Inmates Find Faith through RENEW International

RENEW International has made a real difference in the lives of inmates at Wabash Correctional Facility. In the Diocese of Evansville, the prison houses maximum security prisoners who are led by a director who wanted to improve the way they interacted with one another and felt about themselves. He was searching for an approach which taught them to be more humane and helped enrich them as people. He consulted with the Catholic Chaplain of the facility who inquired of the Adult Faith Formation office if the inmates could participate in the renown program authored by RENEW International, Why Catholic? They were given permission and their involvement began as an informal learning session in the prison library, with a simple prayer table and a group of volunteers.

The group later separated into three small communities, led by both a volunteer and an inmate. The program was managed by an inmate and Sr. Honora Nolty, a member of RENEW International. They learned from faith-sharing materials and gained a greater understanding of the Catechism. Inmates were comforted by the teachings of Jesus Christ and internalized the lessons. They met regularly for prayer sessions and those who participated experienced a true spiritual renewal. Since inmates didn't have access to the Internet, RENEW International gifted bulletins to reach out to the community within Wabash Correctional Facility and provide information to aid them on their Catholic journey. It became a model program which can be followed in similar facilities to help those incarcerated find their faith.

RENEW International Brings Together People of Nigeria

RENEW International was invited by the bishops in Nigeria to help the dioceses within the struggling country. They responded and the programs and materials of RENEW International helped build-up Christian communities and teach people off all faiths the power of Christ's compassion. In Nigeria, there are dioceses within areas which are inhabited by people of different beliefs, such as Muslims and Protestants. The lessons within the bible showed everyone within the villages how social actions can help heal their community and bring people together. They were able to see that those of all faiths have shared interests, such as clean water, developing education, and vaccinations. People also learned how helping their fellow man made the entire village stronger.

RENEW International strengthened the Dioceses by identifying and training leaders. They started at the grassroots level and taught both clerical and layman to be leaders. In many villages, it was the first time women were placed into positions of leadership which broke important barriers socially, politically, and economically. In February of 2002, RENEW International opened in Ibadan, Nigeria "The RENEW School of Evangelization." The goal of the school was to train leaders for parish ministry. The school grew into a renown center for catechists and others leading small faith sharing Christian communities. Participants learned Church doctrine, studied moral theology and the catechism, and ways to lead within a group. It became a strong resource throughout the area which helps train leaders who later return to their parishes and revitalize the faith of their people. RENEW International is proud of their work in Nigeria and seeks opportunites to help similarily challenged people everywhere.

RENEW International Builds Peace in Burundi

In 2004, over 300,000 citizens in the Central African Republic of Burundi tragically died as the result of inter-ethnic violence and dangerous political upheaval. After the genocide, the country experienced devastating poverty and a decimated Church. Church property was destroyed and personnel fled. The people of this region were suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually. RENEW International became an instrumental part of the peace-building process in Burundi. The non-profit Catholic organization was suggested by the Catholic Relief Services and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a means of helping this needy country because of their prior success peace-building in South Africa, Rwanda, and Uganda.

RENEW International worked together with Burundian bishops to stabilize the volatile situation and bring peace and faith to their people. They worked at a grassroots level to repair and rebuild the Christian community in Burundi and develop a model which could be used elsewhere in similarly challenged countries. RENEW staff traveled throughout Burundi, implementing workshops and distributing material which had been translated first into French and then into Kirundi by the local dioceses. They identifed emerging leaders who could help their people find true acceptance of one another and create a spiritually enriched atmosphere for their children. RENEW International divided the people into smaller Christian communities and built trust amongst people who had previously viewed each other as enemies. Once trust was established, they began reading scriptures and faith sharing. These Christian communities became a model for how to live the gospel, including such activities as providing for widows and orphans, helping find housing for those returning from exile, and improving public services. Ongoing peace efforts continue in Burundi today, facilitated from within the country by its own Christian people and their renewed faith in God.

The Pastoral Services Team of RENEW International

Through its Pastoral Services Team, RENEW International serves the spiritual needs of parishes, campuses, and dioceses around the world. The Pastoral Services Team is comprised of compassionate members who are committed to enriching the lives of Catholics everywhere. They have taken feedback from tens of thousands of participants in various RENEW International programs such as, "Why Catholic?" and incorporated the comments into program revisions. One of the most important aspects of faith-based material is that people can connect to it. By reaching out for reader response, the team ensures that the programs, workshops, and retreat events are kept fresh, current, and meaningful.

The Pastoral Services Team also works tirelessly on keeping RENEW International easy to access by parishes, by using today's technology. The team has made enhancements to the website, www.renew-international.org/, so parishes can download files, be globally connected to others in the greater Catholic community, and receive RENEW newsletters electronically. They've made accessible web-based materials which can be quickly and easily put into the hands of those who will benefit from its messaging. RENEW's Pastoral Services Team has been instrumental in developing new Internet-based tools and improving communication. They are special people who make sure those who seek spiritual renewal are able to receive support and guidance to help deepen their faith and enrich their lives.

RENEW International Publishes “Longing for the Holy”

RENEW International has published a highly acclaimed literary companion to Fr. Ronald Rolheiser's "The Holy Longing," called "Longing for the Holy." "The Holy Longing" was on the Catholic Book Publishers' Associations best-sellers list for almost six years. Readers appreciate its spiritual guidance and information about the four dimensions to becoming a happy and spiritually healthy adult. The book teaches Catholics how to celebrate their spirituality in everyday life through practical wisdom and suggestions.

In "Longing for the Holy," RENEW International takes select ideas from "The Holy Longing" and presents them in a format which is ideal for small community faith sharing or personal refection. It is comprised of twelve sessions which explore different aspects of spirituality through sharing questions, reflections, prayers, and real-life anecdotes from the faithful. Readers of this material from RENEW International learn how to channel their longings as they realize the obstacles which may prevent the realization of their desires. "Longing for the Holy" explores the themes of church community, sexuality, justice, and the conduct of truly spiritual people. It presents these Christian concepts in contemporary terms which have helped many gain greater understanding of their faith and acheive deeper peace.

RENEW International Explains…Why Catholic?

Many people born into the Catholic faith accept the teachings of the church without really knowing why they are Catholic. They may participate in their parishes' religious education classes and attend regular mass yet remain unfamiliar with the Catechism of the Catholic Church's foundation of faith. While Catholics should have acceptance of their beliefs, many would benefit from a deeper level of understanding of the Catechism. After further Catholic study, people have experienced a sense of contentment and peace, which comes from their new knowledge and renewed spirit.

RENEW International makes it easier to gain this insight through their four-part series on the Catechism called, "Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism." These four books present the core teachings of the church by analyzing scripture and connecting it to direct quotations found within the Catechism. Among the information, the series examines the Liturgy, and discusses the significance of all of the sacraments. In conjunction with the materials, RENEW International also offers faith formation workshops centered on Christ's presence in the Liturgy and a retreat for Catholics that further explores the sacred sacrament of the Eurcharist."Why Catholic?" is an easy-to-use reference tool for individuals or faith-sharing material communities can read and pray over. RENEW International has used this rich literary resource in their efforts to bring faith to communities and people in need all around the world. Catholics everywhere have held these teachings in their heart. They have become even more spiritually fulfilled by their wisdom and through their everlasting faith in Jesus Christ.

RENEW International and Its Commitment to Latin America

RENEW International has a long history of helping the people of Latin America build their faith. They started their ministry work in Belize and it quickly spread to El Salvador, Honduras, Puerto Rico, and other parts of Latin America. The efforts of RENEW International in this part of the world were pioneered in El Salvador by Dr. Irma Chavez in 1987. There, she helped organize hundreds of thousands of Christians into small communities within different dioceses. She then effectively applied the principals of RENEW International and used their faith-sharing materials to strengthen their sense of Catholic community, build their faith in God, and positively impact their society.

Many of those which were helped by Dr. Chavez were poor young people who were strongly in need of a positive focus in their lives. They had been plagued by gangs, ravaged by civil war, and existed in a disordered society where people no longer helped one another. RENEW International's leadership training had a tremendous impact on these at-risk youth. They were taught new job skills through craftsmanship programs. These young adults were encouraged to support themselves while helping their families and greater community. RENEW International gave them a feeling of pride in themselves and the confidence and comfort which comes from knowing God's love.

When news of the success RENEW International was having in El Salvador spread to Honduras, Father Delio Diaz reached out to them for similar help. Father Diaz, along with three other priests, had to administer to the spiritual needs of over 220,000 parishioners. Dr. Chavez went to Honduras and where she helped establish smaller Christian communities within the parish. The materials of RENEW International were used to help the faithful better understand how to apply the principals of Catholicism to their daily lives. Their programs also reached those spiritually in need, renewing their faith and enabling them to bear witness of Christ among them.

Today RENEW International continues its work in Latin America and other countries. The organization is committed to helping people all over the world create an environment where people can experience the glory of God's presence and support one another in a true Christian community. Through their members, materials, and programs, they are assisting struggling Catholics become happier, more productive people who can better help themselves by strengthening their relationship with God.

RENEW International Connects Scripture to Life

Reading Scripture is a source of comfort, way to deeper understanding of Catholic doctrine, and a path to spiritual reawakening. Catholics make connections from Scripture which reinforce their moral foundation and influence the way they move through their life. While the bible can be recognized for its historical and literary terms, its greatest value comes when integrating its teachings into the present. RENEW International is a canonically-recognized Catholic organization which offers many resources that make Scripture accessible to people of faith around the world.

RENEW International realizes that people in different stages of life will have spiritual challenges which can be solved through Scripture. The resources they provide have helped young adults answer questions, parents experience spiritual awakening, and seniors obtain inner peace. The materials of RENEW International have brought Scripture within reach of Catholics in other countries and to families everywhere who are looking for faith-sharing materials. Their resources in Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and other languages have benefited Catholics in parishes and dioceses all over the world. Many with physical disabilities, such as the seeing- impaired, have used their large print Braille materials or audio versions of reflections from Scripture. College students have learned from Lectionary-based materials developed specifically for them. There are even prison outreach programs to help those in need find their way back to God. RENEW International serves Catholics by teaching them how to connect Scripture to their personal experience and rediscover the ways the Word of God can truly transform their lives.

RENEW International Helps Parents Build Children's Faith

All children want to feel like they belong somewhere and question where they fit into the world. They have natural doubts and insecurities as they learn about themselves and build their identify. While they grow, children wonder what they'll do when they are adults and how their lives will be. Childhood is a time of questions and discovery and the young have fears about the unknown. They need reassurance, support, and guidance. Teenagers especially can be in positions where they are exposed to unhealthy temptations. To ensure that they make the best choices, it is important that they have a solid moral foundation and an appreciation of core Catholic values. One of the biggest gifts Catholic parents can give their children is the comfort of their unconditional love and the peace from having faith in God.

RENEW International has programs which help parents strengthen their own faith so they can better teach their children. Through a series of books based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church called, "Why Catholic?" parents will be able to answer their children's questions and be a ready resource of information. They can also help children prepare for their First Communion with the publication, "In Memory of Jesus." Through their programs, RENEW International has helped Catholic communities experience spiritual renewal. This fresh celebration of faith is brought back into the homes and hearts of parishioners.

Parishes offer children formal religious education; however, parents are a crucial part of passing on Catholicism as a way of life. While most Catholic family attend Mass, parents need to go further in demonstrating their own love of God. Children and young adults need to embrace their identity as Catholic, build a relationship with God, cherish their family bond, and have a sense of belonging to a greater Catholic community. They also need to know how to fit their faith into their daily life and that's where parents can provide the best practical example. RENEW International works within parishes, campuses, and dioceses. Their programs help parents realize their own spiritual growth and show their children the true and everlasting beauty of God's presence in their lives.