‘How do we answer new challenges and refute erroneous ideologies?’

By Sr. Sara Kowal, SCJTM

For the past decade, Refuel has always been an important annual event for our diocesan religious educators. It is an opportunity for all those involved in religious education to gather together and “fill their tank” in the middle of the year. It is so important to remember that, in order to make ourselves a gift to others, we must first be filled – we cannot give to others what we ourselves do not have. Refuel is an opportunity, for all those who give, to come receive.

This year, we are welcoming the dynamic and gifted Karlo Broussard as our keynote speaker. Karlo, a native of Southern Louisiana, left a promising musical career to devote himself full-time to the work of Catholic apologetics. As a staff apologist and speaker for Catholic Answers, he travels the country and the world giving talks on apologetics, biblical studies, theology, and philosophy.

Karlo has published articles on a variety of subjects in Catholic Answers Magazine, is a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live, and is an active writer for Catholic Answers Magazine Online at catholic.com. Karlo holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology from Catholic Distance University and the Augustine Institute, along with masters in philosophy from Holy Apostles College and Seminary and is currently working on his PhD in philosophy. He also worked for several years in an apprenticeship with nationally known author and theologian Fr. Robert J. Spitzer at the Magis Center of Reason and Faith.

The theme of this year’s Refuel Retreat is “Apologetics for an Age of Unbelief.” The purpose of this year’s retreat is to help answer various pressing questions: How do we answer the new challenges of our day and refute many of the erroneous ideologies of the age? How do we do this with love, in a way that helps people see the true, good, and beautiful? Karlo will take us through a variety of modern topics and help us to better understand the beauty of the Church’s teaching in their regard and how to communicate this beauty to people of all ages.

Refuel is primarily geared for religious educators including: parents, teachers, catechists, small group leaders, volunteers and ministers within the parish, and more. It is meant to equip them to be able to transmit the faith more effectively and fruitfully. However, it is also open to anyone who simply wants to learn more about their faith. In the end, every Christian is a religious educator in some form; we are all called to be missionaries of the Good News. Therefore, do not miss out on this incredible opportunity!

The Refuel Retreat will begin on Friday, January 26 at 4:30 p.m., and it will conclude on Saturday, January 27 at 4 p.m. Click here for registration information!