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Gifts of Faith and Discipleship and the Call to Evangelize

In reflecting on my life and those closest to me that I love and cherish dearly (my family and friends), I often wonder how and why I received the gift of faith and maybe not some of them. Why did God choose me to practice my Catholic faith that was handed on to me by my parents? Why did God have mercy on me and pull me out of sin and death and from the pits of Hell? Honestly, there have been points in my life where I was headed on a path that wasn’t toward Heaven. There have been moments in my life where I should have been dead from all the stupid things I’ve done. What makes me so special that the Lord came to me and offered me the grace of salvation? Of all my friends and family members, why am I the one that has received and responded to God’s grace and mercy?

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Sean Martin has been working in the Lord’s vineyard for the past sixteen years in the field of education and catechesis. He currently serves as the Director of New Evangelization, Catechesis, and Family Life for the Diocese of Sioux City. He has participated in the New Evangelization through door to door evangelization, walking across the US for pro life with Crossroads, evangelizing on the beaches of Florida, giving talks and retreats throughout the country, youth ministry, and teaching high school religion. Sean has been featured on EWTN’s Life on the Rock with North American Lourdes Volunteers, and has authored numerous articles published in a couple of Diocesan newspapers. Sean is married and has four children, and loves spending time camping outdoors or indoors with them!

This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Categorized Under

Categorized Under:

Evangelization

Issue:

35.2

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About Franciscan Catechetics

The Catechetics Degree Programs and the Catechetical Institute (CI) at Franciscan University of Steubenville work in concert to prepare clergy, religious and laity to join the “army of catechists” called for by St. John Paul II, eager to help the Church in her mission of making all nations joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We combine a thorough formation in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial documents with training in effective pedagogical techniques to help those we serve to grasp the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Father’s plan, and to bear witness to others faithfully of the wonderful life of grace in the Holy Spirit.

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