|
From the Director's Desk
"The commitment to spread the Faith throughout the world cannot be separated from the task of re-awakening faith and rekindling charity among Catholics."
- St. Vincent Pallotti
These words of St. Vincent Pallotti, written in Rome in the 1830's, are very appropriate for today! Living well the mission of Christ to "Go and make disciples" (Mt. 28:19) can only happen if Catholics joyfully and vibrantly witness both faith and charity. As both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis have taught, this witness will then attract others to faith in Christ.
Last week, we celebrated the 220th anniversary of the birth of St. Vincent Pallotti whose vision and charism is at the core of all that we do at the Catholic Apostolate Center. In this newsletter, we celebrate his great vision and invite you to learn more about Pallotti, Pallottine spirituality, and the Union of Catholic Apostolate.
May the Charity of Christ urge us on!
In God, the Infinite Love,
Fr. Frank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of St. Vincent Pallotti on the
220th Anniversary of his Birth
As a ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers and Brothers), the Catholic Apostolate Center takes St. Vincent Pallotti as its patron saint. Born in Rome on April 21st, 1795, Vincent Pallotti was a well-known priest in the city because many people sensed that God worked extraordinary graces through him. Truly a radical for his time, St. Vincent was known for approaching the "faithful of every class, rank, and condition" to minister to "those who are most spiritually needy." He sought people to treat those in need "with care and with a loving and tender concern." In his lifetime, he founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate, an association to revive faith and rekindle charity among Catholics and propagate faith to all.
The Catholic Apostolate Center seeks to serve the universal Church by following in the footsteps of St. Vincent's missionary spirit. In honor of this 220th anniversary of his birth the Catholic Apostolate Center, the Union of Catholic Apostolate and Society of the Catholic Apostolate have developed educational resources to share. These resources are included below and we encourage you to use them and share them with friends, family and colleagues:
|
|
Family Life as Witness to the Gospel Webinar Series
Families experience many different challenges and opportunities to be witnesses to the Gospel. In moments of joy and hardship, some of the greatest opportunities to grow in faith are available. This periodic webinar series, in preparation for the World Meeting of Families in September, looks at aspects and events of family life and how they can be moments for pastoral to evangelize and witness to the Gospel.
Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Programs are unique moments ideally suited for evangelization. It is an intimate way to discuss and share faith as the couple begins the steps to making their lifelong commitment. Marriage ministry can serve as a way to grow and establish their faith, and those that serve in that capacity have a unique opportunity to evangelize. This webinar will offer recommendations for making marriage ministry an opportunity for bringing people to (or back to) faith.
|
From the Ad Infinitum Blog
Deeds Done Well
by Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. D.Min.
Director, Catholic Apostolate Center
(Originally published January 22, 2015, the feast day of St. Vincent Pallotti)
"Deeds done well." Note the emphasis that St. Vincent Pallotti places on how things are done. Too often there are many deeds that are not done well. They are done in a half-hearted, almost mechanical way. This is a "maintenance" mentality, as noted by the 2012 Synod on the New Evangelization. A missionary mode of operating, as emphasized by the Synod and by Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium, was at the core of the actions of St. Vincent Pallotti. Today is Pallotti's feast day. As founder of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, an association of lay people, consecrated persons, and clergy, a part of which is the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers and Brothers), he understood the need for all Christians to be people of action, apostles of Christ.
|
|
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
 The Christian vocation is first and foremost a call to love, a love which attracts us and draws us out of ourselves, "decentring" us and triggering "an ongoing exodus out of the closed and inward-looking self towards its liberation through self-giving, and thus towards authentic self-discovery and indeed the discovery of God" (Deus Caritas Est, 6).
 This past Sunday, April 26th, the Church observed the 52nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Here at the Catholic Apostolate Center we joined in this prayer for men and women to open their hearts to God's call for their lives, particularly those who are called to consecrated or religious life. We invite you to join us in this prayer and visit our webpage dedicated to resources for vocational discernment. This webpage is an ideal resource to share with youth and young adults, or anyone you believe may find this useful.
|
|
Introducing Ad Infinitum: Reflections from the Bloggers of the Catholic Apostolate Center
The Ad Infinitum E-book is a selection from the hundreds of posts that have appeared on the Catholic Apostolate Center's Ad Infinitum blog.
This e-book is divided into five sections, each group offering a different perspective on the faith. You will find suggestions on how to live a life akin to the apostles, receive lessons from the saints, and much more. We encourage you to download this e-book and share it with friends, family and colleagues!
|
|
Interact with us on Social Media!
Don't forget to "Follow" and "Like" us on social media! Whether it be on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, come join the conversation as we share more ministry and Church resources daily. Click any of the links below for more information!
|
Catholic Apostolate Center
A Ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
