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If, like me, your heart breaks when someone close to you leaves the Church (or refuses to come back to it), then perhaps you'll be helped by what I've learned from my own failures, and from others across the world with whom I've spent long hours discussing the problem that troubles us all:
How to bring our friends
and family into -- or back into --
the Catholic Church.
What about your sister Jennifer who left
the Church in anger over a sermon she
thought was too harsh?
Or Bob from the office, who brings up
religion at lunchtime, but whom you
only seem to drive farther into
Fundamentalism?
Or even your spouse?
You want to be closer, but
your Catholicism gets between
you.
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Whether you're a wife or a welder,
a poet or painter, a butcher, a baker,
or candlestick maker, you can learn how
to bring your loved ones into -- or back into --
the Catholic Church.
And, contrary to what most people
think, it doesn't take hard work
or great learning to do so.
(Most of the apostles were simple souls
like you and me, as were the great
majority of the saints.)
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To help you bring your loved ones into the Church, I've
gathered into a modest book all I've learned over the
years from the Church, from the saints, and from praying
with and talking to folks like you all over the world
-- many of whom have actually succeeded in bringing their
friends and relatives to Christ.
Here's what one of the most successful Catholic
evangelists of our day says about it:
Scott Hahn
on Search and Rescue:
St. Francis of Assisi admonished us to "evangelize always. When necessary, use words."
St. Francis's advice may seem paradoxical, but it distills the wisdom that the Church and her saints have learned from 2000 years of successful evangelizing.
Relying on this principle, the Church swelled from twelve apostles in Palestine to hundreds of millions of Catholics
around the world today.
In Search and Rescue, Patrick Madrid explains for you this basic principle of evangelization and shows you how to make it a part of your daily life.
Soon, like the Apostles themselves, you, too, will be evangelizing your family and friends. When necessary, you'll even be using words. |
You see, successful evangelization
has more to do with love and
friendship than logic and rhetoric.
Which is why,
in Search and Rescue,
I show you:
• Why, as you undertake this work, you can have absolute confidence that Christ will give you all that you need to succeed
• How -- in your own way -- you're already equipped to accept Christ's urgent call to evangelize your friends and family
• How you can overcome your embarrassment and the fear of failure
• Why you must always let God do the talking -- and how to be sure you do
• Why questions are often better than statements -- and the kinds of questions that have been found to be most effective
• How you can redirect conversations into areas that do win converts
• How to avoid hurtful arguments and keep conversations cordial
• Common ground: why, like St. Paul, you must seek it (and how to find it)
• Why God can't accept the excuses we use to avoid speaking about Him to friends and family
• How to uncover the unspoken reasons why folks dislike the Church
• Why, no matter what happens, you must never grow discouraged (and how to get free of it when you are)
• How to suppress the egotism that afflicts so many apostles today (and that drives many people far from the Church) |
• The three most common reasons why those you love may refuse to hear what you say -- and how to deal with each
• The three things you absolutely must be sure to do before you open your mouth the first time (and every time thereafter)
• Why you must listen for what they are not saying -- and how to do so
• Why, reconciliation must remain ever foremost in your mind
• What the Church really teaches (and has never taught): keys to answering many objections to the Catholic Faith
• The Bible: why those who win souls read it and pray with it daily
• How to ensure that your efforts are always for God, and never for victory
• When you should share the Faith (and when stay silent) -- and how to tell
• Church history: how even a modest acquaintance with it will help you immeasurably
• The central place of Confession in the life of every effective evangelist
• The fundamental spiritual attitudes that win souls faster than words (and how you can cultivate them in your own soul)
• Why, in approaching friends and relatives, you must never forget that you are no more than a junior partner with God |
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. . . and much more!
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"How do you
bring a friend or relative
back into the Church?
First, you pray.
Then, you follow Patrick Madrid's advice in Search and Rescue."
Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
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Search and Rescue
288 pages ppbk $14.95
To better equip you for your task, I've also included the following in Search and Rescue:
• Hundreds of Bible verses
to help you see the deep Biblical roots
of our Catholic Faith
• Wise and consoling prayers
to pray before you begin
to speak of the Faith to others
• Quotes from dozens of saints
to help guide you, including St. Paul, St. Monica, St. Augustine, St. Basil the Great, St. Jerome, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis de Sales, St. John Vianney, St. Philip Neri, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and many others
• A 3-tiered Reading Plan
that, over time, will equip even the least-qualified apostles to present the Faith simply, intelligently, and persuasively
• And even an Action Agenda
at the end of each chapter, listing simple steps you can take now to make the Faith more appealing to those you love. |
Even the
Vatican recommends Search and Rescue:
"Patrick Madrid has done invaluable work in explaining clearly and convincingly why the Catholic Church is the true Church founded by Jesus Christ. His arguments and exposition are compelling and, I would say, grace-filled.
Search and Rescue: How to Bring Your Family and Friends Into -- or Back Into -- the Catholic Church is timely, relevant and welcome. Those who are familiar with Patrick Madrid's work will undoubtedly have another 'faith lift'; those who may be reading his work for the first time will be impressed, inspired -- and convinced."
John Cardinal Foley
Chairman, Pontifical Council for Social Communications
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And for those times
when you
simply can't avoid
the painful issues
that divide Christians:
Patrick Madrid brings you proof
you can
bring souls
to
the Catholic Faith
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--- and testimony
by 15 souls grateful
that someone like you
loved them enough
to try to do so |
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Surprised by Truth 2
Fifteen Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic
PRAISED BY
2 CARDINALS,
4 BISHOPS,
and scores of
Catholic
leaders:
"There's hardly a better tool
for communicating the fullness
of the Catholic Faith than this
collection of personal stories."
Marcus Grodi
EWTN's The Journey Home
"Compelling accounts of
conversion. The reader cannot help but be moved by the inspiring
stories of those whose hearts and minds were 'surprised' by Truth."
Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
"God's grace is tailored to
the needs of each individual,
but there is also a pattern to
God's love. These conversion
stories reveal that pattern."
Francis Cardinal George
Archbishop of Chicago
"This book truly speaks to the hunger of the human heart. I recommend this book not only as a resource for parish RCIA programs and adult religious education, but also in the broader scope of parish evangelization efforts. Surprised by Truth 2 is about stirring the embers, rekindling the fire, and igniting the heart of the seeking pilgrim with the flame of God's love."
Most Rev. Anthony M. Pilla Bishop of Cleveland
"A wonderful book to
energize us 'born' Catholics!"
Most Rev. Thomas Welch
Bishop of Allentown
"Will certainly prove useful to us in our Christian Formation programs."
Most Rev. Andrew Pataki
Bishop of Passaic
"A very useful book."
Most Rev. Bernard Schmitt
Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston
"Whether you're a longtime
Catholic, a searching Protestant,
or a non-believer, you'll be moved
by these compelling stories."
Steven K. Ray
Upon This Rock
"Illustrates in riveting detail
the wonders God is working in His
Church. Buy one for your Catholic friends
and another for your non-Catholic friends!"
David Currie
Born Fundamentalist,
Born Again Catholic
"These true stories give remarkable insight into
how God works to draw us to Himself, and increases
our confidence in His mercy and truth. An excellent
gift for friends and relatives who have lost their way."
Ralph Martin
Called to Holiness
"Spiritually inspiring and
intellectually stimulating."
Lay Witness
"Excellent, often moving testimony of how God works through His Church."
Our Sunday Visitor |
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This collection of testimonies by fifteen converts who've found
new life in the Catholic Church is one of the most potent weapons for the Faith ever crafted -- because these converts give you an insider's view of the fatal weaknesses in the
creeds and belief systems that they've finally rejected.
What's more, those rejected creeds are the counterfeits that beckon unwary Catholics every day: Fundamentalism, New Age paganism, Mormonism, materialistic hedonism, and much more.
Here you'll discover the reasons why these converts made the tough decision to forsake beliefs cherished by their families
and friends in order to enter the Catholic Church -- compelling reasons you can use to draw your own friends and relatives in
similar circumstances to the Catholic Faith.
These converts will not only help your friends and relatives find their way into the Church -- they'll convince your wavering Catholic friends to stay Catholic, and they'll even bolster
your own faith when anti-Catholic arguments start
to make you doubt.
You'll come
away with new gratitude that God
has given you the Faith, and with
a strong new tool you can use to
stand proudly for that Faith.
Contents:
Kristine L. Franklin
Our Mission to Convert Catholics Made Us Catholic
Jeff Childers
From the Church of Christ to Christ's Church
Carolyn Kollegger
A Good Girl Who Went Through Bad Times
Fr. Ray Ryland
Meeting Christ on His Terms, Not Ours
Lynn Nordhagen
Once, Twice, Three Times a Catholic
Steve Clifford
From the Latter-day Saints to the Communion of Saints
Mary Beth Kremski
The Apostles Convert a Pentecostal
Nancy Montgomery
A Cafeteria Catholic Returns to the Table of the Lord
John Gibson
Wiccan, Work It Out
Tim Drake
A Lutheran Lad Finds Christ's Church
Kevin M. Lowry
Son of a Preacher Man
Laura Johnson
Methodist Is Not Enough
Eric Pavlat
Wrong About Abortion, I Get Right About the Church
Martin K. Barrack
A Kosher Ham Finds Christ |
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DENOMINATIONS DISCUSSED:
Anglo-Catholicism
Bible-believing churches
Calvinism
The Church of Christ
Dispensationalism
Eastern Orthodoxy
The Episcopal Church
Evangelicalism
Fundamentalism
Judaism
Lutheranism
Methodism
Mormonism
Pentecostalism
The Presbyterian Church
Spirit-filled churches
The Unitarian Church
Wicca
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TOPICS CONSIDERED:
Artificial contraception • The authority of the Pope • The Bible and the illiterate • The Biblical roots of Catholic doctrine • Cafeteria Catholicism • Are Catholics Christians? • The Church Fathers • Christ's real presence in the Eucharist • Confession • Democracy in the Church • Doctrinal confusion in Protestantism • The Eucharist • How Martin Luther stumbled • How to convert Mormons • Is there one, true Church? • Liturgical worship versus spontaneous prayer • Married priests • Mary's role in salvation • The meaning and role of Tradition • The problem of authority • The problem with sola scriptura • Protestant fragmentation of the church • The role of beauty in worship • Roots of the Protestant churches • The Rosary • The Sacraments • Scripture and tradition • Shopping for churches • The Shroud of Turin • Submission to Jesus • Transubstantiation • The trauma of separating from Protestant roots • True devotion to Mary • Was the early Church Catholic? • Why are there bishops? • Why the Bible can't interpret itself • Plus much more! |
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Surprised by Truth 2
15 Men and Women Give
the Biblical and Historical
Reasons for Becoming Catholic
by Patrick Madrid
320 pp ppbk
$14.95 |
Save 20%*
when you buy both books!
(* Plus shipping )
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"This is necessary spiritual reading for
all Catholic apologists."
Francis
Cardinal
George
Archbishop of Chicago
"The subject of the book is quite an important one. My prayerful best wishes for its success."
James
Cardinal
Stafford
Pontifical
Council
for the
Laity
"Even St. Monica would have benefited from reading this book in her effort to bring her son, St. Augustine, into the Catholic Church!"
Fr. Andrew Apostoli
The Gift of God: The Holy Spirit
"Spiritually wise, morally honest, psychologically sensitive advice about the most forgotten yet the most crucial dimension of Catholic evangelism, the personal. No tricks here, just sound, Catholic, traditional common sense. Don't evangelize without it!"
Peter Kreeft
Fundamentals of the Faith
"Pat Madrid's Search and Rescue shows you how to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis de Sales and bring your friends and family into the Church using the simple gifts of friendship, prayer, patient persistence, and informed dialogue."
Steve Wood
Family Life Center
"An excellent source to help concerned Catholics reach their loved ones. I highly recommend this book."
Steven K. Ray
Upon This Rock
"Madrid's rich experience shines through in this gem of a book. Worth buying for those new to apologetics and the 'old hands' as well."
David B. Currie
Born Fundamentalist,
Born Again Catholic" |
"This book
can renew
your life,
and the
lives of
others."
Christoph
Cardinal Schönborn
Catechism of
the Catholic Church
"A practical guide for all who desire to be faithful witnesses to the Mystery of Salvation."
Renato
Cardinal
Martino
President of the
Pontifical Council for Justice and
Peace
"I recommend Search and Rescue to every practicing Catholic. It will prove to be most helpful to families who are praying for the return of their loved ones to the practice of the Faith."
Most Rev. Edward J. Slattery
Bishop of Tulsa
"Explains what Catholics can do to accompany seekers back into the Church and to invite members of other churches or of no church at all to come into the Catholic Church."
Review for Religious
"Intensely interesting, well-written, practical, richly illustrated out of Patrick Madrid's own broad experience and that of others -- Search and Rescue is quite unlike any other book I have read which even touches on the subject. I found it difficult to put down!"
Fr. Ray Ryland, Franciscan University of Steubenville
"A welcome addition to the resources in evangelization and apologetics, so essential in this new millennium."
The Very Rev. Peter Stravinskas
The Catholic Response
"Patrick Madrid here gives you shortcuts to effective apologetics. Master the common-sense techniques in Search and Rescue and watch how your arguments bear almost instantaneous fruit."
Karl Keating Catholicism and Fundamentalism
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