Today, Joe Block, the WOF Ambassador Coordinator and a seminarian for the Diocese of La Crosse and the Archdiocese of Military Services, speaks about what it means to be an Ambassador for Word on Fire. Learn more here.
Word on Fire is a shining model for the rest of the Catholic world when it comes to the successful utilization of the media to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the world. The Word on Fire website is interactive, easy to use, and contains so much content it could take a person years to go through it all (over 10 years of weekly sermons, hundreds of articles, a daily blog, and videos ranging in content from catechetical to a Catholic analysis of the latest Hollywood production). It presents the faith in a visual language that is digestible to the modern mind of the internet-savvy millennial generation. Father Barron’s upcoming 10-part television series CATHOLICISM, filmed in HD in locations all over the world, is the crowning achievement of years of hard work, and as George Weigel said, "‘Catholicism’ could well become one of the most significant efforts ever to advance what Pope John Paul II called ‘The New Evangelization.’" But it’s not just the variety of formats or the technological presentation that makes Word on Fire exceptional. Rather, it’s the soul-stirring content of Father Barron’s preaching and teaching that establish Word on Fire as an evangelical force to be reckoned with. Father Barron challenges Catholics and non-Catholics alike to re-evaluate the way they look at their world, their families, and their faith. He speaks the difficult truths of Catholic orthodoxy but in a manner that charitably engages differing viewpoints. At the very least, people walk away from their interaction with Word on Fire asking themselves questions they never have before. Because people are so often moved to grow closer to Christ by Father Barron, he regularly receives letters and emails from people expressing their thanks and support for his work and offering to assist his efforts in any way they can. What is Father Barron’s usual response? Become a Word on Fire Ambassador.
Word on Fire Ambassadors have a front-line role in bringing Father Barron and his CATHOLICISM series to people in parishes and communities throughout the world. Ambassadors expose people to the beauty of the Catholic faith as so eloquently expressed by Father Barron by introducing them to the CATHOLICISM series and the other tremendous content of the Word on Fire website. Every month, Word on Fire sends a newsletter to its Ambassadors challenging them with a “Monthly Mission” designed to bring the Gospel message to those who yearn for it. Ambassadors promote the use of Father Barron’s study programs, DVDs, and books. They place brochures in their parishes and install links to WOF on their websites. They host screenings of CATHOLICISM, and they set up meetings with religious education directors and their pastors to encourage the use of Father Barron’s excellent materials in their parish. Every month, committed Ambassadors sacrifice their time and talent to bring Father Barron’s preaching to their parish.
People in the parishes are starving for good preaching about Jesus Christ. They are thirsting even more for an intelligent and beautiful expression of their faith which they can present to a world so utterly resistant to the Gospel. People are sick and tired of feeling guilty about being Catholic. They want to be proud of their faith and they want to show their faith to the world. People are ready to hear the Gospel proclaimed with vivacity, with life, with color, with emotion, and in a manner that can compel someone to rise up from the depths of sin and to be embraced by the all-encompassing love of Jesus Christ. People are ready for… and you shouldn’t be surprised here… people are ready for CATHOLICISM. They are ready for it. They want it. But many people don’t even know it exists.
So, what can be done about this? Are we ready to do our part in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the world? Are we ready to become Ambassadors for Christ, Ambassadors for Word on Fire? The CATHOLICISM series will only impact the lives of those people who actually see it. We all need to do our part to make sure as many people see it as possible. Lifeless parishes throughout the world are looking for a way to bring people back to the pews, back to the Sacraments, and back to Christ. As an Ambassador, you can bring them Word on Fire and the CATHOLICISM series. You can help re-energize the faith in your parish and in your community.
Ambassadors are nothing more than men and women who have grown significantly closer to God because of Father Barron’s ministry, and these same men and women in thanksgiving want to help others grow in their faith as well. Ambassadors do not get paid money. Their names will never adorn a plaque or monument. They will not become famous and they will not get to enjoy free meals at the local diner because of their popularity. Ambassadors, like Christ washing the feet of the Apostles on Holy Thursday, have come not to be served, but to serve. And so they quietly go about their business, bringing the Word Incarnate to the doorsteps of every man, woman, and child in their parish.
Please help Word On Fire and take the first step in becoming an Ambassador by completing this short form: http://www.wordonfire.org/Ambassador/Ambassador-Step1.aspx
Joe Block is a seminarian at Mundelein Seminary and the Ambassador Coordinator for Word on Fire Catholic Ministries.