High Res Banner Logo
Issue 61
January 9, 2015
Baptism and Christian Unity



The worldwide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held from January 18-25. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in cooperation with the World Council of Churches, invites us to keep this intention in our prayers.

"Commitment to ecumenism responds to the prayer of the Lord Jesus that 'they may all be one' (Jn17:21). The credibility of the Christian message would be much greater if Christians could overcome their divisions and the Church could realize 'the fullness of catholicity proper to her in those of her children who, though joined to her by baptism, are yet separated from full communion with her' We must never forget that we are pilgrims journeying alongside one another. This means that we must have sincere trust in our fellow pilgrims, putting aside all suspicion or mistrust, and turn our gaze to what we are all seeking: the radiant peace of God's face. Trusting others is an art and peace is an art. Jesus told us: 'Blessed are the peacemakers' (Mt 5:9). In taking up this task, also among ourselves, we fulfil the ancient prophecy: 'They shall beat their swords into ploughshares' (Is 2:4)" (Evangelii Gaudium, n. 244).

The Baptism of the Lord

This Sunday, the Church brings the Christmas season to a close with the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. Jesus opens baptism to us as a gateway to the Church and to a new life of faith. It is our common baptism of the Holy Spirit that establishes us as one body, and makes us a living sign of God in the world. All our efforts to collaborate with the USCCB and others, to work toward unity among Christians, and to defend life, are manifestations of that baptism to the world. By it we work to meet Christ's commission, "that all may be one."
In This Issue
Evangelization and Catechesis
USCCB

The newest Consultant to the USCCB's Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis is our very own director, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.! This is a welcome development in the Center's ongoing collaboration with the USCCB, and we congratulate Fr. Frank on his new responsibility. You can learn more about the work of the committee here.

Upcoming Webinars



To welcome you into 2015, the Catholic Apostolate Center is in the midst of a two part webinar series entitled: 

Witness to the Gospel: Our Mission in the World Today
  • January 20, 8:00pm: Fr. Frank Donio S.A.C., "Evangelii Gaudium: Moving the Church from Maintenance to Mission"

In his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis invites all to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  We are not to keep the faith to ourselves, but are sent as missionary disciples to transform the world to Christ. We are all called to be Spirit-filled disciples, not in a maintenance mode but rather a missionary one (Evangelii Gaudium,118-120,259-262). How can we accomplish this call to be a missionary disciple today? 

 

Join our director Fr. Frank Donio S.A.C. for this webinar which outlines Pope Francis's vision for witnessing to our relationship with Christ as missionary disciples today. If you would like to sign up for this webinar, please click on the Webinars link below!

 

If you were unable to attend this past Wednesday's webinar by Jonathan Lewis, Director of Young Adult Ministry and Evangelization Initiatives from the Archdiocese of Washington, keep an eye on our YouTube and past webinar pages for the video. 

Featured Webinar: Missionary Apostles for the 21st Century

Missionary Apostles for the 21st Century

Recently, the Catholic Apostolate Center recently hosted a webinar presented by Dr. Susan Timoney, Assistant Secretary for Pastoral Ministry and Social Concerns for the Archdiocese of Washington.

Pope Francis wants a church of missionary disciples. Does that include you? Dr. Timoney discusses the vocation and mission of the Laity in the work of evangelization as shaped by Evangelii Nuntiandi and Evangelii Gaudium.

Click the link below if you would like to view this webinar!

9 Days for Life


Recently the staff of the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-life Activities came to the Catholic Apostolate Center for a day of retreat which assisted them in spiritually preparing for the many important pro-life activities this month.  A new one that began last year is "9 Days for Life", concurring with the annual March for Life in Washington, DC.

At the home page you can find ways to join in prayer with Catholics and other Christians from across the country, along with promotional resources to help spread the word to those in your community.
See us at the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Congress!

 
We are pleased to announce our growing involvement and presence at the Mid-Atlantic Congress taking place in Baltimore, MD, on February 12-14. This is a great opportunity for Church leaders at all levels of parish, diocesan, and education ministries to come together, share, learn, and network. If you're interested in registering see the link below.

This year we are fortunate enough to offer four different presentations at the Mid-Atlantic Congress in collaboration with our partners at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archdiocese of Washington:
  • On Thursday, February 12, join Catholic Apostolate Center Director Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C with Dr. Peter Murphy and Jeannine Marino of the USCCB, as they will be discussing the Pastoral Planning Guide for the New Evangelization.
  • Later that evening, join our young adult staff and Jonathan Lewis of the Archdiocese of Washington with their presentation Be an Apostle: How to be a Witness to the Faith.  
  • Friday, February 13, Fr. Frank Donio and Catholic Apostolate Center Advisor Barbara McCrabb will be speaking on Moving Church from Maintenance to Mission through Co-Responsibility.
  • Finally, on Saturday, February 14, join Catholic Apostolate Center Advisors Dr. Susan Timoney and Don McCrabb with their presentation on Pope Francis and the Call to Witness.
Please come and visit at our booth after seeing one of these presentations. Our staff looks forward to meeting you!

From the Ad Infinitum Blog

50 Ways to Enjoy Your Faith: Part I
by Andrew Buonopane
(originally published January 6, 2015)

To celebrate the Catholic Apostolate Center passing 50,000 likes on Facebook, Communications and Social Media Intern Andrew Buonopane created a list of 50 ways to enjoy the Faith. This is the first post in a five-part series where we'll share the whole list. Check back on the first Tuesday of the month for another installment! Click to see the list so far
Baptism of the Lord

Feast:
Sunday after Epiphany
End of the Christmas season

Instituted:
1955 by Pope Pius XII

Quote:
Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you.

-Roman Missal, Collect of the Mass for the Baptism of the Lord



STAY CONNECTED 
  View our videos on YouTube Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter   

Catholic Apostolate Center
A Ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines)

Copyright � 2014. All Rights Reserved.