People will leave Tampa and Charlotte motivated and prepared to spread their perspectives and ideas with anyone who will listen. They will knock on doors, hold signs, make telephone calls and take donations. They will show up at rallies and write letters to the editor. They will get excited and stay informed, and they will vote.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we Catholics could spread our faith with that much willingness and dedication? Wouldn't it be amazing to see -- and be -- the Church awake and on fire with a zeal for the salvation of the whole world? Our message is so much more significant than a party platform ever could be. Every earthly leader pales in the glory of our Risen King. Our unity with him and in him answers the longing of every human heart.

Even with the talk of a "new evangelization," many would doubt that anything like this could ever happen. I wonder how it could not. When we gather in the presence of Jesus, we are empowered by the Word of God and encouraged by the testimony of those whose lives witness to the salvation they have found in him. Our hearts are set aflame with passion for the truth. Our faith is awakened to its deepest purpose. And our feet are ready to take the road, to the cross and beyond.

Jaymie Stuart Wolfe is a wife and mother of eight children, and a disciple of the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. She is an inspirational author, speaker, musician and serves as an Associate Children's Editor at Pauline Books and Media.