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 Evangelization Lite-by Rich Bedard The very thought of going door to door in order to evangelize, strikes a note of anxiety, if not downright apprehension in most Catholics. The fact of the matter is that there is a myriad of other opportunities and methods to evangelize which are equally, if not more effective. Many of our Protestant brethren have refined evangelization, almost to the point of being an art form. We Catholics have the advantage over these denominations. All they have is the bible and in some cases baptism to stand on. We have the bible, Apostolic Succession, not only 2000 years of history from Christ until now, but the approximate 5,000 year Old Testament faith history which we share with our Jewish brothers as well. And most importantly we have the Mass; we have the seven sacraments instituted by Christ Himself. Yes, every time we receive the Eucharist, we receive Christ Himself! We have it all, everything outlined above and more. And this being so, we are led to ask ourselves: Why are our Protestant brethren able to maintain full churches Sunday after Sunday? Here is one big secret: In many cases, they are simply better at evangelizing. They often try harder. They have honed their skills. No new person goes to their church services without someone making note of it and that person made to feel completely welcome. They make it a point to know when someone is in the hospital, has a new baby, or is home sick for awhile, or when someone leaves the congregation. If a member is absent, they either pick up the phone and make a call or visit in person, offering all manner of help, prayers and support. In these and many other ways, they practice what all Christians are called to do, and that is to live and worship as a true Community of Believers. By virtue of our baptism into the Mystical Body of Christ, each of us is called to "Go forth and make disciples of all nations." Evangelization must become an integral part of our personal and parish life. Individually we need to identify areas in our lives where we can evangelize. Collectively as a parish we need to identify what opportunities exist to evangelize and create new ones. In both cases we need to seize these opportunities and act upon them. Why do we evangelize? Is it to win souls? No, it's not about score keeping. Is it to convert someone? Again no, only the Holy Spirit can convert someone. It is all about spreading the Good News as Christ commanded the Apostles. It's all about the missionary aspect of our faith. Who do we want to evangelize? The answers should be obvious. Non Christians, our Christian brethren, marginal Catholics, and those who no longer come to Church. And lastly, 'anyone who does not have a good relationship with God.' How do we evangelize? When religion comes up in conversation, is a good debate in order? Very often debates turn to arguments with both parties walking away with deeper convictions of what they already believe. Arguments do not serve God's purpose. Very often the average lay person is ill prepared to discuss knowledgeably about the many differences facing us and our Christian brethren for example. So how do we evangelize as individuals? Most often by example. By how we care for others around us, our friends, our neighbors and co-workers, by how we perform our duties at work, by how we conduct ourselves. You can fill in the rest. Simply put, let everyone whom you interact with in your life know that you love them. Show that you love them in countless ways. When we look at our appointment books to schedule a get-together with a friend and find that we have a prayer meeting that night, here is the opportunity to invite that person to join you. If we are in a small parish, do we greet anyone whom we have not met before, who might just have joined the parish, or is visiting? Why not invite a parishioner who does not come to mass often, to go to a parish picnic or some other parish event with you. When a neighbor comes home from the hospital, do we bake a dish or some other easy to serve meal and bring it over, asking if there are other ways you can help, such as watching the kids for a time, or perhaps helping with housework, run errands... anything at all? These are just a few examples. You get the idea. Our personal ways to evangelize are limited only by our imagination. This is where creative help from the Holy Spirit comes in, if only we ask. What opportunities to evangelize exist in my parish? What new opportunities can we create? What opportunites to evangelize exist in each of our parish ministries? Does my parish have greeters to hand out the missalettes and parish bulletins before mass? What opportunities to evangelize exist during mass? Does Father make it a point to welcome any new parish members or visitors publicly during the mass? Does my parish have a coffee hour? Here is a good opportunity for individuals or perhaps a parish welcoming team to introduce new parish members to everyone else. Does my parish have "Re-membering" nights throughout the year? Here is an opportunity to invite both former Catholics as well as lax Catholics to sound off on problems or perhaps a bad experience they may have had with either a church member or the Church itself. It's also an opportunity for the parish to mend fences and answer questions, perhaps dispell a misgiving, a false impression or belief someone may have. New ideas can be as simple as taking a look at the rectory office and asking ourselves if it looks cold and institutional or if the room gives off a feeling of welcome, warmth and friendliness. The possibilities are endless. What is successful evangelization? Evangelization is successful: -when someone winds up going to Jesus. -when families reconcile -when the broken and marginalized in our midst are made whole again. -when we make it possible for others to enter into a relationship with Jesus in the same way that Jesus knows the Father. Where can I learn more? Here are two excellent resource books for both, individuals and parishes: "Go and Make Disciples - Commentary and Planning Guide" For personal, parish and Diocesan planning by Frank DeSiano, CSP and Kenneth Boyack, CSP published by:Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association "Lay Ministers, Lay Disciples" by Susan Blum Gerding, Ed.D. and Frank DeSiano, CSP published by Paulist Press One final note I recently heard a true story. The story is of a man who was in the RCIA program at his parish. The gentleman's wife recently came down with a serious illness. The man was devastated. He did not know how to deal with it. At at least two RCIA classes, the man talked about this and broke down and cried over it. He stopped coming to classes. After several months went by, it was found out that the only reason that this man was able to come to the classes was because two Evangelical Christian neighbors had been taking care of his wife for him so that he could go to the RCIA classes! Rich �copyright 2001 Richard Bedard. All rights reserved
Disappointment "Congratulations Mr. Smith," said the psychiatrist. "I think we have finally and completely cured you of your delusion." "Thanks...I guess." Answered Mr. Smith glumly. "But what's wrong?" asked the psychiatrist. "Why do you sound so depressed?" "Wouldn't you be down if one day you're Pope and the next you're a nobody?" submitted by: Jackie Galloway One Way A minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he talked with the organist to see what kind of inspirational music she could play after the announcement about the finances to get the congregation in a giving mood. "Don't worry," she said. "I'll think of something." During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up." Just at that moment, the organist started playing, "The Star Spangled Banner." submitted by: Jackie Galloway Seeking a Publishing Contract Moses and his flock arrive at the sea, with the Egyptians in hot pursuit. Moses calls a staff meeting. Moses: Well, how are we going to get across the sea? We need a fast solution. The Egyptians are close behind us. The General of the Armies: Normally, I'd recommend that we build a pontoon bridge to carry us across. But there's not enough time - the Egyptians are too close. The Admiral of the Navy: Normally, I'd recommend that we build barges to carry us across. But time is too short. Moses: Does anyone have a solution? Just then, his Public Relations man raises his hand. Moses: You! You have a solution? The PR Man: No, but I can promise you this: If you can find a way out of this one, I can get you two or three pages in the Old Testament. submitted by: Jackie Galloway Postage A woman went to the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. "What denomination?" Asked the clerk. "Oh, good heavens! Have we come to this?" said the woman. "Well, give me 50 Protestant and 50 Catholic ones." submitted by: Jackie Galloway |
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