Success Stories

Canada
Cheryl Martin is one of many Canadian Lighthouse Representatives working to spread the Good News. Over 200 parishes throughout Canada have partnered with Lighthouse to distribute CDs within their parish communities.

Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network Conference 

Ottawa, Canada (picture submitted by Don Smith)

Ireland
Tom Harkin has been reproducing and distributing CDs in Ireland since 2009.  Since then, he has helped circulate over 22,000 CDs.  He plans to reach further into Ireland as well as the UK.  Tom submitted the following success story:

We received a phone call here in Ireland from a Policeman living in Australia who had recently listened to John Pridmore’s story on the Lighthouse CD. He mentioned he had learnt about God’s infinite Mercy and not to always judge people. He was on fire with enthusiasm about the materials and ordered a set of 100 CDs to be sent to his Father who lived in Scotland.

He said, he always judged anyone who committed a crime and they deserved exactly what they had coming to them. Until very recently he arrested a guy for a string of serious offences and had him in custody going through his personal belongings.Something he had in his possession prompted him to have more of a sympathetic approach to this prisoner. For the first time in his career he brought God into the situation and asked the guy was he not sick of committing crime over and over. The prisoner responded with a yes, drooped head and shoulders. This was encouraging he thought. He then asked if he had ever considered Jesus and to turn his life to him. The guy thought he was beyond any level of Mercy or forgiveness and had a very small opinion of himself. The Policeman then shared with him an insight into Gods infinite Mercy. The prisoner before his eyes fell to the floor in tears. He could not get over this response and right there the guy made a promise to turn his life over to God. He was still reprimanded bu this change of heart was an absolute miracle.

His Scottish Father
The story did not finish there. His Father in Scotland received among the 100 CDs a few of the title ‘Jewish roots of the Eucharist’. He listened intently and enjoyed, a week later he was at a Church meeting and a Jewish man started to criticise and attack the Catholic Faith. In front of a large crowd he was able to stand up& counteract every argument and silenced the Jewish man. The crowd were very impressed. All this with the information he had gleaned from the CD. He was amazed, very proud and thankful that he had these tools at his disposal. He also rang the office here to share his story.....
 
A Rediscovery
A story from one of our Priests, Fr Mc Caughan:
He buried a man on Holy Saturday past, this man had just returned to live here after many years in England and had just finished reading a book before he died. According to his wife he was very much into this book and she show edit to Fr Mc C. The book was sure enough, Rediscovering Catholicism.
Fr Mc Caughan said that it was a real rediscovery and a special grace for this man just before he died.

At Christmas his Parish has distributed over 400 of the Matthew Kelly books ‘Rediscovering Catholicism’ and over 500 Lighthouse CDs . This man’sexperience was one special blessing we heard about.


Nigeria (submitted Aug 2012 by Belinda Nwosu belindanwosu@hotmail.com )

Lighthouse Catholic Audio CDs have been a fantastic tool in our drive to deepen and strengthen the Faith in Nigeria. There is growing ignorance about the most rudimentary aspects of the Faith simply because many cease to learn about their Faith after receiving the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. Also, with the growing number of Evangelical and Pentecostal movements, many have fallen along the way. The market is full of audio material for the Pentecostals, and sadly very few Catholic-related materials.

Bumping into Lighthouse was evidently timed by the Holy Spirit. To date, we have had one formal introduction to a parish in Lagos (Our Lady, Queen of Peace in Gbagada suburb). The Parish Priest was so eager to introduce the CDs to the Parish after having bought 5 titles himself. We set up a small table and sold over 40 CDs at the Mass, with people asking for more titles we simply did not have.
Next was a group of ladies who attend a two-year Basic Philosophy and Theology Course. They listened to the Catechism of the Catholic Church CD and then all asked for personal copies. Through this forum, we have sold close to 50 copies.

A group in Enugu (South East Nigeria approx 240km from Lagos, we are in the South West) had a seminar in preparation for the Year of Faith. An additional 50 copies of CCC were requested. They heard about the CDs from friends in Lagos.

Another Parish in Lagos (St Anthony, Gbaja) has asked for several copies of the CCC to be made available for their Parish seminar holding next month on the Year of Faith.

The Catholic Resource Centre (located in the business district of Lagos - Victoria Island) too has agreed for us to set up a stall for the hundreds of young professionals who drop by for Morning Mass on their way to work. I must tell you that traffic in Lagos can only be imagined. There are good days when you could do a 20km drive home in 15 minutes. SOme days, family members have left work at 4pm and reached home at around 9pm! No joking. These CDs have helped a number of people to get their daily meditation done in their cars. A lady buys regularly, copies of the Mass Explained for the priests and seminarians that she is helping out. Some use the CDs as 'thank you' tokens in party packs that are given out to guests at family gatherings....

The fields are ripe for the picking and the people are hungry for doctrine!

 
 
"The zeal with which your organization spreads the Word of God is to be praised. Since many people are not very well informed on our Catholic Faith, your Apostolate deserves praise and encouragement." Francis Cardinal Arinze, in a letter to Lighthouse Catholic Media
 

India/UAE
I introduced the LCM CD’s at the United Arab Emirates in June last year and since then approximately 8,000+ CD’s have been sold. There has been a lot of positive feedback and although there are some marketing issues, and somewhat luke-warm attitude of the pastors/Priests, I am hoping that all concerned will be touched by the CD’s and we shall see some outstanding results in the near future. The Bishop of UAE, has endorsed the CD’s and issued a letter to that effect.
 
I introduced the LCM CD’s in India around February 2012 and although progress has been slow, many have been touched by the spiritual message from the CD’s. So far about 4 Bishops from India have endorsed the LCM CD’s.
 
I request all AM’s prayers for this mission in the Arab world and also in India.
 
Thanks and God Bless.
 
Vivek Bhatt      
Cellular:+1-416-458-5842
Email:vivekbhatt@sympatico.ca

Vivek Bhatt has met with many Bishops throughout India and has received their blessing.

For  a list of Endorsement Letters click here.

 
LISTENER FEEBACK:
 
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes
        Diocese: Nelson
        State: BC, CA
        Media: Trust in the Lord
        The essence of this talk is timeless. Every Catholic and Christian should listen to this. Fr. Ritcher is a gifted speaker and gave this very important subject richness and humor. I will never forget this talk and refer back to it nearly daily.
        
 
Parish: OLPH
        Diocese: Edmonton
        State: AB, CA
        Media: Seven Reasons to be Catholic
Being a convert, this is helping me develop a greater understanding of my Catholic Faith.
 
 
Parish: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
         Diocese: Prince Albert
         State: SK, CA
         Media: Making Sense Out of Suffering
This talk gave me a way to talk to others who are going through tough times.
 
 
Parish: St. Marguerite d'Youville
         Diocese: Toronto
         State: ON, CA
         Media: Seven Last Sayings of Christ
This was the first time that I heard a presentation by Scott Hahn. I have heard these seven sayings of Jesus for many, many years but his in-depth explanation made them come alive for me like never before!
 
 
Parish: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
         Diocese: Prince Albert
         State: SK, CA
         Media: The Saving Power of Divine Mercy
This CD was moving and inspirational - I will recommend it to others!
 
 
Parish: St. Dunstan
         Diocese: Saint John
         State: NB, CA
         Media: True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort
Fr. Lance Harlow spoke in terms that were easy to understand. I felt like I was sitting right there in his audience. I have the CD almost worn out; it plays in my car everyday and each time I listen to it I learn something new. Thank you for offering this! 
 
 
Diocese: Prince Albert
         State: SK, CA
         Media: Confession
This was very inspirational and made me want to share it with everybody!
 
 
Parish: Saint-Pierre
         Diocese: St. Jerome
         State: QC, CA
         Media: Understanding the Lord's Prayer
Wow! Thank you for a clear and inspirational explanation of the Lord's Prayer. Fantastic presentation!
 
 
Parish: St. Patrick
      Diocese: Parramatta
      State: NSW, AU
      Media: There is Life in the Womb
I've heard of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen but this is the first time I've listened to his talks, and what an eye opener it was! He is funny, engaging, and truly convicted. What a blessing he is to our Church!
 
 
Parish: Our Lady of Sorrows
        Diocese: Toronto
        State: ON, CA
        Media: Seven Last Sayings of Christ
The content was absolutely riveting and confirmed my return to the church after an absence of 47 years.