Sharing the Church’s Story
April 17, 2021 • Simple, powerful tips and workshops so that everyone can share the Church’s story with charity, clarity, and confidence.
Speakers & Topics
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Brenden Thompson
Georgia Clarke
David Wells
Andre Reigner
Fr. Lawrence Lew, OP
Matt Nelson
Jack Valero
Maria Jones
John Patrick Mallon
Madeline Page
Chiara Finaldi
Edmund Adamus
Sam Baker
Joanna Bogle
Fr. Marcus Holden
“Jesus spoke of God not with abstract concepts, but with parables, brief stories taken from everyday life.
“At this point life becomes story and then, for the listener, story becomes life: the story becomes part of the life of those who listen to it, and it changes them.
Pope Francis, 54th World Communications Day
Welcome Letter from Brenden Thompson
Why is it important to know how to share the Church’s story?
Every Catholic is frequently faced with challenging questions, whether online, with family, from work colleagues, or by friends over drinks.
We all know the stereotypes and misunderstandings that exist about the Church. Many faithful Catholics can often feel full of dread when asked tough questions about the Church’s positions. Does that sound like you?
Back in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI planned to visit the UK. So Catholic Voices was created to answer media interviews, and share the Church’s story in a clear, positive light during his visit.
Since that visit, ordinary Catholics around the world keep asking for our ‘secrets’ and techniques. Normal people – just like you – who wish they had the same confidence to talk about the Church.
We dream of a Church that can speak to modern culture in clear and compelling way, led by ordinary men and women! Catholic Voices has found a simple combo that makes a world of difference.
- Find common ground.
- Look for the positive intention behind the criticism.
- Stay kind and civil.
While we might not win the argument that way, we may win the heart.
In this conference, Catholic Voices and Smart Catholics are teaming up to help lay men and women everywhere to share the Church’s story with charity and clarity.
You will learn:
- How to open hearts and minds.
- Change the terms of the discussion.
- Share a new approach to civil communication
Together we will help the Church’s story influence society and our culture.
All of this comes from an embarrassingly simple idea. We can’t just ‘speak’ about the Church to modern Western culture, and expect people to listen.
We have to first find out why people don’t want to listen at all. We have to do something different.
Join us to find out how we can turn controversies into opportunities to share the story of the Church.
- Find out how to tell a different story from what’s out there.
- Understand the points of view that lead people to see the Church in a negative light.
- Learn how to let the truth and beauty of Catholic teaching shine out.
In this online conference, through live sessions, workshops, and recorded video, you will get the tools and attitudes to develop confidence.
Confidence in communicating your faith. Confidence through making friends with an online community of Catholics worldwide who love their faith, just like you.
About Brenden Thompson
Brenden studied Youth Ministry and theology at St Mary’s, Twickenham before going on to do a Masters in Applied Theology at Oxford University. Brenden is currently the CEO of Catholic Voices.
Brenden also speaks to thousands of people every year about the Gospel with joy and enthusiasm and trains others in how to share the Christian faith with charity and clarity.
Your thoughts
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Meet the Sponsors
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Dominic de Souza
SmartCatholics Founder, DreamAgain
Question from Helen: With so much current division currently in the Church – many are pushing for radical change while others are resistant and see change as a threat to the Church’s traditional teaching. How can we find a way through such deep division whilst at the same time striving for unity?
This may be difficult. Our society, keeps pushing the church, Christ away. The radical change we see stems from the changes in our current culture. These changes in our culture do not fit the teachings of the Catholic Church. Since I was born in 1959, our society has become more radicalized, quite frankly in a negative and sinful way. The Catholic religion was the first true Christian faith. Christ didn’t change His teachings to please the the crowds. Neither did the apostles. Christ’s teachings were those of His Father. He loved us so, much that His Son was sacrificed so… Read more »
Question from Leonie: how to steer an informal conversation about modern liberal themes of universality and reincarnation etc. into a conversation about Jesus’ words: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’ without offending or causing controversy?
From Ian: How do we persuade a person who has no material wants that the Church’s vision of how life should be led is attractive and worthwhile.
From Tim: How can I be pro-active in the face of indifference and/or hostility to the Church?
It can be difficult to stand up for things that have caused negative feelings towards the Catholic Religion. It wasn’t God, or Christ who brought negative ideas, beliefs to the church, it was man. Be proud of your faith. Standing up for Christ and His teachings gives you grace and may change the mind of those who question you. Christ, His Father have always had the same message. “Love your neighbor, as yourself”, Even when it is difficult!
From Soliva: my question is about other parishioners who idolize the saints and wooden cross and the like. If the priest knows about it, why don’t they do something about it?
The Saints were ordinary people such as ourselves Some were wealthy, poor, priests, nuns and crooks. Something happened in their lives that brought them closer to Our Lord Jesus Christ. They devoted their life to Christ. Some were martyrs and sacrificed their life to be with Christ. We pray and worship them, because they are closest to Christ as well as Our Blessed Mother and God.
The cross symbolizes the death of Our Lord and the sacrifice He made to save us!
These are my teachings about the Saints, and the cross.
Question from Leticia: I get stuck when someone says you believe that because you are a catholic but you cannot prove it about homosexuality, sin and the inmortality of the soul. How can I explain those things?
From Subash: How can I communicate the Catholic Faith with clarity and charity even under pressure, with a particular interest in the digital space?