ACE Advocates News

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. [Later] he went out to them, walking on the lake. “Lord if it’s you,” Peter cried, “tell me to come to you on the water!” “Come,” Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. Matthew 14:22, 25, 28-31

Reflection 
Like body-surfing the waves of the ocean, so we surrender ourselves to the movement of the Holy Spirit.  And as Peter reminds us in this passage, keeping our eyes on Jesus is the secret to whether we sink or swim. We know—from the growth of Catholic schools overseas to the growth of the ACE program here at home—that God is at work on behalf of Catholic schools.  And as we join him in the effort, we learn from Peter that we serve best by putting God first.
 
Prayer
Lord, we praise you for the gift of Catholic schools.  And we confess that our own brokenness often stands in the way of their success.  Father, forgive what we have done and what we have left undone. Strengthen us to support Catholic schools: help us keep our eyes fixed on you. For Jesus’ sake,  Amen.

Jesus said to his disciples, “ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. John 15:15-16

Jesus calls us to strengthen and sustain Catholic schools. It is often not easy, and it doesn’t always appear fruitful. Rebuilding the schools in Haiti, for example, has been a long, slow process that is far from over. But as one recent visitor exclaimed, “In the people, I see hope!”

Prayer
Thank you, God, that our service is rooted in you. From you we draw nourishment for the task. Forgive us when we lose hope. Enliven our trust that through you the movement to strengthen and sustain Catholic schools will bear fruit that lasts. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 
Luke 9:1-2
 
As Jesus gathered his disciples and sent them out as his co-laborers,  so he gathers and sends us into serving Catholic schools today.  We are Christ’s body, called to work together toward one holy purpose: that his will be done on earth as it is already done in heaven.
 
Lord our guide, we praise you for bringing us together to embody your presence on earth. Forgive us when we try to go it alone.  Remind us today that we are eternally bound to each other in the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, through whom we pray, Amen.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14



Reflection:
Our desire to serve Catholic schools isn’t something we’ve conjured ourselves. It is a sign of God’s indwelling Spirit. Our desire to serve is God’s desire in us, for us, through us. In God alone each of us belongs to this movement.
 
Prayer:
Triune God, thank you for inviting us into the work of your kingdom.  We commit ourselves to follow you as advocates for Catholic schools.  Forgive us when we stray from the path you have marked for us. By your Spirit, open our hearts so that all we desire is you. In Jesus’  name, amen.

LA Religious Education Congress

ACE will be hosting an exhibit booth (Booth # 452)  at the LA Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA, on March 18-20. Ricky Austin from the ACE Advocates as well as a representative from the LA Advocates will be in attendance and would love to see you. If you will be attending the Congress, please stop by and say hello!


NCEA Convention

ACE will also be hosting an exhibit booth (Booth # 419-421)  at the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Convention in New Orleans, April 25-28 as well as a cocktail reception there on Wednesday, April 27. If you will be attending the conference, we hope you will stop by the booth and consider attending the reception. More information on the reception to follow!