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Discussing relations with members of Protestant denominations, Hahn said, “The best approach that can be used to describe a Catholic life to a life-long Protestant is to find common ground and build on it. We share so much more in common with Protestants than what divides us; just focus on what we share in common, especially Scripture, along with our common commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the grace of the Holy Spirit and what it means to have God as our Father…as his beloved sons and daughters, which makes us brothers and sisters even if we are separated brethren."
Hahn had 10 years of experience in youth and pastoral ministry in Protestant churches. After his conversion in 1986 in Milwaukee, Hahn accepted an offer to serve in the theology department of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. In addition to his Ohio base of Catholic education, Hahn has traveled widely and has appeared on EWTN with Mother Angelica.
Daniel Lynch, another featured speaker and director for the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, encouraged congress participants to gain a deeper appreciation of the Blessed Mother. Lynch lives in Vermont with his wife and nine children.
His advice: "Remember, Our Lady told Juan Diego, ‘Do not fear. Fear is useless. Am I not here, who am your mother?’ "
The main focus of Lynch's Marian Congress program emphasized, "…Our Lady of Guadalupe as Mother of hope, which is the confident expectation of divine blessings brought by her intercession. Blessings such as healing the sick, victims of post abortion stress syndrome and conversion of abortionists.”
He said the Our Lady of Guadalupe image has visited hundreds of churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, abortion clinics,and prisons.
“Everyone loves her,” he said. “Anyone who sees the image is affected by her in some way.”
Santa Rosa parishioners from Peco,enthusiastically credited Hahn for making the Old and New Testament alive in the Bible.
Katie Villesca had seen and heard Hahn on EWTN and said"He's just as good looking as he is on TV."
Another Santa Rosa parishioner Yvonne Mora commented, "He brought everything down to our level with his Vanilla English.
Rosa Cedillo, agreed with her Pecos friends. "He is intelligent and has good eye contact with people."
Teresa Lerma, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish has read Hahn's books since 1984. "I've been to five of his conferences in Texas, Kansas City, Missouri, Nebraska and Wichita.
Also taking part in the congress were Las Cruces Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, Juarez Bishop Renato Ascencio Leon and Casas Grandes Bishop Gerardo de Jesus Rojas.
. Marian Congress chairman Jorge Wiesinger said proceeds from the gathering will be donated to the El Paso Catholic Diocese Priest Retirement Fund.
The Apostolate of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which sponsored the congress, was established by the late Bishop Sidney M. Metzger, and is marking its 50th anniversary.
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More than 3,000 persons gathered in El Paso Convention Center for the Marian Congress sponsored by the Apostolate of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
