Do you long for a group of like-minded people that you can hang out with, but feel like there is no one around for miles? Do you wish you could get a group of Catholics together to have fun and pray together? That desire for community is how Arise Ministries was born.
Arise Ministries is a Catholic organization that has responded to St. John Paul II’s call to evangelize and aims to help Catholics respond to that call by “renewing parish life, rousing apostolic ardor, inspiring intimate prayer, and increasing sacramental devotion.” In striving to fulfill this mission, they have partnered with Franciscan University of Steubenville for the Encounter Conference, which is a Catholic conference for young adults. The conference will be held in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 8.
The CatholicMatch Institute spoke to the Executive Director of Arise Ministries, Dominick Albano about his organization, the Encounter conference, and singles.
How did Arise start?
Arise began when a few faithful disciples of Christ, who desired deeper prayerful renewal in the Church, answered God's call in an active way in their lives. A group of young adults came together with the idea to pray with one another in a way that was otherwise unavailable in the Archdiocese. We thought it would be great if 50 people wanted to come pray with us and ended up with more than 300. They began asking when the next Arise was, so we had another. From the very beginning, it's been clear that God has bigger plans for the ministry than we do.
Why is important that Catholics answer the call to evangelize?
In short, because Jesus said so! When Catholics fail to evangelize, they are failing to live their lives as disciples. Saint John Paul II told us that we are to be a light to the world, and Christ told us that no one puts a light under a basket. When we fail to answer the call to evangelize, we are putting that light under a basket.
What can you tell me about Encounter?
The Encounter conference is going to give young adult Catholics an experience they are thirsting for. It will be high energy, engaging, and dynamic while at the same time hitting home great content—content that speaks to the hearts of young adults. Young adults thirst for community and the authentic; the Encounter conference is built on these two pillars. Whether you are very strong in your faith, or perhaps you aren't as active as you would like, everyone will feel at home during the conference.
Why is CatholicMatch’s sponsorship important to the conference?
CatholicMatch is a great partner because it challenges young adults to hold their faith as a center point of the decisions they make regarding the rest of their lives. For many young adults, their faith wouldn't occur to them as a center point of a relationship, but CatholicMatch encourages those young adults to make Christ the center of their search. Find Christ and He will show you your path in life.
Why do you think the CatholicMatch Institute is beneficial to singles?
Through the content on the website, young Catholics are learning how to be a better single person, a better discerner, and for many, a better husband or wife. It will change not only how people see marriage and dating, but will also change peoples relationship with Christ. When properly oriented according to God's plan, the relationship between husband and wife reflects the saving love between Christ and His Church. For a single person to learn about God's plan for marriage, and how to live according to His design, will lead to more fulfilled and happy relationships.
As a married man, what dating advice do you have for Catholic singles?
The first: pray for your spouse now, even if you haven't met them yet. Pray for them now, and when dating, pray with your significant other. Developing these habits now will benefit your marriage later on.
The second: know your heart, and learn to share it with others. If you are not already a part of a small faith sharing group, find one and join. Learn to talk to other people about your relationship with God, your prayer life, your struggles and fears. Learning, while single, to share your heart with others, will help you to share your heart with your future spouse.
Why should CatholicMatch subscribers go to the Encounter conference?
There will be lots of eligible Catholics there!
In sincerity, there are very few opportunities that could literally change your life. You can come for one day, Encounter the love of God in a personal way, find a community, develop lifelong friendships, and maybe meet your future spouse. The potential of this one day is unparalleled by any other conference or event. You really won't want to miss it.
Click here for more information and to register for the Encounter Conference.
