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ChristLife Newsletter February 2001 Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the Holy Father's new apostolic letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte, NMI, (see our web site) he quotes the Gospel account of Jesus telling the Apostle to, "put out into the deep for a catch... When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish" (Luke 5:6). The Holy Father calls Christians to profit from the graces received from the Jubilee Year and to invest in concrete initiatives as we enter the new millennium. At the heart of these graces is the Lord Jesus, "confessed as the meaning of history and the light of life's journey" (NMI, 15). John Paul's call to action has prayer as the foundation of all activity. "It is important however that what we propose, with the help of God, should be profoundly rooted in contemplation and prayer" (NMI, 15). As an apostolate, we have sensed the Holy Spirit calling us to come to Him in prayer, as individuals and as a ministry. We are making time not only to praise and petition Him as we start our days together, but to listen for His direction. Evangelization has as its foundation the primary work of all Christians, namely prayer (Mat.9:35f). This is essential for the Gospel warfare that sets captives free, and for the interior transformation that comes in communion with God. "Holiness, a message that convinces without the need for words, is the living reflection of the face of Christ" (NMI, 7). As we enter this new millennium may we together put out into the deep for a great catch, dependent on the Lord Jesus to direct and empower us! Thank you for your partnership in the work of this ministry! We pray for you! Your brother,
Evangelization Forum Recently we hosted our second Alpha Leaders' Forum here at our center at the Franciscan Friary in Maryland. Forty people participated in the daylong training for the Alpha Holy Spirit weekend. Dianne Martin and Dave Nodar presented teachings on principals and practical training in prayer ministry, as well as details for an effective Alpha weekend. We hope to see this type of forum spreading across North America, as a means of envisioning and empowering Catholic parishes and small groups for the practical work of evangelization.
Annual meeting - Board of Directors After reviewing our financial situation, accomplishments, and our plans for the future, the board expressed their gratitude for your service and your financial and prayer support. While our financial situation requires us to cut back on certain scheduled projects (See Fr. Cantalamessa below), we are hopeful that the Lord will provide the needed funds. Please pray for this intention. The board had a very good discussion on how to proceed in the area of parish and small faith community evangelization and discipleship. We will host a meeting on March 9&10, to iron out the program of parish evangelization we want to offer. The board endorsed our plan to present Alpha in a Catholic Context seminars at as many Alpha conferences as we can. We are scheduled to speak at 11 conferences this year with new requests coming each week. We are looking to train other speakers.
Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa video production update In July Fr. Cantalamessa is conducting a retreat based on the Epistle to the Romans, providing practical guidance in living as Christ. We are scheduled to videotape his presentations and provide them as material for small group use. Regrettably, our current financial situation requires that we put off funding some projects including new video projects. If you know of any individual or organization that might provide a grant to cover this production, please tell them of our need and let us know. Our share of the production cost would be $10,000 US. If any of you feel called to support this, just mark your donation for use for the Cantalamessa filming and we'll honor that.
Alpha Conference for Catholics- Franciscan University of Steubenville, July 11, 12 In July 11 & 12, we will be conducting an Alpha for Catholics conference at FUS. We would love to have many of you who are involved with Alpha participate in this conference with us. You can help us personally by sharing your experience with Alpha with those who attend. For information and registration
Quote of the Month It is not therefore a matter of inventing a "new program". The program already exists: it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition, it is the same as ever. Ultimately, it has its center in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated, so that in him we may live the life of the Trinity, and with him transform history until its fulfillment in the heavenly Jerusalem. This is a program, which does not change with shifts of time and cultures, even though it takes account of time and culture for the sake of true dialogue and effective communication. This program for all times is our program for the Third millennium." JPII - Novo Millennio Ineunte, 29
Prayer Needs
Calender of Events February 26, 27 March 1, 2 March 9, 10 For more information on these events, please
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