Some Words of Encouragement

We are in a period in the history of the Church where the Church must once again rise to confront the challenges facing the world. There is no doubt, given the decline of participation in our parishes, that we must allow the Holy Spirit to transform us individually as well as corporately. Bishops Boyea's vision, Go and Announce the Gospel, has the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and calls all of us to a deeper faith and greater sacrifice. It is not enough to ‘do a program.’ Each of us must now decide whether we are going to do the real work of evangelization and evaluation to determine whether we are really hitting the mark. Come let us rise and call on God for help.”

Deacon Ralph Poyo,
Founder of New Evangelization Ministries

"I am very encouraged that the diocese is dealing with the reality of continuing decline by appointing a committee to ‘think outside the box’ about how to realign resources and deal most effectively with the current challenges. Let’s all pray for the Holy Spirit to illumine them with true wisdom about how to move forward in the face of the significant challenges.

”Ralph Martin,
President of Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor“

I was in Germany recently speaking to the senior leaders of a large diocese, and they asked me to name U.S. dioceses that were deeply and effectively committed to evangelization. Lansing was at the top of my list. I have been very impressed by the strong, thoughtful commitment of Lansing's leadership to evangelization, from Bishop Boyea through local parish pastors and leaders at all levels. I have also been very moved by the stories of transformed lives and communities that I hear from your diocese, and use your stories to inspire Catholic leaders around the world!”

Sherry Weddell,
Speaker, author and co-founder of the Catherine of Siena Institute

“Discipleship is a long road ... and thank God for that! So often, we prefer to be ‘done.’ But God wants us to keep walking. God needs us to keep moving forward. In the history of Christianity, God has always done his best work when people are walking in darkness. To have the grace of hope and perseverance in the midst of seeming failure is the way of the disciple of Jesus. And so we keep on. We keep on walking. We keep on serving. We keep on following the Lord.”

Father Mike Schmitz,
Director of youth and young adult ministry for Diocese of Duluth, Minn.

I commend our good Bishop Boyea for his dedication to our diocese and his push as the pastor to call all of us to the very thing for which we exist, to bring people to a knowledge of the truth. Thank you, Bishop Boyea, for seeing the need and taking actions to inspire us all to be more faithful Christians living joyfully in the heart of the Catholic."

Steve Ray,
CatholicConvert.com

When St. John Paul II said we’re in the ‘springtime of evangelization,’ it was no cliché. It’s a reality taking place right in the Diocese of Lansing. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and am looking forward to more great fruit being borne out of this journey of renewal. God bless all of you!”

Matthew Leonard,
Catholic Author and Founder of Next Level Catholic Academy