Imagine gliding across a serene lake in a canoe, only to be interrupted by the pollution and noise of factories, with litter tossed at your feet.

Such a scene would be unimaginable today, yet it mirrors the iconic 1971 “Keep America Beautiful” advertisement featuring Iron Eyes Cody, who shed tears as garbage landed near him. This advertisement played repeatedly and succeeded in changing American habits.

Another powerful ad campaign transformed societal views on drinking and driving. Prior to the 1983 initiative “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk,” alcohol was a factor in over half of road fatalities. This campaign encouraged designated drivers, leading to a significant cultural shift. More than 68% of Americans reported intervening to prevent someone from driving under the influence since its inception.

Tom Peterson, a Polish-American advertising expert, understands how to influence culture through marketing. Unlike most viewers who switch channels during commercials, Peterson meticulously analyzes them. His fascination began with shows like “Bewitched,” which featured a protagonist in advertising, inspiring his interest in conveying ideas through stories.

Peterson demonstrated his talent by asking an audience to visualize an inkblot, revealing an image of Jesus Christ in their minds. He posed the question: “If I can evoke this image in just 30 seconds, think about the possibilities for my peers in advertising.”

He sought to apply his advertising skills to rekindle faith within the Catholic Church. Despite being the largest religion globally, with 1.2 billion adherents, only a quarter of U.S. Catholics attend Mass regularly, leaving just 6% of Americans as committed practitioners.

“There’s a faith crisis where many have forgotten God,” Peterson asserts. He believes that God invites each individual to embrace a unique journey based on their talents and interests.

The laity has been summoned for a New Evangelization, Peterson notes.

Personally, I recall the moment Peterson's advertisement first resonated with me. It was autumn 2008, during the presidential campaign when Barack Obama triumphed over John McCain. I was in a Grand Rapids hotel when I saw Peterson’s remarkable “Catholics Come Home” ad, titled “Epic.” The ad began with the message:

“Our family encompasses every race, age, and background. We are sinners and saints, united across time and space.”

The Church is portrayed not as a mere organization but as a family, binding its members together. The ad continues:

“Through God’s grace, we established hospitals and orphanages, becoming the largest charitable entity globally, providing aid to those in need.”

Having worked with various healthcare and nonprofit organizations, I was unaware that the Church pioneered hospitals until I saw this ad. It struck a chord:

“We educate more children than any other institution, developed the scientific method, and founded the college system, all while upholding human dignity and the sanctity of marriage.”

It hit me—many of the universities I had been associated with were initiated by religious leaders. The Church's contributions to education and science are often overlooked.

“Cities are named after our saints who have guided us. We compiled the Bible with the Holy Spirit’s direction, and for 2,000 years, Sacred Scripture and Tradition have been our compass. We are the Catholic Church.”

I found myself in tears, overwhelmed with joy and inspiration, inching closer to the screen.

The advertisement went on to highlight key points: - Over 1 billion Catholics have ensured that Masses have been offered every hour, every day for more than two millennia. - “Jesus laid the foundation of our faith, instructing Peter, the first pope, ‘You are the Rock, and upon this rock, I will build my Church.’” - The lineage of popes has provided continuity and guidance through love and truth for over 2,000 years. - “In a world filled with chaos and suffering, it is reassuring to know that some truths remain steadfast.”

For me, the Catholic Church resembles a swimming pool; baptism immerses you in faith, drawing you back time and again. Though we may stray, sometimes for years, various experiences can pull us deeper into our spiritual journey.

I vividly recall first encountering the “Catholics Come Home” ad on television, later sharing it widely online. This inspired me to host a transformative trip to Poland in 2010, leading to my ongoing involvement with the Church.

In 2012, during Adoration, I felt a calling for parishes and Catholic organizations to articulate a concise, two-minute testimony to better connect with others and fulfill the Church's mission of making disciples. Tom's advertisements serve as a guiding light for sharing faith narratives, and many educators incorporate his videos into their religious instruction.

“Catholics Come Home” may soon reach Poland, echoing its impact in numerous countries and welcoming over 500,000 individuals back to the faith. Peterson notes that over 90% of those returning say they were invited by someone.

Dr. Gloria Sampson, who earned her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in the 1960s, distanced herself from the Church for 53 years. She encountered Tom’s ads while living in Vancouver, one of the world’s most secular cities.

“Seeing those ads was truly shocking,” she recalled. After viewing them a few times, she thought, “This must be real,” leading her to seek out nearby Catholic churches. A chance meeting with a neighbor who had also seen the ads connected her to a small Catholic seminar, and they both became active members of the Church.

Tom explains that a tiny thread can tether a sparrow, preventing it from flying. Similarly, people can be weighed down by sin. He encourages reflection: “What is holding you back? The ripples of your actions can positively influence others.”

“Love is paramount. People need to feel your love before they will listen. Authentic love has the strongest impact. We must embody genuine Christian values, as others are always observing our actions, whether we realize it or not.”

“If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: people don’t care how much we know until they understand how much we care.”