PART 2

After almost two years of being inspired and motivated to become dynamic Catholics, our parish has now reached the last phase of the Ignite Your Faith program. When asked if parishioners had any words of wisdom or thoughts on why they share the faith with others, it was pretty clear that these people have one thing in common... love for Jesus.

"My understanding of faith is that it is trust in God and all God's promises. It is based upon God's love for me and all creation, ultimately expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It fills me with hope that no matter the circumstances of this life, God longs for me to experience eternal joy. This faith that fills me with hope and informs my thoughts, words, and actions in response to God's love is a gift that I could have never brought upon myself. It is through the Holy Spirit working through others that I have received my faith. And just as I have received this gift, I believe the Holy Spirit desires to work through me to offer the gift of faith to others. This is why I share my faith."

"Knowing God has a plan for me and knowing His strength will help me face any challenges the day may bring, it takes so much worry and stress from my life, that I want others to rely on Him as well, so that they too will have peace in their lives. I am compelled to share the power of prayer with others so that they see that they themselves have the power to help others with their prayer." 

The four week Evangelization Challenge is now complete, but wait, the work has actually just begun. Below are a handful of the many responses that were given during the four week challenge. Take time to read them and prayerfully consider how you can share the faith with others.

 

Remember, it's as simple as choosing a person (friend, classmate, family member, co-worker, stranger) and choosing a way you will share your faith (Catholic book, social media, prayer, mass, gratitude, telling your story).

Example: "Sent a copy of the hymn from church to my daughters as a reminder of Sunday church."

Result: "Don't know, but at least it was a reminder that it was Sunday and I was at church."

Example: "Talked in a social setting about going to mass and praying for others. Signed up someone to go to 'Devoted Life' event for women.

Result: "Thanked me for the prayers for a sick individual." 

Example:  "Mailed 'A Shepherd Looks at 23rd Psalm' to a good friend who lost her husband."

Result:  "Tears and thankfulness." 

Example: "A fallen-away Catholic asked me about the rosary. I explained it to her and gave her a rosary and booklet on how to say it."

Result: She was very, very, happy to receive it. Hopefully she will return to the church."

Example:  "Said rosaries every day for stranger who may be in need of God's help. Also prayed for friend who is dying. Invited a friend to join us for the anointing mass."

Result:  "Peace knowing God will help the stranger, friend happy to attend the mass, friend who is dying accepting the knowledge he is dying and tells us he is ready when the Lord calls him home. He is an inspiration to all of us who know and pray for him."  

"Evangelization is to the Church what breathing is to a person. If we stop doing it for long enough, we will die. The Church has been on life support in this area for decades now. We exist to evangelize. How do we start? We do so in the same way we are called to start with each of the four signs: with the smallest nonthreatening step. Incremental improvements can be applied to each of the four signs for incredible results." Matthew Kelly

"It is impossible to share the goodness and beauty of Christ and his Church with others if you don't feel good about being Catholic. So we'd better start spending some time thinking about this question: What will it take to get ordinary Catholics to feel good about being Catholic again?" -Matthew Kelly

During the past two years I've been wading in the waters of "Dynamic Catholic boot camp"--keeping an engaging prayer life, analyzing the Catholic faith, applying a Martha and Mary lifestyle to how I serve others, and attempting to glow with the rays of Light enough so people ask 'why is she so joyful and how can I live like that?'. I'll be honest though, it's been challenging. Being Catholic is not for the faint of heart. A life-long faith pilgrimage is not linear; one is not following a rule book or a map with clear directions and obvious points of interest. One is following a will, the will of one's best friend. Being a Catholic adult while following Jesus with child-like faith takes a lot of FAITH. 

Through all the joy, blessings, five steps back, two steps forward, and painful spiritual growth, here is what I've realized. It is an honor to be Catholic. I'll say it again... It is an honor to be Catholic. Not something that we hear in today's culture, our Catholic faith is very much alive in the hearts of believers, whether we know it or not. 

My favorite event from Ignite Your Faith happened during the study phase. The moment Nic Davidson started his presentation of Why Be Catholic, I was convinced that the Holy Spirit was standing in front of me! The three reasons he chose to convert to the Catholic faith were Authority, Theology of the Body, and the True Presence of the Eucharist. The question that was posed in the title of the event is one that I've had to answer myself.

During my conversion 11 year ago, I took that question very seriously, and while I didn't have a list of three very thought out answers as Nic did,  I did have all I needed as I reflected on my own story and what I felt God was saying to me. The fact that I have searched this world trying to find happiness, grasping at the answer for a question that I will never find here on earth, and trying to negotiate paying rent for my soul's eternity in the quick sand of false prophets, I am humble enough to admit that the answer is found in the beauty and glorious glow of joy and peace in my soul that only can be found in Jesus. For me, Jesus was always, is now,  and forever will be the answer to any question. 

To have the honor to live as a friend of Jesus, to know Him, to love Him, to do His will is where I've found my true joy. To have the honor to have been given the gift of writing, I am truly blessed to have been given this responsibly to bring you a educational, motivational, and inspirational resource to support you on your faith journey. I pray that you have found what you needed in these newsletters to step out in faith to pray, study, live generously, and to share your faith. Lastly, I pray that as Ignite Your Faith comes to a close, the whispers of Jesus gently invite you to pause, reflect, and refocus your eyes on Him, the only answer to every question one might have. Amen.