Catholics plan 'Passion' evangelism

WorldNetDaily ^ | 2-09-04 | WorldNetDaily

[Salvation]

Catholics plan 'Passion' evangelism
New website urges faithful to use film in sharing with family, friends

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Posted: February 9, 2004
5:00 p.m. Eastern

© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

While it is Protestant Christians who normally emphasize evangelizing unbelievers, a new online effort entitled "Catholic Passion Outreach" hopes to mobilize Catholics to use Mel Gibson's new movie to "spread, strengthen and share" their faith.

A cooperative project of Catholic Exchange and Ascension Press, the new website features a downloadable free small-groups handbook and a book for sale: "A Guide to the Passion: 100 Questions about Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ."

Ascension Press is a Catholic publisher; Catholic Exchange is a Net-based evangelistic organization.

"As a major cultural event, this movie offers Catholics a unique opportunity to share the power of the gospel with family and friends," said Tom Allen, president of CatholicExchange.com. "Unlike any other, this movie will inspire hearts and change lives. And it will evoke many questions about its artistic and theological aspects."

Gibson's film, which chronicles the last 12 hours of Christ's life and his resurrection, has generated high levels of both excitement and criticism. While many Christians have hailed the movie as an inspiring and accurate account of the biblical Gospels, others have blasted the film as anti-Semitism. Gibson himself is Catholic.

The guidebook offered on the new website was designed as something that could be given away to moviegoers at theaters. Matthew Pinto, president of Ascension Press, calls it "the definitive Catholic resource book on the subject."

The book, which sells for $5.95, has a chapter on "The Case for Christ" as well as the story of the founding and growth of the Catholic Church. Devotional prayers, the Stations of the Cross and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are included as appendices.

"We wanted to create a piece that offers a scene-by-scene analysis of the movie, both from an artistic and theological perspective. The book needed to be inviting, appealing to the casual moviegoer who may not be active in any faith, yet also rich in faith content," said Pinto. "People are going to have questions as they watch the movie. This book will give them the answers."

Evangelical Protestants have snatched up thousands of tickets for the opening of the film, scheduled for Feb. 25, hoping also to use it as an evangelism tool. Gibson has screened the movie for thousands of Evangelical pastors to generate interest among Christians.

At Wheaton Bible Church in suburban Chicago two members have offered to buy out two screenings of "The Passion" at a local theater.

John Mitchell, the church's pastor of evangelism, said: "We're getting involved in this way because we believe that Mel Gibson's movie … will cause people to ask the most important question of life, which is, 'What was Jesus doing on that cross?'"

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[Salvation]

For your information and discussion.

[Salvation]

Catholic Exchange and Ascension Press website

[Salvation]

Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via Freepmail if you would like to be added to or removed from the Catholic Discussion Ping list.

[drstevej]

Protestants are into this big time. We will probably book two showings of about 200 each. Another church in town has five already and I think there are over a dozen more evangelical churches in our city doing the same.

We are also doing a three week sermon series going into Easter based on the movie and distributing 10,000 flyers regarding the series.

[P-Marlowe]

Evangelical Protestants have snatched up thousands of tickets for the opening of the film, scheduled for Feb. 25, hoping also to use it as an evangelism tool. Gibson has screened the movie for thousands of Evangelical pastors to generate interest among Christians.

Our Church was able to obtain 3000 pre-release tickets for showings on Feb 23 & 24. They will go on sale at Church on Sunday and we expect they will be sold out before the 11:45 service. The pastor is encouraging the members to view it first and then, consider taking a non-believing friend or family member after it is released to the General Public.

[Salvation]

You guys are pros at this. Unfortunately Catholics are just learning that they can evangelize.

Almost like Catholics don't think that the Holy Spirit does not work through them, just through Protestants.

It has been a big hurdle to get over for Catholics because we have had the mistaken belief that evangelism is connected to TV or door to door canvasing. Nothing wrong with either of them.

We have been proposing the use of the word "evangelization" instead. And it seems to be working.

God bless! On this one we are united! At least, in my opinion!

[Salvation]

Oops!

**Almost like Catholics don't think that the Holy Spirit does not work through them, just through Protestants.**

Almost like Catholics HAVE thought that the Holy Spirit does not work through them, just through Protestants.

[P-Marlowe]

I have seen a four minute clip of this movie and it was so powerful it was beyond words. I am not sure I can sit through the entire movie. I believe it will be a very powerful movie. Possibly the most important film of all time.

[Salvation]

**The pastor is encouraging the members to view it first and then, consider taking a non-believing friend or family member after it is released to the General Public.**

This is exactly what evangelization is about. Issuing an invitation to sit down and talk, go to church with you, watch "The Passion" with you, go to a Christmas play at church with you, attend Easter Triduum Masses with you -- especially the Holy Thursday Mass when adults are baptized and confirmed. (Long service, but worth it!)

[Salvation]

The daughter of a member on the Pastoral Council with me saw it back in North Dakota at a youth rally that they attended. The college student told us that it was entirely quite in the theater for 10 minutes after the movie ended. No one moved. No one spoke. It must be very powerful!

[Salvation]

Not doing too well on the spelling here tonight.

**entirely quite**

entirely quiet

[P-Marlowe]

entirely quite quiet.

[sfRummygirl]

As an evangelical Christian, I say go for it, Catholic brothers and sisters!

[Maeve]

Bless you, Salvation. This one has got those who love Jesus working together to get the word out (and the tickets into the hands of those who need to see the film).

I'm praying this film can help turn the tide in our country back to God and purity, holiness of life, a nation that longs to do God's will. Turning the nation to Jesus, yes, that is what I'm praying for with Mel's film.

[P-Marlowe]

Here's a place to watch the movie trailer

[Salvation]

Thanks, rummy girl.
We are taking lessons from you on this. Even though we (as Catholics) have had missionaries out in the field in all nations, being on a personal mission for Jesus Christ is something quite new to a lot of Catholics!

We are praying for the strength, and for the courage to not ignore that inspiration from the Holy Spirit! Those few seconds of boldness........right?

[sfRummygirl]

Does evangelism really go against Catholic teachings, or is it just something that normally isn't done?

[Salvation]

No, it doesn't go against Catholic teachings. It is just something that we are now learning is part of our personal mission. For a long time I think Catholics took it for granted that the priests and religious would do all the evangelizing.

That, of course, is no longer the case. So as I said before, we are taking lessons from you.

[Salvation]

Some questions to ask someone you might take to see the passion (or -- questions you might be asked:

The 100 thought-provoking questions and answers help you penetrate the heart of the Gospel. The questions include:

• Why did Jesus ask the Father to "let this cup pass from Me" in the Garden of Gethsemane?
  
• In the Garden, why did Jesus crush the head of the snake?
  
• Is the devil a real being or just an artistic representation of evil?
  
• Why did Judas betray Jesus?
  
• What did Jesus mean when He called Himself "the Bread of Life"?
  
• Is the scourging scene of Jesus at the pillar an accurate portrayal?
  
• Why do Mary and the devil exchange looks during Jesus’ road to Calvary?
  
• What did Jesus mean when he said, from the cross, "My God, my God. What have you forsaken me?"
  
• What is the significance of Jesus’ last words to His mother and the apostle John?
  
• The movie ends with the resurrection. Do Christians actually believe Jesus rose from the dead?

[Salvation]

The Bible gives us Christ's command, "Go, therefore, and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

It has always been there. I guess we Catholics are just starting to pay attention! LOL!