Going The Distance - Patrick Madrid

That's The Way, Uh Huh, Uh Huh, We Like It
A bonanza of new faces and great features in 1998.

It's Envoy magazine's first birthday, and to celebrate, we're giving you an extra big bonus with this special double issue, packed with great stories and exciting new features. And unlike with a record club, this double issue counts as only one issue of your subscription.

First, you'll notice that this issue contains your personal edition of Scripture Matters, Dr. Scott Hahn's new biblical studies newsletter. Due to an exclusive arrangement between Envoy and Dr. Hahn's Institute of Applied Biblical Studies, our subscribers — and only our subscribers — will get this fabulous new tool for scriptural studies. If you're not already familiar with Scott, you'll soon find out he's a master at teaching Scripture and apologetics, and we're bringing his topflight teaching in each issue, at no extra charge. Grab your Bible and dig in.

We also have three great feature articles in this issue, including best-selling author Michael O'Brien's "Three Views of the Future." He transports you 100 years into the future for a look (cover your eyes for two of them) at the condition the Catholic Church could be in when our great-grandchildren are running things. Turn to page 26 and step into the time machine.

Next up are three exciting new departments from three exciting Catholic leaders. Can We Talk? is a heart-to-heart pep talk on evangelization and living the Faith from Mary Beth Bonacci. Mary Beth, who was profiled in our September/October 1997 issue, is an expert at evangelizing our culture, especially young adults. She's the author of two best-selling books from Ignatius Press — Real Love and We're on a Mission From God — and she's perhaps best known for her popular seminars on chastity. We're proud to welcome Mary Beth to the Envoy team.

As you know, a key area of focus for Envoy is the Bible. We do our best to provide useful tools for solid, fruitful study of God's written Word, and in this issue we've got a new one for you. Steve Ray is a convert from Evangelical Protestantism, and the author of the acclaimed book Crossing the Tiber (Ignatius Press, 1997), which chronicles his dramatic conversion to the Church. Steve's an expert at preparing and conducting Catholic Bible studies, and he brings that expertise to us in his new department, Bible Basics — a "how to" blueprint for conducting a good Bible study. In each issue, he provides specific outlines for small groups, and he also explains the practical issues involved. His first installment begins on page 40.

Those of you who read the Premiere Issue of Envoy were treated to the moving conversion testimony of Kristine Franklin, a former Protestant missionary to Guatemala ("How I Solved the Catholic Problem"). Kris, her husband Marty and their children came into the Catholic Church after discovering it was Christ's Church. It cost them plenty to leave Protestantism behind: friends, family, jobs and a secure future. But now they're home, and Kris joins us as contributing editor of Jesus In My Life, a great new department that features testimonies from Catholics like you and me, folks who explain in their own words their love for Christ and what He is doing in their lives. We should never forget that Jesus Christ is the focal point and purpose of Envoy magazine. Kris Franklin will help Him feed our souls with encouraging and inspirational testimonies from everyday Catholics. You'll find the first one on page 46.

Things keep getting better at EWTN

If I should ever lose my head and flip through the network TV channels again, please smack me. It's hard to overemphasize how bad the situation has gotten on television. The attack on Truth is being fought on a variety of fronts these days as the network studios release sitcoms and dramas that savage our chastity, threaten our families and malign our Catholic Faith. The mainstream TV sewage level continues to rise and plenty of folks (especially kids) are drowning slowly in the bilge.

That's why I'm so heartened to see the latest round of excellent new programs that are being made available on Mother Angelica's EWTN network. You and your family can watch these shows (and the commercials) without apprehension. Everything's good. Here are three of the several new programs to keep both your eyes on:

"The Journey Home" is hosted by Marcus Grodi, a former Protestant minister who converted to the Church and now heads The Coming Home Network, an apostolate dedicated to assisting the growing numbers of Protestant ministers who are converting to the Catholic Church (see the March/April 1997 issue of Envoy for our profile on Marcus). Each episode of "The Journey Home" features lively interviews with converts. It airs Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Another great show is hosted by Deal Hudson, editor of Crisis magazine, one of my favorite Catholic periodicals. The show is called "The Church & Culture Today," and features interviews with Catholic leaders. Deal says the show will "give viewers an accurate glimpse of Crisis magazine's vibrant editorial, an editorial which celebrates the integrity of the Faith." "Church & Culture" airs Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.

And Envoy contributing editor Jeff Cavins (All Scripture) hosts "Life on the Rock," a rollicking new program that's funny, hip, educational and fun. Each Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. EDT, you're treated to Jeff's incisive interviews with A-list guests from the Catholic galaxy of personalities (including Envoy's Matthew Pinto), guest appearances from bishops, musical guests, Q&A from the in-studio audience, viewer phone calls and even live, real-time e-mail interaction with viewers around the world. You can also listen to live simulcasts on your short-wave radio or on the Internet at www.ewtn.com. Call EWTN at 205-956-9537 for details. And be sure to check this issue's Friends in the Field.

"Beat him out of recognizable shape"

Here's a list of actual English subtitles from actual Hong Kong Kung Fu Movies, sent to me the other day by an e-mail pal. These are the results of the original Chinese dialogue being rendered — or rather, beaten out of recognizable shape — into English:

1. "I am damn unsatisfied to be killed in this way."
2. "Fatty, you with your thick face have hurt my instep."
3. "Gun wounds again?"
4. "Same old rules: no eyes, no groin."
5. "A normal person wouldn't steal pituitaries."
6. "I'll burn you into a barbecue chicken!"
7. "Who gave you the nerve to get killed here?"
8. "Quiet or I'll blow your throat up."
9. "You always use violence. I should've ordered glutinous rice chicken!"
10. "I'll fire aimlessly if you don't come out!"
11. "You daring lousy guy!"
12. "I got knife scars more than the number of your leg's hair!"
13. "Beware! Your bones are going to be disconnected."
14. "How can you use my intestines as a gift?"
15. "The bullets inside are very hot. Why do I feel so cold?"
16. "Beat him out of recognizable shape."

Only Envoy junkies need apply

We've launched a major new grass roots effort to promote apologetics and evangelization at the parish level — your parish level. Our new "Parish Representative Program" is designed to introduce Envoy into every parish in the country. That's a lot of work, we know, because there are more than 17,000 parishes in the U.S., but it can be done. We need at least 200 Envoy readers to help us as Parish Representatives to get the word out and build subscriptions.

To support you in this fun and spiritually-rewarding apostolate, we've designed a user-friendly "rep manual" that details 16 easy ways to promote apologetics and evangelization in your area. It also provides background information about Envoy and explains our vision for the future of apologetics and evangelization. Our detailed Parish Representative Kit contains everything you need to get started spreading the word about Envoy, at your own pace and in your spare time. There's no cost to you, all materials are furnished free of charge, and best of all, your apostolic efforts will directly help Envoy grow and succeed in its mission of strengthening Catholics and bringing non-Catholics home to the Church. Please join the Envoy team. Call Matthew Pinto at 610-696-6175 for details.