Evangelization
The following are notes taken by Jay Staley at the Archdiocese of St. Louis Pastoral Assembly held October 30, 2010 at the Cardinal Rigali Center.
“Vision of Evangelization”
Archbishop Robert Carlson
120 parishes represented
· Ideas from Archdiocesan Pastoral Council
· Evangelization is a priority of popes for the parishes
Focusing on evangelization:
Protestants – 39%
Catholics- 9%
Why is it important?
· Fundamental activity of Jesus Christ
· Sharing the good news by word and by example
· Necessary for vitality of Church
· “the Great Commission” – ordered to by Gospels
We are living the “inverse of the narrow gate” – “We’re all going to heaven.”
· Feel little need for evangelization
· LG 16-17: We can’t be a disciple if we don’t evangelize
What must we do to evangelize?
· Problem: We don’t read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Sacred Scripture as we should. We cannot speak with literacy about our Faith
We need to invite un-churched people into our church.
· This is the heart of what it means to “be churched”
· This is how God wants us to live our Faith
We must witness faith, sharing hope, celebrating our Christian life in joy
· Start by advertising: “If you are mad at the Catholic Church, call 965-0709)
· The Church only proposes, it imposes nothing
· The content of evangelization is the work of God
· Our job is “just getting our list to move”
The path is difficult, but easy with Christ’s grace
· Share Christ in our hearts – Kingdom of God is in our hearts
Who is responsible for evangelization?
· All of us are responsible
· Some of the ways to evangelize:
· Family (the “Domestic Church”)
· Must help our spouse and kids get to heaven
· Sign commitment to pray together
Living the Gospel – bring children to be baptized
· 26% of Catholic kids don’t make their first communion
· Find out why – ask parents directly – evangelize them
· Typical answer “Fr., we want them to be able to choose.”
· How we treat those who do not baptize/1st Communion for their kids
· Do we take our own faith seriously if we do not evangelize them?
Track whose kids are baptized and send follow up cards
· After Year #1 – “Hope you are still practicing your faith…
· Years following, “We have a Catholic school…” etc.
· Need to make appointments with parents
Seven Characteristics of a Vibrant Parish
Take to Parish Leadership and Parish Council
1. Strong sacramental life
· Well-celebrated in parish life
· Holy Orders are actively promoted (my home parish: 23 priests, 4 bishops)
· Must produce vocations
2. Serious commitment to prayer
· Prayer – just do this
3. Faith Formation
· Children, youth and young adults
· Youth ministry gets little or not enough money
· Provide opportunities for life long faith formation
· Faith Formation - have serious adult faith formation programs
4. Social Justice
· Outreach to the poor
· Are you tithing for the poor?
· Focus of the effort must be outward looking
5. Welcoming/Hospitality
· People made the decision to stay with your parish in the first 10 minutes of exposure
· Form a Welcoming Committee
· Send out thank you notes and asking you to come back
6. Strong Collaborative Leaders
7. Transform Lives of Parishioners and the People they Serve
Alternative to evangelizing is closing parishes
· There’s no reason to close if you can grow
· Ask non-churched “Can we take you out to church and brunch?”
· They will feel “Jesus sent you.”
Where do we evangelize?
· Here and now
· God wants us all to be involved
· We should all be open to being God’s instruments
· Evangelization: Good news of Jesus Christ
· Workplace, family, neighborhood