Witness
Learning to Tell the Stories of Grace That Illumine Our Lives
by Leonard J. DeLorenzo
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Pub Date Dec 02 2016 | Archive Date Jan 23 2017
Description
Unlike many evangelical Christians, Catholics often find it difficult to tell their faith stories. Leonard DeLorenzo has taught thousands of teens and young adults to relate their moments of grace in a way that is compelling, convincing, and free of clichés and vague generalizations.
His seven guiding principles are:
Tell it as a story
Begin with what happened
Express it in style
Modify it for your audience
Ensure there is sufficient closure
Embrace natural emotions and
Pray and practice
DeLorenzo includes literary examples of writers such as C. S. Lewis and Flannery O’Connor, the conversion stories of St. Paul and St. Augustine, and real-life accounts of grace told by young adults he’s worked with. Their stories are born out of battling an anxiety disorder, struggling with a loved one’s Alzheimer’s disease, dealing with the effects of alcoholism, learning from people with mental disabilities, and overcoming an eating disorder. DeLorenzo teaches us that by paying close attention to particular aspects of these stories, we can attune ourselves to the surprising and specific ways that grace moved through their experiences—as it does in our own. DeLorenzo provides a model for the kind of attentiveness we should foster when crafting our own stories of grace, and lead others to do so by providing an example of God’s presence in our everyday life.
Witness is a unique resource for faith-formation ministers and adults of all ages to appreciate the ways that grace is at work in your life, to inspire hope, and to build community by telling your own faith story.
Features & Benefits
Developed during a decade of working with young adults, these simple rules can be taught in a variety of settings such as small groups, the RCIA, and youth and young adult ministry. They are also perfect for preachers and spiritual directors.
The author speaks often at conferences such as NCEA and NCCYM (including a presentation scheduled for December 2016) and has collaborated with dioceses, parishes, Catholic high schools, college campus ministries, and Newman Centers.
A Note From the Publisher
DeLorenzo earned his doctorate in systematic theology from the University of Notre Dame, where he also earned his master’s (systematic theology) and bachelor’s degrees (theology and philosophy, summa cum laude). From August 2003 through June 2010, DeLorenzo served as the coordinator for recruitment for the Center for Catechetical Initiatives at Notre Dame. He was instrumental in creating and launching the Echo: Faith Formation Leadership Program, a graduate service program committed to renewing the ministry of catechesis in the Catholic Church. He speaks regularly on topics including the saints, adolescent catechesis, vocation and discernment, and the theological imagination.
He and his wife, Lisa, live in South Bend, Indiana, with their five children.
Advance Praise
“Here is a rich resource for anyone seeking to pass on the faith with clarity and conviction—whether in the pulpit, in the classroom, or in daily life. Witness reminds us of the power in our stories, and offers tools for telling them in ways that convey God's grace at work in our lives. Leonard DeLorenzo is a gifted storyteller himself, and makes us eager to put his ideas to work. What a blessing this will be to so many!”
Deacon Greg Kandra
Catholic blogger and journalist
“Incorporating ‘stories of grace’ in catechesis, sacramental preparation, youth and young adult ministry, retreats, and theology classes is a powerful way to pass on the faith as a living and dynamic reality, an encounter with the true God who in not an unknown impersonal deity, but the God who showed us his face in Jesus Christ. He enters into our lives and speaks to us as truth, beauty, goodness, mercy, and love. Leonard DeLorenzo teaches us to form disciples who are able to see God’s grace in their lives, and, like Pope Francis, discover their identity as persons ‘looked upon by the Lord.’ This book will help readers to bring their formation efforts to a whole new level, leading to a deeper and more personal engagement with the mysteries we teach—most importantly—the mystery of God who touches our lives with his grace.”
Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades
Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend
“This unique resource helps Catholics of all ages witness to their faith by sharing with their families, neighbors, and colleagues ‘stories of grace’—ways God is acting in their everyday lives.”
Sr. Theresa Rickard, O.P.
President of RENEW International
“Many concerned Catholics are working hard to reconsider how to re-evangelize Catholic young people faithfully and effectively. Leonard DeLorenzo is one of the best I know who is devoted to this challenge. I highly recommend this book as an important contribution to the larger conversation.”
Christian Smith
Coauthor of Young Catholic America
“The bad news is that emerging adults are leaving the Church. The good news is that Leonard DeLorenzo has written a remarkable and well-researched book full of personal stories about how the lost art of storytelling can bring them back. Telling one’s story in front of others can be uncomfortable, but it can also work miracles. DeLorenzo has decades of experience forming disciples by helping them to move beyond clichés and sound bites to identify the messy work of grace in their lives.”
Anna Nussbaum Keating
Coauthor of The Catholic Catalog
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781594716874 |
| PRICE | $16.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Sr. Marie P, Media/Journalist
Dr. DeLorenzo is passionate about authentic encounters with God and the experience of grace that happens through such encounters. Learning about the activity at Notre Dame University and the effort to form youth and young adults in an authentic life of faith and Catholic leadership, I will never deem credible criticisms about Notre Dame not being sufficiently Catholic. After our interview I explored the website. Very impressive! I've begun to view my own life in terms of Witness.
