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Go! Rebuild My Church! May 1st, 2009 by Father Angelus Shaughnessy, O.F.M. Cap. The sanctuary flame has died. The sanctuary lamp is broken and scattered. The altar and the pews and the confessionals have been cut up for firewood. The Tabernacle, emptied, is carried away along with the Sacred Vessels: chalices, ciboria, monstrance, censer and boat and pyx. The candles and the candelabra have been stolen. The crucifix and statues are broken and busted into a million pieces. The altar cloths and corporals and purificators have disappeared. The stained glass windows have been punched out. The church is filthy and...

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says the priority for the Church today is above all to nourish itself with the Word of God, so as to bring forward the new evangelization.

In these days I too have come, as the Successor of Saint Peter, to this magnificent land of Australia. I have come to confirm you, my young brothers and sisters, in your faith and to encourage you to open your hearts to the power of Christ's Spirit and the richness of his gifts. I pray that this great assembly, which unites young people "from every nation under heaven" (cf. Acts 2:5), will be a new Upper Room. May the fire of God's love descend to fill your hearts, unite you ever more fully to the Lord and his Church, and...

Dear friends, life is not governed by chance; it is not random. Your very existence has been willed by God, blessed and given a purpose (cf. Gen 1:28)! Life is not just a succession of events or experiences, helpful though many of them are. It is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful. It is to this end that we make our choices; it is for this that we exercise our freedom; it is in this – in truth, in goodness, and in beauty – that we find happiness and joy. Do not be fooled by those...

How can we evangelize today? Why do only about ten percent of the baptized Catholics go to Sunday Mass regularly? Why are we so preoccupied with the problems in our parishes, such as the tension between the parish and ecclesial movements, instead of being more worried about the ninety percent of the people who do not frequent the parish? There are many fish in the sea! The document on new religious movements (1986) suggests that we look at what is lacking in our parishes so as not to loose more parishioners as well as to attract new people. It is...

"The Canadian government has ordered a Christian ministry that teaches doctrine and the differences between Christians and cults shut down because its reference materials were "critical" of the beliefs of those who are not Christian, WND has learned."..... For example, the ministry addresses the issue of "fads," including a "creeping Eastern mysticism" appearing in some churches, "turning meaningful prayer meetings into mind-emptying rituals called contemplative prayer promising experiences of a spiritual nature." "Feelings have often replaced the solid word of God," the website warns. "Numerous churches have become 'seeker' churches, disposing of the parts of the Gospel message that might...

The Pew Report should not be a cause for alarm but an invitation to engage in the New Evangelization of the Church and then to engage the New Missionary Age.

Note: This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley. Every week during the fall, approximately 70,000 people attend NFL games in cities like Detroit and Houston. They pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for the privilege, and, if all goes well, they come away with some happy memories. Every week throughout the year in China, approximately 70,000 people do something very different: they, too, pay a price, but it’s not measured in money. And what they come away with not only changes their lives but promises to change a nation, a continent, and even the world. According...

Carl E. OlsonDo not be afraid Evangelization cannot be overemphasized because of the love of God for all of our souls A few years ago, I was talking with a close relative, a fundamentalist Protestant, about why I became Catholic. Puzzled and not satisfied with my various explanations, he asked, "Did you become Catholic so you could teach Catholics the Gospel?" The implication seemed to be that since he thought I was still a "true Christian," I must have never really become Catholic, and so my foray into the Church of Rome must be part of a well-intentioned attempt to...

Catholic Schools Must Commit to the "New Evangelization", Australian Bishops Exhort Make the most of "the sense of adventure" in renewing Catholic education By Elizabeth O'BrienSYDNEY, Australia, August 8, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Australian bishops have issued a pastoral letter calling for a renewal of vigorous commitment to John Paul II's call for a "new evangelization" in every aspect of the Catholic school system.Earlier this year, Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell requested that all school principals, deputy principals and religious education co-ordinators within the diocese pledge fidelity to Catholic Church teaching. In response to the increasing secularization of the school...

The Colombian daily, “El Tiempo,” published a column by a priest who said he has seen Madonna’s DVD of her latest concert tour and defends her “crucifixion” and nudity and calls the show a model of evangelization. In a column entitled, “Madonna: A Suggestive Presentation of Jesus,” Father Carlos Novoa, SJ, ex-dean of the Department of Theology at the Javeriana University, said he was impressed by the “deep spirituality” of some of Madonna’s choreography and claimed her parody of the crucifixion “is not a mockery of the cross, but rather the complete opposite: An exaltation of the mystery of the...

Young Catholics of Denver are joining with their Archbishop, Charles Chaput, in an effort to reach-out and evangelize the very heart of their city.  “Takin’ it to the Streets” aims at engaging the community — both religious and secular — in extensive conversations about the Catholic Church and Her teachings. The evangelization program aims at “igniting the faith of the Catholic community and sparking the faith of those encountered,” says event coordinator Maria Gartner. The full-day event March 31 will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Eucharistic adoration and prayer at Denver’s downtown Holy Ghost Church. Missionaries will then move out...

ROME, JAN. 21, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The advent of the Internet and other new media technologies is rapidly expanding the ways for churches and religious organizations to promote their message. On Jan. 3 the Fides news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples published the first part of a dossier, "The People of God on the Internet." The report says that in Italy it is almost impossible to count the number of Catholic sites due to the rapid growth in this sector. The number of links gives an idea of how the Catholic sites are flourishing. Links to one...

The Grain of Wheat: R.I.P. Pope John Paul II By Deacon Keith Fournier © Third Millennium, LLC “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.” John 12: 21-24 Like multiple millions throughout the...

Christian Courage Christian courage is the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost, because God promises to help you and save you on account of Christ. An act takes courage if it will likely be painful. The pain may be physical, as in war and rescue operations. Or the pain may be mental as in confrontation and controversy. Courage is indispensable for both spreading and preserving the truth of Christ. Jesus promised that spreading the gospel would meet resistance: "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be...

Easter Greetings to all my Freeper Friends! For those who are interested in or have followed ENVOY, the Catholic apologetics magazine and apostolate that I direct, the latest monthly Envoy Update Letter, which outlines our current circumstances, is now available online. Please remember us and the apostolate in your prayers. Thanks, and best wishes to all for a happy and blessed Triduum. Patrick

PLEASE READ, AND IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION An Open Letter and Respectful Petition Dear Mr. Gibson, We, the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, together with the undersigned, wish to publicly express our gratitude to you and all those who participated in your recent production, "The Passion of the Christ". We who have viewed this film agree that it is not simply another movie about Our Lord, but an extraordinary work of sacred art. Your creative efforts have offered us new spiritual insights and have led us into...

Mel’s Passion, the New Evangelization and You 2/20/04 On Monday night, America watched as Mel Gibson defended his movie, his motives and his faith to Diane Sawyer on PrimeTime Live, unabashedly giving the reason for his hope and ours. In an extraordinarily rare moment, a major Hollywood star gave viewers a Catechism lesson on the Catholic faith and shared the gospel in clear and unequivocal terms with millions watching. In This Article...A God-Given Opportunity for EvangelizationArm Yourself with the TruthNow is the Time to Act A God-Given Opportunity for Evangelization Through his words, we witnessed Gibson’s personal descent into...

Catholics plan 'Passion' evangelismNew website urges faithful to use film in sharing with family, friends Posted: February 9, 20045:00 p.m. Eastern © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com While it is Protestant Christians who normally emphasize evangelizing unbelievers, a new online effort entitled "Catholic Passion Outreach" hopes to mobilize Catholics to use Mel Gibson's new movie to "spread, strengthen and share" their faith. A cooperative project of Catholic Exchange and Ascension Press, the new website features a downloadable free small-groups handbook and a book for sale: "A Guide to the Passion: 100 Questions about Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ." Ascension Press is a Catholic...

So you think that evangelizing your family and friends, coworkers and neighbors is an impossible dream? Think again. God wants to work through you, regardless of your circumstances — in your office, your home, your social circles, your parish — to search out and rescue those who have drifted or are starting to drift away from the Faith. All He needs to work with is a willing heart. Here are a few lessons from the life of St. Francis de Sales about how God can make you His coworker in the vast drama of salvation.