The Ascension App: An Answer to my Prayers

Alexis Dallara-Marsh explains how the new Ascension App has made a difference in her spiritual life.

For the majority of my life, I struggled with how to start reading the Bible. It seemed like an insurmountable task. Often I'd purchase one, and then become overwhelmed a few days in. I didn't seem to have the stamina to sit down and make protected time for reading. Even when I did, I didn't feel I was understanding at all what I read. I'd get easily confused. I felt I needed community: someone as an anchor to guide and motivate me further.

During the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic, I was praying for a solution, not just for myself, but for so many who didn't have a way to find the word of God. Not only did I feel lost regarding the Bible, but I was also drowning in the bountiful number of teachings of the Church I felt I should but couldn't begin to familiarize myself with. Specifically, I'd question why, with the use of social media, we couldn't find a way to bring something positive of all the technology we had grown to incorporate as part of our evolving identity.

Once I heard the voices of Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins on Ascension's podcasts, I became slowly transformed in my knowledge and understanding. Through Ascension Press, the resources I was once searching became so easily accessible. Now, with the new Ascension App, I can listen to the Word while serving God through the vocation given to me, whether housework or traveling to a job. The Revised Standard Version of the Bible used at Ascension is much easier for me to understand than some other versions I tried to read in the past.

When I use this new app, it is so interactive! Topics are easily searchable for when I need to make sense of life circumstances. Additional embedded videos help explain difficult concepts. I can choose to expand on an area if, for example, I want to study further about Mary or the Passion or the Bread of Life with additional audio Bible studies from contemporary scholars. I can check off whatever I've already completed and track goals for myself. Daily readings are available to start with as a goal for my day. There is an area to journal in. And whether one enjoys video, audio, or text, it's all possible with the Ascension Press app!

Probably most importantly, I am so grateful for the accessibility technology provides us in being able to easily share the word with many others at once. The word of God and the complete teachings of the Catholic Church right on your phone. Everything together, wherever one is. I cannot begin to imagine how many souls have already been and will be saved by the Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year podcasts: such projects have reinforced to me the love of God. Thank you so much to Ascension Press. You have truly achieved what Christ asked of us: to go and make disciples of all nations!

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