Bring your loved ones into --- or back into --- the Church

	I've spent decades travelling the globe explaining the Catholic faith . . . but some of my friends and relatives refuse to listen to even one word I say about it.
Patrick MadridAuthor, speaker, host of many Catholic radio and TV shows

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. * 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.) * 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: In Search and Rescue, Patrick Madrid explains for you the 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 reallyteaches (and has nevertaught): 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 . . . and much more! "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 Search and Rescue 288 pages ppbk  $18.95 1-800-888-9344 Box 5284, Manchester NH 03108 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 late Chairman, Pontifical Council for Social Communications Search and Rescue288 pages ppbk  $18.95 1-800-888-9344 Sophia Institute Press Box 5284, Manchester NH 03108 And for those times when you need quickly to answer the really difficult questions about our Faith: Scriptural proofs for Catholic truths With humility and care, author Dave Armstrong here explains the ninety-five key Bible passages that confound all who would use Scripture to criticize the Church and Her doctrines. These are the verses that have drawn so many serious believers -- including Armstrong -- out of their Protestant congregations and into the Catholic Church. Armstrong shows that a fair-minded reading of each of these ninety-five passages (and of the whole Bible) supports the Catholic position on the key issues that divide Protestants from Catholics. More Bible proofs for the Catholic Faith These pages show that the Catholic Church is fully biblical. Citing Councils, the Fathers, and the Catechism, they begin with sure explanations of what the Church actually teaches. Then they weigh disputed Catholic teachings against hundreds of Bible verses (including 90% of the chapters in the New Testament!). The result? This book shows that the Catholic Church is the "Bible Church par excellence," and even demonstrates that many comm0n Protestant doctrines are themselves not supported by the Bible. The Catholic Verses $21.95 ppbk 256 pages A Biblical Defense of Catholicism $24.95 ppbk 320 pages Call toll-free 1-800-888-9344www.SophiaInstitute.com Sophia Institute Press Box 5284, Manchester, NH 03108 USA Unsure whether you can show anyone the truth of our Faith? Patrick Madrid brings you proof you, too, can bring souls to the Catholic Faith --- and testimony by 15 souls grateful that someone like you loved them enough to try to do so     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 EganArchbishop 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 GeorgeArchbishop 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. PillaBishop of Cleveland "A wonderful book to energize us 'born' Catholics!" Most Rev. Thomas WelchBishop of Allentown "Will certainly prove useful to us in our Christian Formation programs." Most Rev. Andrew PatakiBishop of Passaic "A very useful book." Most Rev. Bernard SchmittBishop 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. RayUpon 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 MartinCalled to Holiness "Spiritually inspiring and intellectually stimulating." Lay Witness "Excellent, often moving testimony of how God works through His Church." Our Sunday Visitor 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. FranklinOur Mission to Convert Catholics Made Us Catholic  Jeff ChildersFrom the Church of Christ to Christ's Church  Carolyn KolleggerA Good Girl Who Went Through Bad Times  Fr. Ray RylandMeeting Christ on His Terms, Not Ours  Lynn NordhagenOnce, Twice, Three Times a Catholic  Steve CliffordFrom the Latter-day Saints to the Communion of Saints  Mary Beth KremskiThe Apostles Convert a Pentecostal Nancy MontgomeryA Cafeteria Catholic Returns to the Table of the Lord  John GibsonWiccan, Work It Out  Tim DrakeA Lutheran Lad Finds Christ's Church  Kevin M. LowrySon of a Preacher Man Laura JohnsonMethodist Is Not Enough Eric PavlatWrong About Abortion, I Get Right About the Church Martin K. BarrackA Kosher Ham Finds Christ 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   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 withsola 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!   Surprised by Truth 2  15 Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic by Patrick Madrid  320 pp ppbk $18.95 And for your bookshelf:The Ultimate Bible Reference Book for Catholics (Contains over 2,000 Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths!) Contrary to what many believe, Catholic doctrine is not made up by popes and theologians but is derived entirely from revelation, as this book shows. In it, veteran Catholic apologist Dave Armstrong gathers in one place countless passages from Holy Scripture that point directly to the teachings of the Catholic Church. This galaxy of more than 2,000 passages from the Bible is overwhelming evidence that on every side Catholic teachings are confirmed by Scripture. Indeed, these passages show that the Catholic Church has a more complete grasp of the meaning of Scripture than those who try to use Scripture to discredit the Church. That’s because Catholic teaching is not based on selective readings of Scripture but on understanding and veneration of the whole Bible in its organic interrelatedness. Catholic doctrines are not distilled from single passages quoted in isolation or out of context; they arise from an encounter with the whole of Scripture, wherein passages on the same theme are read in light of each other, so that together they lead the mind to a complete picture of the truth. That’s why Dave Armstrong has gathered here under 115 thematic headings all the passages in Scripture relating to key Catholic doctrines. This arrangement makes it easy for readers to consider systematically — as the Church does — all the parts of the Bible that relate to any particular Catholic belief. Whether you’re a Protestant seeking to understand Catholicism, or a Catholic wanting to defend Catholic teaching or learn more about its biblical basis, this is the one source book you need. Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers by Dave Armstrong Ppbk 464 pages $24.95 Order online now or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com Sophia Institute Press Box 5284, Manchester, NH 03108 We always welcome contributions to our non-profit apostolate. If you would prefer not to use the PayPal button below, you can add a contribution  directly to your shopping cart at our on-line store.   Sophia Institute Press is the publishing division of