the mutual commitment of the spouses, in generous and responsible procreation, in the care and education of children, work and social relationships, with attention to the needy, in participation in church activities, in commitment to civil society. The Christian Family to the extent it succeeds in living love as communion and service as a reciprocal gift open to all, as a journey of permanent conversion supported by the grace of God, reflects the splendour of Christ in the world and the beauty of the divine Trinity. St Augustine has a famous phrase: “immo vero vides Trinitatem, si caritatem vides” — “Well, if you see charity, yes indeed you see the Trinity” (De Trinitate, VIII, 8). And the family is one of the fundamental places where you live and are educated in love and charity." ~ Pope Benedict XVI

"Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."( 1 Timothy 4:12 )

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” ~Blessed Mother Theresa

Needs of the Church in 2012

2012-01-04T10:42:00.001-07:00

Fr. C. John McCloskey III has great hopes for the future of the Church in 2012 and beyond. In his latest article,"Desiderata for 2012", he lists 7 needs of the Church that we can all begin working on today. One of these needs is:

"A laity that takes seriously Vatican II’s universal call to holiness and evangelization through their family lives, friendships, and presence in workplaces and public affairs. The local parish is very much in last place. It exists to provide opportunity for worship and reception of the sacraments, Catholic formation and catechetical education. Ideally it should be a launching pad to change the world, not a place to hide from it."

Read about the other needs and the entire article Here.

"Laws" and Tips for the New Evangelization

2012-01-03T14:40:00.002-07:00

~ Constant prayer

~ Humility

~ Willingness to accept the cross

These are the Holy Father's "laws" for the New Evangelization".

Pope Benedict XVI says the Church needs “humble and generous workers who do not ask any other recompense than participating in the mission of Jesus and the Church."

As 2012 begins, "The Year of Faith" and the "Synod of the New Evangelization", will demand more of our attention, and we can all use suggestions for ways to share our faith with our friends and family.

In an article from the "National Catholic Register", four well-known Catholic evangelists offer tips on participating in the mission of the "New Evangelization".

Practical tips to help you evangelize in 2012

"New Evangelizers"

2012-01-02T20:34:00.001-07:00

There is a terrific new online site that offers tools and resources for the New Evangelization! The website, "New Evangelizers" offers six unified ministries under one banner.

And they offer free stuff too!

Check out this informative new site which includes these exciting online ministries: New Evangelizers, Rosary Army, The Catholics Next Door, That Catholic Show, Total Consecration, and Promote Catholicism. There is also a growing online community for members.

This is an outstanding website, I'll be visiting often.

Take a look here: New Evangelizers

Consuming Fire

2012-01-01T16:37:00.001-07:00

"For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire...." (Deut. 4:24)

2012 goal.....to be consumed!

MMXII..."The Year of Faith"

2012-01-01T11:26:00.001-07:00

Happy New Year! 2012...MMXII.."The Year of Faith"

Today, Pope Benedict XVI, at the Mass of the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, encouraged all the faithful to "be builders of peace". He especially encouraged those who are the teachers of children and youth to be vigilant to teach, not just instruct, the virtues of justice and peace. He said, "Jesus is our example and path of peace." The Holy Father reminded us that an important part of the New Evangelization is to practice justice and peace

Today was the 45th Day of World Peace at the Vatican, and many people from countries around the world attended. We are asked to pray for a world filled with life, love, unity, justice and peace, which can only be obtained through the Gospel and the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
(Numbers 6:24-26)

May the Peace of the Lord guide us during this New Year of 2012, "The Year of Faith".

This year the New Evangelization will bless us and our world, once again, with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and a restoration and renewal of enthusiasm of Faith! And bring us Peace.

Mother of God Story

2011-12-31T14:31:00.003-07:00

From 1944, an incredible inspiring story of evangelization and conversion, in a Mississippi prison.

Two prisoners find true forgiveness and freedom through the love of Mary, the Mother of God.

Mother of God Story

Feast of St. John, Evangelist

2011-12-27T10:48:00.004-07:00

"Beloved:
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life ,
for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us,
what we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete."
~ 1 John 1:1-4

St. John the Evangelist and Apostle was the first proclaimer of the "New Evangelization"! He was a witness to the Word of Life made visible. He walked with Jesus. He wrote, taught and shared his testimony, that our joy might be made full!

Today, the mission of St. John the Evangelist is passed on to us. We must walk with Jesus! Our willingness to revive and restore the vibrancy and enthusiasm of the First Century Church to today's Church is what the "New Evangelization" is all about. We are still led and guided by that same Star, so that we might be bringers of the Good News to today's world, that our joy might be full!

"Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord!"

"Jesus, You are the Star that leads me on."
~ St. Therese

New Evangelization Requires Humility and Simplicity

2011-12-26T22:20:00.003-07:00

The Christmas Eve homily of Pope Benedict XVI contained, in part, a short, but powerful discourse about our need for humility and simplicity and how these help us to become aware of God's closeness. Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared as a tiny baby so that we might know the simplicity of heart necessary to truly see and receive the Gift of God.

The New Evangelization requires us to present the Gospel in a clear way, also with humbleness and simplicity. And we can only accomplish this, if we heed the Holy Father's directive to "dismount from our 'high horse' of 'enlightened' reason and intellectual pride".

"Today, anyone wishing to enter the Church of Jesus’ Nativity in Bethlehem will find that the doorway, five and a half meters high, through which emperors and caliphs used to enter the building, is now largely walled up. Only a low opening of one and a half meters has remained. The intention was probably to provide the church with better protection from attack, but above all to prevent people from entering God’s house on horseback. Anyone wishing to enter the place of Jesus’ birth has to bend down."

"It seems to me that a deeper truth is revealed here, which should touch our hearts on this holy night: If we want to find the God who appeared as a child, then we must dismount from the high horse of our “enlightened” reason. We must set aside our false certainties, our intellectual pride, which prevents us from recognizing God’s closeness. We must follow the interior path of St. Francis: the path leading to that ultimate outward and inward simplicity which enables the heart to see. We must bend down; spiritually we must, as it were, go on foot, in order to pass through the portal of faith and encounter the God who is so different from our prejudices and opinions, the God who conceals himself in the humility of a newborn baby."

"In this spirit let us celebrate the liturgy of the holy night; let us strip away our fixation on what is material, on what can be measured and grasped. Let us allow ourselves to be made simple by the God who reveals himself to the simple of heart."
~Pope Benedict XVI, Christmas Eve 2011

Beauty of the New Evangelization

2011-12-19T15:57:00.004-07:00

Not long ago, I read the best-selling book, by Michael O'Brien,"Father Elijah" about the coming war between the forces of secularism and the Church. It was so well written and engrossing, that I quickly searched for another book by this outstanding author.

Now, I'm reading his novel about First Century Christianity, titled, "Theophilos", about the call and mission of the apostle and evangelist, Luke.

I'm not half-way through it yet, but there is an extraordinary paragraph about the true meaning and essense of evangelization, that I just have to share. It is written almost poetically.
It brought me to tears.

Luke is only about 15 years old at this time in the narrative, and he has just had an awe-inspiring prophetic dream that he shares with his adoptive parents. It can be a model, I hope and pray , for the New Evangelization. Here is how he describes his dream:

" Suddenly, above me in the air there appears a very beautiful bird--a species I have never seen before, and maybe it does not exist in this world. Its color is not a reflection of the sun but glows from within--bright blue. It is smaller than a sparrow. It hovers above my head, and then it descends, growing and growing in size as it nears me, and when it perches on my shoulder it has become very great, though very gentle. It speaks into my ear, but I do not know its language. It keeps speaking, and its language becomes singing that enters into my heart, and then it flows through my heart and out again through my mouth. I cannot tell you what it is really like. It pours like warm oil, like water, like light, but it is my own voice speaking words. As I begin speaking in this new way, all those in the room hear it not only with their minds but with their hearts. It is so beautiful. It is nearly unbearable, this beauty and I wake up."

from "Theophilos" by Michael O'Brien

Laity Were First to Spread Good News of Christ's Birth

2011-12-17T18:44:00.001-07:00

For the last 31 years, Father Raniero Cantalamessa has been the official preacher to the Papal Household.

The 'National Catholic Register' has a report this week describing the Father's ministry and his recent sermons on evangelization and laity, preached during this Advent season.

"This Advent he is focusing on the four different historical stages of Christian evangelization. He sees the first phase as occurring in the earliest centuries of the Church, the second when the Roman Empire fell, and the third coinciding with the discovery of the New World. The fourth stage is “the present one, where the target is more the secularized Western world than the usual mission countries.”
“In the past, the role for evangelization was more entrusted to bishops, pastors, monks, religious people,” he explained. Since the Second Vatican Council, “the laity have taken their role as part of the evangelization.”...

“Laypeople were the only people present at the birth of Jesus,” such as the shepherds and Wise Men.“So this was symbolic that the first who came and spread the news about the birth of Jesus were laypeople.”

Read Entire Article Here

Angels of Advent

2011-12-13T16:53:00.002-07:00

The Holy Bible includes many stories of angels in it's sacred pages. Angels are messengers of God and our Father often used/uses them to communicate with His children.

Fr. Dwight Longenecker has written a must read article focusing on the "Angels of Advent". Each of the four holy messengers had a special message and lesson for the original recipients,

and for us today!

This is an article to share together as a family during this season of Advent. You will be blessed!

Angels of Advent

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Patron of the New Evangelization

2011-12-12T17:34:00.003-07:00

The Cause for Canonization

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was known as the first Catholic "tele-evangelist", he was the first to use the "new media" to share the Catholic faith. He wrote hundreds of books and converted many to Catholicism, including Henry Ford ll. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be the first American male to be canonized and he would be a most appropriate, inspirational and well loved patron Saint of the New Evangelization!

A Few Quotes of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen:

"You must remember to love people and use things, rather than to love things and use people.”

“If you don't behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave.”

“When a man loves a woman, he has to become worthy of her. The higher her virtue, the more noble her character, the more devoted she is to truth, justice, goodness, the more a man has to aspire to be worthy of her. The history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women."

“An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support.”

“Once you have surrendered yourself, you make yourself receptive. In receiving from God, you are perfected and completed.”

“We must go out to Pure Life, Pure Truth, Pure Love, and that is the definition of God. He is the ultimate goal of life; from Him we came, and in Him alone do we find our peace.”

~Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J, Sheen~

Catholicism and Atheism

2011-12-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

We cannot embrace "partial" Truth.

"I know thy works; that thou art neither cold nor hot...thou art lukewarm...
I would that thou wert cold or hot" (Rev. 3:16,17,16)

Catholicism and Atheism

Pope John Paul II’s Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

2011-12-12T11:37:00.001-07:00

"O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the true God and Mother of the Church!, who from this place reveal your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection, hear the prayer that we address to you with filial trust, and present it to your Son Jesus, our sole Redeemer.

Mother of Mercy, Teacher of hidden and silent sacrifice, to you, who come to meet us sinners, we dedicate on this day all our being and all our love. We also dedicate to you our life, our work, our joys, our infirmities and our sorrows. Grant peace, justice and prosperity to our peoples; for we entrust to your care all that we have and all that we are, our Lady and Mother. We wish to be entirely yours and to walk with you along the way of complete faithfulness to Jesus Christ in His Church; hold us always with your loving hand.

Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, we pray to you for all the Bishops, that they may lead the faithful along paths of intense Christian life, of love and humble service of God and souls. Contemplate this immense harvest, and intercede with the Lord that He may instill a hunger for holiness in the whole people of God, and grant abundant vocations of priests and religious, strong in the faith and zealous dispensers of God’s mysteries.

Grant to our homes the grace of loving and respecting life in its beginnings, with the same love with which you conceived in your womb the life of the Son of God. Blessed Virgin Mary, protect our families, so that they may always be united, and bless the upbringing of our children.

Our hope, look upon us with compassion, teach us to go continually to Jesus and, if we fall, help us to rise again, to return to Him, by means of the confession of our faults and sins in the Sacrament of Penance, which gives peace to the soul.

We beg you to grant us a great love for all the holy Sacraments, which are, as it were, the signs that your Son left us on earth.

Thus, Most Holy Mother, with the peace of God in our conscience, with our hearts free from evil and hatred, we will be able to bring to all true joy and true peace, which come to us from your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever and ever."

Amen.

His Holiness John Paul II
Mexico, January 1979. Visiting Her Basilica during his first foreign trip as Pope.

"Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."

(Words of Our Lady to Juan Diego)

Focus on the Light of Christ this Christmas ~ Pope Benedict XVI

2011-12-11T16:32:00.001-07:00

Today, Pope Benedict celebrated Mass and underlined the importance of community spirit.

Speaking about the season of Advent, he said Christians are called to live this period before Christmas without being sidetracked by commercial messages and by the festive lights.

We must look to Christ the “true light of the world”, he reminded Catholics.

“We should live waiting for Jesus, and not stop waiting for his coming."

Read More Here

"O Come O Come Emmanuel"

2011-12-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

One of the most favorite traditional Catholic Advent hymns, is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". This video version is sung with heavenly passion and has lyrics in both Latin and English.

As we prepare ourselves for Advent, and humbly pray to know, to love and to serve Our Lord Jesus Christ, may this hymn and prayer be the song of our hearts.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

2011-12-08T11:16:00.001-07:00

Immaculate Mary,
your praises we sing.
You reign now in Heaven
with Jesus our King.
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!

In Heaven the blessed
your glory proclaim;
On earth we your children
invoke your sweet name.
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!

We pray for our Mother,
the Church upon earth,
And bless, Holy Mary,
the land of our birth.
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!

We pray you, O Mother,
may God's will be done
We pray for His glory,
may his Kingdom come.
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!

Lourdes Hymn

St. Ambrose Chant, "Te Deum Laudamus"

2011-12-07T10:40:00.004-07:00

A beautiful 4th or 5th century chant by St. Ambrose, "We Praise You God", includes lyrics in Latin and English. With the deep background bells, this is a perfect chant, prayer and meditation for the Advent season! God Bless YOU.

"The Te Deum is attributed to two Fathers and Doctors of the Church, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine and is one the most majestic chants in the Liturgy of the Church. It is sung in traditional seminaries and monastic houses at the Divine Office and for Double feasts of the First Class, The Nativity, Easter, Corpus Christi, Epiphany, Pentecost and those which have an Octave. The solemn Te Deum is sung on all occasions of public Church rejoicing (in Traditional Catholic Churches)."

Thy Perfect Will...blesses me

Be Ye "Fishers of Men", Not "Keepers of the Aquarium"

2011-12-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley, is an American Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as the Archbishop of Boston. Last week he celebrated Mass in Rome, on the Feast of St. Andrew. The following is a partial text of his homily for that Mass.

Cardinal O'Malley reminded us that, like St. Andrew, we are all called to be evangelists, "fishers of men", and not just be content as "keepers of the aquarium".

In truth, our world, our Church and our future society depend upon our answer to the call.

*********

"Today’s gospel reminds us that Andrew and his brother Peter were fishermen. They were lousy fishermen. It seemed they never caught anything unless Jesus was there telling them throw the net here, do it now. Jesus invites them: “follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. Andrew and Peter left their boats and nets and family, they left everything and followed Jesus. Their vocations helped change the course of history. In the same Gospels we just heard, Jesus calls two other brothers, James and John the sons of Zebedee. They too leave everything to follow Jesus."

"Jesus is still calling brothers and whole families to lead lives of discipleship and to participate in His mission."

"Our task is to be evangelizers like the great apostle Andrew. When Andrew discovers the Messiah, thanks to the witness of John the Baptist who declares, “behold the Lamb of God”, Andrew immediately goes to share that good news with his brother Peter. When we come to discover, through the many witnesses who surround us, that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our brother, like Andrew, we must share that good news with others. Jesus wants us to be fishers of men, and too often we are content to be keepers of the aquarium. In today’s first lesson we listen to the stirring words of Paul: “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news. Ours must be the beautiful feet that tirelessly carry the joyful news of the gospel to the families of today who are burdened by so many obstacles and challenges. The mission that Christ has entrusted to us is crucial for the future of our Church, and indeed for the future of human society."

Read Cardinal O'Malley's Entire Homily Here

Church Abandoning Detroit ?

2011-12-06T07:00:00.001-07:00

Hope this isn't an indicator of things to come.

Pray that the "New Evangelization" may turn around this trend of closing churches, in Michigan and everywhere!

Announced last week, in the Detroit Free Press:

"Detroit Catholic Archbishop Allen Vigneron said Thursday that he is likely to shutter about 48 churches in the next five years."

Read Entire Article Here

Authentic Catholic Truth and Mission

2011-12-05T12:52:00.004-07:00

What if the Catholic Church diverted it's massive funds wasted on unimportant tasks, and instead used their resources for assembling teams of enthusiastic missionaries who would go out and preach the authentic, beautiful Catholic Truth.... boldly, clearly and without apology.

The only media reports today concerning the Catholic Church are about the closing of parishes, the shortage of priests, parishoners complaining about the liturgy and the rebellion and flap over ban on women's ordination.

What if the media could no longer ignore the reality of those many Catholics who are "on fire" for the Church?

As the following video affirms, "The sole reason for the existence of the Church is the salvation of souls." It is time to be about the work!

Obstacles to the New Evangelization

2011-12-04T14:07:00.006-07:00

As the Catholic Church begins the process of the New Evangelization, a reminder that "little things" can have big effects, might be in order. This is just one example....

This weekend, the local parish held a community-wide Christmas Boutique and Ladies Christmas Luncheon. The parking lot was full as many visitors were attending the two events in the Church Cultural Hall. Several cars even had to be parked in the neighboring LDS church parking lot, due to the overflow crowd. The Boutique was large and took place throughout the building in six or seven different rooms. It was obviously not just Catholic women attending, but those from throughout the community and from varied spiritual backgrounds.

At around 11:00 AM, a parish member began circulating through the Boutique rooms, announcing in a raised voice, "The Bar is opening! The Bar is opening!" This announcement caused some surprise and confusion. A few women rushed out of the Boutique, with excitement remarking, "It's about time!", while other ladies and their children looked around in amazement. A mini-stampede ensued. Moments later, several groups were happily chatting, with pink champagne in hand. It was not yet noon. Overheard was the comment, "Well, you know how Catholics like their 'refreshment'."

In this instance, a community-wide event, at a Catholic facility, could have been an opportunity for "New Evangelization" ...a chance for welcoming visitors to the rich tradition and sacredness of Catholicism. Instead, the "little things' caused confusion, amazement and an unfortunate example of why many no long enter the doors of the Catholic Church.

When our Lord Jesus Christ performed his first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding in Canaan, he was demonstrating, in metaphor, how he had come to transform the secular into the sacred.

Today, the "New Evangelzation" is so necessary because in our modern culture, oftentimes secular 'satisfaction' overshadows the sacred. And yet the Lord gave us our mission to be good examples to all, when he commanded, "Feed my sheep."

Let us pray, that we may not be an obstacle to the New Evangelization!

Pope Benedict XVI and the New Evangelization

2011-12-02T15:13:00.002-07:00

Recently, Pope Benedict XVI spoke on the New Evangelization and made clear that it is inseparable from the family.

The New Evangelization must begin within the family!

And for many of us, the Church is our family!

Catholic Colleges and the New Evangelization

2011-11-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the 2012 Synod on the New Evangelization, individuals, churches, and clergy are all gearing up to share the Gospel and the Catholic Faith effectively. Even schools are becoming involved. There are now college degrees offered at some seminaries in 'Evangelization'.

Recently, Pope Benedict XVI has made it a point to encourage Catholic Colleges to become more involved in the New Evangelization. A post in the Cardinal Newman Society blog highlighted this discussion:

"Pope Calls for New Evangelization at Catholic Colleges"

"In his remarks to the US Catholic bishops on Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI November 26th summoned “the Church in America to recognize, in the light of a dramatically changing social and religious landscape, the urgency and demands of a new evangelization,” according to Vatican Radio.
In particular, the Pope singled out the responsibility that Catholic colleges have to their students saying:

Young people have a right to hear clearly the Church’s teaching and, most importantly, to be inspired by the coherence and beauty of the Christian message, so that they in turn can instill in their peers a deep love of Christ and his Church.

Pope Benedict XVI said that the bishops had shared their concerns with him “about the grave challenges to a consistent Christian witness presented by an increasingly secularized society.”"

Read Entire Article Here

Fr. Robert Barron and Fr. Mitch Pacwa on EWTN

2011-11-27T01:11:00.001-07:00

The following video is the full length interview of Father Robert Barron and Father Mitch Pacwa from EWTN.

In this discussion, Fr. Barron talks about the making of the new documentary series, "Catholicism", and how it will be used in the New Evangelization. If you haven't seen this series or read the companion book, "Catholicism, Journey to the Heart of the Faith", you are about to embark on an amazingly beautiful journey. Both the book and the series dvd set are available on this blog's sidebar. Enjoy the interview!

Inside Out Evangelization

2011-11-26T13:42:00.003-07:00

Before the 'outward' focus of evangelization, one must always first focus on the 'inward' condition of the soul....a kind of personal 'internal evangelization'.

“O Lord, grant me the grace to know how to enclose myself within this little heaven of my soul, where you are present. There you let me find you, there I feel you are closer to me than anywhere else, and there you prepare my soul quickly to enter into intimacy with you. Then the soul, understanding that all the things of the world are but toys, seems all of a sudden to rise above everything created and escape it, like one who takes refuge in a fortified castle to be safe from enemies.”
~St. Teresa of Avila

A Gift to Be Simple

2011-11-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

A Time to Be Grateful, A Time for Hope, Faith and Love....

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and beginning of Advent

The Action of Evangelization

2011-11-21T15:33:00.002-07:00

Father Robert Barron creator of the "Catholicism" series, recently asked ,“What does it mean to evangelize?" He said, " I submit that to evangelize is to announce the good news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead." Fr. Barron said, "The action of evangelization must be proclaimed "publicly and boldly,” to every person and all countries worldwide."
Catholics must no longer hesitate to share the Good News!

Fr. Barron suggested we will discover various ways to evangelize. "The adventure of the spiritual life” he said "is for each individual to learn how his unique talents might be used in this effort." "Catholics should learn their faith tradition, he advised, "and Catholicism needs to recover “a certain radicality” rather than become “an echo of the wider culture.”

The term, 'Evangelization', is not only a noun, but a verb indicating a necessary action. The specific action of evangelizing will be different for everyone. Not all are gifted speakers or writers or teachers; some may witness to the action of the new evangelization by simply sharing a prayer while dining at a local restaurant with their family.

Others may invite friends to come and see what Mass is all about, or bring a neighbor to a parish Advent concert. Many may simply use the new media and create posts, sharing their faith of the Good News, through Facebook pages or personal blogs.

But all are called to jump in!

This simple riddle reminds us of the necessity of true action.....

"Three frogs are sitting on a log. Two of them decide to jump into the water. How many are left on the log?"

"The answer, of course, is three, because there’s a huge difference between deciding to jump and actually jumping."

Jump in with Joy !

Christ the King Sunday

2011-11-20T10:35:00.004-07:00

Today is Christ the King Sunday in the Catholic Church.

One of my all-time favorite movies is "King of Kings", the story of the life of our Lord and King Jesus Christ.
It's hard to believe this movie is 50 years old this year, it was made in 1961 !

The apostles, at first, had really no idea of Christ's true identity, he who is the King of Heaven came as a servant King. Most of his followers believed he was going to be a political King. It's hard to believe so many people today, still, have no idea who Jesus Christ truly is. It is the purpose of the "New Evangelization" to tell the world who is this Jesus...
Christ the King !

Thy Perfect Will...blesses me

Winning Converts..."New Evangelization"

2011-11-18T13:22:00.005-07:00

Fr. John McCloskey's article, "Winning New Converts", gives direction for sharing our faith. Though the focus of the "New Evangelization" is on those who have strayed from the Catholic Church, and so might not be technically 'new' converts, the lessons in this article are helpful for sharing with anyone.

Fr. McCloskey tells us, "We may refer to this sharing of our faith as evangelization, giving witness, etc. I prefer the word used most often by the Conciliar fathers in this regard, apostolate: The second Vatican Council tells us: "The individual apostolate, flowing generously from its source in a truly Christian life, is the origin and condition of the whole lay apostolate, even of the organized type, it admits of no substitutes. Regardless of status, all lay persons (including those who have no opportunity or possibility for collaboration in associations) are called to this type of apostolate and obliged to engage in it."

Read Entire Article Here

Fr. Robert Barron's "Catholicism" Series Begins

2011-11-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

Catholicism series begins tonight on EWTN channel. Before the series starts there is a program about how it was produced, with Fr. Pacwa interviewing Fr. Robert Barron, the creator of the series. Here is a schedule of the episodes and times they will be broadcast on EWTN.

Catholicisom series schedule

"New Evangelization"....'Fishermen' Bishops

2011-11-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

“Christ and his Church are one.” Perhaps, brethren, our most pressing pastoral challenge today is to reclaim that truth.”

U.S. bishops must “reclaim the role of fishermen” as they carry out the work of the New Evangelization.

The Church must not be seen as just a “system of organizational energy and support”

“The Church is Jesus – teaching, healing, saving, serving, inviting.”

(Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, remarks at U.S. Bishop's Fall Conference)

Read Entire Article Here

"Catholicism" series ... a work of New Evangelization

2011-11-15T09:36:00.003-07:00

Father Robert Barron's new series, "Catholicism" has begun airing on religious and public broadcasting stations.
It looks at the Catholic faith "from the inside out", through the Church's history, outreach, tradition and Truth.

Watch a snippet of the series and a review of the work, which is essentially a work of the "New Evangelization".

I've seen thee first three episodes of the series and am looking forward to watching the others. There is also a book to go along with the series. It is amazing!

On the sidebar of this blog, you can order both the book and a set of dvds of the series. What a wonderful Christmas gift!!!

Have you seen the series yet? What are your thoughts on it?

Core Message of "New Evangelization"

2011-11-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is the core message of the "New Evangelization"

Christ has died

Christ has risen

Christ will come again!

Cardinal Wuerl on the "New Evangelization"

2011-11-12T19:22:00.005-07:00

"God still speaks to us today." "The New Evangelization is needed now because this society..this contemporary society desperately needs to hear the Message those first disciples of Christ heard." ~Cardinal Wuerl

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, archbishop of Washington and chancellor of The Catholic University of America, presented a lecture titled, "Why a 'New Evangelization' Now?"

Cardinal Wuerl was named Relatore Generale for next October's Synod on the New Evangelization on October 22nd, 2011.

Disciples of the Lord: Sharing the Vision
A Pastoral Letter on The New Evangelization to the Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Archdiocese of Washington by Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington

Advent Evangelization, " Come Home" Invitation to 'Catholic Family Reunion'

2011-11-10T19:28:00.003-07:00

Starting next month, during NFL half-time or a commercial break from the national news, you may be gently invited back to Church. A call to return Home!

The Catholic New Evangelization will begin inviting inactive Catholics to return to their local parishes to learn or re-learn the truths of their Catholic faith.

"Catholics Come Home® announces a major, national, prime-time network television evangelization initiative, for the first time ever in the 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church, to air from December 16, 2011 through January 8, 2012."

"These inspiring messages are sponsored by 30,000 Catholic families who want to invite neighbors, relatives, and co-workers to the largest family reunion in modern history," said Founder, Tom Peterson.
Read Entire Article Here

************

"Catholics Come Home' and the 'New Evangelization' are not simply projects to re-fill Church pews, as some skeptics might assume. These are honest and sincere endeavors to call and bring home those who have wandered. Do you ever wonder.....Where is my 'home'? Is the world our true home? Do we feel fed and nourished and loved by the modern world? Or is the Church our True Home?

In our heart's we feel and hear the "call of Home", if we listen. Let this Advent be a time of listening....not to the blaring Christmas carols that begin now in mid-October, but a listening to the quiet voice within the heart. It will lead us Home this Christmas. Our Father and our brothers and sisters in Christ can't wait to welcome us Home! What a Glorious reunion !
*************
"The very desires and intuitions of my inmost heart assured me that another and more lovely land awaited me, an abiding city." ~ St. Therese

"I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say"

2011-11-08T12:33:00.003-07:00

One of my favorite hymns, "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" (Adoremus Hymnal #579)

This could be the hymn of the "New Evangelization"! The lyrics illustrate the need for, the purpose of, and the glorious result of the Catholic "New Evangelization", which is simply the sharing, with one another, the Love of God for every one of us.

"I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down, Thy head upon My breast."
I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down and drink and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream.
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's Light.
Look unto Me; thy morn shall rise And all thy day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that Light of Life I'll walk Till traveling days are done."

New Evangelization - An Extraordinary Time

2011-11-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

"When the pope speaks about the New Evangelization, he speaks as a father to us, his children. But notice, now, how his tone is imploring. He’s not speaking primarily about missionary activity to unbaptized people. He’s begging Catholics to take up the re-evangelization of Christian countries that have lost their way, especially in Europe and the Americas." ~Mike Aquilina

St. Paul Center For Biblical Theology

In My Father's House

2011-11-06T20:39:00.001-07:00

"His (Jesus) first coming to earth is therefore like the betrothal visit. He comes and pays the bride price for his bride--the church--who will be presented to him as a glorious bride without spot or wrinkle. The bride price is his own life. He then goes away--back to his father's house to prepare a place for us." ~ Fr. Longenecker
In My Father's House

"Where God is...." Promise of the New Evangelization

2011-11-05T11:53:00.001-06:00

"Is there hope that a post-Christian society can recover its faith, once lost? When preaching in Bavaria in 2007, Pope Benedict noted that secular persons “place little trust in the future. Yet the earth will be deprived of a future only when the forces of the human heart and of reason illuminated by the heart are extinguished – when the face of God no longer shines upon the earth. Where God is, there is the future.”
(Dominicana blog)

Augustine Institute for the New Evangelization

2011-11-04T12:25:00.004-06:00

Reading the novel, "Father Elijah, an Apolcalypse", by Michael O'Brien, is really eye-opening and frightening. It's fiction, but based on scriptural prophecy of the coming persecution of the Church and destruction the world. It makes you aware of the absolute need for the "New Evangelization" today. The novel's accounts of the coming attack on the Catholic culture will cause you to understand the wisdom of John Paul's call to arms (spiritually), through the "New Evangelization"

The Augustine Institute, in Denver, Colorado, is answering that call.

A New Kind of Graduate School, for the New Evangelization

The video from the Augustine Institute, link above, details the commitment and passion of the students and and the teachers of the Institute who have answered the call to prepare for the mission of the "New Evangelization".

If you know young (or not so young) Catholic men or women who feel called to be at the forefront of the "New Evangelization", or teachers who are dedicated to teaching in an orthodox Catholic institution, share this video with them.

The time is now!

'Aleteia' and the New Evangelization

2011-11-03T19:00:00.012-06:00

The website, "aleteia.org", is a new Catholic community and online resource for seekers. 'Aleteia' is a greek term meaning truth. The aleteia team is based in Rome and is working to promote the "New Evangelization" and also to spread the Gospel through the new media.

New evangelizers meet with the Pope

(video from aleteia-tv)

Benedict XVI met Oct. 15 with representatives of the new evangelization in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall.

Cathedral of the Madeleine

2011-11-03T09:20:00.004-06:00

One of the most beautiful Catholic Cathedrals in America is in (surprise!) Salt Lake City, Utah.

It is the only Cathedral in the country under the patronage of St. Mary Magdalene.

The local news just did a behind the scenes report and video of this amazing Cathedral.

A behind the scenes look inside the Cathedral of the Madeleine

Also, this link is a 360 degrees view of the inside of the beautiful sancturary.
You can click and drag the view in all directions. The stained glass windows, the magnificent ceiling, the southwestern colors, the massive pillars, the huge altar; it is all just astonishingly beautiful! Enjoy !
( It may take a few seconds to load)

The Cathedral of the Madeleine website

"New Evangelization "... 'a new moment for cathechesis'

2011-11-01T17:13:00.000-06:00

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl has been appointed to a key position in the 2012 world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization. Recently, he spoke to Catholic high school Religion teachers, emphasizing their importance to this new effort.....

“You are on the front line of the new evangelization — an effort that mirrors so clearly the work of the early church and the first disciples,” said Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington to a conference of Catholic high school religion teachers as part of High School Principals Association professional development day at a local Catholic high school.

“The new evangelization is not a program. It is a mode of thinking, seeing and acting,” Cardinal Wuerl said. “It is a lens through which we see the opportunities to proclaim the Gospel anew. It is also a recognition that the Holy Spirit is actively working in the church.” ........

.....“Too many people have little familiarity with the wisdom of God,” he said. “Many have simply drifted away…. Yet there are also positive signs of our young people searching for more. We are experiencing that even in the face of a diminished appreciation or understanding of the content of the faith there is a longing of the human spirit for God.”

He called the new evangelization “a new moment for catechesis in our country.”

Read Entire Article Here

All "Called to Holiness" Day

2011-11-01T12:39:00.006-06:00

The Solemn Mass broadcast on EWTN this morning in celebration of "All Saints Day" at the Washington, D.C. Basillica of the National Shrine of the Immacculate Conception, at one point, focused on the above marble sculpture, in the upper Church.

It is one of the largest marble relief sculptures in the world, it is titled The Universal Call to Holiness. A dove representing the Holy Spirit is featured in the top center, with streams of radiating light falling down upon people of all sorts: lay people, priests, couples, single people, religious, and famous modern day 'saints' including Mother Theresa of Calcutta and Pope John Paul II.

(from Veritas In Caritate blog:)
The relief sculpture, proposed by His Eminence James Cardinal Hickey, then-Archbishop of Washington, is a tribute to a teaching of the Second Vatican Council, the "universal call to holiness." The holy Council taught:

"Therefore in the Church, everyone whether belonging to the hierarchy, or being cared for by it, is called to holiness, according to the saying of the Apostle: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification".(215) However, this holiness of the Church is unceasingly manifested, and must be manifested, in the fruits of grace which the Spirit produces in the faithful; it is expressed in many ways in individuals, who in their walk of life, tend toward the perfection of charity, thus causing the edification of others; in a very special way this (holiness) appears in the practice of the counsels, customarily called "evangelical."
...
"Thus it is evident to everyone, that all the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity; by this holiness as such a more human manner of living is promoted in this earthly society. In order that the faithful may reach this perfection, they must use their strength accordingly as they have received it, as a gift from Christ. They must follow in His footsteps and conform themselves to His image seeking the will of the Father in all things. They must devote themselves with all their being to the glory of God and the service of their neighbor. In this way, the holiness of the People of God will grow into an abundant harvest of good, as is admirably shown by the life of so many saints in Church history (Lumen gentium, 39, 41)." (italics added)

The celebrant in this morning's All Saints Day Mass, the Most Reverend Edwin O'Brien, remarked, "There will never be another John Paul II or St. Therese or St. Francis, but we all have 'the fingerprint of God' upon us and we all have the potential of holiness."

So while it is right and good to celebrate All Saints Day each year, it is also important to keep in the forefront our minds, the "Universal Call to Holiness". It is our charge to strive toward holiness and our hope of becoming 'saintly'.

And it is a most necessary part of the practice of the "New Evangelization" of the Catholic Church.

Postscript: Wow, oh my gosh!!! After writing this post, I just found the Pope's message for today...
"Everyone Called to Be Holy"
(guess I 'heard ' his message, before reading it!!!)

Goals of the Sacred Liturgy

2011-10-31T10:26:00.001-06:00

The goals of the Sacred Liturgy, whether the ancient form or the Vatican II form, are the same:

1. To teach and heal
2. To empower
3. To enlighten
4. To transform
5. To bring heaven to earth!

From The Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy "the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the font from which all her power flows." (SC, 10)

A few years ago, Pope Bendict in his homily for vespers at the cathedral of Notre-Dame, called for "a "beauty" in the earthly liturgies that will bring them closer to the liturgies of heaven."

An article in National Catholic Register today
...on how the liturgy affects the deepest parts of our lives.
"Send My Roots Rain"

The Word of God

2011-10-29T13:42:00.001-06:00

"I have only to cast a glance in the Gospels and immediately I breathe in the perfumes of Jesus' life, and I know on which side to run."

~ St. Therese

Bringing Heaven to Earth

2011-10-29T13:34:00.000-06:00

Recently, Dr. Scott Hahn was in Vancover, B.C. at Regent College and spoke about the "New Evangelization" and the importance of building mature faith through continual education.

Hahn is a professor at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, and is a member of the board of directors of Redeemer Pacific College. He is a former Presbyterian minister who gained notoriety with his recorded conversion testimony, which has become the most widely distributed Catholic audio recording of all time.

Hahn remarked....

"Mystagogy, a Greek term meaning "to be guided into the mysteries," leads believers to a deeper understanding of the Liturgy of the Mass and its Scriptural and historical roots. In recent years Catholic theologians have recovered its value and have applied it to the new evangelization."

"When Catholics evangelize, Hahn continued, they share the importance of having a personal, covenant relationship with God."

"These ideas can be lost for some Catholics, Hahn claimed. The average 30- to 50-year-old Catholic understands his faith in the same way as when he was 10, he said, whereas the average 30- to 50-year-old secular person would not have a natural intelligence that stayed at the same level as when he was 10."

"You would recognize that there is a problem and you would have to work with them to overcome their lack of proper education," he noted.

"Today the Church finds itself with a lot of spiritually handicapped Catholics," Hahn stressed. "(They) need to be awakened and formed so that their adult intelligence of the faith is conformed with their adult experience."

"Catholics should not leave evangelizing and catechizing once people are sacramentalized, he reinforced. "Evangelizing is cumulative and organic and should continue to grow deeper. We should move from glory to glory."

"In the Divine Liturgy, Christ descends to the altar, and the assembly ascends to heaven with Christ. Heaven has come to earth and hearts rise up to heaven."

Read Entire Article Here

'New Evangelization" Begins in Love

2011-10-27T10:37:00.004-06:00

When Mary of Bethany came to Jesus to anoint his feet and head with oil infused with an expensive perfume, she was giving to her Lord the only thing she could give... herself. And at the same time she was actually evangelizing with a pure and simple heart. Her only goal was to love the Lord, yet by doing so, she was by extension, loving her neighbors as she was clearly witnessing to her unquenchable love of her Lord. Those in the room with her that day, did not understand her actions, and Judas even criticized her for 'wasting' precious oil, he thought it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus told those present (his own Apostles!) that what Mary did was a great work born in faith. ("Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." Matt.26:13)

This sacred ordinance demonstrated in love and humility by Mary of Bethany could serve as a perfect example of the "New Evangelization" of the Catholic Church. First we love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind; and then as we love our neighbors as ourselves, we long to witness to them the Good News.

Our greatest joy is to share the Gospel and introduce others to our love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
(John 12:1-7), (Matt. 26:6-13)

A 'New Pentecost'

2011-10-24T17:53:00.001-06:00

There is definitely a global need today for the Catholic "New Evangelization", yet we are reminded....

“But all this is only possible if, following the example of the Christians of the Acts of the Apostles, we open ourselves up in a new way to the Holy Spirit: ‘There will be no new evangelization without a new Pentecost!"

~Pope Benedict

We Are All Evangelists

2011-10-23T10:19:00.001-06:00

This painting of St. Paul and St. Timothy illustrates what the Lord asks of every one of us....to be his evangelists, missionaries and ambassadors of his Love.

"As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20:21)

(Theme of World Mission Sunday)

Catholic "New Evangelization" in a Secular World

2011-10-21T15:40:00.001-06:00

A very thought provoking article is found over at "The Catholic Thing", entitled "Evangelizing the Self-Satisfied Secularist". The article looks at the question, how can the Catholic "New Evangelization" reach those who are already happy with their secular lives? Here is a snippet from the article:

"How can the new evangelization open up the happy, self-satisfied secularist to God? In the nineteenth century, rational arguments were often advanced to convince doubters of the need for faith. But with morality and religion now confined as prisoners of the dictatorship of relativism, today such arguments are dismissed at best, simply ignored at worst."......

......"St. Augustine (prayed) “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee."......

"Believers know well the injunction that it profits a man nothing to gain the whole world but lose his soul. This means little to the self-satisfied secularist who acknowledges only the world. But if he can come to see that even the roots of his self-satisfaction lie beyond the visible realm – the satisfactions of love, friendships, esteem of others, security, and even the contentment he feels as he relaxes on the sofa – then he may be able to glimpse the invisible source of these invisible realities...."

"Introspection is a necessary element of the new evangelization, even if it is a rare commodity these days. Somehow, someway, the secularist’s sights must be set beyond himself to see that there is more to his satisfaction than meets the eye......"

Read Entire Article Here

A Giant is Awakening

2011-10-19T18:02:00.001-06:00

Catholic "New Evangelization" will be expanding worldwide.....

"Archbishop Fisichella affirmed that "it is time to open the doors and to proclaim again the Resurrection of Christ, of which we are witnesses."

"Last Saturday morning, Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, president of the recently established Vatican dicastery, led a gathering of "new evangelizers committed to the new evangelization." The group met with the Pope on Saturday and he celebrated Mass for them Sunday morning.
Archbishop Fisichella spoke with them about secularization, explaining how this trend, along with a relative weakening of the faith, has confused mankind and caused a true anthropological crisis."

Read Entire Article Here

New Online Catholic Community

2011-10-19T17:05:00.002-06:00

Aleteia is the first community based on questions and answers about the Catholic faith, life and society. On Aleteia, ask questions, get answers, and join the discussion now.
(Launch Date 10/31/11)

Aleteia

On Christian Witness (part II)

2011-10-18T13:20:00.000-06:00

"Don't tell me 'it is impossible for me to influence others.' If you are a Christian, it is impossible for you NOT to influence others! Just as the elements that make up your human nature do not contradict each other, so also in this matter - it belongs to the very nature of a Christian that he influences others. So, do not offend God. If you say, 'the sun cannot shine,' you offend Him. If you say, 'I, a Christian cannot be of service to others,' you have offended Him and called Him a liar. It is easier for the sun not to shine than for a Christian not to do so. It is easier for light itself to be darkness than for a Christian not to give light. So don't tell me it is impossible for you as a Christian to influence others, when it is the opposite that is impossible. Do not offend God. If we arrange our affairs in an orderly manner, these things will certainly follow quite naturally. It is impossible for a Christian's light to lie concealed. So brilliant a lamp cannot be hidden."
~ St. John Chrysostom from his Homily 20 on the Acts of the Apostles.

On Christian Witness (part I)

2011-10-18T12:40:00.000-06:00

“Nothing is more frigid than a Christian who is indifferent to the salvation of others. Indeed I wonder if such a person can be a true Christian. To become a disciple of Christ is to obey his law of love; and obedience to the law brings joy beyond measure and description. Love means to want the best for others, sharing with them the joy of love. So the Christian feels compelled to speak to others about the law of love, and the joy of obeying this law. Of course, many people are shy about speaking to others; in their case actions motivated by love will be a most eloquent testimony. But those who are not shy will surely want to express their joy at every opportunity. There is no need to use fine words or elegant phrases; even the most uneducated people can convey joyful love by the spirit which accompanies their words. Even slaves have been known to convert their masters and mistresses by the sincerity of their speech.”

~St. John Chrysostom in "On Living Simply"

Door of Faith

2011-10-17T16:52:00.000-06:00

A letter explaining the need for a "Year of Faith" was released by the Vatican.

“Ever since the start of my ministry as Successor of Peter, I have spoken of the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ,” the Pope wrote in his letter, Porta Fidei (Door of Faith), announcing the yearlong initiative, which was released Oct. 17.
“The ‘door of faith’ is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church,” he reflected. “It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace.”

Vatican New Evangelization Conference

2011-10-17T13:33:00.003-06:00

"Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington told the gathering (Vatican conference on new evangelization), that catechesis is essential for any program of new evangelization. “When a person is well-grounded catechetically — that means each one of us renewing our faith — that person has the confidence to be able to express it” and “to invite others into the experience of faith,” he said.
“We have spoken a great deal today about this very secular world in which we live,” he said, “but we also need to recognize that among many, many of our young people there is an enormous openness to hearing about Christ. Many of them are seekers."

Read entire article here

Subtle Secularism

2011-10-17T10:22:00.002-06:00

"The first sector calling for the new evangelization is culture."

".....the secularizing movement has taken a more subtle tone in cultural forms which invade people's everyday lives and foster a mentality in which God is completely or partially left out of life and human consciousness. In this way, secularism has entered the Christian life and ecclesial communities and has become not simply an external threat for believers but something to be faced each day in life....."

"The New Evangelization", Chap. 1

Word of God is Alive!

2011-10-16T21:38:00.000-06:00

“The power of the Word does not depend primarily on our action…but by God, who hides his power under the guise of weakness…the second reason is because the seed of the Word…still falls into good soil that produces fruit… the third reason is that the Gospel has spread to the very ends of the world, and even in the midst of indifference, misunderstanding, persecution, many continue today to courageously open their hearts and minds to accept the invitation of Christ to meet him and become his disciples.” ~Pope Benedict

"Word of God is Still Alive"

Pope Benedict declares a 'Year of Faith'

2011-10-16T16:06:00.000-06:00

" Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year of Faith” which will begin in October 2012, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
“It will be a moment of grace and commitment to a more complete conversion to God, to strengthen our faith in Him and proclaim Him with joy to the people of our time,” said the Pope, making his announcement during Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica."

Pope Benedict declares a 'Year of Faith'

Welcome!

2011-10-16T15:34:00.000-06:00

This blog has been created as a means of keeping updated on the newly formed Pontifical Council for Promotion of the New Evangelization.

The new evangelization aims to revivify Catholicism in traditionally Christian countries which have been particularly affected by secularization in recent decades.

Christianity will once again be revitalized with the enthusiasm and faith of First Century Christians!

Catholic Frontier....Promise of the " New Evangelization"

Witness of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor

Feast of St. Timothy

ALL Christians Must Announce the Gospel, World Mission Message

Path of Evangelization: Silence and Word

Greatest American Evangelist - Archbishop Fulton Sheen

New Evangelization With All the Energy of Life

Cardinal Wurel on Catholic Education and Evangelization

Today's Church Needs Heroes, aka Holy Men

Fr. Robert Barron: "To Evangelize the Culture"

Papal Recommendations for "The Year of Faith"

St. Anthony of the Desert, an early Catholic Evangelizer?

Dr. Scott Hahn on "The New Evangelization"

Christ Gives True Life

Real Catholic TV - Archdiocese of Detroit Showdown

Cardinal Donald Wuerl's New Book, "Seek First the Kingdom"

Love Powers the New Evangelization

Needs of the Church in 2012

"Laws" and Tips for the New Evangelization

Practical tips to help you evangelize in 2012

"New Evangelizers"

Consuming Fire

"For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire...." (Deut. 4:24)2012 goal.....to be consumed!

MMXII..."The Year of Faith"

Mother of God Story

Feast of St. John, Evangelist

New Evangelization Requires Humility and Simplicity

Beauty of the New Evangelization

Laity Were First to Spread Good News of Christ's Birth

Angels of Advent

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Patron of the New Evangelization

“If you don't behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave.”

“An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support.”

“Once you have surrendered yourself, you make yourself receptive. In receiving from God, you are perfected and completed.”

“We must go out to Pure Life, Pure Truth, Pure Love, and that is the definition of God. He is the ultimate goal of life; from Him we came, and in Him alone do we find our peace.”

Catholicism and Atheism

Pope John Paul II’s Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Focus on the Light of Christ this Christmas ~ Pope Benedict XVI

"O Come O Come Emmanuel"

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

St. Ambrose Chant, "Te Deum Laudamus"

Be Ye "Fishers of Men", Not "Keepers of the Aquarium"

Church Abandoning Detroit ?

Authentic Catholic Truth and Mission

Obstacles to the New Evangelization

Pope Benedict XVI and the New Evangelization

Catholic Colleges and the New Evangelization

"Pope Calls for New Evangelization at Catholic Colleges"

Fr. Robert Barron and Fr. Mitch Pacwa on EWTN

Inside Out Evangelization

A Gift to Be Simple

The Action of Evangelization

Christ the King Sunday

Winning Converts..."New Evangelization"

Fr. Robert Barron's "Catholicism" Series Begins

"New Evangelization"....'Fishermen' Bishops

"Catholicism" series ... a work of New Evangelization

Core Message of "New Evangelization"

Cardinal Wuerl on the "New Evangelization"

Advent Evangelization, " Come Home" Invitation to 'Catholic Family Reunion'

"I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say"

New Evangelization - An Extraordinary Time

In My Father's House

"Where God is...." Promise of the New Evangelization

Augustine Institute for the New Evangelization

A New Kind of Graduate School, for the New Evangelization

'Aleteia' and the New Evangelization

Cathedral of the Madeleine

"New Evangelization "... 'a new moment for cathechesis'

All "Called to Holiness" Day

Goals of the Sacred Liturgy

The Word of God

"I have only to cast a glance in the Gospels and immediately I breathe in the perfumes of Jesus' life, and I know on which side to run."

~ St. Therese

Bringing Heaven to Earth

'New Evangelization" Begins in Love

A 'New Pentecost'

We Are All Evangelists

Catholic "New Evangelization" in a Secular World

A Giant is Awakening

"For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire...." (Deut. 4:24)

2012 goal.....to be consumed!