Friends In The Field - Zoë Romanowsky

Gang of Five, Plus Chuck Norris
Apologetics moves into high gear in Orlando -- look out, Disney!

A chiropractor helps straighten people out
Heritage of the Apostles

Reaching out to non-Catholics by refuting errors and explaining the Catholic Church's teachings was the original goal of the fledgling apologetics apostolate, Heritage of the Apostles. But the Catholic apologetics group soon realized their work had to begin a little closer to home. "We became convinced that Catholics were, by and large, their own worst enemies," says vice-president and co-founder Dr. Bradley Machara. "We decided to evangelize Catholics first, so they, in turn, could evangelize others." Orlando, Florida, is home to the apostolate, founded in June 1992 by Joseph Biber, current president, and Dr. Machara, in response to what they saw as a growing need for Catholics to explain and defend the Faith. Machara, a 38-year-old practicing chiropractor, believes that apologetics unlocks the door to evangelization. "The confidence gained from apologetics makes you willing to share your faith, stand up and put yourself on the line," he says. "Without that confidence, you'll tend to shy away from potential confrontation." The group's six budding apologists were encouraged early on to seek credentials to teach the Faith in the local diocese. All the members have completed Fr. John Hardon's Intermerifica Catechist's program, a 36-lesson correspondence course, recognized and approved by the Holy See. Heritage of the Apostles is currently petitioning their local bishop for his blessing on their apostolate and recognition of their credentials.

The apostolate now boasts 18 card-carrying members. "Our youngest is 15, and sharp as a tack," says Machara. "Our oldest is a grandmother who helped convert two Episcopalian congregations in Texas to the Catholic Faith before she came to Orlando." Most members are between the ages of 30 and 50. Group members engage in their own endeavors for the Faith, such as pro-life ministries, pilgrimages, book sales, catechesis, organizing conferences and teaching apologetics. General meetings are times to gather information, give mutual support, plan for upcoming events and discuss tenets of the Faith. "One of the unique things about our group is that we recognize and encourage each other's talents," says Machara. Twin brothers John and Chuck Norris do much of the theological research for the group's tracts. Karen Walls, a busy mother of three, brings prominent speakers to the area, such as Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J.; Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J.; and Fr. George Rutler, to name a few. Dr. Machara's wife, graphic artist Michelle Machara, creates the artwork for the apostolate's materials. With the support of his fellow apologists, Machara has developed a systematic, six-part apologetics course covering the papacy, the Eucharist, Mary, purgatory, and the two Protestant foundational theories, sola fide (faith alone) and sola scriptura (Scripture alone). The course is complemented by concise, comprehensive outlines that can be used to disprove errors or teach others about the biblical basis for the Faith. In other words, it puts flesh on 1 Peter 3:15: "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you."

"When I helped co-found the group, I was so gung-ho I wanted to get out and do everything immediately," admits Machara. "But a friend gave me wise words: 'In God's time, the doors will open.' And she was right." Recently, Machara discussed practical apologetics on Johnnette Benkovic's Living His Life Abundantly radio program on WBVM in Tampa. His guest spot sparked interest among listeners in starting a Heritage group in the Tampa area. Heritage of the Apostles is on the threshold of some hopeful new ventures. In the Orlando area, they plan to open both a Catholic bookstore and a Catholic radio station. They hope to expand statewide and nationwide by encouraging other apologetics groups to form. They are also in the early stages of planning a large Catholic conference in the area. Machara is teaching the apologetics course at two different parishes, and group members hope to provide more programs throughout the diocese. The apostolate is adding three more tracts to their current roster of the following: "If You Died Tonight: A Catholic Response to Sola Fide," "Christ's One True Church" and "Mary, the Woman Clothed with the Sun." Heritage helps support itself by sponsoring pilgrimages to holy sites. Their next trip in September, under the spiritual direction of Fr. Ken Roberts, will include the three great Marian shrines of La Salette, Lourdes and Fatima. While still relatively young, this energetic apostolate looks forward to many years of serving God's kingdom under their motto: "Strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32).

Contact Heritage of the Apostles at P.O. Box 4327, Enterprise, FL 32725, 407-860-6305.

They're tanned, they're rested, they're ready
Catholics United for the Faith

When Catholics United for the Faith (CUF) sailed forth from its international headquarters in New Rochelle, New York to its new mooring in Steubenville, Ohio three years ago, its 30-year-old hull was more than a little battered, though none the worse for wear. When you're an apostolate that's dedicated to supporting, defending and advancing the efforts of the teaching Church, you can expect your share of storms.
Now, under the guidance of its new captain and president, 36-year-old Curtis Martin, CUF is expanding its territory.
Since Martin took the helm, he and his crew of 24 have more than doubled CUF's membership, and they're providing many new services to promote the Faith among lay people.

Founded by the late H. Lyman Stebbins in 1968, the apostolate was a response to Vatican II's call for the formation of lay organizations. At that time, Pope Paul VI's encyclical, Humanae Vitae, sparked dissent among many theologians and self-appointed Church experts, which led to widespread confusion among the laity. Stebbins realized how important it was for lay people to know their Faith in all its beauty, so he formed CUF to provide a balanced and faithful presentation of the Faith of the Apostles.

Martin says the apostolate's approach has become more positive and evangelistic, especially toward Gen-Xers, though its mission hasn't changed. "Our mission is to present the timeless teachings of Christ in a life-giving way," he explains. "As Christ's lay faithful, we need to be grounded in the fullness of truth found in the Catholic Church and radiate Christ's love and life to the world. Everything we do at CUF circulates around that."
Their magazine, Lay Witness, is designed to be "all things to all men." It presents a smorgasbord of teachings every month under specific themes. Leon Suprenant, editor-in-chief of Lay Witness and vice-president of CUF, tries to carry something for everyone, including parents who may be looking for practical information, such as how to get children to behave at Mass.
CUF believes strengthening the family is key to restoring the Church and society. To that end, they are currently completing the second edition of the Faith & Life series, an elementary school catechetical program known for its solid presentation of the Faith and its beautiful artwork. The revised texts place a greater emphasis on Scripture and utilize the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The series can be used in schools, parishes and at home by parents, and should be ready by fall 1998.

The apostolate is funded almost entirely by private donations and memberships. For $30 per year, members receive a subscription to Lay Witness, an annual CUF calendar, discounts on books and tapes, and all the informational help they can make use of via phone, fax and e-mail.
In recent years, the group has implemented what has been called the most comprehensive Catholic information service available anywhere in the country. Callers can dial a toll-free number and ask just about any question under the sun about Church teaching. Martin says the questions range from "Where in the Bible does it teach about purgatory?" to "My daughter is in a sex ed program that I'm uncomfortable with. What can I do?" Martin explains that CUF provides experts that know the documents and teachings and "they're available at the click of a button."

Faith Facts, which have been called bite-sized, mini-catechisms by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, Colorado, are available for free on a range of topics, including Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist, how to work with your bishop, sex ed in the classroom, and liturgical issues. "Faith Facts offer helpful hints on how lay people can be faithful to the Church's teachings," says Martin, "even if they're troubled by what's happening in their local parish."

In February 1997, CUF announced its plan to launch a national college outreach called the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Recent college graduates will be trained and sent to college campuses around the country to organize Bible studies, evangelization, studies on the Catechism and leadership formation. This fall, FOCUS plans to be on the campuses of Franciscan University of Steubenville and the University of Pittsburgh. By fall 1998, they hope to launch in the Denver area.
For well over a decade, CUF has been working closely with the Vatican. The warm response and supportive guidance received from Vatican officials has helped CUF to be more effective at home. "We're able to find out, straight from the horse's mouth, just what it is that the Church is requesting from the laity," explains Martin. "And what we're doing fits right in with what She's asking."
CUF has national offices in Australia and New Zealand, and many members in Canada, Europe and various parts of Africa, with a current membership of 12,000 worldwide. Many members gather in local study groups and chapters to deepen their knowledge of the Faith.
Though hoisting the sails of this apostolate has taken a lot of hard work and prayer, Martin and his staff see a bright and seaworthy future ahead. "There are Catholics and non-Catholics coming back to the Church in droves, and they're hungry to find faithful presentations of what the Church teaches," says Martin. "As we work with bishops and other leaders in the Church, we're going to see more growth, as Catholics come to see us as a faithful, helpful organization."

To join or to receive information about CUF, write to: Catholics United for the Faith, 827 North Fourth Street, Steubenville, Ohio 43952. 614-28-FAITH; Information Services
Hotline: 800-MY-FAITH; fax: 614-283-4011; e-mail: CAMARTIN!@aol.com.

Hear them roar
Women for Faith & Family

Oh what a night . . . late September, back in '84. Six women were gathered around a dining room table in St. Louis, Missouri, discussing their concerns about the American bishops' proposed pastoral letter on women's issues. They feared the bishops might not have an accurate picture of Catholic women, due to the media's portrayal of Catholic women as dissenting from Church teaching and feeling oppressed by the hierarchy. Unbeknownst to the six women that evening, their conversation marked the beginnings of Women for Faith & Family, an international organization of women dedicated to supporting the magisterium of the Catholic Church.
"We wanted to help balance what we thought was a distorted image of Catholic women being projected by the media," says Helen Hull Hitchcock, noted writer and speaker, and president of the movement. The result was an eight-point statement of fidelity to the Church's teachings called the "Affirmation for Catholic Women," which included controversial issues such as abortion and women's ordination. It was given to the bishops with 4,000 signatures in March 1985. Three months later, with 10,000 names in ink, the statement was sent to Pope John Paul II.

"The statement provided ordinary women an opportunity to say: 'Here I stand; I want to be counted as supportive of the Church,' " says Hitchcock. Since its drafting, the Affirmation statement has never been out of circulation.
Approximately 50,000 women from the United States and around the world have now signed it, including Mother Teresa of Calcutta. It has been translated into seven different languages. Similar efforts have sprung up in Canada, Australia, Holland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Women for Faith & Family is in more than just the business of affirmation. Their purpose is four-fold: to assist Catholic women in witnessing to their faith; to aid women in their understanding of the Faith; to help women attain fellowship with others; and to serve as a resource for guidance and information.

They issue a quarterly publication called Voices, host an annual conference featuring well-known Catholic speakers and offer printed materials to strengthen women and families. Some of these publications include the "Advent and Christmas Resource Book," "I've Signed the Affirmation, What More Can I Do?" and a "Prayer for Fathers." They also carry literature on feminism, liturgy, sex education and the roles of women in the Church.
While there is no official chapter program, the movement encourages small groups to form. Their mailing list, comprised partly of the names on the Affirmation statement, allows them to connect women with schools, parishes and like-minded people in places throughout the country.
Though only women can sign the Affirmation statement, Women for Faith & Family receives financial and moral support from many men. Bishops, priests, seminarians and laymen are among the attendees at their annual conference, and according to Hitchcock, "Our husbands do a lot of work for us."

Sharing leadership with Hitchcock in St. Louis is Sherry Tyree, vice-president; Susan J. Benofy, treasurer; and Jocelyn Johnson, secretary. A mailroom staff helps with the constant influx of letters and information requests. "We are all volunteers, and by having home offices and communicating by phone, fax and e-mail, we don't have to leave our homes and families," explains Hitchcock.
Women for Faith & Family will take on any issue that is relevant to Catholic women and their families. New challenges tug at their sleeves, such as euthanasia, assisted suicide and concerns over liturgical revisions. "We see ourselves as responsible for making any helpful response we can," says Hitchcock.

That response includes encouraging Catholic parents and families to understand themselves to be the domestic church. Women for Faith & Family has filed friend-of-the-court briefs in cases where the rights of Catholic parents to educate their children have been challenged. They are active in pro-life efforts, and recently formed an ad-hoc committee on medical ethics for medical professionals and theologians to consult with each other and issue statements.
Hitchcock believes their efforts have had an effect. "We would not take credit for the pope's wonderful letters, of course, but his writings have responded directly to what women like us have been saying over the years," she says. "I can't help thinking that we've helped to serve as a megaphone for the voices that were already out there."
The movement has a strong interest in the next generation of Catholic women. "It is our hope that they too will want to make a strong statement of faith, so the Affirmation for Catholic Women will continue to circulate," explains Hitchcock.

The leaders of Women for Faith & Family say they are humbled and uplifted by the women in their movement. "The women we've heard from really desire holiness and are very willing to prepare themselves to serve the Church in an authentic, vigorous and vital way," says Hitchcock. "Knowing this has been a big consolation."

Contact Women for Faith & Family at P.O. Box 8326, St. Louis, MO, 63132, 314-863-8385, fax: 314-863-5858, e-mail: 7223.3601@compuserve.com.