16 n January 2014
NewEarth
Author, filmmaker and Catholic convert Steve Ray to speak in Fargo and Bismarck On Monday, Feb. 24, Real Presence Radio staff invites all in the diocese to hear Steve Ray tell his conversion story. The event will take place at the Ramada Plaza Inn & Suites, Fargo. For Real Presence Radio listeners in western North Dakota, Steve will share his message in Bismarck on Feb. 25 at the Ramkota Inn. Steve Ray’s presentation coincides with Real Presence Radio’s annual fundraising banquets. As with past banquets, organizers hope many will consider sponsoring the event at varying levels. These sponsorships cover the costs of the event so all other donations go directly toward Real Presence Radio’s mission of evangelization. Also, the group is looking for table hosts willing to invite eight guests to join them. Registration is required by Feb. 10. Listen to Real Presence Radio for more details as plans for the banquets progress.
A couple’s conversion Raised in a Fundamentalist Baptist family, Steve Ray “asked Jesus into his heart” and was “born again”, according to Baptist tradition, at the age of four. In 1976, he married Janet, a Protestant. Prior to 1994, neither of them had ever entered a catholic church. With two small children in tow, Steve and Janet moved to Europe for one year where they traveled extensively researching their reformation roots in Switzerland, Germany and England. They studied for six months at L’Abri in Switzerland with noted theologian Francis Schaeffer. As they worked to convince their friend, Catholic convert and radio host Al Kresta, that the early church was evangelical, Steve and Janet ended up being the ones who changed their minds. On Pentecost Sunday 1994, they became members of the Catholic Church. Since then, Steve’s passion for the depth of truth found within the Catholic tradition has led him to walk away from his previous career and pursue what he really loves: writing, speaking, producing Catholic films and leading pilgrimages to biblical lands. Steve and Janet have traveled to the Holy Land more than 100 times to explore, film and lead thousands of pilgrims. Steve is a regular guest on Catholic radio and TV including Catholic Answers and EWTN. He writes Bible studies for Catholic Scripture Study International and is the author of “Crossing the Tiber,” “Faith for Beginners” and other books. For more information about the banquet or to RSVP call 1-877-795-0122. To learn more about Steve Ray, visit www. catholic-convert.com.
Photos courtesy www.stevepresskit.com
Standing with his wife, Janet, Steve Ray takes a break from filming one of 10 videos in the Footprints of God series available through Ignatius Press. Behind Steve and Janet is the Sea of Galilee. Inset, Ray rides a black stallion near Giza Egypt. This photo was taken while filming the “Moses” DVD for the series.
Swimming upstream: Living the Catholic life in a pagan culture In the first three centuries Christians turned the world upside down for Jesus. How did they do it? They gave us a blueprint. All we have to do is study and follow their blueprint and pray for the blessing of God so we can re-evangelize our world to being a pro-life and Christian culture. Hear Steve Ray reveal the blueprint at a luncheon on Mon., Feb. 24, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church in Fargo. Cost is $15/person. Registration required. Registration form can be found at: www.fargodiocese.org/steveray or by calling (701) 356-7900. Event sponsored by the Fargo Diocese Respect Life Office in conjunction with Real Presence Radio.
Medley of course offerings in new Catholic Collage Adult faith formation provides an outlet for deeper understanding of faith and spirituality By Joan Schaefer
Like liturgy, there is depth, richness and beauty to the teachings of our Catholic faith that require our active and conscious effort to study and reflect upon them to get a glimpse of their meaning. To help area Catholics get a deeper knowledge of the faith, Father Bert Miller of Blessed Sacrament Church in West Fargo created Catholic Collage. In its inaugural year, Father Miller and others assisting with this initiative, aim to present an opportunity for Catholics to move beyond their elementary and high school CCD knowledge. The goal of Catholic Collage is to lead Catholics to a deeper understanding about facets of faith and spirituality
while showcasing Shanley High School and Sullivan Middle School, which Father Miller identifies as the “flagship location of the Blessed John Paul II Catholic School network.” According to him, there is no better place to explore beauty of the Catholic faith than a facility dedicated to spiritual and educational endeavors. This year, Catholic Collage is offering 10 engaging four-week courses to help people grow in their faith and enter into a richer relationship with God. Classes will be held on Sunday afternoons Feb. 9, 16, 23 and March 2. Each Sunday is divided into two sessions. Session one runs from 2 – 3:15 p.m. while session two runs from 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. A variety of session topics allow participants to find ones that suit their interests. For movie lovers, local movie critic Tony McRae will show and discuss a different movie each week: “Babette’s Feast,” “Going My Way,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and “Angels with Dirty Faces.” This course will span both sessions. Bishop John Folda will offer a session
about spirituality and the riches of the Catholic spiritual life. Mike Hagstrom, religion teacher at Shanley High School, will demonstrate the Psalms as an ideal path to a deeper life in Christ. And, Father Luke Meyer along with Judge Ralph Erickson will present “Religious Liberty” which examines the theological foundations and development of religious liberty as well as its history in America and the issues it raises. Father James Ermer will discuss Blessed John Paul II’s Theology of the Body which provides many keen insights into married love and human sexuality in contrast to the many contemporary and impoverished understandings and practices today. Participants may want to go around the globe in “Catholicism Among the Nations” which will look at Catholic traditions in India, Cameroon, South and Central America, Germany and Saudi Arabia. For a complete list of courses and descriptions, visit www. catholiccollage.com.
Child care available Participants may enroll in one, fourweek course during each session for a cost of $20 per course. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided by the students of the Blessed JPII schools between the sessions each week. Child care will be available for those families requesting the service in advance. Registration and course fees are due Feb. 4. Registration forms may be found at www.catholiccollage.com, in Catholic Collage brochures in local parishes or by contacting Beth Fedje at (701) 237-6063. Class sizes are limited, so early registration is recommended. Catholic Collage is open to anyone wishing to mature their faith. While many presentations contain Catholic nuances, many courses may interest Christian friends and neighbors as well. For more information, contact Father Bert Miller bmiller237@yahoo.com, Joan Schaefer at jschaefer@ideaone.net or Beth Fedje at beth@stanhonyfargo.org.