Takin' It to the Streets

What are some innovative ways that Catholic young adults are bringing truth to the streets of America?  Here are three organizations that are literally doing exactly that:

Biking for Babies is a pro-life organization which "completes an annual long-distance bicycle trip to increase awareness of the dignity for human life at all stages. Financial and spiritual support received through the ride specifically benefit the work of eight different pro-life organizations, each striving to meet the needs of women and unborn children in their own particular region." 

We encourage you to support Biking for Babies - this year one of CCM's very own, Cory Ross, who just graduated, will be participating in the 1150 mile bike ride from New Orleans to Chicago.  You can support Cory and the other bikers both spiritually and financially by clicking here - please consider making a financial donation as they are seeking to raise funds to purchase an ultrasound machine for a pregnancy resource center - the funds you provide will have a direct effect on the lives of families in our region - your sacrificial gift will quite literally save a life! 

Missionaries of the Eucharist is a Catholic organization that spends the summer proclaiming the beauty of the Catholic faith particularly through talking to people about Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.  They do this by walking from Maine to Washington, D.C. and speaking to people they meet along the way whether on the road, at parishes, at pregnancy resource centers, youth groups, etc.  

Crossroads is a pro-life organization in which "each summer, young adults walk on four simultaneous pro-life walks across America from Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.. Walking over 12,000 miles and through 40 states, these young people hope to convert the hearts and minds of others – at the grass-roots level – by witnessing to the dignity and sanctity of all human life, from the moment of conception to natural death."  Two CCM students have participated in Crossroad in past years.  

Each of these groups are providing opportunities for young adults to become actively and integrally involved in the New Evangelization.  Experiences like these are often life-changing, which I say from experience.  They are opportunities for young adults to experience authentic formation and an openness to the grace of God that some may have never known before.  Through efforts like these, real lives are being effected, healed and often saved.   Everyone is affected somehow, from the people making the journey to those whom they encounter on their way.  If you can make a financial contribution to any of these groups, please do, but especially pray for them and for those they will encounter.  If you make a spiritual or financial contribution consider writing a letter to them letting them know that you're praying for them - it's a great encouragement to receive things like that because often the situations they can encounter can seem daunting - it's a boost to them when they know that people around the country and the world are in solidarity with them and the mission.   When we take risks in following God's will, he usually pours out an abundance of graces upon us that have real and lasting effects, so don't doubt that God is going to do amazing things with these groups this summer. Let that also be an encouragement to you that whatever you face in your own life you can trust God with it if you take a radical leap of faith to do something beautiful for God.