Go Rebuild My Church

St. Paul Models Three Themes in Malta Seen Throughout the Acts of the Apostles

This week Peter and Leslie begin to share the final chapter in the Acts of the Apostles. St. Paul and his companions shipwreck on the Isle of Malta. Here, as we see the Apostle move in the Holy Spirit with signs, wonders, and healings, we note that St. Luke implicitly states the significant themes throughout the Acts: the power of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles preach the Kerygma, and the Church is established to carry on the mission. These three themes were demonstrated to those on Malta and are imparted to us as we seek to be the People of God on mission. The Holy Spirit, the chief protagonist among these early believers, calls us to rebuild and renew these three themes today in our lives, families, and parishes!

How St. Paul Faced the Storms of Life-We Can Do the Same!

St. Paul appealed to Caesar and was a prisoner sent to Rome. In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 27, the ship carrying Paul and his companions faced a horrendous storm. Eventually, the vessel broke up, but all 276 passengers survived on the Island of Malta. During the storm at sea, St. Paul exhibits seven powerful traits that helped him during this harrowing event. We, too, face the storms of life. To survive our personal "storms" and help those around us as St. Paul did, we must adopt those same traits St. Paul modeled for us!

A Practical Tool to Develop Your Conversion Story

In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul's conversion story becomes one of the sub-themes in the book. The Church teaches us that his conversion is necessary to warrant a feast day, January 25th. This week, Peter and Leslie present a practical tool so that every Catholic disciple can learn their conversion story and then, like St. Paul, share that story and open doors for the Gospel. As we seek to rebuild and renew our Catholic faith here in America, equipping the faithful to share their conversion story will produce eternal fruit

Catholic Discipleship Begins with Personal Conversion-St. Paul Leads the Way

 This week, Peter and Leslie explore Saint Paul and his conversion. The Lord dramatically saved this Apostle to the Gentiles. God used his story to teach Catholic Christians the importance of our own conversion and the need for ongoing conversion in each of our lives. Both Jesus and the Catholic Catechism teach us that conversion is our first step to entering the kingdom of God. An emphasis on conversion will change individual, family, and parish life!

St. Paul and the Ephesian Elders-Lessons in Church Leadership

This week, Peter and Leslie discuss the powerful gathering in Miletus between Paul and the church elders at Ephesus. St. Paul poured his heart out to these leaders, and as he did, we can see the standard God gives to the Catholic priesthood. Paul offered himself as a model of godly leadership and gave five critical aspects of his example. He also gave three appeals to the Elders. Through St. Paul's virtuous leadership and powerful appeal, we developed eight prayers for our priests based on this encounter. Finally, Peter introduces the prayer St. Faustina prayed for priests. Amazingly, this prayer contains many aspects of St. Paul's address to the Ephesian Elders!

Signs and Wonders in the Apostolic Church-Are They for Today?

Peter and Leslie follow St. Paul on his third missionary journey this week. He planted a church in Ephesus, and many people came to the Lord and the Church. The Holy Spirit releases great power through signs and wonders. Even the aprons and handkerchiefs of St. Paul cause the sick to be healed and demons to be cast out. Signs and wonders have been demonstrated throughout the history of the Church to confirm the proclamation of the Gospel and to express the Lord's mercy and love toward His People. Today, the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit is available to Catholic believers who call on His Name! This program will help begin a search for these graces to operate in our individual, family, and parish lives

Catechesis and Ongoing Conversion

St. Paul completes the second missionary journey in the Acts of the Apostles this week, and the third begins. We learn that the new believers in Corinth and the new believers in Ephesus had the privilege of St. Paul teaching them for one and a half years and two years, respectively. Conversion must lead to catechesis, and catechesis leads to ongoing conversion. Without both these dynamics working in the lives of believers and parishes, renewal will not take place

Be Not Afraid!

This week, Peter and Leslie follow St. Paul into the city of Corinth. There, Paul is visited by the Lord in a night vision. Jesus encourages him to "not be afraid," the powerful challenge we continue to hear throughout the Sacred Scriptures. In today's culture, we hear the call to be courageous and "not be afraid." As we rebuild our Catholic culture in personal life, family life, and parish life, the gift of the Holy Spirit ministers courage to those who open their hearts to the Lord, just as St. Paul did in Corinth!

Idolatry in the Ancient Culture and Now

This week, Peter and Leslie follow St. Paul as he arrives in Athens and confronts the idolatry he sees. As Catholics, we are surrounded by a culture that offers a version of idolatry here in the 21st century. The Lord leads us away from idols and into a deep relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as we guard our hearts.

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God-Part II

Leslie and Peter discuss the Gospel of the Kingdom of God this week. When St. Paul and Silas declare that there is another King, Jesus, in Acts 17, they cause a riot in Thessalonica. What is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and why is it important to understand? When Jesus first appears in the scene in Mark, chapter one, He tells us the way into this Gospel of the Kingdom. He calls us into a threefold response just as He did to the Apostles-Repent, Believe, and Follow! In seeking the Kingdom of God, we discover a Kingdom Mentality that transforms our personal lives, families, and parishes!