Dear Friend of CHRISTLIFE,

I am writing to ask you for 4 things - 1. Prayer; 2. Prayer; 3. Prayer; 4. Help in raising funds for the missions in which we are involved. We maintain that prayer is the foundation of evangelization and mission (Mathew 9:35 ff.), and it is the foundation of CHRISTLIFE. More than anything else, we ask for your prayer partnership in the mission of CHRISTLIFE.

1. Please pray that CHRISTLIFE respond faithfully to the Lord's call to serve parishes in becoming evangelizing Catholic communities, specifically through the Alpha course.

Pope John Paul II and the Bishops are clear that the number one priority of the Catholic Church is evangelization, and that foundational to the process of evangelization is "The Christian faith is, above all, conversion to Jesus Christ, full and sincere adherence to his person and the decision to walk in his footsteps."(General Directory for Catechesis,1997 #53) While there is growing recognition of the priority of evangelization among Catholics, the real issues continue to be:

a. How do we get started?

b. How does a parish begin a process of becoming an evangelizing Catholic community?

We believe that Alpha is an excellent first step in the process. Alpha is a practical introduction to the Christian faith, with an emphasis on leading people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord, within the context of the parish. CHRISTLIFE has been given an extraordinary opportunity to help Catholic parishes respond to the call to evangelization by introducing the Alpha course and follow up resources.

Are you aware that in the United States there are 19,628 Catholic parishes, and 61, 563,769 Catholics?! This represents 23% of the total population (statistics from The Official Catholic Directory for '98 ). Just think of the potential for mobilization to the great task of making Christ known in our neighborhoods and nation! William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, has been very supportive of CHRISTLIFE's work with Alpha for Catholics. He has written a letter inviting Catholics (and other Christians) to attend the first North American Alpha Conference for Catholics, to be held April 19,20, 1999, here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland USA. The Alpha Conference trains interested people in how to run Alpha in their churches. Mark your calendars!

There are a number of doors that are opening to CHRISTLIFE in helping Catholics respond to the call of evangelization. Actually, it is really a bit overwhelming! We receive inquires about Alpha for Catholics almost every day within North America and other countries. Recently we received an invitation from a bishop in India to come to help them to use Alpha in their diocese.

Please join us in prayer, that together we will be able to engage fully this great opportunity to serve the Church! We have the daily need to answer inquires, the need for a team to help present Alpha to bishops, parish staffs, offices and committees of evangelization, college & prison chaplains, etc. We need to develop all types of promotional materials. We need funding for staff, equipment, materials, and postage!

2. Pray for God to bless The Church and Sacraments Seminar, July 23 – 25.

This seminar is being video taped as the first step in providing teaching material that is inspiring and practical Catholic teaching that can be used in small faith communities in parishes, colleges and other settings. We see this as another step in the process of evangelization following the Alpha course.

Pray for:

o Marcellino D'Ambrosio Ph.D, who will be the teacher;

o The video production, camera men, and equipment;

o The administration, logistics and worship team;

o Those attending the seminar to be strengthened in their faith;

o The money for video production and distribution. We need approximately $3500 for the initial costs and a whole lot more for distribution, and additional productions!

3. Pray for the Schools of Evangelization and short term missions

o Pray for the School and missions in Lanckorona, Poland July 13- August 22. Pray for Melanie Barnes who will be serving on the staff and Paula Ibello from Baltimore, who will be attending the school.

o Pray for the School and missions in Podilinec, Slovakia August 1-29.

o Please pray for Don Turbitt, Fr. Jim Tortorici, Neal & Janet Lozano; Dave Nodar, Andre Sionek, Fr. Michal, Bohus, Ella, Robert & Gosia Wojcik, Steffan Mitas and Kasia Miturska, who will be speaking, teaching, and ministering at the schools and at public conferences during July and August.

4. Pray for and help us finance the mission of CHRISTLIFE.

Pray that the Lord will open the doors to finance all that he is calling us to do. We have been given an enormous opportunity to help people to personally know and make known Jesus Christ as Lord. In order to do that we need more staff, equipment, etc. If you are aware of foundations or individuals that might be able to financially support the work of CHRISTLIFE, consider talking with them about our needs.

As always, thanks for your partnership in the mission of CHRISTLIFE. We could not do what the Lord has called us to do without your support in prayer, volunteer service, and finances. . We pray for you each week!

Sincerely in His love,

Dave Nodar

Director of CHRISTLIFE

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