EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - 'Catholics Called to Witness'

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
4/29/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

An interview with the producers of Test of Fire.

This is a time of fierce partisan divide in our country and faithful Catholics are facing a quandary over how they should spend their votes. Enter, Test of Fire, a faith-based video that reinforces the non-negotiable issues for Catholics, and what should be non-negotiable issues for all. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Al Silva, the Executive Vice President of Catholics Called to Witness, and Adriana Gonzalez, co-founder of the organization, who produced the video.

Catholics Called to Witness is a Faith-based organization from Florida that has captured media attention as a result of their viral 'Test of Fire' campaign.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Catholics Called to Witness are two husband-and-wife teams of devoted Catholic faithful from Florida that have come together to promote the three non-negotiable principles as expressed by Pope Benedict XVI. Those principles are:

-Protection of life in all its stages, from the first moment of conception until natural death.

-Recognition and promotion of the natural structure of the family - as a union between one man and one woman based on marriage - and its defense from attempts to make it juridical equivalent to radically different forms of union which in reality harm it and contribute to its destabilization, obscuring its particular character and its irreplaceable social role.

-The protection of the right of parents to educate their children.

COL (Catholic Online): What inspired Test of Fire?

SILVA: The inspiration for the Test of Fire was really a combination of the attacks on our religious freedoms and the need for all Catholics to understand the teachings of the Church, regarding the non-negotiables of protection of life at all stages, and marriage between one man and one woman. Our nation was founded on the principle of religious liberty. It is a structural pillar that holds up the framework of our nation. If religious liberty is lost for one group, even those who claim to be non-religious will suffer the loss. These were the inspirations that led to the creation of the Test of Fire.

COL: How was Test of Fire Produced?

SILVA: Creative Lab, LLC was our partner in producing the video. The concept and script was really a combination of our input and Creative Lab's creativity. It was all done over a cup of coffee at the local coffee shop.

COL: Was production of the video costly?

SILVA: Costly? We feel that the money that was invested in the production of the video was just that, an investment. All worthwhile things are costly in money, time, or effort (or all three!), but we are confident that we will be repaid with a greater reward for doing God's work.

COL: Have you produced any other videos or material for distribution?

Our website has several resources available free of charge. We offer two brochures, one on the nonnegotiable principles according to Pope Benedict XVI and the other regarding the HHS mandate. Additionally, a high-resolution version of the Test of Fire can be downloaded from the site. We will also have "I Stand for Religious Freedom" car magnets available soon.

COL: Have you gotten any negative attention because of your efforts and how have you handled it?

SILVA: Yes. We communicate with most who do not agree with our position on the issues. We simply state the position of the Church on the nonnegotiable principles and continue to pray for those that do not agree. Our mission is really to get to those people that do not agree with our position with the hope that, if it is God's will, He will use us as instruments to reach their hearts and minds with the Gospel and the Church's teachings.

COL: What are your plans for the future?

SILVA: Wow! Only the good Lord knows. The response from our non-Catholic brothers and sisters has been tremendous. The video has been an instrument of unity. Many of these brothers and sisters have reached out to us and asked for a "non-Catholic" version of the video to share. As such, we produced a new version of the video that will be released soon. Stay tuned for details. We are coordinating with non-Catholic Christian resources to spread the word more, as these are human issues, not just Catholic issues. Additionally, we are producing a Spanish version of the video.

We have been so blessed in our short time of existence (since February). All we want to do is to let God guide us and respond to that guidance in a positive way. Many have reached out to us wanting to be area leaders, spreading the message locally in their communities. We believe this is a great idea. We would love to have teams of people holding educational events all over the country, so we will be developing those support materials.

COL: Test of Fire may certainly be the best educational ad we've seen to date. The ad is refreshingly simple, straightforward, and states the issues without the need to be critical or make accusations. It's a remarkable production that stands in brilliant contrast to the multi-million dollar ads out there and demonstrates what good can come of prayer and diligence even without millions of dollars in sponsorships.

Check back with Catholic Online as we follow Catholics Called to Witness and their prayerful, inspired campaign to promote the Holy Father's message for all humanity.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Catholics Called to Witness, Test of Fire, interview, exclusive, video, commercial, advertisement, faith, religion, issues

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1 - 8 of 8 Comments

Michael from WeHo
1 year ago
Juneau - Most Biology Textbooks have taught for the last 100 years, "Life begins at conception, and conception occurs when the Genetic material of the spermatozoa and that of the ovum have united and the newly formed nucleus in the new Oocyte begins the process of cell mitosis. Since the invention of the IUD & "Morning After Pills", a few Textbooks have insisted on claiming that, "Conception occurs when the Fertilized Oocyte is implanted in the Placenta." This is the only exception to the above statement about Conception...
Judy - Euthanasia is the killing of the sick, infirm, handicapped and those whose lives are considered to be otherwise devoid of value. I think it can be agreed that those who are sick or handicapped have committed no crime except for being inconvenient, while it can well be argued that those who are given the Death Penalty for Mass or Serial Murder, or for particularly heinous Murders involving long and excruciating torture/multiple rapes of the victims, are not only guilty as all heck, but (unlike those who are euthanized) are people the rest of society needs to be protected from.
vance
1 year ago
Juneau Alaska, here we go again. I would invite you to pick up any Biology 101 textbook and you will discover that when the spermatozoa penetrates the ovum fertilization or germination occurs. This is a natural process that occurs during the reproduction cycle of man, animals, plants, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects. This is the "Moment of Conception". Even cell division has its "Moment of Conception". When the mitochondria releases their chemical properties, the nucleus begins to split and create cell division. Homosexuality is a rebellion against the natural order. The entire cosmos functions heterosexually exclusively. This is both the organic and inorganic. All life forms perpetuate themselves via reproductive cycle while the inorganic functions on positive and negative charges. Two negatives or two positives repel each other. The two cannot be put together. Neither can life forms populate themselves homosexually.
Juneau Alaska
1 year ago
1. The phrase, "moment of conception" is not supported by scientific data. As counter intuitive as that may sound to readers, "moment of conception" remains a faith claim, not an evidence-based one. If one wants to call the process of conception (which may take hours or days) a "moment" then it must be clarified as such. Moment implies, indeed is defined as, a short period of time, even an instant. I admit that it is theologically "tidy" to believe in a moment of conception, but that is simply biologically unsupportable. People of faith should really claim that the soul is "infused" or "implanted" or "breathed" (or whatever term they feel comfortable with!) in a "moment of ensoulment" because that is essentially scientifically unassailable (like all faith claims). 2. I have yet to be shown compelling data that legally recognizing same sex marriages harms heterosexual marriages. Last I checked long-term heterosexual marriages have problems enough of their own makings! Sorry, but Sally and Sally's marriage across the street doesn't threaten my heterosexual grandparent's 50+ year marriage! 3. Education? Presumably this only applies to Catholic parents? That's problematic. So, if not, will this activist support Islamic educators to separate menstruating girls from classrooms because they are "unclean?" Cheers! -Mike
Bill Sr.
1 year ago
As Christians, we must thoroughly convince ourselves that, as Christ revealed to us, our kingdom is not of this world. Life here is an audition for what is to come. We have chosen our character, an imitation of Christ, and desire to live in eternity with Him through a grateful performance here according to the biblical script we have been given.
However, when we look at history and see how the world treated Jesus (as in “The Passion Christ) can we then really expect anything better? We can be assured many will want us to be handed over, ridiculed, and persecuted for our imitation of Him as it is not acceptable here. The evil one, the Deceiver, is still at large at this time and will not tolerate allegiance to the Creator or the teachings of His Son. The rule of Satan here is to be content with the way things are because this is it, this is all there is to it, make the most of it however you can, no restraints to your human desires, be all you can be, do unto others as it pleases you to do. Do not deny yourself; deny God, deny eternal love, deny the cross, deny eternity. And many are those who do just that.
Many are called, few are chosen.
Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect. Without Him we are nothing but we believe that with Him all things are possible.
One thing we must remember is this; we are in a battle for the souls of men whom God desires to be returned to Him. We are at war! There is no retreating or deserting. We are guaranteed victory but not casualties. Our only weapon is the Truth and every sacrifice or wound is in honor of it. Maintaining its power and might within us requires consistent prayer, meditation, and devotion to our duty and His just cause. Be sworn to do all that will be asked of you for we can also be assured that our leadership can not fail and our reward will not be taken from us.
Standing for Christ is standing by Him. Standing by Him is standing by His Word. He has said…he who is not with me is against me and again the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Our strength must be in Him for we are but human and the enemy, the deceiver, is very strong, like a wild beast set to devour his prey. However, Jesus rebuked him three times with but the Word alone and sent him on his way. Gods Word is truth. It is our eternal weapon and our shield never to be forgotten, never to be overcome. Lord, we pray that you will give us wisdom to know you, a heart to love you, and the will to serve you for we have put our trust in you and your word. Our lives are now in your almighty hands.
jh
1 year ago
Sounds exciting.
Diane
1 year ago
This was a great article and a very real consolation to me. Because of disabilities and age it is hard for me to be active in these works of evangelization. But I attend daily mass quite often when I'm able and pray the daily rosary for the Church which is under such attack. This article shows me God is indeed answering the prayers of faithful Catholics who love the Church. God bless the people of "Called to Witness" and all people united around these 3 non- negotiable principles they list. I'll keep on praying and giving thanks to God.
abey
1 year ago
It could be made simpler. Catholics go by the Bible the word of God, which in all clarity states that Gay relationship is an Abomination unto God, which this administration eagerly promotes so True Catholics in the same eagerness for the sake of the Truth to the future need to work to get this deceiving administration out of office.
Judy
1 year ago
Very interesting article! Dear Deacon Keith, I was under the impression from another article we had on a few reeks back, that the Church does not believe in abortions, and that this of course is Church law; and that the Death Penalty was a matter of "conscience". Now, is Catholics Called To Witness, referring to the principle of Euthanasia here? Thank you. Prayerful Blessings...

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