This makes me think... about the new evangelization...

The way you share the message will be unique as you are. You don't have to be a writer or preacher to share the good news... God has wired you to share His message in distinctive, wonderful ways that reflect His heart and His design for you.

--Holley Gerth, God's Heart for You.

Tithing on Social Media? Well, as a strategy for the new evangelization, it might get you involved...

My latest offering at Patheos discusses the new evangelization, the generosity of God, and our response to it. How did I come to this idea of tithing on our usage of social media? Simple. It's a a matter of stewardship... and putting our resources at the service of the new evangelization.

Here's a snippet...

There’s an old joke that talks about the angels questioning Jesus about the worldwide evangelization  plan after his return to heaven following the Ascension: 

Angel: So, Jesus, you’ve just returned to heaven as the victorious Lord of Glory, King of Heaven and Earth, what’s your plan for spreading the news of salvation to the whole world? 

Jesus: Well, you see those folks down there on earth -- Peter, James, John, and the rest of my disciples? 

Angel: Yes… 

Jesus: I told them to tell everyone. 

Angel: That’s the plan? 

Jesus: That’s it. 

As it was then, so it is now. The plan for evangelization still resides with us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 

And all of us who are baptized into the Church, have been baptized into the Church’s mission, which is our mission too. The call to be evangelizers is at once corporate and personal.  Some are called to bring the news of salvation to foreign lands. Most are called to bring it to our next-door neighbor -- or, to our next Facebook status.

Read it all. 

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The Contagious Bonds of Faith and Friendship

My weekly column at Patheos today looks to the saints and apostles for inspiration on glories of friendship... and how friendships can evangelize and build up the church.

Here's a sample:

Faith is caught not taught. That pithy adage describes my own conversion to Christ as a teen. I was raised in a Christian home, but I did not as yet own my faith. Though I knew about Christ, I did not know him. 

The witness of a few close friends won me over. At first, it was more of what they did and less about what they said. 

My heart yearned for what they had… authentic love for one another born of respect, not competition or social status. They walked together with an easy regard for the uniqueness of the other; characterized by a building up, not tearing down. Their joy radiated from boon companionships. A community ethic rooted in teamwork brought compassionate service to others. 

There was a warm fire about them. And I needed to know its source. 

Jesus said, “I have called you friends.” (John 15: 15.) 

Friends… The God of the Universe wants to be friends with us. God took on a permanent partnership with his creatures, not only by taking on flesh in the Incarnation, but by longing to share our company so that one day we might share his. 

God, the mighty friend -- refuge and rock, consoler and confidant, healer and lover -- caught my attention. And I have never been the same. Once “caught” I couldn’t wait to be “taught” about the faith of the friends of God. 

There's more.  Subscribe to the column here. 

Among Women Podcast #55

Among Women #55 talks with Janet Benestad, the Secretariat of Faith Formation and Evangelization in the Archdiocese of Boston.  Together we tackle fears and challenges of becoming evangelizers, growing in the faith, living in a culture that does not always support Christianity, and dealing with being or becoming a Catholic in the face of scandals in the Church.

As we celebrate the Year of the Priest,  Pat shares a segment of The Dialogue from St. Catherine of Siena that describes the priesthood and the reverence we should have toward it... as well as the posture we need to take when priests fail in their mission to be good priests... a timely perspective for the modern age, even tho' it was written in the 14th century!

Good resources for reading are listed, as well as a new website for vocations.