REVITALIZE: verb
- Put new life into
- Restore vitality
From re-(back, again) +vitalize (to give life to)
Please watch this short video to learn more about the motivation behind Revitalize.
Same old story.
Many Catholic adults feel like they have a grade school understanding of their faith and an undeveloped spiritual life. While the reasons for this vary, the results are the same:
- Faith seems disconnected from life.
- Religious conversation is a cause of insecurity.
- Anything beyond rote prayer is uncomfortable.
I know this story, because it was mine too. And this is why I am launching Revitalize.
There is more.
“They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first.” — Jn. 20:4
The faces of Peter and John say it all.
This painting by Eugène Burnand captures concern, longing, hope, prayer. It captures movement. It is alive. The Revitalize initiative is about this kind of movement toward Jesus. It is about coming alive.
The Details
Time to get into the weeds
7:30 – 9:00PM | St. Bernadette
CALENDAR:
- Tuesday evenings from September, 10 2024 – May 13, 2025 (Yes. The whole year minus major holidays. We’re raising the bar and going deep!)
- Tentative Pentecost Retreat (TBD)
- All sessions run from 7:30-9:00pm.
- We will not have rescheduled dates. We will use ZOOM in case of inclement weather.
LOCATION:
- Tuesday evening Revitalize will take place in Stievenard Hall at St. Bernadette.
WHAT YOU GET:
- Thirty-two 90-minute catechetical sessions
- Weekly email with “Catholic Culture” segment
- Four Books — Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Appointment with God, Soul of the Apostolate, and Live Today Well
- Resources, handouts, and reading guides
- Christian friendship
TUITION:
- $100 (Yes. This is sort of like getting a college class or two for 100 bucks. Please note that the $100 also covers your books.)
9:30 – 11:00AM | St. Thomas more
- Thursday mornings from September, 12 2024 – May 15, 2025 (Yes. The whole year minus major holidays. We’re raising the bar and going deep!)
- Tentative Pentecost Retreat (TBD)
- All sessions run from 9:30 – 11:00am.
- We will not have rescheduled dates. We will use ZOOM in case of inclement weather.
- Thursday morning Revitalize will take place in the Faith Formation Room at St. Thomas More.
- Thirty-two 90-minute catechetical sessions
- Weekly email with “Catholic Culture” segment
- Four Books — Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Appointment with God, Soul of the Apostolate, and Live Today Well
- Resources, handouts, and reading guides
- Christian friendship
- $100 (Yes. This is sort of like getting a college class or two for 100 bucks. Please note that the $100 also covers your books.)
Space is limited.
We will accept 30 participants for each section.
Not sure if you’re ready for such a big commitment? Come to the first session on either Sept. 10 or 12 as a preview — a free trial, if you will — before enrolling. The final enrollment deadline is Sept. 17.
Meet the Revitalize Director
My name is Brad Bursa and I was born and raised in Tiffin, Ohio, a small town in the northwest part of the state. I attended Catholic grade school and high school before completing my undergraduate studies in English and Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. I met my wife (Katie) at Franciscan University and got married upon graduating. We have seven children and reside in Loveland, Ohio. Since 2008, I have held various positions in parish ministry, directed an archdiocesan office, and taught at the secondary and collegiate levels. I served as the Director of Evangelization at St. Gertrude Church from 2020-2022 and I am assistant professor at St. Thomas University (Miami, FL). Outside of ministry, I spent a year working as a client leader at a digital marketing agency.
In terms of studies, I went on to complete an MA in Theology and Christian Ministry at Franciscan University, and a PhD in Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia. Actually, the driving motivator behind my undergraduate and graduate studies, and even my dissertation was this question: How did I spend so much time in Catholic school and learn so little about my faith? How do we bridge the ever-widening gap between Catholic doctrine and life in a post-Christian culture? How can we come into contact with Jesus today?
Questions about Revitalize? Contact Brad at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Unless you’re coming to the morning session. Then it might be a little premature to bring dinner.
While I hope most people don’t have to miss many sessions, I know things come up. I’ll do my best to bring people who miss up to speed via audio recordings and Powerpoint slides.
No and yes.
There isn’t a single Catholic who knows everything about everything. In fact, shortly before his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI called the whole Church a community of catechumens. Check it out: “The word of proclamation is effective in situations where man is listening in readiness for God to draw near, where man is inwardly searching and thus on the way towards the Lord. His heart is touched when Jesus turns towards him, and then his encounter with the proclamation becomes a holy curiosity to come to know Jesus better. As he walks with Jesus, he is led to the place where Jesus lives, to the community of the Church, which is his body. That means entering into the journeying community of catechumens, a community of both learning and living, in which our eyes are opened as we walk.”
Revitalize is about ongoing conversion and ongoing learning. It’s about opening our eyes, together, as we journey.
Participants must be at least 18 and have completed high school.
Here is a basic outline:
Teaching
Personal work (i.e., time to reflect as individuals on the teaching)
Small Group Discussion
School of Prayer (i.e., formation in the interior life, learning new prayer methods, etc.)
Look. It’s just some reading assignments. You’ll be okay. In fact, I think you’ll find that the readings will solidify the course material and lead you to prayer.
Yes. In fact, there is. Here is the syllabus for Tuesday nights and here is the syllabus for Thursday mornings.
Brad Bursa, Director of Evangelization. Reach me at [email protected].
If you are interested in participating, but you are concerned about the drive, please note this in your registration. We cannot make promises, but we’ll do our best to facilitate a “ride board” so participants can arrange carpools, etc. When you sign up, please indicate that you’re looking for a ride.
During COVID I had to give talks to an in-person crowd and a Zoom crowd simultaneously. In other words, trying to speak and produce at the same time. It’s really hard to pull this off well. And, as a speaker, it divides one’s attention tremendously. So, I want to focus on the in-person and record the audio from the talk. I will then turn this around, along with the PowerPoint slides every Friday. I think this will make for a better experience for everyone involved and keep those who miss in the loop easily. Plus, everyone can have access to the materials after the fact for review, etc.
The duration is actually the secret ingredient. Experiencing a renewal of mind and heart, experiencing conversion, is rarely a “flash” thing. It takes time. Growing as a community takes time. Revitalize is about carving out time for transformation.
