Anita Draper
Catholic Herald
A converted Protestant minister, Bible scholar and noted Catholic speaker will offer two reflections during the Advent Adoration event, Wednesday, Dec. 14, in Rice Lake.
A cradle Catholic, Jeff Cavins is an EWTN and Relevant Radio personality, author and pilgrimage leader who converted back to Catholicism after more than a decade as a Protestant minister.
At 3:30 p.m. he will give a free presentation titled, “Dealing with Tough Times through Praise and Thanksgiving,” at St. Joseph Catholic Church, sponsors of the event.
The talk, according to Laura Schissel, event organizer and youth minister at St. Joseph, is geared toward adults. The premise is the holidays can be difficult times.
“This inspiring talk will offer hope to those struggling with life’s challenges, those who are helping others through struggles, and those who know that at some point they too will have tough times,” she explained. “Jeff will help us learn how God has equipped us to deal with the challenges of life and that every part of our life has meaning, even our suffering.”
At 6:30 p.m., Cavins will speak on “Becoming a Modern Day Disciple” in the Rice Lake High School auditorium, which can accommodate 800 people. Admission to this talk is $10.
When he finishes his presentation, the event transitions into a period of adoration and worship, with performances by local musicians and sisters, Aly Aleigha and Jessica Romportl, daughters of Laura Schissel.
The parish began hosting Advent Adoration for youths in 2012, she said, and the events gradually grew to include parents, parishioners and community members.
“Last year, for our fourth annual Advent Adoration evening, we extended the invitation to our entire cluster families and the surrounding community, and we were delighted to have every single pew filled to capacity at St. Joseph Church,” Schissel added.
The evening presentation, suited to those in sixth grade and older, encourages Catholics to “be prepared to take our faith from the page to the pavement,” Schissel said.
“In this talk Jeff describes the difference between an enthusiastic admirer (fan) and a disciplined follower of Jesus by describing the process of becoming a disciple of Jesus and spelling out the daily disciplines,” she said.
Schissel anticipates a full house for the evening event. Tickets are available online at www.bit.ly/CAVINS-ADVENT or by calling the parish office, 715-234-5062, ext. 5.
If seats are still available Dec. 14, tickets will be sold at the door. She advises anyone interested in buying tickets at the door to call the parish or to check the website before they come.
