Weekly THIS AND THAT for June 13, 2010: Catholic Evangelization

This and That:
Catholic Evangelization


The document “Go and Make Disciples” is a national plan and strategy for Catholic evangelization in the U. S., written by our national council of Catholic bishops. The bishops note that the simplest way to say what evangelization means is to follow Pope Paul, who wrote in the encyclical “On evangelization in the Modern World,” that “evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.” Too, the bishops write that evangelization must always be directly connected to the Lord, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, there is no evangelization without conversion. Conversion is the change in our lives that comes about through the power of the Holy Spirit. All who accept the Gospel undergo change as we continually put on the mind of Christ by rejecting sin and becoming more faithful disciples in His Church. Unless we undergo conversion, we have not truly accepted the Gospel. So, conversion is crucial: we must be converted – and we must continue to be converted.

But faith is not something that only happens to each of us individually. The Gospel also speaks to society itself, with its values, goals, and systems. The Gospel must overflow from each heart until the presence of God transforms all human existence. The fruit of evangelization, then, is changed lives and a changed world – holiness, spiritually, and peace.

The Bishops speak of three goals of evangelization:

1. To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.

2. To invite all people to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith.

3. To foster Gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of family, and the common good of out society.

This fall at Our Lady of Grace, we will implement goal one in two ways. On the Tuesday mornings of October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th at 9:30am, we will do an adult bible study on the Psalms, Jesus’ prayer book. Secondly, we will look at the role and significance of the sacraments in our daily lives on the Sunday mornings of September 26th and October 3rd, and on Thursday night, October 7th. We will ask the parents of ALL sacrament candidates in 2010-11, to come to one of these sessions, but, most certainly, these sessions are open to ALL adult parishioners.

We will implement goal two in three ways this fall. One, we will continue to offer the RCIA for all non- Catholics who wish to become Catholic, and for all Catholic adults who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation, or both. Too, we will offer the “Welcome Back” ministry for all Catholics currently inactive in the practice of the faith, but seek help in returning to an active practice. Please send me the names and addresses of your loved ones and friends to whom you would like me to send a kind note of invitation to this program, which will be held on the Tuesdays of September 14th, 21st and 28th at 7:00pm.

Goal two will also be addressed through the St. Monica Ministry. This ministry is intended to facilitate the healing of parents whose loved ones are no longer active in the practice of the faith. This ministry will be held on the Mondays of September 13th, 20th and 27th at 7:00pm.

We will look to help transform society through the power of the sacraments and gospel by inviting parishioners from other parishes to join with us for any of our faith enrichment opportunities.

Please do not forget to get me the names and addresses of those to whom you’d like me to send a personal letter of invitation to Welcome Back.

God bless,
Dr. Jack Buchner