Why would an Anglican priest want to become Catholic?
After a long faith journey Taylor Marshall found himself knocking at the doors of the Roman Catholic Church. He discovered his thirst for authority was satiated in Rome.
“Fundamentally, I became Catholic because I believe with all my heart that the Church is the body of Christ,” Marshall recounted on his website. “As St. Paul once wrote, ‘Love believes all things’ (1 Cor 13:7), and I believe that the Church isn’t merely an institution but that she is the mystical body of Christ.”
Marshall, who left the Episcopal Church in May 2006, will recount his conversion at the annual Servant of the Word banquet Feb. 28 in Denver.
He’s appeared on EWTN’s “The Journey Home” among other shows and travels to share his story and faith. He’s well known for his widely-read Catholic blog, weekly podcasts and more recently through the online learning school he founded called the New Saint Thomas Institute.
He will be honored for his service to the word of God at the banquet.
“He has been creative in spreading the knowledge and love of God,” said Ben Akers, director of the Denver Catholic Biblical School.
Akers said the Biblical School’s students enjoy his “Origins of Catholicism” series and is respected for his ability to skillfully explain St. Paul’s teachings and why God chose Rome over Jerusalem as Church headquarters.
“He has a keen ability to take difficult topics and make them accessible to everyone,” Akers said.
The banquet is an opportunity for supporters of the Biblical School to socialize and honor Marshall’s great work for the Church, he said.
The night begins with cocktails and a silent auction that students organized and donated. Local artist Devin Montagne will paint an image of soon-to-be St. John Paul II for the auction.
There will also be a raffle for tuition assistance, a live auction and dinner.
The banquet benefits the Biblical School’s apostolate and offsets costs in running the school, which operates under the oversight of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.
Biblical School students Eileen and Bill Maggio of St. Peter Church in Monument will attend the banquet. They said learning about Scripture and going through the classes has provided needed support through difficult times.
“It’s good information but the whole purpose is to transform our lives,” said Eileen Maggio, who attends the school with her husband. “We just love it. It’s like eating potato chips—you just can’t get enough. It’s opened up a whole new world.”
Supporting the school, Akers said, is also a support for its part of the modern-day culture wars.
“There are so many voices telling people who they are and what will make them happy. Unless it’s the voice of the Good Shepherd calling, the other voices lead to dead ends,” he said. “In the Biblical School, we introduce people to the way God has revealed himself in human history and how he desires a relationship with each of us through the Church today.”
Once God’s plan is realized—it changes everything, he said.
“Their relationships and spiritual journey are transformed. That’s the power of God’s holy word,” Akers said.
Marshall’s own journey is one such example that he’ll share at the banquet.
He told the Denver Catholic Register what he wants attendees to gain from his speech.
“I hope to convey that this is a wonderful time to be Catholic and we have every reason to have peace and joy in Christ,” Marshall said. “In Christ we are more than conquerors and through him we can bring glory to God, hope to our neighbors, and receive the peace that only he can give.”
Servant of the Word award banquet
The Denver Catholic Biblical School is hosting the award banquet and silent auction to benefit its apostolate.
When: 6:15 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Feb. 28
Where: Grant Hyatt Hotel, 1750 Welton St., Denver
What: silent auction, speaker, dinner, raffle, live auction
Speaker: Taylor Marshall
Tickets: $110 per person or $200 per couple
Register: by Feb. 20 online at www.regonline.com/2014SOTW
Information: email biblical.school@archden.org
Servant of the Word workshop
When: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 1
Where: Christ the King Church, 830 Elm St., Denver
What: Taylor Marshall will lead a workshop on “The Origins of Catholicism.” Includes Mass, lunch and a Q-and-A session.
Cost: $60
Register: at www.regonline.com/sotw
Information: email biblical.school@archden.org
