March 2002
March 11
Dear Friends,
Today, as I write this letter, it has been six months since the terrorist attack on the United States. September 11th was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. In the midst of that terrible day, at the Trade Towers,we saw firefighters running to the place of greatest need and not from it. Since that day, we have been summoned as a nation to point the way forward with courage and hope. To do what is right -- to be committed to rebuild lives as well as buildings, and to make progress in the face of hatred, murder, and fear -- will cost us.
In addition to this tragedy, many of us have been deeply discouraged and disillusioned by the terrible developments in the Archdiocese of Boston, and elsewhere, regarding sexual abuse.
Times like these appear pretty dark not only in our culture but in the Church. These types of events in the world and within the very Body of Christ remind us of how deeply we need our Savior and Lord Jesus!
“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5.
Thirty one years ago, the Lord Jesus laid hold of me in a life changing manner that continues to encourage me to turn more fully to Him. As I have grown older, I have come to appreciate more fully both the enormity of God’s sacrificial love for every person, and the depth of our need for His sacrifice! When we look at the cross, we see the gravity of our own sins and those of the world, and realize what it cost Christ to save us! We all need the Savior of the world!
The firefighters who ran into the Trade Towers, not away from them, represent what Jesus Christ did for all of humanity. As disciples, the Lord Himself has called us to follow Him into the places of greatest need When we feel discouraged or fearful with the events in our personal lives, the world or the church, we are challenged to live as his witnesses right where He has placed us.
As we move towards Holy Week, let us draw faith and hope from the Lamb who was slain for our sins and renew our commitment to point the way to the kingdom of God.
.
Your brother,
Dave Nodar
Quote of the Month
"“We cannot calmly accept
the rest of humanity falling back again into paganism.
We must find the way to take the Gospel,
also, to nonbelievers.
The Church must tap all her creativity so that
the living force of the Gospel
will not be extinguished."
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
"God and the World,"
Teens Declare that Jesus is Alive!
Fr. Finbarr Fogarty sent this exciting testimony about the youth of his parish and the impact of using Alpha in preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation.
St. Pius V Church in Buena Park, CA, has been running an adult Alpha course for years. There have been so many life-changing experiences that we immediately saw the possibilities in its being used as a final preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. Our objectives were simple: to give 130 kids a spirit-filled experience of God, a different experience of church, and an understanding of the importance of Christian fellowship for survival. I wanted them to have a memorable experience that would stay with them the rest of their lives—something they could turn to in times of pain or struggle.
With this objective in mind, we drew on our experience of Alpha over the past five years and gathered a team of 26 enthusiastic people. The live talks were filled with many personal stories about the power of God in team member's lives. With so many speakers there was optimum variety.
On the last evening we had our first sit-down meal and live music. The inhibitions about singing of the first evenings were gone, and the worship was very good. I called forward any kids who might like to comment on this Youth Alpha. To my astonishment they came forward in droves and gave very powerful testimonies. Some declared that God became personal for them for the first time. Others said that Jesus had come alive in their hearts; that they had learned that prayer is talking to God; that the Holy Spirit is real. In over 40 years as a priest I had never heard teenagers speak like this before their peers!
On surveys passed out after the retreat, the kids had more to say about their experiences. One said, "I learned more than I expected and became closer to God than I ever had before." Another said, "[The speakers] inspired me to be a better Catholic." But the most powerful statement may have been the following: "The retreat helped me to forgive my father." Praise God! - Fr. Finbarr Fogarty
Prayer Needs
• For the Lord’s continued guidance, protection and
provision for the staff of ChristLife.
• For the matching funds needed for a marketing grant.
• For conference and seminar opportunities to broadcast the vision of evangelization within the Church!
•For an increase of leaders in evangelization who can equip and train others.
Calender of Events
April 1-6
Celebrate 2002 Catholic Conference
Ilfracombe,Devon England
- Dave Nodar speaking
Apirl 11,12,
St Louis, MO Alpha Conference*
April 15,16
Chicago Alpha Conference*
Washington, D.C.Alpha Conference*
May 2, 3
Boca Raton,FL Alpha Conference*
*ChristLife will present Catholic seminars at all of these Alpha conferences
April 29- May 4
Meetings with Diocesan Leaders in Florida
April 29-May 4
Do you know any persons who might be interested in contributing to the matching grant we have received to help with marketing our mission and resources? Please pray and help if you can!
Who We Are
ChristLife is an apostolate of the Archdiocese of Baltimore that is dedicated to helping dioceses, parishes, and small faith communities implement the mission of evangelization Jesus' call to, "Go and make disciples of all nations," and to the Church's call to a new evangelization
What We Do
• Present seminars and
conferences to broadcast the vision of evangelization
• Conduct leadership training events
• Present Alpha Conferences for Catholics
• Provide practical resources, guidance and support for
implementing the mission of
evangelization.
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Copyright (c) 2002 ChristLife Catholic Evangelization Services
Permission is hereby granted to copy or reprint ChristLife newsletters for personal use, research files, internal circulation, and bulletin inserts. Please include "Copyright (c)2002 ChristLife" and our web address: www.christlife.org. Written permission is required if the article is to be included in a book, or in newspapers or magazines with paid subscriptions.
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