Saturday, October 17, 2009

Who Knew? College Kids Seeking God.

It was my first time speaking specifically to college age students. I had done high school youth groups and adults - but this particular demographic had eluded me. So there I was, at the Portland State University Newman Center talking about how to embrace and live the hard teachings of Christ. The focus was on getting these young adults to become true followers - meaning living the Gospel passage: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me."

Not an easy topic, but oh so necessary.

When doing a talk like this, you can easily tell whether a group is interested in what you have to say. It's in their eyes. In most middle school and high school youth groups, there is an almost complete lack of connection. They're just not at that place of caring. Not everyone, mind you, but a majority.

God bless these PSU students. Not once did I feel I had lost them, or that they didn't care.

They listened intently. Asked questions. And even thanked me afterwards.

This is the lost generation? These are the young Americans from a liberal college, and located in one of the most liberal areas of the country who don't care about their faith?

Thanks be to God!

Let us continue to lift up our young adults in prayer. Especially those who are attending our colleges and universities - the "hot-beds" of morally relative indoctrination. Reach out a hand. Invite them to Mass. Bring them to a church event. Don't wait for them to come to you - it may never happen.

Take that first step. A step in faith. There are souls depending on you.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Who Da Man? Deacon Harold is Da Man.

Matthew Warner's website (http://www.fallibleblogma.com/) is promoting "Support a Catholic Speaker Month." What a wonderful idea! So it is my goal to do just that.

See here for more details: http://www.fallibleblogma.com/index.php/support-a-catholic-speaker-month-and-favorite-catholic-speaker-2009-results

I have chosen to "support" my good friend - and AMAZING speaker - Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. I have the pleasure of calling him my friend and well as my inspiration for doing what I do. It was his "yes" to my invitation to speak at a men's conference here in Portland, Oregon that allowed me to give God my "yes" to launching Real Catholic Ministries.

One of the things I appreciate most about Deacon Harold (and people in general) is his no-holds-barred approach to his faith. He speaks the truth of the Catholic Faith with love and conviction. If you don't receive a healthy dose of the Holy Spirit by the time you're done hearing one of his talks - you might want to check for a pulse.

His explanations of the Mass, the family, the Eucharist, etc. are direct, enlightening and understandable.

I think the mark of a great speaker is one that moves people to change their lives. I think of Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. John Corapi and Christopher West. Well, I can speak from personal experience when I say that Deacon Harold has done just that for me. And, thanks be to God, due to his ability to utilize the media, Deacon Harold has been able to touch thousands of people around the world through radio, his EWTN series, public appearances and even YouTube.

No less important than his message, Deacon Harold continues to be one of the few black, Catholic men (along with my other brother in Christ, Richard Lane) who has had the opportunity to be a "face" for an entire culture. While his talks cross all borders of color, class, gender or faith, he "speaks" to the world as a man whose brothers and sisters in Christ have for so long been (at least visibly) unrepresented in the Catholic Church.

Deacon Harold's website (http://www.auremcordis.com/) will give you a lot of information about his ministry, his schedule of talks and what media is available to order.

I promise you that Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers is a force to be reckoned with in the battle for souls. The devil will attack all these great speakers as they continue doing the work of God. Please pray for them - as they do for you.

God bless!!!