NEW EVANGELIZATION

ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON

ADVENTUS CHRISTI is a "new evangelization" apostolate making an impact in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and nationally as well.

ADVENTUS CHRISTI is Latin for the "coming of Christ". Established in 2001 by Reverend Richard Barker, pastor of Saint Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Huffman (Houston), Adventus Christi provides pastoral leaders with scriptural, doctrinal, and catechetical resources for the Catholic faith.

BRINGING PEOPLE TO CHRIST

THIS "NEW evangelization" apostolate brings people to Christ by utilizing effective speaking and dynamic media to foster personal spiritual growth, respect for Catholic teachings, and conscientious Catholic liturgies in union with the Church's Magisterium.

PREVIOUSLY, FATHER Barker served five parishes in the Houston metropolitan area as parochial vicar: St. Anne, St. Basil (now Most Holy Trinity, Angleton, TX), St. Cecilia, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Hyacinth (Deer Park, TX). He has pastored St. Philip since July 01, 2005.

A NATIVE of Texas, Fr. Barker graduated from high school in 1967 and received under-graduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Texas. Retiring from a career in bank administration, Father Barker entered religious life in 1986, earning a Masters of Divinity degree in 1991 from St. Michael’s University at the Toronto School of Theology in Ontario, Canada. 

STRONG CREDENTIALS

FATHER BARKER'S Adventus Christi ministry is dedicated toward teaching the truth, committed to assisting Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo and dedicated toward serving the Archdiocese. Parish presentations are available on the Eucharist, the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, moral theology, spirituality, and other contemporary topics of interest. Adventus Christi can help parish Directors of Religious Education (DRE's), Continuing Christian Education (CCE) teachers and adult Catholic laity in general to learn their faith and articulate it to others. 

URGENT NEED FOR EVANGELIZATION

THE NEED for Catholic evangelization is urgent. Why is the Mass so important for one's spiritual life? How can a person know that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist? What evidence will convince one to believe in Christ and his Church? How can parents raise their children in the faith? How can God’s mercy help to change lives? How can young people know that God is calling them to priesthood and religious life? These are just a few of the questions our Adventus Christi team tackles when teaching and lecturing, leading retreats and days of reflection, and radio broadcasting.

FATHER BARKER can provide spiritual direction to those who feel called to a religious vocation. "Priests and Catholic laity are obliged in all charity to assist the Archbishop in fostering vocations," says Father Barker. "The Biblical 'call' stories remind us that pursuing religious life requires conversion and lifelong personal transformation. 

THE RESPONSE to God's call is not accomplished in a day, nor is it a passive reality. Rather, the discernment of a vocation to serve God in the prayer of the Church unfolds over time. Persons discerning a vocation to priesthood and religious life must follow Christ on the arduous path that leads to life. The spiritual journey that leads to heavenly joy involves challenge, hard work, and suffering. Many of us have received a calling. This is just the beginning. We need help in recognizing it – and nurturing it."

READY TO HELP YOU

SIGNIFICANTLY, ADVENTUS Christi provides internet and media-accessed opportunities to Catholic Christians in the areas of doctrinal and moral catechesis, apologetics, homiletics, sacraments, spirituality and more. Compact discs are a typical medium used to distribute catechetical material and radio broadcasts. After two years of broadcasting on Saint Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Radio in the Galveston-Houston area (KGBC 1540 AM), Adventus Christi moved to the national "Radio Maria" network and is now in its fourth year of live weekly broadcasting and recording. "Radio Maria USA" is based in Alexandria, Louisiana. Archbishop Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has been a welcome guest on the Adventus Christi broadcast.

LIKE MANY apostolates, Adventus Christi strives to serve the Church as a living example of Christ's saving presence in the Church.  Father Barker and lay supporters are available to help out in the Galveston-Houston archdiocese. Adventus Christi is committed to assisting clergy and laity who wish to deepen their love for Christ and his Church. Available to support Catholic parish families in teaching the faith to their children, Reverend Richard Barker wants to help those who seek the truth of Christ and is ready to help you.