A Thanksgiving Conversation Starter!
It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner when we will be gathering with family and friends, some of whom we perhaps haven’t been with in a while. Even now, I find myself thinking about the conversations we’ll have this year against the backdrop of our aching world, our divided country and the anxiety, worry and hopelessness that’s permeating our culture, our communities, our parishes and our families.
A long-standing tradition in our home is to invite everyone to answer the question, “What are you most grateful for?” Among the many things we at ACTS XXIX are grateful for this year is The Rescue Project, a global gospel movement now in 48 states, DC and 19 countries that’s answering four huge questions:
Why is there something rather than nothing?
Why is everything so obviously messed up?
What, if anything, has God done about it?
And if He’s done anything, how should I respond?
We would suggest that any one of these questions make for a great conversation starter at the table this year and creates an opportunity to share The Rescue Project and the impact it’s having on your life. In fact, you may want to offer a teaser after dinner and show Chapter 1, “The Importance of Stories”.
The holidays are target-rich moments to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We’d encourage you to begin now to think and pray about hosting The Rescue Project in your home after the holidays and invite your family and friends so they too can discover the answers to these questions and more!
Enjoy this week’s Rescue Rundown and join us in glorifying and praising God for all He is doing around the nation and the world through The Rescue Project.
Your sister on mission,
Mary Guilfoyle
P.S. Don’t miss out on our big swag announcement below!
The Mission Grows!
A shout out to Maine, West Virginia and Puerto Rico!
Thank you for joining us to help get God’s world back through The Rescue Project. It’s a joy to be on mission with you! Let us know how we can accompany and serve you!
Equipping Spotlight:
Marketing and Branding Resources
Launching The Rescue Project in 2023?
Take a look at our marketing and branding assets here!
We have everything from banners and bulletin ads to a variety of postcards perfect for inviting. Check it out! If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know.
STORIES
The Good News ConferenceACTS XXIX had the exceptional blessing to be invited to the Good News Conference in Phoenix, AZ a few weeks ago and in addition to Father John preaching an anointed word about the beauty of hope to nearly 1,000 people, we had an opportunity to share with those gathered about the global movement that is The Rescue Project. It was a tremendous joy to engage in a conversation with hundreds of people who are hungry to bring Rescue to their dioceses, parishes and homes.
Many thanks to everyone with Word on Fire and Corporate Travel who made this moment possible.
The Archdiocese of Denver recently led 70 Business Managers through The Rescue Project as an opportunity to invest intentional time from the Pastoral Center for lay leaders as part of their Lay Leaders pillar of how they will succeed in mission in the AOD. Brenda Cannella, Chief Financial Officer, shared with us that the days were grace-filled as they witnessed the power of the gospel bring transformation and these men and women get clarity on the mission.
Thanking God for Fr. Drew Hoffman, chaplain of the Catholic Student Center and the FOCUS missionaries on campus who are using The Rescue Project as part of their weekly formation with their students who are leading Bible studies. Fr. Hoffman said, “Everyone is loving it!” Thanks for the praise report from the sunflower state, Father!
Join our Final Launch Livestream!
November 17, 2022 at 5pm ET
Join Father John and me for our final launch series conversation on November 17th when we’ll talk about one of our favorite episodes in the series, “Getting Clarity on the Mission.”
What We’re Hearing
“I’m feeling challenged, because I’ve NEVER heard Jesus preached like this, and I can’t help but think this is EXACTLY the Jesus I need to be preaching in a few short months.”
–Transitional Deacon and Rescue Project Participant, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Quote for the Week
“Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like the first Apostles who preached Christ and the Good News of salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages. This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops. Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living, in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in the modern “metropolis”. It is you who must “go out into the byroads” and invite everyone you meet to the banquet which God has prepared for his people. The Gospel must not be kept hidden because of fear or indifference. It was never meant to be hidden away in private. It has to be put on a stand so that people may see its light and give praise to our heavenly Father.”
—St. John Paul the Great, Homily, Denver, Colorado, August 15th, 1993