The Heart of an Evangelist
Written by Katie Zulanas. Originally published in Family Foundations.
I have always loved the tradition of CCL to be evangelistic and meet couples where they are at in their faith journey. We share our stories of conversions, both small and large, especially in Family Foundations. That helps strengthen us all on our path in life. Sometimes we can see how God can bring us and others closer to Him. Other times, God’s salvific plan is hard to see — it is then that we must “believe without seeing” and look forward to the day when all will be clear.
As evangelists, we also seek the truth beyond the headlines. We need to be okay with being that “voice crying out in the wilderness.” It is part of our DNA at CCL to look a little harder for the truth. For example, the nutritional strategies in Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition are well- researched and have been a tremendous help to our members over the years — clearly ahead of its time! While using devices to measure personal health has opened new horizons in healthcare, CCL has decades of experience in doing just that! We are proud to continue this tradition of scientific research through Fertility Science Institute and our app. We keep you informed of these efforts—keeping in mind that all this work gives voice to the truth of fertility as a gift from God.
It is the beauty of this message that fills our hearts with fire of God’s truth — pushing through the “noise” of the world to focus on the goal: To share the love of Christ with a hurting world. I invite you to engage your evangelist heart!
Maria Alejandra Martinez (TC of 19 years) is currently leading our NFP Parish Rep outreach program. She has recently been speaking to many CCL volunteers and parishes. When she heard the following reading at mass recently,“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so, ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38), it really resonated with her as a volunteer with CCL. She said “There are an abundance of people who need to hear about NFP. We’re putting out the call for laborers! If you aren’t already a volunteer, we need you! Please join us!”
We can all get started by simply letting our nearby parishes know about MyParishNFP.org. It’s our new website of all things NFP for parishes – free downloadable bulletin announcements, graphics, and information about CCL classes. Want to get more involved and have access to additional resources? Great! We will be holding new training for CCL promoters, Teaching Couples and FSI instructors in 2023. Go to www.CCLI.org/volunteer to learn more and reserve your seat.
Here at CCL, we are truly grateful for our teaching couples, promoters and donors. We pray often for you and your families. Recently one of our staff members went to Rome and visited the tomb of Pope Paul VI, who was the force behind Humanae Vitae and our mission. She prayed for CCL and all of you! May the Holy Family keep you in their tender care and protection and intercede for you in this beautiful season of new beginnings!
Thank you, thank you for your mission!! May the Holy Family intercede for you in this beautiful season of new beginnings!
“For man cannot attain that true happiness for which he yearns with all the strength of his spirit, unless he keeps the laws which the Most High God has engraved in his very nature. ”
Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae #31