RENEW International Brings Young Catholics Together

Young Catholic adults want the same thing – to fully live and enjoy their life but also find ways to incorporate their faith. Family and thee parish provide an outlet for celebrating spirituality. However, sometimes young adults simply want to connect with others at their same stage of life. They want to talk about their faith but also make like-minded friends and share experiences. There are also temptations, distractions, and challenges especially for young people. It can be helpful to talk to someone else who's experienced the same things, worked through them, and is successfully living according to the Gospel. The Roman Catholic ministry organization, RENEW International, recognizes this is helping younger members of the greater Catholic community through Theology on Tap.

Theology on Tap is a comprehensive ministry, specially designed for young Catholic adults. It is managed by RENEW International and helps adults in their 20's and 30's to foster spiritual growth. It is also a wonderful way for them to make friends. The program gives people a way to meet in a comfortable setting, which could be a restaurant, bar, home, or community building and talk openly. They may take the opportunity for active faith sharing or may just enjoy getting to know each other. One participant commented, "Theology on Tap is a great way to connect with friends - we don't often spend a lot of time thinking or talking about our spiritual lives!" It is the connection to other young Catholics which is really powerful. RENEW International designs events which can stand-alone or consist of a series of meetings. A speaker usually presents on a theological topic, relevant to today's experiences, and afterwards there's group discussion. However, the form of the gatherings can be as structured or casual as the participants would like. If someone is interested in finding a Theology on Tap event or wants to learn more about this growing youth ministry, they can go to the website: http://www.renewtot.org/.

RENEW International: Theology on Tap

RENEW International manages Theology of Tap, a comprehensive young adult ministry designed to reach out to Catholics in need of spiritual growth. It offers a safe and special place where people in their 20s and 30s can learn how to celebrate their faith in daily life and use it to overcome challenges. The program provides an opportunity for young people to feel welcomed within the Church and enjoy a sense of belonging to the greater Catholic community.

RENEW International recognizes that young adults have unique concerns and interests. Theology on Tap offers events which address the topics most important to them, in a group setting which encourages sharing and a collective celebration of faith. Events take place in homes, restaurants, bars, community centers, or within a church – anywhere young people are comfortable gathering. A speaker presents on a theological topic and makes it relevant to today's experiences. Afterwards, there is discussion, questions, and sharing. Theology on Tap can consist of a stand-alone meeting or series of events. However, all of the activities are meant to bring people together and involve them more in the Catholic community. The goal of the program and RENEW International is to offer a wonderful opportunity for young Catholics to discover (or reawaken) their faith and build a stronger relationship with God. This is particularly important during formative years when they are establishing their independence, developing their attitudes as adults, and having their own families.

The Outstanding Leadership of RENEW International

The non-profit Catholic organization, RENEW International, has leadership, who are deeply committed to their mission. Msgr. Tom Kleissler is example of the kind of priest who's the heart and soul of this caring, global ministry. He was ordained in 1957 and has always been devoted to the Church and had a clear vision and desire to improve our world. Fr. Tom has always believed a priest needs to be part of his people and an example of how to live Christ's gospel. He wanted to bring renewal to the Church, with laypersons integrally involved in the parish, civic, and world issues. He envisioned the parish as one extended Christian community, comprised of many smaller caring communities, all sharing and celebrating their faith and love of God.

Fr. Tom Kleissler joined with the like-minded Msgr. Tom Ivory and they worked together to build the foundation of the RENEW International process. From the beginning, it was apparent that people embraced their vision, as word quickly spread and inquires were made from dioceses throughout the United States and other countries spiritually in need. RENEW International has spread the Good News, and helped thousands of people build a better relationship with God, becoming more spiritually aware, and develop a greater understanding of what it means to be Catholic. Fr. Tom has spent a lifetime guiding the member of RENEW, and strengthening parishes everywhere. He continues to be an outstanding leader who is energized by today's new opportunities for faith formation among children, teens, and adults both at home and abroad.

RENEW International: Faith-Sharing Materials for Lent

RENEW International recognizes that Lent is an ideal time for Catholics to enrich their faith and gain a greater sense of God's grace in their lives. RENEW International is a non-profit Catholic ministry organization renowned for their faith sharing materials. Their library comprises the largest online resource for parishes, parishioners, and small Christian communities. The mission of the ministry is to foster spiritual renewal by helping individuals or groups strengthen their relationship with God, deepen and celebrate their faith, and connect their faith with action in daily life. They have many strong selections to guide people year-round; however, certain materials are ideally suited for study and reflection during Lent.

"Forgiveness and Reconciliation," authored by Jean Marie Hiesberger, is part of RENEW's Impact Series. Through inspiring stories, it teaches how the acts of forgiveness and being forgiven will bring about the beauty and inner freedom of reconciliation. The book offers six sessions which demonstrate the connection between God's healing power and forgiveness. "Lenten Longings: Cycle C," authored by Catherine T. Nerney, SSJ, PhD and part of the Impact Series, is designed to work with individuals, seasonal groups, or small Christian communities. Written in simple language and using everyday metaphors, this material shares ways to surrender self, work for justice, and enrich prayer life. "Longing for the Holy: Spirituality for Everyday Life," is written by best-selling author Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I. It should be required reading for anyone who wants to deepen their sense of God's presence in their life. The book addresses challenges within present day, which can impede the search for faith and celebration of personal spirituality. It focuses on the themes of Church community, sexuality, justice, and living a spiritual life. Other materials recommended by RENEW International for reading and reflection during Lent are: "Sedientos de Dios: una espiritualidad para la gente de hoy," and "Gleanings: A Personal Prayer Journal" which provides 170 pages where people can write about their thoughts, record feelings, and pray. RENEW International's complete faith-sharing library can be accessed by members at: http://www.renewinternational.org/.

RENEW International - Why the Internet is Essential to their Outreach

RENEW International realizes the important role web technology plays in today's world. Members of Catholic parishes, campuses, and dioceses all over the world rely on the internet for their news and entertainment. It has become the most common way for people to obtain information, connect, and communicate with others. Catholics in today's world are familiar with online use and it's important for RENEW to have an easy way to share information and reach them. For those people who struggle with how to incorporate their faith into daily life, the internet provides a method which is both current and comfortable. In recognition of this, RENEW International had developed a rich website, http://www.renewinternational.org/ which has been recognized for its excellence in the faith-based field.

The website of RENEW International was designed with features to facilitate the spiritual renewal of its followers. The site has a members-accessible ministry document library with helpful tools and new ideas for Catholics. There is a discussion forum which is a powerful outlet for communication, faith-sharing, and asking questions to one another and RENEW personnel. Their national calendar of events can be easily viewed and articles downloaded that highlight important and inspirational worldwide happenings. Followers can sign-up for World RENEW, a newsletter that features topics about spiritual life with personnel antidotes, behind-the scene stories, and updates on the happenings of RENEW International in communities around the globe. The website, http://www.renewinternational.org/, is also a growing resource for ordering books and other materials online such as: "Why Catholic?" an essential tool that individuals or faith-sharing communities can use for reference, prayer, and education about the Catechism of the Catholic Church and "Sowing Seeds," which references over 30 years' experience in establishing and promoting smaller Christian communities. The goal of RENEW International's website is to support the people they serve around the world, touch and transform the lives of all parishioners, and provide a strong connection to the greater Catholic community.

Small Christian Communities are the Heart of RENEW International

RENEW International began in the later 1970s through small Christian communities which were formed within the parishes of the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ. Participants met in groups of approximately eight to twelve people either at church facilities, community buildings, or in a parishioner's home. They would gather to pray, read and reflect on Scripture, discuss the power of the Gospel, and recommit to their faith. These spiritual gatherings were very successful and other dioceses formed similar communities, following the model of RENEW International.

Dioceses throughout the United States have realized the power of these Christian gatherings. They are happening in large cities, small towns, and tiny villages all over the world. The groups help everyone, from the committed church-going parishioners to those who haven't been regularly observing their faith. They are even reaching people who have lost their way, such as those incarcerated, and making them again part of a parish. RENEW International has encouraged a very personal setting, where people feel connected to the larger, caring Christian community. The small gatherings provide an outlet where people are supported during special times of need, gain new insight into Scripture, and reawaken their belief in the power of the Holy Spirit. Most importantly, participants learn how they can live according to their faith and strengthen their individual relationship with God.

ARISE Together in Christ with RENEW International

ARISE Together in Christ is one of the most inspirational and spiritually fulfilling programs developed by RENEW International. A true Archdiocesan collaboration, ARISE Together in Christ, follows the successful design of other RENEW programs: small Christian community faith sharing with strong lay leadership training. Since the program was first formed, more than three thousand members of over 150 parishes have attended the Launching, Liturgy, and Evangelization workshops which combine for a successful implementation. The three workshops offer practical ideas and relatable ways that the Gospel can be applied to daily life.

ARISE Together in Christ is unique because of the way it can reach and teach people all ages, races, and socio economic backgrounds in different countries. The dedicated RENEW International staff works with The Office of New Evangelization and Youth Ministry to provide high-school aged youth with materials to become youth ministers within their parishes. They confer with The Office of Religious Education and the Directors of Religious Education of all parishes to begin teaching elementary-aged children the idea of faith sharing. The Office of Cultural Diversity has translated the faith-sharing materials into six different languages; while prison chaplains have been given ARISE Together in Christ to incarcerated people looking to rebuild their relationship with God. RENEW International has surveyed parishioners and, based on their responses, have expanded the program with the young adult workshop, Preparing Place: Becoming a Young Adult Responsive Parish and expects to launch Called to Live the Just Word: Immersion and Reflection Experience which centers on justice and public service. This program is one of the most vibrant devised by RENEW and is helping Catholics everywhere celebrate their faith.