News from Good News Ministries:
- We All Need Role Models
- From Our Video Archives: Sit with Mary
- Plus great links to great content!
We All Need Role Models
Who do you want to be like? It’s a question we often ask children—and the answers can be pretty spectacular. My four-year-old son wants to be like Spider-Man or Sonic the Hedgehog. He has numerous action figures, themed clothing, and watches the same TV episodes and movies on repeat to learn about and imitate their heroism.
It’s common today for children to look up to comic book superheroes. There’s nothing wrong with that—many good lessons can be learned from their virtues, and kids have fun along the way. However, there is someone far more important I want my son to emulate: Jesus.
Why? Because someone who strives to imitate Jesus becomes a saint—and lives forever in heaven with Him.
The definition of a saint may seem simple, but the path to sainthood is anything but easy. We need guidance and examples to grow in personal holiness. That’s why the Catholic Church canonizes ordinary people who have lived with extraordinary virtue, modeling their lives after Christ. These heroes of the faith didn’t have superpowers—just the courage and perseverance to live out the Gospel.
Ordinary people like you and me can become saints. Why? Because if the greatest saints didn’t need web-shooters or supersonic speed to walk the narrow road to heaven, neither do we. What we do need are saintly role models—to follow their example and invite others to join us on our journey toward salvation.
The bold witness of the saints—their unwavering love and service to the Lord with all their heart, mind, and will—should inspire us to do the same. That’s why, each night at bedtime, during our prayers, and after Communion at every Sunday Mass, I talk to my son about Jesus: His great love, His sacrifice, and His power to save. My son knows that Jesus is real, alive, and more powerful than any superhero. As he grows, I’ll continue to share the Gospel with him and introduce him to the many saints who inspire me on my journey. I hope he’ll come to value their wisdom and follow in their footsteps.
By studying and emulating the lives of the saints, we become part of an unbroken chain of witnesses who carry on the Church’s mission: to make disciples. This week, I encourage you to seek the counsel of the saints as well. If you’re unsure where to start, GNM is a great place to begin. Our Saints for Your Life resource will help you connect with powerful heavenly intercessors through quotes, prayers, and patrons for every season of life.
All you saints, holy men and women—pray for us.
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.
Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
Explore our Catholic Video Library for Faith Growth
Give yourself a personal retreat day; watch this meditation about the Queen of the Saints – Mary, the Mother of God.
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Bill Snyder, Media Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
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How to Win Victories in Spiritual Warfare
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
Daily Prayers with the Saints