To “evangelize” means to share the gospel with others.

When Jesus was alive, he went town to town, “door to door”, interacting with as many people as possible to share the good news. Although this is still the most personal way, today’s technology enables us to “evangelize” to anyone, anywhere from the comfort of our homes through social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Below is brief summary of each site including their recognizable “icons”. To get you started, I discovered The Evangelist uses all of them to share, connect and reach as many people as possible! Therefore, use The Evangelist website as a first step towards learning how to use these social networking sites.

Facebook.com –  is a social networking service launched in 2004 by a Harvard student. Users may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, exchange messages, share pictures and join common-interest user groups. Facebook has 845 million users.

Twitter.com –  is an online social networking service and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, known as “tweets”. It was created in March 2006. Twitter has over 140 million active users.

Youtube.com  – is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users, companies, and organizations can upload, view and share videos.

** Remember, social networking sites require you to register, setup a profile and choose a user ID and password. If you need help, ask ANY teenager! **

I bought my first cell phone back in 1995. This was used mostly for emergencies or to be reminded by my wife to pick up something at the grocery store.

Now more 15 years later, cell phones have evolved to be “smart phones” and can do a lot more than make phone calls. They now provide easy access to email, the internet, text messaging, playing games, watching movies, taking pictures, listening to music and even downloading applications or “apps” to make things even easier. I’ll admit, we are an Apple household. We love our iPhone, iPad, iTouch, and Apple TV. It is so convenient to have access anywhere, on any device to any of our videos, music, pictures, apps, notes and email.

This week’s review is about an “app” I found called “iMissal – Catholic App”. For $4.99, you can download this “app” for iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, BlackBerry, or Kindle Fire. This allows you to always have the bible, the current week’s gospel, daily meditations, prayers, Catholic News and more with you at all times and in one place! I found this “app” to be easy to use, accurate and very convenient.

Here is an overview:

Complete Missal – A complete Missal is included along with a full liturgical calendar with all the Mass Readings. Plus, you can even listen to the Mass Readings if desired!

My Daily Bread – This includes a unique bible verse for every day of the year in 3 different bible translations (NAB, NIV & KJV). You can even save your favorites or share them with your friends via e-mail or Facebook!

Prayers – A large collection of Catholic Prayers are included and sorted by category to easily find a prayer for a particular purpose or special need.

Catholic News – Catholic news and events are sent directly to you for easy access and review.

Saint a Day – For an additional charge, you can buy “Saint a Day” to learn about the life of a Saint each day and review Saint Prayers.

 

Buy iMissal for yourself and someone special as a gift for Lent or Easter and never be without the Word!

As we get closer to this Sunday and Super Bowl XLVI, the hype around the game between the NY Giants and the New England Patriots is everywhere. Predictions, commentary, advertisements and even some alarming food statistics.With Super Bowl Sunday being the 2nd largest food consumption day of the year behind Thanksgiving, Americans will be eating:

• 25 billion chicken wings
• 50 million cases of beer
• 46 million pounds of chips
• 71 million pounds of avocados

With great consumption, comes great opportunity. This week’s review is about how social events like the Super Bowl are a great opportunity to share our faith and evangelize to others. One approach that recently caught my attention was Tony Dungy’s FREE Super Bowl halftime video kit for game watching parties. For those that don’t recognize his name, Tony is a well-known and widely respected former NFL coach who recently led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2007. Besides being a coach, he is an established author, devoted Christian and has started several community service organizations to help others. Tony Dungy is also an adoptive dad and is making a personal appeal to Americans on the subject of the Orphan crisis in the world through his involvement in the Adoption Journey Project:

“This collective of organizations wants to break down the barriers to adoption. Their goal is to foster honest conversations about the adoption process, offer comprehensive yet easily accessible information about domestic and international adoption, and connect those who’ve already adopted with those who are thinking about it.”

On Sunday Bowl Sunday, Tony is encouraging party goers and hosts to use this “social” opportunity to raise awareness on the millions of orphans worldwide and the process people can follow to learn more. To do this, he has made a free video that can be watched online, burned to a DVD or streamed to your TV as an alternative or compliment to the Super Bowl halftime show or any time desired.

To learn more or watch the video go to: www.adoptionjourney.com

In my conversation with Father about adoption, he said that adoption is highly encouraged in the Catholic faith and that Catholic Charities is one of the leading adoption agencies in the nation.

For more information: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

I have reviewed Tony’s video and both websites and think they are great resources to raise awareness and help those interested in learning more.

Remember, you can watch this anytime, but consider showing this as part of your Super Bowl Party Halftime entertainment…it is less than 3 minutes and well worth it!

Bring some extra copies of this “reflection” to hand out!

As a parent, I cringe every time the kids ask if I will take the parental controls off a TV show they want to watch, a website they want to visit or movie they want to rent. With such easy access to inappropriate content, my wife and I worry about what our children are exposed to and struggle with a sustainable way to “manage” what they see without “locking everything down.” Over the last 3 months, my family and I have personally watched more than 20 Christian movies and reviewed numerous websites to help me write these “reflections” for the St. Jude Bulletin. I’ll admit, before Father asked me to do this, I had never watched a Christian movie or been to a Christian website… mainly because I didn’t know where to start and hadn’t considered it. Therefore, this week’s review is about the resources I found and use with my family; and how you too can easily explore the endless Christian choices available with the power of the internet.

The Dove Foundation – the mission of this non-profit organization is “to encourage and promote the creation, production, distribution and consumption of wholesome family entertainment. They are supported primarily by donations from families who want to move Hollywood in a more family friendly direction”. This foundation writes great reviews and I have been happy with the movies they have given their “approval” seal to.

ChristianCinema.com – is a motion picture production and distribution company founded in 1999. Their website was “born out of a desire to connect independent Christian filmmakers with people like us.” This site provides many resources, but I mention it since it has a “NetFlix like” service for DVD rentals. For ~$10 a month, you can have “faith affirming and family approved” movies delivered straight to your home.

Pureflix Entertainment – “brings feature films and thought-provoking documentaries with a solid Christian message or Biblical historical significance that will impact audiences. Their DVDs will clearly portray forgiveness, redemption, love, and faith that engage people in their pursuit of God and the strengthening of each person’s personal relationship with Jesus.” One evangelical approach that caught my attention was their concept of a “movie ministry”. They provide programs and materials to license the showing of content to groups that will watch movies together and faith share afterwards. Might be a great idea for a St. Jude!

As with all the reviews I do, this is just my opinion. I urge you to always review the content of these sites prior to sharing with your family so you can make the best decision possible. I also welcome any feedback or alternative resources that I could review and recommend.

For football fans, this is an exciting time of year. Playoff games began last weekend with the Super Bowl coming in early February. For those that don’t follow football, keep reading, there is a special message here…

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Last November, I wrote about how my choice of wearing black and yellow shows others that I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, just like how I choose to “treat others” shows my love and commitment to God. Ironically, this week’s review is on Tim Tebow’s autobiography “Through My Eyes”. I say ironically because while I have been reading this book, I have become a fan of him and as the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, he knocked my Pittsburgh Steelers out of the playoffs last weekend!

Although I am disappointed about the loss, I am more and more impressed with Tim Tebow. Not because of his football skills, but because he “walks the talk”.  Over the past few years, Tim Tebow has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in college football and was a top pick in the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. More importantly, in his book, “Through My Eyes, “Tebow” shares his inspiring story from his perspective on the circumstances of his birth, his family’s Christian missionary in the Philippines, the work ethic he learned from living on a farm, being home schooled by his mom and how God, his family and football are at the center of his life. (in that order) Each chapter starts with a quote from scripture, just like he leads his life…God first.

Tebow’s success on and off the field along with his very public acknowledgement of his faith has many people talking. Even those that never watched football before are becoming interested in him, his story and the role model he is becoming for children dreaming of making it to the NFL. Even though I am a Steelers fan, I will be cheering for Tebow this coming weekend. Not because I want Tebow to win, but that through his winning, he will give God the glory for all to see.

We made “the trip” to the mall this past weekend and waited an hour in line for a picture with Santa as we do each year. Megan is almost too old (11) but agreed one last time. As we stood in line, Matthew waited as patiently as a “4 year old” can. As I observed the excitement Santa stirs in the hearts of the children, I thought how easily the commercialization of Christmas can make us overlook that this time of year is about the birth of Christ and our love for one another. It reminded me of a song my sister shared with me recently by Becky Kelley:

Christmas time was approaching,
the snow was starting to fall,
shoppers choosing their presents,
people filling the mall.
Children waiting for Santa
with excitement and glee,
a little boy tugged my sweater,
looked up and asked me…

Chorus:
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday,
Why don’t we see Him more?

As I stood in amazement
at this message profound,
I looked down to thank him,
he was nowhere around.

The little boy at the mall
might as well have had wings.
As the tears filled my eyes,
I thought I heard him sing …

Chorus:
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday,
Why don’t we see Him more?
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents,
But Christ gave His life for me.

In the blink of an eye,
at the sound of His trump,
We’ll all stand in line at His throne.
Every knee shall bow down,
every tongue will confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

Chorus:
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday,
Why don’t we see Him more?

Where’s the line to see Jesus?
He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents,
But Christ gave His life for me.

As we celebrate this glorious time of year, let us not forget to share the story of the birth of Christ on Christmas with our children. Teach them what Christ did for us and what they can do for others so they too can find “the line to see Jesus someday”.

Merry Christmas

Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the taping of the Christmas mass at St. Jude the Apostle with Bishop Hubbard. The church was decorated beautifully, the children’s choir sounded amazing and Bishop Hubbard’s homily stressed that although the world has commercialized Christmas, as Catholics we must remain steadfast in our love for Christ and each other, always modeling the true spirit of Christmas regardless of the actions of others.

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

This week’s review is about the movie “Christmas with a Capital C” which confronts the growing trend towards saying “Happy Holidays”, “Seasons Greetings”, and the removal of “Christ” from Christmas. The story begins when Mitch Bright (a lawyer) returns to his hometown only to find his high school rival Dan Reed (now Mayor) breaking the law by displaying a nativity scene on government property. Having a personal vendetta against Dan, Mitch decides to file an injunction to prevent the nativity scene from being displayed in the town. Tensions rise, dividing the town and challenging Dan’s notion of what it means to “fight” for Christmas as the Mayor but more importantly as a Christian man. Soon, Dan realizes that the best outward sign of our love for Christ at this time of year isn’t the decorations we are “allowed” to display, but by the love and compassion we show for one another…even those that have hurt us. This cannot be taken from anyone.

Over the years, I too have succumbed to the societal pressure to mindlessly say “Happy Holidays” at times, especially with people I didn’t know well. Our Christmas cards became “Season’s Greetings” cards with no mention of Christmas. This left me feeling empty and ashamed. After seeing this movie and hearing Bishop Hubbard, I realize that evangelizing Christ’s birth and modeling Christ’s behavior is the perfect way to “display” the true meaning of Christmas to the world.

One of the hardest things I have had to do in my life was admitting I was wrong, saying I was sorry and asking for forgiveness. This usually involved another person but sometimes the person I needed to forgive was me.

Then Peter came up to Him and said, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? As many as up to seven times?”
Jesus answered him, ”I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18: 21-22

This week’s review is on the movie “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry” by the Christiano Film Group released in 2009. Set in the 1970’s, this story takes us back to a much simpler time. A time when banana seat bicycles were the main mode of transportation, kids played outside, mom’s had time to sew buttons on shirts, handwritten notes were used instead of texting, pinball machines where the top “video” game, and kids where enthusiastic about mowing the neighbor’s lawn for $3. Now more than 30 years later, that simplicity may be gone, but the same social challenges the movie portrays exist today including raising children as a single parent, dealing with “bullying” in our schools and making the choice to forgive others as the Lord intended.

This movie will make you think. It will make you think about the grudges you hold against others and/or yourself. It will make you see that the choice to forgive has the power to free you, to allow you to give more to others and be a shining example of God’s love for us.

Issue 5

With the unexpected snowfall last weekend, it got me thinking about the holiday shopping my wife, Amy will be doing again this year. (Less than 3 weeks until Black Friday!)

Notice how I said that “my wife” will be doing it? Quite honesty, the shopping part of the holidays is my least favorite part. Plus, she always does an excellent job and meets our budget every time. In reality, my contribution is usually just funding the effort, acting as a sounding board for gift ideas and babysitting the kids while my wife goes store to store. It is a partnership, but I think I am getting off pretty easy. In some ways, I blame my lack of participation on how commercial the holidays have become and how we have forgotten what this time of year is really about. Finding a “meaningful” Christian gift in the mainstream stores can be pretty difficult at times. Sure, they are out there… but who wants to search more then you have to. This is shopping, not a search and rescue mission!

For years, I have worked in Latham, NY in the British American business park, each day driving by Peter Harris Plaza on Route 7. Over the last year, I discovered a treasure that is tucked away in that plaza. A store called the Living Word Parable Christian store. This small but spacious store has a variety of Christian related items including music, DVD’s, books, home decorations, cards, bibles, software, jewelry and many other wonderful gift ideas at reasonable prices. One visit and you will truly see the difference when shopping for that special gift for that special person. These stores are an association of independent retailers that are locally owned and operated by people who love the Lord and consider their business a ministry to their community. They also believe that Christ-centered products can change people’s lives, so they build relationships with publishers, music companies and manufacturers who share the same vision.

Personally, I visit the store weekly….sometimes to buy an item for the house or a birthday gift, or just to “refuel” and refocus during my lunch hour. It has become a refuge from my hectic work schedule, keeping me grounded with Christian messages. Even Amy and the kids love going to the store. In fact, after reading this, Amy advised me that things are going to be different this holiday shopping season.

When I asked “different how” she said “for starters, now that you have a store you like, you’re helping with the Christmas shopping…no more excuses!”

My apologies to the men who now have to go shopping this holiday season as a result of post… 🙂

Issue 3