Leadership and the Southrdige Admirals All Aboard 2010-10-15
Leadership and the Southrdige Admirals All Aboard 2010-10-15
Leadership and the Southrdige Admirals All Aboard 2010-10-15
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4<br />
CAM PUS N EWS<br />
T H E R I D G E<br />
Steve Ray Raises <strong>the</strong> Roof<br />
“We had always assumed that <strong>the</strong> Bible gave birth to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Church but realized, after some research, that that<br />
was really a fallacy. The Church was <strong>the</strong>re. Jesus did<br />
not leave us with an authoritative Book, He left us with<br />
an authoritative Church <strong>and</strong> later, through time, that<br />
Church gave us an authoritative Book, but <strong>the</strong> Church<br />
came first.”<br />
This is one of <strong>the</strong> many quotable quotes of<br />
Stephen K. Ray, a Catholic convert who<br />
came to Southridge to share his story last<br />
July 20, <strong>20<strong>10</strong></strong>. It was certainly an opportune<br />
moment for us to be reminded about <strong>the</strong><br />
importance of our faith. An illumined <strong>and</strong> trustworthy<br />
speaker for our Catholic faith is hard to find in this age,<br />
thus <strong>the</strong> encounter with Steve Ray was a breath of fresh<br />
air for everyone.<br />
Ray is a renowned Catholic Apologist who has<br />
been all over <strong>the</strong> world to speak about his conversion<br />
story. From being Protestant, he “returned to Rome” in<br />
1994 <strong>and</strong> described it as both difficult <strong>and</strong> rewarding.<br />
Although he remained a Protestant for a certain period<br />
of time, he always felt that <strong>the</strong>re was something missing.<br />
This was a feeling that allowed him to pursue <strong>the</strong> truth.<br />
Eventually, he was lead to <strong>the</strong> Catholic Church. It was<br />
difficult because he faced <strong>and</strong> endured <strong>the</strong> ab<strong>and</strong>onment<br />
of his family <strong>and</strong> friends, <strong>and</strong> rewarding because he was<br />
able to rediscover <strong>the</strong> true essence of his faith <strong>and</strong> above<br />
all, find God’s love in his day-to-day life. It is through<br />
S<br />
BY JAMEY JIMENEZ<br />
his transformation from a Protestant to a Catholic that<br />
makes him a renowned Apologist. Whatever lessons he<br />
has learned from being a Protestant, he has found a way<br />
to counter <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Aside from being an Apologist, he is also a tour guide<br />
<strong>and</strong> a devoted family man. They call him Jerusalem Jones<br />
because he guides tourists through <strong>the</strong> city of Jerusalem<br />
with a Fedora hat a la Indiana Jones, bringing <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong><br />
places where Jesus walked <strong>and</strong> lived. He gives tourists <strong>the</strong><br />
opportunity to take in <strong>the</strong> knowledge of how <strong>the</strong> Catholic<br />
Church started first h<strong>and</strong>. When he’s not out traveling, he<br />
lives with his wife, four children, <strong>and</strong> six gr<strong>and</strong>children<br />
in Michigan.<br />
He came to <strong>the</strong> Philippines as <strong>the</strong> last stop of one<br />
of his tours before going back to America to return to<br />
his family. The school, with <strong>the</strong> help of <strong>the</strong> religion<br />
department <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir connections, was fortunate enough<br />
to have him talk to <strong>the</strong> high school students in <strong>the</strong><br />
Southridge Auditorium. He definitely raised <strong>the</strong> roof<br />
that day as he caught <strong>and</strong> sustained <strong>the</strong> attention of <strong>the</strong><br />
students, being a foreign man speaking to <strong>the</strong>m about<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir faith. The first thing he talked about was how he was<br />
amazed by <strong>the</strong> Filipino people’s respect <strong>and</strong> enthusiasm<br />
for <strong>the</strong>ir superiors. He even told <strong>the</strong> students that we<br />
should be proud that we live in a Catholic country. A<br />
very competent <strong>and</strong> down to earth speaker during <strong>the</strong><br />
talk, he articulated his message of sticking through with<br />
our faith no matter what trials <strong>and</strong> tribulations that we<br />
would face in <strong>the</strong> near future. He gave us tips on how<br />
to fight temptation (by feeding our faith more than we<br />
feed our vices) with an ease <strong>and</strong> confidence that left us<br />
asking for more. He spoke about Faith, Truth <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
reign of God’s love in our daily lives, especially for us<br />
teenagers. Giving a substantial <strong>and</strong> straight-to-<strong>the</strong>-point<br />
talk, he was able to persuade most of <strong>the</strong> participants, if<br />
not all, to listen with <strong>the</strong>ir ears <strong>and</strong> hearts to <strong>the</strong> wisdom<br />
of such a great man. Here is man who is an epitome of<br />
faith, truth <strong>and</strong> love. A man who we can all emulate <strong>and</strong><br />
follow to be an example of a true Roman Catholic, while<br />
we’re young.<br />
Questions were raised on how to keep our faith alive<br />
in our daily lives. I believe that <strong>the</strong>se questions could be<br />
summarized by one of Mr. Ray’s advice: “Stick to <strong>the</strong> truth<br />
no matter how it hurts,” says Steve; <strong>the</strong>se very words were<br />
left reverberating in my ears. Yes, sticking to <strong>the</strong> truth<br />
regardless of <strong>the</strong> circumstances will always be <strong>the</strong> easier<br />
path for us to take. The road ahead of us will be tough,<br />
but, like Steve Ray, we can all live peaceful lives by always<br />
seeking <strong>and</strong> believing <strong>the</strong> truth.<br />
The first thing he talked about was<br />
how he was amazed by <strong>the</strong> Filipino<br />
people’s respect <strong>and</strong> enthusiasm for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir superiors. He even told <strong>the</strong><br />
students that we should be proud that<br />
we live in a Catholic country.