RIVER FALLS – The public is invited to hear best-selling author, speaker and theologian, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, who will headline a three-evening parish mission at St. Bridget Church in River Falls, on Oct. 3, 4, and 5.

The event is co-hosted with St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception in Hammond and UW-River Falls Falcon Catholic.

The parish mission will begin each evening with a free, tasty meal served 5:306:30 p.m., followed by praise and worship at 6:45 p.m., and an inspiring, humor-filled presentation by D’Ambrosio.

“The event theme, Jesus for Real, expresses that Jesus is here with us in every moment of every day,” says John Hueg, St. Bridget Parish Administrator. “A relationship with Jesus is as real as having a relationship with a best friend.”

D’Ambrosio, peppers his talks with stories and real-life examples. He will address a diuerent topic each evening:

• Monday, Oct. 3 – Personal Prayer, Pathway to Joy

• Tuesday, Oct. 4 – Getting More Out of Mass – Mass Matters

• Wednesday, Oct. 5 – Discipleship as the Greatest Adventure “We invite anyone who is seeking to begin, renew or revive their relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior and friend,” explained Jodie Rubenzer, spiritual director at St. Bridget.

Last fall, St. Bridget offered a book study using D’Ambrosio’s book and video: Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life, part of a ground-breaking study of the life and ministry of Je- sus filmed in the Holy Land. The program was so well received that Rubenzer invited him to lead the parish cluster mission this fall.

“He is engaging and refreshing, using humor and lots of practical examples,” Rubenzer explained. “That’s exactly what we wanted for our parish mission.”

The speaker’s website, https://www.crossroadsinitiative. com/dr-italy/ , ouers a glimpse into his background and the enthusiasm he brings.

D’Ambrosio was raised in Providence, RI, where many people had unpronounceable names like his. He initially set his sights on stardom, playing bass guitar in several popular rock bands by the time he was 16. But a deeper encounter with Christ changed his course and led to a Ph.D. in theology under the guidance of renowned Jesuit theologian, Avery Cardinal Dulles. Now better known in TV and radio as “Dr. Italy,” D’Ambrosio is a speaker, best-selling author, pilgrimage director and theologian whose teaching career has included Loyola, the University of Dallas, and most recently, Catholic Distance University.

A husband and father of five, Dr. D'Ambrosio is di rector of Crossroads Initia- tive, a nonprofit ministry of evangelization and renewal. He has served as an expert commentator on religious issues on national news and is a sought-after guest on a variety of Catholic radio networks such as Relevant Radio, EWTN, and the Sirius Catholic channel.

Join the parish mission at St. Bridget Church in River Falls, and walk out with a practical plan to make your life a grand adventure with the one and only Jesus Christ.

Submitted by St. Bridget Church