ChristLife hopes to make faith a reality

Much of the group´s work revolves around the campus of the University of Mary-land, Baltimore County, helping students explore their faith and alter their lives.

BALTIMORE, MD (The Catholic Review) - ChristLife is taking Jesus to the streets, the World Wide Web, college campuses and everywhere else.

The evangelization group, which serves as an apostolate for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, has been using its innovative techniques of communicating its passion for sharing the faith since 1995.

The small nonprofit organization operates out of the manor house at The Shrine of St. Anthony, home of Conventual Franciscan Friars in Ellicott City.

Much of the group´s work revolves around the campus of the University of Mary-land, Baltimore County, helping students explore their faith and alter their lives.

"We focus upon how Catholics encounter Jesus and find their meaning in him," said Pete Ascosi, ChristLife´s young adult coordinator. "We equip them to share Jesus with other people and discuss the person of Christ."

Lately, the group has been using its Web site (www.christlife.org) to do podcast interviews, even asking people on the street about their personal relationship with Jesus. The regularly updated podcasts have reached thousands, according to Mr. Ascosi.

"It´s a constant challenge being in the ministry of evangelization," said Mr. Ascosi, 29. "I give my day to the Lord. It´s a good, healthy challenge to have."

Leaders of ChristLife recently had a meeting with Archbishop Edwin F. O´Brien to talk about their work.

The archbishop could not promise financial assistance during these cash-strapped times, according to Mr. Ascosi, but offered his enthusiastic support.

The archbishop did an October podcast for ChristLife´s Web site, discussing the increasing importance of faith outreach.

Mr. Ascosi, a parishioner of St. Agnes in Catonsville, said the archbishop has a "can-do attitude."

"He´s very practical," said Mr. Ascosi, adding that the archbishop´s support bolsters ChristLife´s place in the church.

Father Erik J. Arnold, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ilchester, has been a longtime supporter of ChristLife´s work. He said the archbishop has been a proponent of strengthening evangelization efforts in the archdiocese.

"He wants that message to get out to the church at large," Father Arnold said. "He clearly has a great interest in it and sees how important and how central the work needs to be."

ChristLife´s developing programs, like Discovering Christ, excite Father Arnold. The seven-week effort, the pastor said, is about presenting "the basics of the Gospel message in the light of our Catholic faith."

Mr. Ascosi said ChristLife continues to operate with a clear mission.

"We really see a continued emphasis on equipping my generation of young adults with evangelization tools," he said. "We want them to really live their faith in Christ, share their faith and be proud of it."

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Republished by Catholic Online with permission of The Catholic Review, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Md. (www.catholicreview.org).