Belong More Deeply diocese of rockville centre celebrating the year of the faith Assisting parishes to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ
Did You Know? Documents Evangelization in the Modern World (Pope Paul VI, 1975) Evangelization is the central mission of the Church. (#14) It is the mission of all baptized Catholics. (#59) Go and Make Disciples (U.S. Bishops, 1992) Catholic Evangelization means bringing people to worship, community and service. (#25) Every Catholic can be a minister of welcome and reconciliation to those who have stopped practicing the faith. (#40) People will know they are invited to experience Jesus in our Church if they are effectively asked and adequate provisions are made for this full participation. (#54) Vatican http://www.annusfidei.va/content/novaevangelizatio/en.html Vatican II Documents http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.html Catechism of the Catholic Church http://old.usccb.org/catechism/text/ Porta Fidei http://www. vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ motu-proprio_20111011_porta-fidei.en.html Ecclesia de Eucharistia Eucharist and the Church http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_ enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/resources-for-the-eucharist/instructionredemptionis-sacramentum.cfm Verbum Domini on the Word of God http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_benxvi_exh_20100930_verbum-domini_en.html Sacramentum Caritatis on the Eucharist http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_benxvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis_en.html The Disciples Called to Witness http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/disciplescalled-to-witness/index.cfm Go and Make Disciples http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/evangelization/go-and-makedisciples 2
Statistics 69 million Catholics are in the United States. (24% of the population) 21 million are inactive Catholics in the United States. (Gallup, 2001) 98 million (47%) of American adults are unchurched. (Gallup, 2001) Of Catholics born between 1946 and 1961, 33% remained loyal to the Church, 67% dropped out. Of the 67% who dropped out, 25% have returned to the church. (A Generation of Seekers: The Spiritual Journey of the Baby Boom Generation Pg. 176, Wade Clark Roof) 40% of alienated Catholics said they would consider coming back to the Church if they felt the Church wanted them. 42% of all Catholics drop out during some time in their lives. Why People Stay The Catholic Church offers a beacon of light that gives meaning to our existence and leads to eternal life if we persevere. The Catholic Church offers BOTH religious and mystical experiences that feed the heart, the mind, the body and the soul AS WELL AS an array of active lay ministries that interface and interact with the secular world in order to make it a holier world to live in. The Catholic Church provides opportunity and aide in forgiving others and ourselves. There are people in the Church who can assist in the process of spiritual healing and help you get on with your life. Catholicism has the fullness of truth and grace. People remain because we want a solid foundation upon which our children can build their lives. The Catholic Church offers opportunities to touch the lives of people at home or around the world. Many people remain in the Catholic Church because they feel an intense longing for the Eucharist. catholicscomehome.org Why People Leave (Dean R. Hoge) Family Tension: when old people tend to move away from family and church Weary: people become bored by the Church Lifestyle: people who either do not follow Church Laws or have busy schedules Spiritual Need: such as seeking community, bible study, or dynamic preaching may not be met Anti-Change: many people objected to the changes after the Vatican II council Could You Ever Come Back to the Catholic Church pp. 7-9 (Lorene Hanley Duquin) Why People Return (Dean R. Hoge) Marriage-Life: some are influenced by spouses or concern for their marriages Family-Life: a parent s concern for their children s religious upbringing Guilt-Feelings: people feel nostalgic for the religion of their youth Seeker: searching for answers to questions while dealing with life issues Could You Ever Come Back to the Catholic Church pp. 175-178 (Lorene Hanley Duquin) 3
Belong More Deeply In the Year of Faith Effective outreach will only happen with the support of the entire parish community. The Parishioners need to be recognized, supported and empowered to reach out effectively. The Holy See offered suggestions on how to bring people back to the faith and to belong more deeply. The Five steps below are how we at the diocese expect to do just that. 1. Diocesan wide prayer and invitation initiative a. With the commencement of the Year of Faith the parishes of the diocese will invite the faithful to participate in a prayer and invitation initiative which will begin the weekend of October 13th and 14th. On that weekend Parishes/ Pastors commence the Year of Faith by inviting all parishioners to pray personally and specifically for a person or persons they would like to belong more deeply to the Church. Parishioners will be asked to write the first name(s) or pseudonym(s) of those for whom they are praying on a special card and those names will be placed together in a designated area in the Church. A petition for these individuals is to be included in the Sunday General Intercessions that week and subsequent weeks. b. During the Advent Season it is the hope that those who have been prayed for will be invited to the life of the Church through parish activities, catechetical and welcoming programs, hospitality and the Eucharist itself. Prayer and invitation is not intend to single out or draw attention to those who have been prayed for or have accepted invitations, but rather an opportunity for the parish to be a place of welcome. During the season of Advent all will be invited to belong more deeply to the life of the Church. (see page 5 for example) 2. Renewal, Catechetical and Outreach Programs offered in Parishes/Deaneries a. Either during the months of prayer or coinciding with the Advent invitation period, parishes and or deaneries to offer programs that will facilitate an opportunity for the invited, and others, to learn, participate and belong to Christ and the Church. b. BMD committee offers the attached suggestions see pages 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13. 4
Year of Faith Intercessions Samples of prayers suggested by USCCB to be used as a part of Universal Prayers during liturgical celebrations For the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and for all bishops, that God will give them the grace and wisdom to touch the lives and hearts of many during this Year of Faith. For the Church throughout the world, that this Year of Faith may be a time of spiritual renewal and personal encounter with Christ for people everyhwere. For the sick and the suffering, that this Year of Faith may be a time for them to experience Christ even in the midst of their illnesses and needs. May this year of Faith be a time to renew our love for Christ and the Church and to enter into a deeper devotion to the Virgin Mary May our deepening of faith during this Year of Faith help us to long for justice and peace in the world. Through reading and studying the Catecheism of the Catholic Church and the documents of the Second Vatican Council, may all Catholics come to know and love the doctrines of teh faith and grow in a desire to share the saving truths of Jesus Christ in our homes, places of work and community. May this year of Faith fill our parish community with an outpouring of Virtue. May God the Father watch over and bless all families during the Year of Faith, that it may be a time for families to grow closer to one another and to Christ. May the year of Faith be an opportunity for Catholics to renew their baptismal vocation and grow in zeal to share the gospel with others. As the year of the Faith begins may it be a time of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all parents, catechists, clergy and lay faithful who share the gift of the faith with others. May the Year of Faith enrich us with a greater love for God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in Such a way that others ask God the reason for our hope. May the Year of Faith be a time for all Catholics to renew their desire and zeal for the Eucharist and to avail themselves regularly of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance. During this Year of Faith, may all Catholics publically proclaim their love for Christ and his Church. May this Year of Faith remind us of ways to serve those in our midst who are overlooked, ignored or rejected, so that all may experience the peace and healing of Christ s love. May the Holy Spirit guide the Church during the Year of Faith so that all Catholics may experience a deepended renewal of faith, hope and love. May young people be inspired by this Year of Faith to listen attentively and respond to God s call to priesthood and religious life. May the faithful grow in understanding and love of the calls to marriage and the single life, realizing the vital role these vocations play in the work. 5
3. Development and Publication of Parish and Diocesan Events Calendar Central location for reference of events that are occurring throughout the diocese that are opportunities to belong more deeply to the Church and foster opportunities to be engaged in the Year of Faith 4. Public Square Recognize and encourage public policy, Christian service, religious freedom, and social justice opportunities as a way in which all can belong more deeply to the church through the living and practicing of Catholic Social teaching 5. Implementation of the Holy See s suggestions for the Year of Faith on a Diocesan level a. It is hoped that each particular Church would have a celebration of the opening of the Year of Faith and a solemn conclusion to it. St. Agnes Medal presentation to celebrate the opening The annual Catechetical Service Awards to be held in October of 2013, will serve as the solemn conclusion to the Year of Faith. b. It would be desirable that each Diocese in the world organize a study day on the Catechism of the Catholic Church A catechetical congress is scheduled for September 14, 2013 The Following Checklist will Help Prepare Parishioners to Reach Out ;; Remind Parishioners of Their Role as Evangelizers: All of us know someone who is away from the Church We need to help one another in reaching out On this Sunday of advent we have a number of visitors at our parish services. Some of them are inactive Catholics. Let us use our gift of hospitality to reach out and make our brothers and sisters feel welcomed. Make these holy days special days for someone else. 6
Ask the Parishioners to consider this situation. My daughter is away from the Church. She calls me and says: I know you will be surprised but I have decided to consider going back to Church. I have checked the local parish and found out the times for Masses on Christmas. What do I hope she will find at that liturgy which will encourage her to return to the parish the following Sunday? Now encourage them to begin praying for all those who will be visiting the parish so that they will find in our community, a place to call home. ;; Involve the Parishioners On postcards have information for Advent Christmas Season. Encourage every parishioner to take the postcards and distribute to family, friends and neighbors. Encourage the parishioners to accompany someone to the liturgy or parish event. (Do not just invite someone, accompany them.) Invite parishioners to sit in the middle of pew. It says to others: Come and celebrate with me. Practice with the parishioners how to act when they see a new face around them: Introduce yourself, welcome the person to the parish, introduce the person to the celebration and your friends, point out some points of interest in the bulletin, encourage the person to return and invite them to sit in your pew. 7
Outreach Programs for Assisting Inactive Catholics Return to the Active Practice of the Catholic Faith What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? Luke 15:4 Awakening Faith: Reconnecting with Your Catholic Faith Awakening Faith is a small group process that helps inactive Catholics return to the Church. It is a six-week series of meetings which includes conversation and socializing. The conversations are based on short, easy to read essays about Spirituality, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, God s Mercy, the Mass, and the Church. The meetings foster reflection, prayer, and sharing in a setting of hospitatlity and acceptance. The process is simple and inviting. For more information visit their website, www.awakeningfaith.org Catholics Returning Home: A Ministry of Compassion and Reconciliation Catholics Returning Home is an RCIA-like process for reaching out and inviting inactive Catholics to return home to the Church and resume an active practice of their faith. It is conducted in a nonjudgmental support-group format. Anonymous program activities point out shared experiences and help participants to view old issues in a new light. A sequence of topics on the basics of Catholicicsm is covered during the six-week series so that attendees are updated. The process is both formational and informational. This ministry is a lay-driven process that works best ina team environment. Clergy involvement, while not necessary, is encouraged. Minimal resources are necessary. For more information visit their website, www.catholicsreturninghome.org E-mail Sally Mews at ssmews@msn.com, or call 847-855-0629. Inviting Catholics Home: A Parish Program, By Sally Mews is a resource for this program. 8
Catholics Reaching Out: Inviting Inactive Catholics to Return to the Church Catholics Reaching Out, developed by Paulist Evangelization Ministries is an effective form of invitation. This resource enables parishioners to participate in this evangelizing outreach without feeling afraid or uncomfortable. It provides the tools that parishes need to empower parishioners to invite and welcome inactive Cathoilcs. The Catholics Reaching out Parish Starter Kit includes We Miss You invitations, Parishioner Guides, the Parish Manual, and the Catholics Reaching Out Display Poster. For more information visit their website, www.pemdc.org/programs/reachingout.aspx Landings: A Paulist National Ministry to Returning Catholics Landings, a Paulist program designed to welcome those who wish to investigate returning to the Catholic Church is a lay-run program which requires minimal involvement of professional staff and clergy. Landings evangelizes active Catholics who help welcome back inactive Catholics. It is a 10 week Paulist process that focuses on creating a landing place for particpants to discuss their Catholic faith with other Catholics. The atmosphere is one of compassionate listening, patient acceptance, understanding, and welcome. For more information visit their website, www.paulist.org/landings/ E-mail Anna LaNave, Director of Landings International, at landingsdc@yahoo.com, or call 202-269-2550. Re-Membering Church: A National Ministry of North American Forum on the Catechumenate, Washington, DC The Re-Membering Church program welcomes inactive Catholics back to a full active faith life within the Church. It is a conversion process of reconciliation that finds its inspiration in christian initiation and resembles it in many ways. It takes the form of a small catechumenal-like community with a team of ministers, lay and clergy, who journey with those returning to the Church. It is a program for those who have attended Catholics Returning Home, those seeking a deeper knowledge and experience of their faith, and for active Catholics looking for a better understanding and appreciation of their faith. Weekly meetings take place during lent. Various topics are discussed with emphasis on the lenten experience and Reconciliation. The program includes an evangelizing period before the program begins. For more information call the North American Forum at 202-884-9758 Re-Membering: The Ministry of Welcoming Alienated and Inactive Catholics, by Sarah Harmony is a resource for this program. 9
Ambassador of Christ: Building Ronciling Communities The North American Forum on the Catechumenate This two-day Institute will assis parishes in extending Christ s Ministry of Reconciliation by reflecting on the Vision and process of Conversion and reconciliation and exploring an understanding of a reconciling community rooted in initiation. See the N.A. Forum s Calendar for locations - www.naforum.org/wordpress/ We Miss You We Miss You, a program developed by the Omaha Archdiocesan Commission. Evangelization combines the faith journey of the RCIA process with a modern media campaign of invitation. We Miss You: An Outreach Program for Inactive Catholics, by Gary Petri, Nancy Koley, and Sr. Marian Klostermann, OSF documents this program Additional Resources Books: Catholics Can Come Home Again: A Guide for the Journey of Reconciliation with Inactive Catholics, Kemp, Carrie (Paulist) Catholics Coming Home: A Journey of Reconciliation: A Handbook for Churches Reaching Out to Inactive Catholics, Kemp, Carrie and Pologruto, Donald (Harper) How to Reach Out to Inactive Catholics, McKee, Rev. William, CSSR. Liguori Publications, 1982. www.liguori.org. Inviting Catholics Home: A Parish Program, Mews, Sally L. This book outlines the Catholics Returning Home, six-week support program that is aimed at helping Catholics return to the Church and gives insight into why people leave the Church and why they return. www.liguori.org Reaching Out: A Manual for Evangelizing Inactive Catholics, Archdiocese of Louisville. This resource packet is designed to assist parish communities in surfacing, inviting, and nurturing inactive Catholics to explore a return to Church. It includes a guide for the preparation of parish teams, facilitator training information, suggested processes for integration of returned parishioners, a bibliography, and an agency assistance sheet. To order this resource, call 502-636-0296 or e-mail jcunningham@archlou.org Reaching Out to Inactive Catholics, McKee, Rev. William, CSSR. Liguori Publications, 1980. www.liguori.org 10
Re-Membering: The Ministry of Welcoming Alienated and Inactive Catholics, Harmony, Sarah. This book is the main resource for the Re-Membering Program through the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. To order this book visit www.amazon. com. We Miss You: An Outreach Program for Inactive Catholics, Petri, Gary, Koley, Nancy, and Kostermann, Sr. Marian, OSF. To order this book, visit www.amazon.com. When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, LaNave, Anna and Rigney, Melanie. The Authors, who wer both away from the Church for part of their lives, invite parish leaders and adult faith formation and religious education ministers to reach out to the inactive Catholics in their midst. They offer practical, how-to advice on building parish programs that will attract inactive Catholics and keep them engaged once they ve returned. They honor existing programs such as Landings and Coming Home, but also offer ways to adapt and personalize these programs. The authors provide parish leaders with the basics for setting upa parish program to assist inactive Catholics, but they also emphasize the importance of being authentic shepherds for Christ, gathering up and feeding his sheep. While You Were Gone: A Handbook for Returning Catholics, and Those Thinking About It, Bausch, William J. This book identifies the key questions and concerns of Catholics returning to the Church after an absence. Websites: www.catholicscomehome.org - a website for returning Catholics with resources to assist in discovering or rediscovering the Catholic Faith. A few of the sections found on this website... Top 10 Reasons to Come Back, Frequently Asked Questions About Catholic Teachings, How Do I Come Home? www.oncecatholic.org OnceCatholic.org Ministry Team, St. Anthony Messenger Press - a website to assist inactive Catholics to reconnect to the Church through moderated discussions. Eight chat rooms offers a cyber but personal connection with a companion, a pastoral minister in the Church. The eight areas are: marriage issues, not being fed spiritually, just drifted away, quarrel with a Church representative, feeling excluded from the Church, abortion and or post-abortion issues, difficulty with a Church teaching and a general area where those not represented above can add their own story or issue. To make contact with a trained pastoral minister regarding questions or concerns about the Catholic Church, select Front Door at the top of main page and follow the links to Conversation Corner. 11
Welcoming Home Programs Awakening Faith www.awakeningfaith.org Catholics Reaching Out www.pemdc.org Program Affiliation # of Sessions Materials/Cost Additional Information Catholics Returning Home www.catholicsreturninghome.org Landings www.paulist.org/landings/ Paulist Evangelization Ministries Paulist Evangelization Ministries Developed by Sally Mews with Fr. William McKee, Redeptorist Missionary Paulist National Ministry 6 1½ hr. sessions with additional 4 sessions (optional) 6 1½ hr. sessions 8-10 1½ /2 hr. sessions Leader s Guide/$15.95 Participant Book/$9.95 Parish Preview Pk./ $59.95 DVD/$40.00 Starter Kit/$39.95 We Miss You invitations/$25.00 pk. 50 Parishioner Guide/ $21.00 Parish Manual/$5.00 Display Poster/$5.00 Book/Parish Guide Inviting Catholics Home: A Parish Program, by Sally Mews (Liguori Pub.) /$14.95 DVD (purchase through Lighthouse Printing)/$40.00 Starter Kit/$375.00 includes: 10 participant journals, Session Titles: 1. Spirituality: What s the Buzz? 2. Who s Jesus? 3. Do we need the Spirit? 4. Can I accept God s mercy? 5. Can the Mass make my life meaningful? 6. The Church and me. Hospitality is a part of the program. Session Titles: 1. Welcome/Overview of Series/Faith sharing 2. DVD/Faith sharing 3. The Church Today, Q & A 4. Explanation of the Mass 5. Explanation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation 6. Creed: What Catholics Believe Modeled after the RCIA Hospitality optional Faith sharing, storytelling, and dialogue Offers Training Workshop Program concludes with a celebration. 12
Re-Membering Church 202-884-9758 A National Ministry of North American Forum on the Catechumenate, Washington, DC We Miss You Omaha Archdiocesan Commission Weekly meetings take place during Lent. coordinator kit, Leaders Team Training Guide, Training DVD, Book/Guide When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, by Anna LaNave, Melanie Ridney ($8.95), Prayer Book Items can be purchased separately or as a kit. Book Re-Membering: The Ministry of Welcoming Alienated and Inactive Catholics by Sarah Harmony/$12.95 Book We Miss You: An Outreach Program for Inactive Catholics, by Gary Petri, Nancy Koley, Sr. Marian Klostermann, OSF/ $55.95 A conversion process of Reconciliation inspired by Christian Initiation For both inactive and active Catholics Emphasis placed on the Lenten experience and reconciliation. Combines the faith journey of the RCIA process with a modern media campaign of invitation 13
Sundays of Advent Witness Speaker for Advent: (see example on next page) Why have a witness speaker? During Advent there are many people who come to Church who would be considered inactive Catholics. It would be a powerful sign if someone spoke during the service about their own journey of faith. Perhaps someone who had been away from the Church and has now returned. Their three minute witness might encourage a Catholic who has stopped attending mass regularly to begin once again this Advent season. Time: Only Three minutes. Check with celebrant for the appropriate time before or at the conclusion of the Liturgy. Keys to Success: Emphasize that it is a WITNESS talk not a sermon. Speak from the I perspective. Practice in front of others for constructive criticism, to time the witness talk (no more than 3 minutes) and to practice on the microphone. Do not read the witness talk but have eye contact. At the end of the talk challenge the listeners to spiritually grow during Advent through Mass attendance, parish events, more personal prayer time, etc. End of Mass Announcement As you leave today s liturgy we have materials and gifts for all of you as a way to continue reflecting on this mass. If you are a guest, we invite you to take them as well. Belong More Deeply Gifts and Materials for Guests: Religious Bookmark Stickers, Buttons, Pens Car Window Decal Wrist Band Pamphlets. 14
Suggested Witness Talk (Adapted by a Parishioner) Hello, my name is. Doesn t Advent come around fast? We have barely finished Thanksgiving and already advent is upon us. The Advent Christmas Season is always a wake-up call for me. You see Personal Witness I left the Church struggled with personal issues just drifted away lost track of my values etc. (Give one personal experience that may speak to the hearts of the community. Emphasize the importance of the Mass in getting through the crisis.) Yet, regardless of how far I moved from the Church, there was something within me that wanted me to come back and begin again. I am grateful for the season of Advent and I am grateful for the weekly gift of the Mass. My prayer for myself and for you is that we enter into this holy season with a desire to change our hearts and be open to God s love. Let us allow this liturgy and all of our Advent services to strengthen and guide us in our relationships, our homes, and our week. 15