Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
October 31 , 2001
Catholics called to heroic action
Author Pat Madrid to speak on reaching those outside the Church
Would you risk your life to save a friend or loved one from danger?
America rediscovered the meaning of heroism through the example set by
firefighters, police officers, ordinary citizens and a humble Franciscan priest during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Few may be called to make the same sacrifice, but all Catholics are faced with reaching out to friends and family members who are in danger of losing much more than their lives — their eternal souls.
"Jesus Christ is the `ultimate fireman' whose mission is to save us from the fires of hell by showing us the way to salvation through the sacraments," explained Patrick Madrid, nationally known speaker, author and television personality, who will offer a two-day workshop, Nov. 16-17, at St. Thomas More Church in Englewood, to help people seeking to bring friends and family members into or back into the Church.
"The reason why it is so important to reach out to those outside the Church is that salvation flows from Christ and our communion with him," he explained, "If we think that `everyone is going to heaven anyway,' we should stop to read what Christ says about it in the Gospels."
Titled, "Search and Rescue," the Nov. 16-17 gathering is one of an ongoing series of workshops offered by "Forming Families for the Third Millennium," a center of formation in Denver that provides practical programs to help families live the fullness of the Catholic faith. Cost of the conference is $15 for adults and $7.50 for teens. Price includes breakfast and all-day babysitting services. For information or to register, call 303-703-9603.
The founder and publisher of the hugely popular Envoy Magazine, Madrid approaches with an energy and vitality that is guided first by his faith,
then by his relationship with his wife, Nancy, and their 11 children.
The Register interviewed Madrid via cell phone while he and his family were traveling across country in their van. With the sounds of laughter and conversation in the background, he offered an overview of how the workshop will guide people through a process of personal conversion, and offer effective tools to draw loved ones and friends into the Church.
"We all tend to be cowards when it comes to challenging the people who are close to us," Madrid explained. "We must first recognize that before we can reach out to others, we have to enter into the process of personal conversion through prayer and personal reflection."
Madrid encourages parents to realize it is never too late to set a good example of faith for their children. Even when a relationship has been seriously damaged by mistakes made in the past, God can bring about extraordinary healing when the person is willing to repent and ask forgiveness from the person they have harmed.
"Parents naturally struggle with deep emotions when their children leave the faith, or engage in sinful lifestyles," says Madrid. "It is important to take these feelings to God in prayer, then to thoughtfully find ways to address the issue.
"Make every effort to keep lines of communication open without compromising on your beliefs or principles," he says. "It is not necessary to be confrontational, but be courageous enough to find ways of sharing the truth in kindness."
The following topics will be covered during the workshop:
l The `real reasons' preventing someone from returning to the Church;
l How to identify the `five types' of ex- Catholics and how best to approach them;
l 10 common mistakes parents make with their children;
l The importance of prayer;
l Addressing Protestant misconceptions about the Catholic faith;
l 10 mistakes to avoid when sharing the faith.
The workshop is being co-presented with Avila Radio, a national organization seeking to bring Catholic radio back to Northern Colorado.
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