(134) An Individual Spiritual Fitness Workout Program With 1969 NFL All-Pro Wide Receiver Danny Abramowicz

(Taken from his website at www.crossingthegoal.com)

Crossing the Goal is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to call, equip and empower Catholic men to become and stay spiritually fit in their faith through the utilization of Spiritual Fitness Workouts.

Why the need for Spiritual Fitness Workouts?

Danny Abramowicz with Pope St. John Paul II 

In an address given during that 1976 Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia for the bicentennial celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope St. John Paul II spoke some words which may be prophetic. – “We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has ever experienced. I do not think that the wide circle of the American Society, or the whole wide circle of the Christian Community realize this fully. We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-church, between the gospel and the anti-gospel, between Christ and the Antichrist. The confrontation lies within the plans of Divine Providence. It is, therefore, in God's Plan, and it must be a trial which the Church must take up, and face courageously…”

(See http://www.catholic.org/news/national/story.php?id=57376)
What are Spiritual Fitness Workouts?

Spiritual Fitness Workouts are designed for Catholic men to help them grow spiritually and strengthen their faith. Spiritual Fitness Workouts can be used by either groups or individuals on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The content for these workouts is derived from three primary sources: the Scriptures, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and episodes of the "Crossing the Goal" TV show, which airs weekly on EWTN.

What is the purpose of Spiritual Fitness Workouts?

·         To invite men into authentic friendships with men who can share, support and encourage their spiritual journey. Relationships are a key to continued spiritual growth. Jesus knew this when he sent his disciples out two by two.

·         To gather men together in order to honor God in prayer and worship.

·         To invite the Holy Spirit to transform men’s hearts.

·         To educate men about the teachings of the Catholic Church utilizing the Holy Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

·         To invite men into an active relationship with Jesus Christ and fellowship with the Church.

·         To empower men to recruit and encourage other men to join a Spiritual Fitness Workout group.

Individual Program

1. Warm-up                                                      5 Min.

2. Workout                                                     25 Min.

View or listen to the Kickoff, Game Plan and Red Zone segments of the episode that you have chosen from the Content Line-up for this workout.   

Action Item:

View or Listen to Your Chosen Episode

3. Reflection                                                   25 Min.

4. Take Action                                                   5 Min.

5. Practice                  Total Workout Time: 60 Min.

1. Warm Up

Prayer: Kickoff by spending a couple minutes in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you through this Spiritual Fitness Workout (SFW). 

2. Workout

Content Lineup

The CTG Team has arranged each series into lineups and we have placed them into groups which we call "Seasons." We recommend that you follow these seasonal lineups in order to get the most out of each Spiritual Fitness Workout.

NOTE: Each "Season" lists the series titles followed by the number of episodes in that series. Click on the series to begin streaming.

Season 1

·         Our Father (8 episodes)

·         Godly Man (12 episodes)

·         Spiritual Combat (8 episodes)

·         Shocking Claims of Jesus (10 episodes)

Season 2

·         Power of the Spirit (6 episodes)

·         Virtues (9 episodes)

·         Deadly Sins (7 episodes)

·         Jesus Said (8 episodes)

Season 3

·         Becoming Disciples (12 episodes)

·         Marks of a True Christian (12 episodes)

·         Marriage and Family (4 episodes)

·         The Porn Trap (2 episodes)

Season 4

·         Super Bowl

Questions

3.  Reflection

• Read and reflect on the Scriptures, Catechism and other references contained in the Workout Guide associated with the selected episode.
• Answer the workout questions included in the Workout Guide.

 4. Take Action

  ·         View or listen to the End Zone segment of the selected                 episode.

·         Write down one personal action item you would like to accomplish before the next workout. 

·         Close with a prayer such as the Our Father, the Universal Prayer or the Saint Michael the Archangel prayer.

5. Practice

Schedule:

·         Make it a priority to keep your scheduled workout session once a week.

·         Prepare by following closely the suggested daily spiritual training.

Training:

·         Daily Prayer

·         Set aside 15 minutes each day for personal private prayer. (Gradually build up to 30 minutes).

·         Include 5 minutes in this time for reading of the Scriptures.

·         Mass

·         Attend Mass each Sunday.

·         Prepare by reading the Scriptures prior to Mass (if married, with family).

·         Perform a private examination of conscience before attending Mass.

·         Daily Mass — Try to attend, if possible, once per month.

·         Confession-Quarterly

After you do your individual workout for a year or so, think and pray about organizing a group spiritual workout in your parish, men’s group, or Knights of Columbus council.  A program for groups can be found on the Danny Abramowicz’s Crossing the Goal website at www.crossingthegoal.com.