By Armando Machado | Correspondent

Before one can actually go about defending the Catholic faith, he or she must be well-versed and wish to continually learn about it as well.

Defending the faith begins with a desire to learn more about and better understand the religion founded by Christ himself, Martin Zavala said in his keynote address to the 700 faithful from around the Diocese, who gathered for the annual diocesan Hispanic Pentecost celebration May 19 in Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton.

“You defend your family because you love your family, and so you should defend the faith because you love your faith,” said Zavala, of the Diocese of Phoenix, Ariz. “One defends what one loves.”

Zavala, an expert in apologetics who has lectured worldwide for more than 30 years, spoke on the importance of practicing faith as a family – in prayer, reading Scripture and leaving the home together to attend Mass, where they can join other families in the parish community to praise the Lord and give thanks.

“We must be Christians with courage, as Pope Francis reminds us,” he said, especially in situations when the teachings of the Church are questioned or attacked.

He cited the importance of knowing how to explain the significance of Baptism as practiced by the Church, the disposition of administering and receiving the Holy Eucharist and why the Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary. He also spoke on the need to have an understanding of Satan – to stand guard against evil and its deceptive ways that can lead to destructive consequences.

“Remember the Mass,” Zavala urged, “because Jesus is present in the Mass. The Mass is much more important than you imagine.”

Hosted by the diocesan Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, Hispanic Ministry Initiatives, the event was billed as a retreat for the entire family. While the adults listened to Zavala’s presentations, the youth and children enjoyed activities that were geared for their age group.

Generous amounts of time of prayer and reflection were built into the schedule, namely during the Mass that was celebrated in the morning by Father Rene Pulgarin, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Keyport, and at day’s end when the throng participated in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Gloria Gomez of St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt, attended the Pentecost celebration with fellow parishioner Sofia Lazo, both of whom have young children. 

“The message is important, to defend the faith,” Gomez said.

Lazo added that the event’s themes were vital for family life – to the spiritual wellness of families and for the call to active involvement in parish community.