Book Launch, Parousia Podcast, EWTN, Parousia Academy Launch and More!
The Parousia Academy Launch!
Above: Charbel Raish launching the Parousia Academy at the Parousia office
It is finally here! We are so pleased to announce that the Parousia Academy is now officially launched! This has been over two years in the making and we are so excited to finally be here, with three courses now available. On Saturday 29th May, we hosted a special family, event held at our Parousia office at Marymount Mercy Centre, Castle Hill, Sydney. The day consisted of presentations by myself, Dr Robert Haddad and Dr Paul Morrissey, sharing what people can expect from their particular courses, as well as the significance of this academy. We also had a Mass in the chapel with another of the academy presenters – Rev Dr. John Flader – who prayed for this initiative. We celebrated also with food and drinks and welcomed the children of the families who enjoyed a movie on St Joseph in the Old Testament.
Above: President of Campion College, Dr Paul Morrissey, gave a presentation
We also had the opportunity to show the attendees our new office, including our showroom of resources, the classrooms and our on-site chapel as well. In addition to the live presentations, we also had the event live streamed on our YouTube channel and inside of our Parousia World platform. You can visit either platform to find a replay. We had a great day catching up with some of our closest friends of Parousia. Being able to pray together and also answer questions from the attendees has were highlights of the day. Some great questions were asked of the presenters in the room. It was good to see people so engaged, as we want to really learn what people require and are looking for in this space. We are inviting any feedback for this academy so we can continue to improve on things as we go. Thank you once again to all who helped make the day run smoothly and helped with the promotion of the day. I thank God for being able to offer the Parousia Academy to the world!
Following is a summary of the key questions answered on the day, which give an idea as to what can you expect from this academy:
How much does this cost? You can purchase 12 months access to any of our courses for only $99 AUD per course!
Do you get any certificate at the end? If you want to obtain the ‘Certificate For Mission’ accreditation, there’s an additional $50 assessment fee per course.
How many courses do I need to complete? To obtain the ‘Certificate for Mission’, students must complete 12 courses.
How long does each course take? Each course has approximately 12 hours of teaching.
Are there any assessments? A 1,000 word essay is required for each course, to be eligible for the ‘Certificate of Mission’.
What if I just want the courses for self-knowledge? Sign up at any time and enjoy – No assessment required!
Is this academy just for adults? No. These courses can be taken by teenagers or even some by upper primary age students, at their parents’ discretion.
Above: Dr Robert Haddad shared his enthusiasm for this academy at the launch
You may be wondering what courses are available right now? We have three courses now available, worldwide. These are: ‘Introduction to Theology of the Body’ by Dr Christopher West; ‘Introduction to Apologetics’ by Dr Robert Haddad; ‘Introduction to the Creed’ by Rev. Dr John Flader. So far, within a week of the launch, we have over thirty students worldwide enjoying these courses and we hope this will grow each month. I encourage you all to take advantage of these courses and to always keep learning and growing in your faith. Our aim is to release 2-3 new courses each term for at least the first twelve months and then regularly after that. This is very exciting for everyone at Parousia, as we hope that tens of thousands of people take advantage of these very accessible courses for anyone in the world. Thank you so much for all of you that have prayed for this academy and I look forward to making more announcements in the months to come. Please visit www.parousiamedia.com/academy and take a closer look!
Parousia Podcast
Above: Charbel Raish with author Danielle Binny, discussion her new children’s book ‘Let’s Celebrate at Mass Today‘.
We’ve had another great month of Parousia Podcasts and we are very excited to share with you some developments in this space. You may have noticed that, in the past on our podcast, we have brought to you the ‘Footprints of God‘ series with Steve Ray and are currently in the middle of a ‘Sacred Heart Apologetics’ series with Raymond De Souza. In addition to these, we are planning some more exciting new series. Matthew-Hermann Tague will host the new ‘Parousia World Spotlight‘ series. This series will feature discussions with key Parousia Partners on various topics relating to their own ministries and also drill down into questions raised in our Parousia Study groups. These interviews are first presented live in ‘Parousia World’ and, if you join in on the live webinar, you will have a unique opportunity to interact with and put your own questions to the guests privately, following the recording of the interview. Also, beginning next month, Mark Griffin will host a new series called ‘Speakin’ with Deacon‘, which will be a monthly catch up with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers discussing various apologetical issues that we all face in the world today. I will also continue to bring to you various guests in my usual Parousia Podcast interviews.
We hope that these new developments will offer a variety for our Parousia Podcast network. Guests we’ve had the honour of interviewing over the last month have included Danielle Binny, who is the author of the new children’s book ‘Lets Celebrate at Mass Today‘. Danielle shared here own experience as a mother, wanting something for her children to help them learn to appreciate what happens at each and every Mass. This book is now available on our Parousia online store: store.parousiamedia.com. It is highly recommended for children between 3-10, but parents can learn so much from this too! Look out for a second book by Danielle very soon!
Above: Matthew-Hermann Tague with Raymond De Souza
We also had Donald Nohs join us again, for a second time, to discuss the Holy Face of Jesus devotion. We then interviewed Matthew Leonard to discuss the ‘Science of Sainthood’. Finally, we had Raymond De Souza join us twice, to give the second and third interviews of the nine month series on the Sacred Heart. Matthew-Hermann Tague has been interviewing Raymond for these shows. Episode three was released on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Look out for the rest of this ‘Sacred Heart Apologetics’ series in the months ahead.
Bible Studies in the Parish
After a challenging 2020, we have been blessed to be able to offer live bible studies again this year in Sydney. In term one, I led the bible study ‘Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible’ at St Michael’s Belfield. This term, we have two bible studies running concurrently. On a Wednesday evening, Dr Robert Haddad has been leading a bible study on the ‘Gospel of Mark’, at St Michael’s in Belfield. I have been presenting the ‘Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible’ course, this time at St Jerome’s Church in Punchbowl. There is much enthusiasm around these studies and it has been great to see so many turn out to participate. We also have been blessed to finally have back in stock the Great Adventure Bible, from Ascension. We have been struggling to keep up with demand for, thanks to the Bible in a year Podcast with Fr Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins. There’s a real hunger in people to study the bible, which is great to see! If you want to host a bible study at your parish please do reach out to us. There are so many studies to choose from and we can assist with the selection of supplementary bible study resources from our available range.
Above: Robert Haddad and Charbel Raish leading bible studies in Sydney
Interview with the Archdiocese of Sydney
I had the privilege of being interviewed by Chris Da Silva, from the Life Marriage and Family Office in the Archdiocese of Sydney, for their ‘Maximus Podcast‘. This is a podcast targeted towards men and is an initiative of the Archdiocese of Sydney. We discussed my conversion story and also the story of Parousia and the role media has to play in today’s society. To subscribe to the Maximus Podcast, or to learn more about it, please visit their website at www.sydneycatholic.org/maximus. We hope to collaborate further with the archdiocese in the future.
Above: Charbel Raish and Chris Da Silva on the ‘Maximus Podcast’
This wraps up another month at Parousia. As you can see there is always something exciting happening and we hope these projects and initiatives will inspire you, along with many in our Church, to deepen our faith and live it out in a world that is longing for this truth. Please don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel, sign up to our email list and join ‘Parousia World’ to be up to date with all the latest at Parousia.
Thank you again to all who have supported us, either financially or with your prayers. We cannot do this work without your so thank you so much!
May God bless you and your family.
Charbel Raish
Director
A Teacher of Strange Things: Who Jesus Was, What He Taught, and Why People Still Follow Him – Cy Kellett – Catholic Answers Press (Paperback)
We’ve grown way too comfortable with the story of Jesus.
Nice man, right? Taught us to love one another. Said not to judge people. Tragically killed by his enemies. We celebrate his birthday every year. It’s time to put away this small, safe version of Jesus, says Cy Kellett (host, Catholic Answers Live). Nobody that bland could have transformed the world as he did.
In A Teacher of Strange Things, Cy presents Jesus Christ undiluted by sentiment or familiarity, with all his radical words and deeds uncensored.
Return: How to Draw Your Child back to the Church – Brandon Vogt – Word on Fire (Paperback)
Millions of mothers and fathers are longing for their prodigal children to come home to the Church, crying: “Where did we go wrong?” The passive wait-and-see approach is no longer an option.
We need a different strategy. We need to understand the real reasons why our young people drift away, and we need a game plan to bring them home. We need Return.
*Featured New Release CD* An Unshakeable Kingdom – Dr Tim Gray – Lighthouse Talks (CD)
“We live in a time of fear; it’s palpable in our culture.” In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Augustine Institute President Dr. Tim Gray reflects on and illuminates our ever-present need for theological hope. Turning to the Word of God in Scripture and the wisdom of Pope Benedict XVI, Dr. Gray exhorts that no matter the time, place, or circumstances of life, Christians must remember that we are made by God for eternal life. “We cannot despair in a plague, or an economic depression… what can shake our hope, if our hope is in heaven?”
Let’s Celebrate at Mass Today – Danielle Binny (Paperback)
*Featured Parousia on Demand* For Greater Glory
A truly human life cannot be achieved; it must be received as a blessing form God. St. Augustine said that all people desire the ‘Beata Vita’ – the Blessed Life. Christ offers it to everyone, but what is it, really, and how can we get it?
Cy Kellett is the host of Catholic Answers Live. He formerly hosted The Bright Side with Cy Kellett on the Immaculate Heart Radio network. For more than a decade Kellett was editor of San Diego’s diocesan newspaper, The Southern Cross. Before that, he taught high school in and then spent several years working with the homeless mentally ill in Massachusetts while living in a Catholic Worker house. Kellett and his wife, Missy, have three children.
Recent Comments