Thomas Hébert

REPORT: Round One a Success! 1st Catholic Champion Crusade at the University of Tennessee reaches the next generation of Catholic patriots. On Friday, May 1st, @CforCatholics hit the ground to engage with open Q&A with the students on the Catholic Faith. What I saw on the ground were young people hungry for this open conversation about what it means to be Catholic. The high percentage of young men that came tracks with the national statistics of young men coming back to Church. We talked about a range of issues that were on their minds. Issues discussed ranged from the role of Mary, to the morality of IVF, to the meaning of relics, to the Catholic view on Zionism and other things. Halfway through the event, I saw a young man come and sit at the far back. His hand went up and I called on him. “I was raised Catholic but I don’t practice anymore.” he said. “Why do we need formal religion with so many rules?” I shared some thoughts and then I turned to the Franciscan priest, Fr David who came to assist at this event. Father responded by saying that to be Catholic is to be in the most intimate relationship with Jesus, to the point that we can receive His very body. Relationships of love necessitate rules and boundaries. The norms and rules of the Church guide us to freedom in love for Jesus. "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free". John 8 It was inspiring to watch this interchange between Father David and this young man struggling with his own Faith. Rounding off the event with the recitation of the Holy Rosary was a perfect way to witness to the hundreds of college kids who walked by on Campus. Friday was a first. Catholics for Catholics is set to launch many of these when the fall semester begins. We need to take Christ to the heart of culture and work to convert the next generation of Americans. To convince someone of conservative principles is noble. But to help them find Christ in His Church is the greatest gift we can give someone. God Bless and Fight On, @USAYep