As a cradle Catholic, parent and grandparent, I have often pondered what age is best to teach the Catholic Faith. We certainly learn at our parent’s knee as we watch them lead their lives, and we certainly learn during the preparation for the sacraments of Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Matrimony. But all of these opportunities have their limitations, including our ability to fully understand when we are younger, our attention span when we are teenagers, and preoccupations when we are adults.  What I have concluded is that the riches of our faith can only be fully comprehended by life-long learning.

Without life-long learning, how can I answer Faith Questions such as:

• Where do I turn when my prayer life becomes dry?
• What do I do when I don’t feel that I am “getting anything out of Mass”?
• How do I encourage my children to keep their faith and answer their questions if I barely know my faith myself?  
• Can I adequately answer questions from my Protestant friends?
• Do I truly believe in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist?
• Has my faith become stale and lifeless?
• Is my faith more tradition than true faith?
• Is my faith strong enough to withstand serious trials that will surely come in my life?
• Have I lost confidence in the Church and question the Church’s relevance in 2020?
• What does the Catholic church have to offer when I feel like I am being called deeper?

If any of these resonate with you, maybe it’s time to re-engage and re-energize your faith. Maybe it’s time you discovered God’ Embrace Ministries!

The Mission of God’s Embrace is teaching and empowering Catholics to experience daily the loving embrace of our Triune God.

The Plan of God’s Embrace is to aid in the renewal of our beloved Catholic Church. We currently have several programs in place to help us meet God’s people where they are. Developed in the rich spiritual heritage of our forebearers, whose roots, traditions and spiritual practices are still present in our Church today. Our programs are rooted in a threefold source:

• The Bible; both Old and New Testaments
• Traditions of the Benedictine, Franciscan and Jesuit Orders
• Catechism of the Catholic Church

The initial step of the ministry is to develop a routine of daily prayer.  Real prayer, not just the ones you utter before you collapse into bed, or when you see red lights in the rearview mirror. The importance of any relationship can be measured by the time you devote to it. Doesn’t the creator of the universe and your Lord and Savior deserve more than just the hour you spend with him on Sunday morning? Honor Him with your time and He will share with you His peace and Joy. Real peace and joy that doesn’t fade away.

Learn or relearn just how connected the Old and New Testaments are, how frequently the Old Testament prophesied about Jesus and just how completely He fulfilled these prophesies.  Learn or relearn about the links between the Jewish Passover and Eucharist and how and why we do what we do at Mass. Learn more about the lives of the saints and strive to become one yourself!  Learn different methods of prayer which can enhance your current prayer life and enrich your relationship with the Blessed Trinity.  Begun by Dr. Michael Fonseca and Cherrie, God’s Embrace can help to rekindle your faith. It can help you to stop cursing the darkness and rekindle the light of your faith and that of your family and others.

The programs can be conducted individually or in groups meeting every other week, or online. The materials can also be used by existing Bible study groups. So, if you feel prompted to explore or go deeper into the Catholic faith or if you feel that your faith has become mediocre, come join us and become a great disciple!

May you find yourself in God’s Embrace.
by Chris Cruickshank

Chris Cruickshank is a GEM board member,
faithful program participant and program facilitator from Michigan.

"Rather than curse the darkness, we decided to light candles."