What?
Catholic culture is the kingdom of heaven on earth. It is the ‘civilization of life & love’, where the dignity of all men is recognized from womb to tomb. God is glorified by all and in all. Loving our neighbors as Christ loved us is the standard (John 15). Justice, joy, modesty, chastity, honesty, gratitude and humbleness flow through a transformed mankind in love with its God. This can become a reality when we really do God’s Will moment by moment, as it is done in heaven.
"We must have the courage to create islands, oases, and then
great stretches of land of Catholic culture where
the Creator's design is lived out."
Pope Benedict XVI 4-6-2006
Why this step?
A) Because God wants it!
“ And when you pray...pray like this: …Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:5-10) Catholic culture, in its fullness, is the kingdom of heaven on earth. God wants that for us.
B) Joy
“All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.”( John 15:11-12) “You will live in my love if you keep my commandments.” (John 15:10) The fruit of building God’s Kingdom, building Catholic culture, is Joy: joy here on earth as a foretaste of heaven and then, everlasting joy, greater than we can ask or imagine.
How to do this step?
The foundational part of building Catholic culture is continually living it everyday within your family. Faithfully fulfilling your daily & religious duties will unleash torrents of grace upon the world.
The next part of building Catholic culture is to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole of creation.”(Mark 16:14). But how? Since love of neighbor is inseparable from love of God(CCC 1878), we need to discern the ways in which God calls us to evangelize others, to share the good news.
Below you will find various ways to build Catholic culture within your home and community.
(1) Continue these Crucial Spiritual Exercises
Put on the Armaments of God each day:
Go to Confession at least monthly, every two weeks is better!
Go to Sunday Mass & consider weekday masses too!
You have begun to build Catholic culture, by God’s grace, because His kingdom is being built within you (Luke 17:20).
“I am confident that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” (Phillipians 1:61)
(2) Evangelize: Tell others about the 4 steps & resources!
Evangelization Tips:
Good news
Yes, simply telling others what you are doing here is evangelizing! People today are often more open to hearing about your experience, than to being told moral rights & wrongs.
So, you could say:
“I have been going through a spiritual formation process on the internet that has been really helpful because… (Share why-i.e. I now understand the root problem of the world & the answer, etc)”
“You can check it out at FamilyHoliness.com ."
"At least watch the first video, it’s only 20 minutes.“
Before you share the “Good News”, say a prayer to the Holy Spirit to ask for guidance. Also, pray to the other person’s guardian angel to prepare the way for an openness to your words.
Two or More
“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I
in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20)
Growing in your faith is much easier when you have others on the path with you. Similarly, it is easier for one family to grow in the faith when supported by other families. So, pray to God for other people and families to join you. Prayerfully discern whom to tell about this spiritual path and invite them to make the journey too.
People often say that when, in spite of their fears, they step out and evangelize, they feel strengthened and receive even more than they gave. Why? Because they find a supportive community of others who want to be “on the path” too.
e-vangelize
Be creative in using the modern means of communication. Email the "Intro Page" link to family & friends with a short recommendation/invitation. Also, consider linking it to websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, church bulletins, etc. Remember, any person who does respond in faith, helps the whole world! So, we all benefit!
"Every soul that rises above itself, raises the world."
John Paul II- Reconciliation & Penance
3) Deepen your prayer life & understanding of Consecration
Excellent Books & Videos for Free!
“Consecration is not just a prayer or a devotion but a commitment to a way of life which must be nourished through continuous formation in the eternal truths of our faith.” Cardinal Luigi Ciappi
The resources below can be used for personal and/or group study. Consider inviting others to study these with you.
Recommended schedule of free online books & videos:
Catechism on True Devotion
Fatima Secrets
Alone with God
Friends of the Cross
Divine Providence
Divine Mercy Sunday 40 Day Preparation
First Saturday Devotion
Read about the famous First Saturday Devotion requested by Our Lord at Fatima
View online First Saturday video programs to help you fulfill the obligations of the devotion
Purchase your own set of First Saturday Videos
4) Feed your family a spiritual diet of Truth!
Easy Program to Teach your Family the Faith!
Ongoing formation (Consecration in the Truth) in the family is essential if we are to protect our children.
Watch the enlightening 22-Minute video for the answers to these questions:
Why is Family Catechesis (learning the truths of the faith in the family) so crucial?
How can I teach the faith to my children if I don't know it?
For Full Screen, select the 2nd button from the right
"Christian parents must strive to follow and repeat, within the setting of family life the more methodical teaching received elsewhere. The fact that these truths about the main questions of faith and Christian living are thus repeated within a family setting impregnated with love and respect will often make it possible to influence the children in a decisive way for life.” John Paul II, Catechesis in Our Time #68
Check out FamilyCatechism.com. As you teach, you learn too! It's easy!
Go to the overview & parent resource section of the Family Catechesis Website
5) Enrich your family "together time" with:
Tips for Families: Vacation & Free Family TV online!
Family dinners, games, outings & pilgrimages
Familyland.TV Online Family TV – Fun, Entertaining & Free from the Culture of Death!
Family Fests, Conferences & Retreats-- Vacations without leaving God Behind!
Don't miss the 2010 Family Fest talks & homilies: Watch Online!
2010 Totus Tuus Family Conference on St Joseph- Adult & Teen conference talks: Watch Online!
6) Join parish ministries/groups and church approved movements.
A Key to real Spiritual Growth=Community!
“It is not possible to live and grow in the faith without the support of a group, of a Christian community. It is here that you will learn together to build a better world. These groups must not be closed in on themselves.” John Paul II
Learn about Membership and Lay Evangelization Teams of the Apostolate for Family Consecration
Use this Meeting Guide with your small faith group!
7) Tithe & Give Alms
One of the Best Steps in Faith!
Support your parish, diocese and your favorite Catholic Organizations, so as to build the Kingdom!
To trust is to triumph. To tithe is to trust. Give away 10% and God will sustain you. Mal 3:10
Almsgiving starts after you have given your 10% tithe, and it is so Powerful! Tobit 12:9.
Why is Financial Sacrifice so Important today? Watch 6-minute Video!
Will you help us reach more families worldwide with this message?
Back to Step 3...Link to Apostolate for Family Consecration website
