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It was a warm Saturday morning fifteen years ago in Erie, Pennsylvania. I was in the back yard armed with clippers. Steph was gone. Our six children were playing. One higher branch was taunting me: "I dare you! Take that 'do not stand' step! Come at me!" The next thing I remember I was on the ground. Blacked out. Not able to breath. Five ribs screaming. My wrist twisted in a way I didn’t think possible.
Asking about my recovery, the doc explained to my wife: "I don't think you understand. Picture a sledgehammer hitting a piece of chalk." They installed a titanium plate. I was told to inform my boss I'd be out for months. Well, that boss was me. If I didn’t work, we wouldn’t eat. We had six children. And my film and marketing company had a full schedule.
I remembered a quote on our fridge as a kid: "Sometimes God knocks you off balance so you'll take a step forward." Thanks, God. Couldn’t it have been on the ground? Therein a seizmic shift took place in my spiritual universe. From focusing on the “off balance” part to the “step forward” part. I was alive. I had partial use of my broken wrist. Enough to use my cameras. Mostly, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my family and friends.
My first step forward was an even greater attunement to the hidden gold in other people. And the gift God gave me to mine it. A still, small voice summoned me to head down to our big "Celebrate Erie" event. Armed with a camera, walking amidst so many different people, I began my "mining." Asking questions. So many people from so many walks of life. So many beautiful stories.
Coming home I knew what God was calling me to do. To step even further out on a new limb. I overcame my fears and asked three different men from very different backgrounds if I could follow them. Capture their lives for six weeks. Walk a mile in their shoes. Mine the gold. Validate their worth. Inspire the community.
Based upon our city, ErieAlity TV was born. I put up billboards, built a web page, and got some small-business sponsorships. The first season was a smashing success. An experience of common humanity reaching beyond politics, religions, races, genders, economics. A buzz was reverberating throughout the city.
A second season featuring three women followed. One of the stars, Clara Ward, was a spunky, spirit-filled, elderly black woman in a wheelchair. She had overcome a horrific childhood and disability to devote herself to caring for inner city latch-key kids. Truly amazing. Another smashing success.
I shared the finale with friends at ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They loved it. A year later stars Ty Pennington, Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, and Mary J. Blige rolled into town to build Clara a one-of-a-kind home to help those kids. Innumerable churches and businesses got on board devoting thousands of hours and dollars.
Here's the thing: ABC didn't contribute a dime. Every need was known before ABC came on the scene. And our community had every capacity to address these needs. The special, two-week episode demonstrated what can happen when faith communities and businesses are united in a vision. We didn't simply build a home, we renovated an entire neighborhood. It made us all better. It was a taste of the Kingdom. It was truly exhilarating.
I couldn't help but think, why did it take Extreme Makeover? What keeps us from being that kind of community all the time? And mostly, how are all of us, our marriages, families and homes “off balance” in a ways that might prompt us all, right now, together, to take a step forward? What if?
What if? Home is the cornerstone of civilization. The future passes by way of the family. The vast majority of good Catholic parents lament that their adult children have abandoned the Sacraments. Even more have abandoned living our Catholic faith at the center of their lives. What if we could turn this around? What if we could help encourage and support younger families form their children to live it into adulthood?
Is there any greater measure of our parenthood? Anything more important?
We are inviting you to get on board a season of Catholic family revival that will unite families in a powerful, ongoing way. We’re calling it Supreme Makeover: Home Edition. Why should you do this? Because we’re about the ultimate purpose and measure of human existence: Becoming and making saints. Not simply by chance, or another fleeting program, but as a way of life. Into adulthood. Into eternity. What if?
MAIN EVENT: Sanctus: Eucharistic Family Revival, a diocesan-sponsored event we’re leading with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal November 3-4.
- Monthly Catholic Revival events for men, women, and families beginning in September involving the Rosary, Worship, Adoration, Chaplet & Confession.
- Weekly Men’s and Women’s groups (ideally husbands and wives). 8 week series reconnecting us to the heart of the Gospel based upon the Pentecost365.us disciplines. Also beginning in September.
- Presence for Christmas. Continued monthly events in Advent.
- Media. IGNITE Radio Live, Social Media and Kingdom Update newsletter.
- Live IT Gathering Guide. Occasion to transform homes.
We need your help. Your prayers, your engagement, feedback, and yes... your financial partnership. At present our movement is driven by about 50 faith-filled family partners who help cover about 50% of our basic costs. We need to hit 100%. Especially as this "big step" involves many big costs. Please take that step with us. Join us. Help us build. Spread the word. Pray. Become a monthly partner or share a one-time gift. Please, call us at any time to discuss any of this!
LORD JESUS CHRIST, We trust in You. We believe in You. Help us take big steps in faith.
Greg & Stephanie Schlueter
Image Trinity | Mass Impact
Greg@MassImpact.us | (814) 449-8808
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| Mass Impact is families united in building the Kingdom.
We could really use your help. Please partner with us. Thank you. |
| | | LIVE IT THIS WEEK: REAL PRESENCE
June 12-18, 2023
A simple guide to help your family grow in holiness.
FUN QUESTION:
"What is your family bucket-list for this Summer?" (submit your fun question)
LIVE IT TIDBIT: "INTENTIONALITY"
View our new, fun, 60 second story and message at ILoveMyFamily.us.
GOSPEL | Matthew 9:36-10:8
At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Then he summoned his twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits
to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.
The names of the twelve apostles are these:
first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus,
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
QUESTION:
What struck you in this reading? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
YOU IMAGE THE TRINITY: LIVE IT
Going around, affirm how you have been blessed and/or inspired by each person this past week. Encourage him/her.
DAILY QUESTIONS:.
Everyone go around and share...
1) Something you’re grateful for?
2) A recent victory?
3) A current challenge?
4) An affirmation of someone?
5) Something meaningful happening?
FIND OUT MORE AT ILOVEMYFAMILY.US
We are families united in more fully seeking, proclaiming, living and building the Kingdom. |
| | WEEKLY LIVE IT GATHERING IN YOUR HOME
GO: ILOVEMYFAMILY.US |
| | Family Live IT (LIT) Gatherings are strengthening marriages and families throughout the country. The road awaits. Join us. |
| | | IGNITE RADIO LIVE:
TUESDAYS 8P and SATURDAYS 2P or on demand now!
GO: IGNITE RADIO LIVE
EPISODE 380: BECOMING A GODLY DAD | Interview of Greg Schlueter by Nick De La Torre (Awaken Catholic)
In this very transparent, fun, meaningful, story-packed episode, Nick De La Torre (Awaken Catholic) interviews Greg Schlueter on the very real challenges of becoming a godly dad. Greg speaks very candidly about his past failures, what he would have done differently, how God can transform it all. Greg shares a somewhat harrowing story following his interview with Fr. Carlos Martins ("The Exorcist Files"), and how it prompted an approach for parents to attain even greater freedom. Ultimately, regardless of how difficult things may be in your home, Greg shares a game-changing plan he calls "The Great Family Reset," and gives us a tour of the "Live IT Gathering Guide," a tremendous tool that is forming truly terrific families.
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| | | THE PARENT BLESSING PROJECT
We want to send you 100 awesome parent prayer blessing cards for your parish or organization. GO: PRAYER CARD
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| | | FOR CATHOLIC MEN...
who want more than a fleeting moment, but a way of life.
GO: PENTECOST 365
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| | | LIVE IT APP
Amazing resources, events, media and connection in one place.
GO: LIVE IT APP |
| | | SANCTUS: EUCHARISTIC FAMILY REVIVAL
Help us make this amazing. Get on board with us early!
GO: CatholicRevival.us |
| | | IGNITE 7:14
A historic call to prayer. Help us out!
GO: IGNITE714.COM |
| | | PLEASE SUPPORT US.
AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT US.
GO: MassImpact.us/KINGDOM | CATHOLIC BUSINESS LEADERS |
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"The future of humanity passes by way of the family."
~ Pope St. John Paul II
WE ARE FAMILIES UNITED IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM.
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