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I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.
—John 10:10
Dear RENEW Friend,
The New Year brings a desire to make resolutions to improve the quality of our lives. Often we choose to focus on physical things such as dieting or exercising. This year I invite you to consider making a resolution to deepen your relationship with God. For example, resolve to pray the Sunday Scripture readings or say a daily decade of the rosary, read a spiritual book, forgive someone, or perform an act of charity.
The more we give ourselves over to God the more we become like God: compassionate, loving, forgiving, and justice-seeking. I pray that through God’s grace we will draw closer to God this year and experience life more abundantly.
Gratefully,
Sr. Theresa Rickard, OP, D.Min.
President and Executive Director
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Yo he venido para que tengan vida y la tengan en abundancia.
—Juan 10, 10
Estimado/a Amigo/a,
El nuevo año trae un deseo de hacer propósitos para mejorar la calidad de nuestras vidas. Muchas veces optamos por enfocarnos en cosas como hacer dieta o ejercicio. Este año te invito a considerar el hacer un propósito para profundizar tu relación con Dios. Por ejemplo, comprométete a meditar las lecturas del domingo o rezar una década del rosario diariamente, leer un libro espiritual, perdonar a alguien, o hacer una obra de caridad.
Mientras más nos entregamos a Dios, más nos parecemos a Él: compasivos, amorosos, misericordiosos y justos. Rezo para que con la gracia de Dios, nos acerquemos más a Dios este año y experimentemos vida en abundancia.
Con gratitud,
Hermana Theresa Rickard, OP, D.Min.
Presidente y Directora Ejecutiva
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Knowing RENEW Just Got Easier
We are excited to announce that www.renewintl.org has a new look! It’s cleaner, brighter, and more simple to navigate. We are committed to giving you easy access to your member-only features, as well as more interactive and fresh content such as podcasts, videos, and our blog. Come see everything the new website has to offer. 
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Separated from Family, but Not from God
We can show our people serving overseas that we care about them by helping to keep them connected to their faith. This can make a big difference in their stressful world. Military personnel serving abroad report that participation in RENEW programs gives them spiritual strength and helps them bond with their neighbors:
“I highly recommend Why Catholic? It’s very helpful for our parish’s growth and it has helped people become more active in their church.”
—US Army chaplain stationed in Germany
“We just finished one Why Catholic? book and I thoroughly enjoyed the 12-week program. There is so much to learn about our faith. This program helps me share the experience with others. I think that really strengthens us as Catholics and as a community, especially being here overseas and away from our families and friends.”
—J.M., spouse of a US Army soldier in Heidelberg, Germany
Your donations to RENEW make it possible for us to bring Why Catholic? and other programs to Americans in the military. For example, a gift of $500 helps provide our programs to one military base of 50 people.
Thank you!
Left: Participants gather for Why Catholic? on the military base in San Diego, California.
Right: Listen to Rev. Romeo Axalan's comments on his experiences with Why Catholic? as he serves in the US Army in Ansbach, Germany.
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What Are You Giving Up for Lent? Lenten Longings Cycle B Can Help
Why not give up some time—about 90 minutes a week—to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection?
RENEW International is offering new English and Spanish faith-sharing processes to help you get ready.
Have an e-reader? Our new Lenten Longings Year B e-book will be released in the beginning of February. You will be able to find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes! Check for updates on our website.
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Planning Makes Perfect
It’s all about the planning. That spells success for parishes engaged in the Why Catholic? process from RENEW International.
Sheri Isham is the catechetical coordinator in the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee which is in the fourth year of Why Catholic? She says the program has especially thrived where there was good groundwork.
“I found that parishes that had the most success were those that followed the program's structure,” Sheri explained. “They put together a planning team, came up with promotional ideas, and stayed with the plan.”
One parish, for example, began with 50 groups three years ago and still has 50 groups. Read more of Sheri’s story.
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Save the Date!
Join us for our 13th Annual Dinner Gala
Thursday, June 7, 2012 6 p.m.
Pleasantdale Château, West Orange, New Jersey
Honoring:
Bernard M Hartnett, Jr.
President’s Award
Anthony Gostkowski
Spirit of RENEW Award
Men’s Small Christian Community,
Wednesday 6 a.m.,
Church of the Presentation,
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
Msgr. Thomas A Kleissler Award
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Wholeness in Life: A Self-reflection Exercise
In her book The Bridge to Wholeness (Laura Media), Jean Raffa provides a vision of the whole person. Her list includes those who:
-Are involved in meaningful work -Love the truth
-Are able to laugh at themselves -Love themselves
-Look for the good, hope for the best -Love life
-Have a meaningful spiritual life -Affirm others
-Suffer when others are suffering -Love others
-Accept responsibility for their choices -See others as teachers
What other qualities would you name as essential to becoming a whole person? Note those qualities you already possess. Pay special attention to the ones you would like to integrate more fully into your own life in this new year and the future.
Participants of LEVÁNTATE (ARISE Together in Christ in Spanish) in the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas, gather in small Christan communities to strengthen and deepen their faith.
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Perhaps your New Year's resolution is to be more helpful and have more concern for others. Your tax-deductible donation to RENEW International helps us engage more people to strengthen their faith and find God in everyday life.
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