MESSAGE FROM BRIAN RUH, Director of NUGGETS OF FAITH Evangelization….. Q. What does it mean to say that God is I have been with you for one year and I thank Truth? A. God is light and in Him is no you for your warm welcome, your encouragement, darkness (1 Jn 1:5). His word is truth (Prov 8:7; 2 Sam your kind words and especially your prayers. Last year, 7:28) and His Law is truth (Ps 119:142). [Catechism when I was introduced at all the Masses, I mentioned articles 214-217]. Through the use of natural reason we the premise of evangelization is very simple and can can logically conclude in the existence of God’s truth. be broken down into two main parts. Both parts in- volve conversion. For those of us in the pews, what Where science falters and extrinsic evidence fail, reason are we doing to build and strengthen our own rela- and intrinsic evidence can prove the spiritual which can tionship with Jesus? The second part involves reach- not be measured by material sciences. And yet God ing out to our brothers and sisters who have fallen subjects himself to a special sort of proof. We know away. However, before we can share our Catholic that God is truth on the basis of the absolute credibility Faith with others, we first need to take ownership of of Jesus. He is the ‘way and the truth and the life’ (Jn our faith. For this article, I would like to focus on de- 14:6). Anyone who enters into a relationship with Him veloping a personal relationship with Jesus. This mission of evangelization, of proclaiming can find this out by putting it to the test. If God were and living and sharing the Gospel message, belongs to not ‘true’, then faith and reason could not dialogue with every Baptized member of the Church. Although each other. An agreement is possible, however, because most of the Baptized who call themselves Catholic are God is truth and the truth is divine. not aware of the importance of discipleship, there is a need to grow in relationship with Jesus and to faithful- ly follow Him. Maybe we need a gentle yet firm re- minder of who we are as Catholics, again? THE BIBLE TIMELINE Evangelization involves converting hearts. When I This study program takes you on a 24 week guided jour- was dating my wife, I wanted to spend as much time ney through salvation history. Presenter Jeff Cavins will as possible with her. And if we couldn’t be together in share with you how the Bible tells this story from begin- person we talked on the phone at night. I wanted to ning to end. We will gather Monday nights beginning know what she liked and what she didn’t. I wanted to September 14, in Gathering Rooms 1 & 2 from 6:30 pm get to know her thoughts and what she was passionate until 8:30 pm AND Thursday afternoons beginning about. I wanted to know as much as I could about September 17, in Gathering Rooms 1 & 2 from 12:45 her. And, ultimately, I wanted to take this knowledge pm until 2:45 pm. Due to our current conditions, we and put it into action to show her how much I loved are limited to 25 people per session and registration is her. necessary. There is a Study Set of The Bible Timeline The same idea applies to our relationship with ($35.95) that can assist you. Jesus. If we are Christian, all of us are invited to have You can order your own study set at https:// a close, intimate, and personal relationship with Him. ascensionpress.com/collections/the-bible-timeline-the- But, many may be insecure or unsure about what’s story-of-salvation To access the study online as an indi- involved. If you fall into this category and are not sure vidual, simply purchase the Study Set to get immediate how to begin, may I suggest two first steps? (continued on page 3) access to the videos and study support materials for 12 months. You will be required to make a free account on ‘Thinkific’, Ascension Press has partnered with WEEKLY OFFERINGS ‘Thinkific’ to deliver the study experience online. This Weekly envelopes may be mailed or you may submit only needs to be done once. The ‘Thinkific’ account is your offering via our online donation system on our separate from your Ascension account. To join, please website. Envelopes may also be dropped off at the Contact Ascension Press at [email protected] Parish Office using the drop box inside the outer foy- or call 1-800-376-0520. For further information, please er of the Parish Office. The outer foyer is open 24 /7 contact Brian Ruh at 688-5678 or [email protected] and the drop box leads to a safe. We thank you for your continued support. (continued from page 2) Loyola Press, Ascension Press, Our Sunday Visitor Step one – Be intentional. We are intentional or Dynamic Catholic to name just a few. Look for about many things in life and they involve what we care news agencies with a Catholic perspective, like CNA about deeply such as family, hobbies and friendships. (Catholic News Agency), Catholic.com, CNS Take the steps to build a relationship with Jesus. Not (Catholic News Service), Catholic World News, only “know” about Him (as you point to your head) but Zenit News Agency and EWTN News. Check out also “know” Him (as you point to your heart). It’s not some Catholic periodicals, like National Catholic Regis- an either/or choice but a both/and decision. Take the ter, Catholic Exchange, National Catholic Reporter, Ameri- time to “know” Him, not only intellectually but through can Magazine, and Crisis Magazine. I believe in you, but a friendship using the Sacraments, Scriptures and prayer. more importantly Jesus believes in you and desper- Step two – Once you intentionally choose Jesus, ately desires your friendship. "A journey of a thou- you need to do it again and again and again… When I sand miles begins with a single step”. promised to be faithful to Trish, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of my life, it wasn’t solely an emotional act. I chose to love her that day and every day forward through repeated acts of the will and rely on the solemn commitment we made to each other through our vows. There are days when we do not get along with each oth- KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND FIAT er and those are the days I rely on that intentional com- JOIN TOGETHER FOR BBQ mitment I made to her on our wedding day, again and again and again… These are two first steps in develop- WHAT: Weidner BBQ ing a personal relationship with Jesus, a conversion of To Go ONLY the heart. WHEN: September 19 Couples married 20, 35, 50 plus years very often TIME: 2:30 pm - 7:00 attest that as time goes on their relationship continues to pm grow and mature. Just as a marriage matures with daily WHERE: Outside the Ministry Cen- encounters, our relationship with Christ will deepen as ter COST: Pre-sale tickets* $11.00. Day of price we encounter Him daily through Scripture, prayer and $12.00 the Sacraments, all of which serve to both strengthen *If you have a previously purchased 2020 pre-sale and secure the relationship when the times of trial come. ticket from the Fish Fry (that was not redeemed) you Sadly, for some, as time goes on, relationships may dis- may redeem it for this event. Bring your Fish Fry solve or break. One important difference between hu- ticket to the Parish Office prior to the event to swap man relationships and our relationship with Jesus is that it for your BBQ ticket by September 10. Jesus never, ever turns away from us! Even if we turn HOW TO PURCHSAE TICKETS: Fill out the from Him, He lovingly, compassionately and patiently, form below and return to the Parish OR— Come to waits for us to return to Him and when we do, He will the Parish Office Monday though Friday from 8:00 always, always welcome us back with arms wide open! am to 4:00 pm to purchase tickets. Tickets may be What are you doing to strengthen your relation- purchased at the Café or the Store. ship with Jesus? Intentionally set aside time each day to spend with Jesus. We have so many great resources PRINT NAME:___________________________ available to us today that you’re bound to find some- thing to help you build your relationship with Jesus. PHONE #:______________________________ Join us for daily Mass, subscribe to a daily reflection, ADDRESS:______________________________ read the Scriptures, listen to our local Catholic radio station, WLOF, 101.7 FM, subscribe to FORMED QUANTITY:_____________ (directions in the Bulletin and it’s free), enjoy the scores CASH or CHECK (circle one) of talks, videos and video series. Go for a walk and pray, pray the Rosary with your coffee (start off with a dec- Check#_______ ade), pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Pick up a book that interests you from St. Greg’s Catholic Store, the EWTN Catalogue, Catholic Answers, Ignatius Press, 3 PARKING LOT UPDATE:WEEKEND MASS NEWS We have noticed a decline in sign ups but the same The process of repaving amount of people attending each week.