Posts by Bridget Richardson
The Shroud of Turin at World Youth Day
Andrea Allesandri always wanted to go to World Youth Day, but was not sure how she could afford the trip. Fortunately, the work she was doing with the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston, Texas, opened the door to the possibility. Now, Andrea is traveling to Lisbon to participate in World Youth Day and teach people about the Shroud of Turin.
If Catholics could do this, it would be fire power
Danielle sees a shaking in the world today. While people say that all the time, she sees the Christian community, as a whole, reaching an undeniable tipping point. The divide between Protestants and Catholics is getting smaller and smaller, and she wants Catholics to get ready for a new level of Christian unity.
This is Danielle Brown. She is the Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. She draws a parallel between Protestant powerhouse Francis Chan’s intrigue with communion and the Catholic Church undergoing a three-year National Eucharistic Revival. She calls this a “John 17 type work” that calls Christians to be one in Christ. Hear her view on the next phase of Christian unity. Learn more about Danielle:
Danielle Brown - The GIVEN Institute
Here. Now. All eyes are on Him.
Nathaniel doesn’t want to be a disgrace. While he and his family are witnessing 50,000 people gathered in a stadium doing one thing – he realizes he is responsible for his family. For him, the time to teach is now and the time to practice what you preach is ever-present.
This is Nathaniel Binversie, a full-time missionary. In this episode of MAX Stories, Nathaniel shares his experience of attending the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024 in Indianapolis, Ind. He attends this event with his family, comprised of his wife and three young daughters. He talks about why he has taken up the mantel of guiding his family to a deeper love of Jesus Christ and how he asks them to engage with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Nathaniel shares his own understanding of the Eucharist at a young age and how that has evolved over time. He describes the challenge of “just being” with God even though he is a full-time missionary commissioned to do God’s work in the world. He also talks openly about the responsibilities of shepherding his daughters through the experience of the National Eucharistic Congress. With an astute awareness of his place in his family, he does not want to fail them in in living up to his own call from God to be the witness he is called to be to others and to those closest to him.
Hear Nathaniel’s inspiring testimony of obligation and hope in the future.
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Nathaniel will be featured on an episode of MAX Studios Original podcast, Protagonists of Change.
It was 140 DEGREES!
One thing is for sure, it’s hot in South Texas. Rick’s job was to capture thousands of people walking in Brownsville, Texas heat with ... well ... Jesus. The heat was brutal, but overwhelming joy for Christ let Rick to only think about one thing: go.
This is Rick Trevino. He is a Project Manager and Content Developer for the Diocese of Brownsville in Texas. Baking in the Texas heat, Rick films the movements of a Eucharistic procession through the streets of historic downtown Brownsville. He describes how he felt in the Texas heat, and also what he saw: the beauty of celebration and worship of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Rick shares how, while thousands processed throughout the city, it was what happens after the procession that is important. How do the people walking go out and share the Good News with those around them – family, friends, neighbors. He challenges people in their pursuit of witnessing to Christ’s love and to be forthright in their invitation to welcome other to Mass.
Listen to him describe his experience of a Eucharistic Procession and how he now sees that we have no excuses. Just go out and spread the Good News.
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Rick will be featured on an episode of MAX Studios Original podcast, Protagonists of Change.
Learn more about the Diocese of Brownsville.
Learn what a Eucharistic Pilgrimage is and why Catholics do it.
Arise and Go with Haste
World Youth Day is more than another Catholic event, it is an intimate pilgrimage opportunity to experience the Universal Church with other young adults from around the world. Pope St. Paul ll began WYD in 1985 because he “imagined a powerful moment in which the young people of the world could meet Christ." Roughly every three years the youth of the world unite in a different country to celebrate the faith. In WYD 2023, students from the University of St. Thomas were able to experience a week of sacraments and encounter the Lord on a deeper level.
Follow along with them as they prepare to go to WYD 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. From packing their essentials to doing a mini 5 mile pilgrimage around Houston, TX, this group of young adults will experience a new outlook on their faith, identity and vocation. As they travel, they follow in Mary’s footsteps as they "arise and go with haste."
Come see for yourself
Pat was born and raised Catholic, but never quite "owned" his faith. But in high school, he admired unique the peace and joy he saw in his some of his peers and thought, "whatever it is that they have, I want that."
This is Pat Gunning. He is the Campus Minister at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. Hear how sometimes spiritual journeys don’t involve dramatic moments or visions. Sometimes the journey involves a joyful presence, a desire for more and an understanding of peace.
Stuck at Church
Amy decided she was too smart to be Catholic. As a high school student, she thought the Church had nothing to offer her. As a college student, a chance encounter at her dorm room’s door led to her becoming stuck at Church....in the communion line. In that moment, while she was stuck, something unexpected happened.
This is Amy Auzenne. She is the Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and an alumna of the University of St. Thomas-Houston. Hear how she discovered there was only one way for her to respond to God’s undeniable love: love him back.
I was mugged by beauty
George was perfectly happy as a faithful graduate student. He was shocked when he was mugged by the beauty of ... liturgy. Absent of rational arguments – he sat with the confusion of being overcome by experience. He launched headfirst onto a path of intellectual pursuit and exploration that would define the rest of his life. And then, the decision came.
This is Dr. George Harne. He is the president of Christendom College and former Executive Dean of Arts and Sciences at University of St. Thomas-Houston. After a path marked by humility and grace, he was accosted by a beautiful new way to grow closer to Jesus.
Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Read the Documents of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II).
I met some mothers… that’s when I understood the difference…
Melynda admits it. She joined the Catholic Church because she was pregnant (and her husband was already Catholic). But then, through the kindness and openness of a group of mothers at her church, Melynda came to know the love of Jesus in the Eucharist.
This is Melynda Ludwick. She is the First Lady at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. Hear her conversion story and the depth of joy she experiences in the Lord.
I didn’t want to go but it changed my life
Abi was merely going through the motions. Reluctant to step into that space, little did she know her life would be changed forever.
Check out the debut episode of MAX Stories.
This is Abi Bielstein. She works in Campus Ministry at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. Prepare to hear her powerful story of navigating tragedy and profound transformation through the power of the Eucharist.
