Outstanding initiatives
The Church constantly invites its members to take an active role in the apostolic dynamic. The Holy Father, with his constant exhortations to reach out to the boundaries of societies to bring the light of Christ, couldn’t be more clear: we are all called to do apostolate!
We are happy to report that Outstanding Initiatives is back on its search for Catholic initiatives and projects that aim to carry out the evangelical mission of the Church. Today, we present to you a set of carefully curated initiatives, which we hope will generate inspiration and imitation.
The Lord Jesus Christ did so many things during His ministry on earth (and continues to work today through the Holy Spirit). He was known to everyone as “Teacher”. Get to know two organizations that carry out the teaching mission, educating today’s generation of young Catholics:
Sophia Sketchpad
Sophia’s Sketchpad is a website that presents video materials created by a Catholic organization of educators known as Sophia’s Institute for Teachers. Founded in 2013, Sophia’s Institute for Teachers seeks to “renew and rebuild Catholic culture through service to Catholic education.” The core of this initiative is to “nurture the spiritual, moral and cultural life of souls and an abiding respect for the role and work of teachers.” They provide materials and programs that aim at helping Catholics to better understand their faith. The materials they produce are strategically designed to be both content-rich and practical. An excellent example of the organization’s output is an animated series published in a stand-alone website called, Sophia’s Sketchpad.org.
True to its name, Sophia’s Sketchpad contains videos that explain topics about the Church, the Gospel and their connections; presented through a sketch. These innovative and fun videos are perfect for classes, for personal use and for social media sharing. They also include free viewing guides and lesson plans to help teachers.
We share with you this fun and highly informative video about the Eucharist, which explains its true meaning using the words of our Lord Jesus in the Gospel.
The Religion Teacher
Founded by author Jared Dees of the book 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator, The Religion Teacher is a Catholic website that focuses on providing materials and calibrating Catholic educators to effectively meet the needs of their students, especially in helping them establish a personal relationship with Christ. The organization’s mission statement reads: “As Christ’s witnesses, we make disciples everywhere. (Acts 1:8, Mt 28:19).” Their mission begins in the classroom, but it doesn’t end there. They push users to take Catholic education forward by passing it on to others.
The Religion Teacher provides free resources like e-books, lesson plans, related videos and tutorials, and even activities for each season in the Liturgical calendar to effectively apply the lessons in class. We highly recommend this website for catechists and anyone aspiring to become one. This may be used in a formal classroom setting or in your own little work in the community; “the peripheries,” as Pope Francis likes to say.
We share with you this video from the archives of the website that talks about the true meaning of the word “Gospel”. The video discusses its etymology and its connection and relevance to the faith.
Check out The Religion Teacher’s awesome materials.
Religion teacher
As Catholics we are called to aggressively learn more and take to heart the true meaning of our Faith. Being Catholic does not end in observing Holy Days of Obligation, going through all the Sacraments and sharing quotes from the Bible on your Facebook timeline. We need to take our knowledge of the Faith forward by educating ourselves about the meaning behind Holy Days of Obligation, the Sacraments, the Holy Mass, their relevance to our spiritual growth, and how all these help strengthen our relationship with God. Sophia’s Sketchpad and The Religion Teacher show us just that: we should never stop learning and re-learning the Faith.
That wraps up this edition of Outstanding Initiatives MMXV. We highly recommend that you check them out and support these projects by helping spread the word about them. We also hope that our featured initiatives inspire you to start your own project and contribute to the mission of the Church. We encourage you all to keep testing your ideas and to start them now.
If you know of any group or individual project that is 100%-Catholic and very promising, please feel free to shoot us an email at champ@catholic-link.com so we can give them a shout-out on the next edition of Outstanding Initiatives.
Tell us what you think, bookmark this page and share away!
- America’s 250th, Courtesy Of Holy Catholic Influencers
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly The American Catholic Church used influencers before brands did. Meet four of the influencers who changed politics, pop culture, and piety across the United States, and join the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only Church approved Marian apparition in the United States, in encountering all the holy influencers… Read more: America’s 250th, Courtesy Of Holy Catholic Influencers - Missionary Medics: A VOCATION BEYOND BORDERS
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Medicine was once considered a vocation. It remains a vocation, no matter what the world tries to convince us otherwise. As doctors, we are called to imitate the First Physician – to heal not only the body but also the soul. This is never possible unless He is the… Read more: Missionary Medics: A VOCATION BEYOND BORDERS - NYU NightFire: How Young Catholics Are Finding Peace In The City That Never Sleeps
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly New York is known as “the city that doesn’t sleep.” There is this constant exhausting energy. Everyone speed-walks like they’re late to a meeting, even though they aren’t. They’re just heading to Blank Street for a matcha latte. One of the biggest struggles of this current generation is finding… Read more: NYU NightFire: How Young Catholics Are Finding Peace In The City That Never Sleeps - Catholic Shops That Don’t Use AI To Create Products
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Catholic-Link.org is committed to publishing articles and images free from the use of AI. We believe that writing and art should come from the heart of a human soul in order to fully express the truth, beauty, and goodness of God. The Holy Spirit is the divine influencer who… Read more: Catholic Shops That Don’t Use AI To Create Products - How Music Helps Me Go From Distracted To Devoted In My Prayer Time As A Catholic
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Music has always been a part of my life. Since I was three years old, my mom arranged for a music teacher to teach me how to play the organ. Ever since then, music has been something I need on road trips, at the office, and even in my… Read more: How Music Helps Me Go From Distracted To Devoted In My Prayer Time As A Catholic - Weird Miracles That Led To Sainthood
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Let’s be honest—when most of us hear the word “miracle,” we tend to picture something dramatic. Blinding light. Instant healing. Maybe a crowd gasping in unison while someone drops their crutches and runs a victory lap. And to be fair, sometimes that’s exactly what happens. But sometimes… It’s an… Read more: Weird Miracles That Led To Sainthood - 8 Things Altar Servers Need To Know
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Many, young and old, feel the call to participate in the Mass by becoming an altar server. Amazing! The following 8 tips will help altar servers grow in their fervor for the Lord and devotion. To help you understand this better, we will use the triple-A battery. I pray… Read more: 8 Things Altar Servers Need To Know - All Are Called To Holiness | Gospel Reflection
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned,like sheep without a shepherd.Then he said to his disciples,“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;so ask the master of the harvestto… Read more: All Are Called To Holiness | Gospel Reflection - Why You’ll Never Be Enough On Your Own
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly It had been long enough, so I finally decided to visit my doctor. Random muscle spasms, pain, and fatigue had plagued me for nearly a year, and I had to figure out why…and hopefully fix it. Various AI and internet sources provided some insights, but they couldn’t perform the… Read more: Why You’ll Never Be Enough On Your Own - The Sheep Detectives: A Kid’s Movie With A Surprising Catholic Message
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly The Sheep Detectives: This charming movie has a deeper theological and moral lesson that the whole family can enjoy. Last month, The Sheep Detectives was released in theaters, and the premise for the movie makes for a typical, fun animal children’s movie. The movie is about a shepherd, George… Read more: The Sheep Detectives: A Kid’s Movie With A Surprising Catholic Message - Getting Married Young In Today’s World
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Did you ever think your high school or college relationship would result in marriage? I know I would be lying if I said that I did not think that myself. I might have said publicly, “Young relationships usually don’t last,” but in my heart of hearts, I would dream.… Read more: Getting Married Young In Today’s World - The Prodigal Shift: From Cultural Catholic To Practicing Catholic
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Cultural Catholic Someone recently said to me, “Everyone has their personal prodigal son story.” God works through people, and the timing of that message was perfect. I instantly felt less secluded, less naked, and less alone. Maybe God could indeed forgive me, exactly as our church teaches. I saw… Read more: The Prodigal Shift: From Cultural Catholic To Practicing Catholic - The Most Blessed Sacrament
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Of the seven sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ to make us holy, the Eucharist alone is called “the Most Blessed Sacrament”, for it not only conveys the graces that flow from Jesus, but gives to the recipient Jesus Himself – His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. At Mass, the… Read more: The Most Blessed Sacrament - The Solemnity Of The Most Holy Body And Blood Of Christ: Reflection
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this… Read more: The Solemnity Of The Most Holy Body And Blood Of Christ: Reflection - Eucharist And Sacred Heart: Source Of Mission And Love
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly A central doctrine of Catholicism is the belief that the bread and wine consumed at Mass become truly Christ: his body, blood, soul, and divinity. While this truth is celebrated every Sunday, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ offers a heightened focus through liturgy… Read more: Eucharist And Sacred Heart: Source Of Mission And Love - A Catholic Guide To June
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly June Liturgical Living For Catholics Links to purchase: Prayer: Oxygen for the Soup, Eucharist Ring by Darling & Divine, Mary and Jesus by Leanne Bowen Links to purchase: Saintly Heart ABC Pray & Play Puzzle, Sacred Heart of Jesus: Devotion to Jesus’ Heart for Children, St. Anthony Kids Socks… Read more: A Catholic Guide To June - 21 Social Media Posts For June: The Month Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Let’s flood social media with the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Did you know that all of Catholic-Link.org’s content is free to share on social media and in print? We only ask that you don’t edit our work – please keep our logo visible – and when possible, provide a… Read more: 21 Social Media Posts For June: The Month Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus - Walk To Mary, “America’s Mini-Camino,” Marks 13th Anniversary Of Building Community And Connection Around Mary
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly When Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay opened Adele Brice’s cause for sainthood earlier this year, his announcement certainly contributed to a record-breaking number of registrants for the Walk to Mary Pilgrimage, with over 10,000 pilgrims walking from around the world. Adele Brice was the visionary of the National… Read more: Walk To Mary, “America’s Mini-Camino,” Marks 13th Anniversary Of Building Community And Connection Around Mary - 4 Ways The Catholic Church Offers “Good News” To Young Adults
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly As a young adult growing up in the 21st century, bombarded by constant conflict in the news and media, life can seem hopeless and uncertain. It seems that headlines only highlight the bad things happening in the world, and social media is full of people complaining about life’s hardships.… Read more: 4 Ways The Catholic Church Offers “Good News” To Young Adults - Rooted In Peace Or Trapped In Fear? Knowing The Difference Between Healthy Catholic Spirituality & Scrupulosity
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Many faithful Catholics quietly struggle with the question…“Is this healthy, or is this too much?” On the surface, healthy Catholic spirituality and scrupulosity can look very similar. Both include prayer, regular examination of conscience, and a sincere desire to avoid sin. But beneath the surface, they are driven by… Read more: Rooted In Peace Or Trapped In Fear? Knowing The Difference Between Healthy Catholic Spirituality & Scrupulosity
