Opportunities for Evangelization

Approaches to Evangeliza on 2011 Clergy Conference ì Opportunities for Evangelization Evangelization, then, has different implications depending on our relationship to Jesus and his Church. ì For those of us who practice and live our Catholic faith, it is a call to ongoing growth and renewed conversion. ì For those who have accepted it only in name, it is a call to re- evangelization. ì For those who have stopped practicing their faith, it is a call to reconciliation. 1

Opportunities for Evangelization ì For children, it is a call to be formed into disciples through the family's faith life and religious education. ì For other Christians, it is an invitation to know the fullness of our message. ì For those who have no faith, it is a call to conversion to know Christ Jesus and thus experience a change to new life with Christ and his Church. (Go and Make Disciples, U.S. Catholic Bishops) Four- Scenario Faith Formation & Evangelization Scenario 4 Uncommi ed & Par cipa ng Scenario 1 Vibrant Faith & Ac ve Engagement Scenario 3 Unaffiliated & Uninterested Scenario 2 Spiritual but Not Religious 2

Opportunities for Evangelization 1. Through Faith Forma on: ì Whole Community & Intergenera onal Faith Forma on ì Family Faith Forma on 2. Through Sacraments, Milestones, & Rites of Passage 3. Through Sunday Worship 4. Through the Use of Digital & Web 2.0 Technologies 5. Through Targeted Ini a ves ì Evangeliza on with the Spiritual but Not Religious & the Unaffiliated and Uninterested ì Evangeliza on with the Par cipa ng Occasionally but Not Spiritually Commi ed ì Empowering People of Vibrant Faith to Share their Faith with Others Presentations 1. Intergenera onal/whole Community Evangeliza on & Faith Forma on Parish Presenta on: Sacred Heart, Southbury Parish Presenta on: St. Mark, West Har ord 2. Family Evangeliza on & Faith Forma on Parish Presenta on: Assump on, Woodbridge 3. Evangeliza on & Faith Forma on with Hispanic Communi es Parish Presenta on: St. Rose, Meriden 4. Evangeliza on & Faith Forma on using Web Technologies Parish Presenta on: St. Peter Claver, West Har ord 3

Think in the Four- Scenarios Scenario 4 Uncommi ed & Par cipa ng Scenario 1 Vibrant Faith & Ac ve Engagement Scenario 3 Unaffiliated & Uninterested Scenario 2 Spiritual but Not Religious Empowering the Community to Share their Faith 4

Evangelization is The heart of evangelism is having an alive relationship with God, being part of a church you love, and caring that people outside the church ind what you ve discovered. (Martha Grace Reese) Empowering the Community to Share their Faith ì Step One. Church Leader s Study: Unbinding the Gospel ì Step Two: All- Church Satura on Study: Unbinding Your Heart: 40 Days of Prayer & Faith Sharing. 1. six- week, small group program 2. pray each day s scripture and prayer exercise and work with a prayer partner 3. study a chapter of the book with their small group 4. worship with sermons, music, and prayers centered on the week s chapter 5

Empowering the Community to Share their Faith ì Step Three: An Experiment in Prayer and Community: Unbinding Your Soul. 1. a no- obliga on experience of substan al spiritual discussion, prayer and community for people who aren t connected with a church 2. each church member invites 1 friend/family member into a four- week small group experience with short study chapters, an individual prayer journal, prayer partner ac vi es, and group exercises 3. each church members invites their friend/family member to par cipate in church life (Sunday worship, programs, etc.) Evangelization & Sunday Worship 6

Extend Worship into Everyday Life Share It Blog/Forum A er Mass In Programs Family Conversa on Ac vity Live It Living the Message Daily Living Chris an Prac ces Service Ideas for the Week Sunday Worship Study It Taking Faith Home Insert Homily Video + Study Guide Daily Readings Scripture Commentaries Online Bible Study Pray It Weekly Table Prayer Praying with the Saints AM & PM Prayer Extend Worship into Everyday Life Everyday Life Sunday Worship 7

Creating Pathways for Spiritual Growth Christianity 101 8

Christianity 101 Introduc on Dinner: Is there more to life than this? 1. Week 1: Who is Jesus? 2. Week 2: Why did Jesus die? 3. Week 3: How can we have faith? 4. Week 4: Why and how do I pray? 5. Week 5: Why and how should I read the Bible? 6. Week 6: How does God guide us? 7. Week 7: How can I resist evil? 8. Week 8: Why & how should we tell others? 9. Week 9: Does God heal today? 10. Week 10: What about the Church? 11. Weekend: Who is the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy Spirit do? How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? How can I make the most of the rest of my life? Catholicism 101 Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Parish ì Mini- Retreat 101: Catholics Alive! What does it mean to be a follower of Christ? ì Mini- Retreat 201: Alive and Growing Spiritually! maturing in the Catholic faith ì Mini- Retreat 301: Alive and Gi ed! discerning how to serve God in ministry ì Mini- Retreat 401: Alive in the World! living as witnesses for Christ, as contagious Catholic Chris ans ì Mini- Retreat 501: Alive to Praise God! Catholic worship and the sacraments 9

Catholicism 101 Paulist Evangeliza on Ministries 1. Spirituality: What s the Buzz? 2. Who is Jesus? 3. Do We Need the Spirit? 4. Can I Accept God s Mercy? 5. Can Mass Make My Life Meaningful? 6. The Church and Me Catholicism 101 10

Sacraments Baptism Process Faith Forma on with Parents before Bap sm Prepara on for and Celebra on of Bap sm Faith Forma on A er Celebra on of Bap sm 11

Families in the First Decade of Life Mentors Faith Prac ces @ Home Prayer, Rituals, Bible, Family Conversa on, Service Bap sm Parent Faith Forma on & Paren ng Skills Milestones Workshops Courses Online Resources Support Groups Bap sm Anniversary, First Prayers, Start of School Family Learning Programs Church Gatherings Small Groups Workshops Parent/Family Online Resource Center 12

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Family Faith Formation Apps 17

Eucharist Process Early Childhood Faith Forma on Prepara on for & Celebra on of Eucharist - Home & Parish - Parent Faith Forma on Faith Forma on a er Sacramental Celebra ons Marriage Process Faith Forma on Before Marriage Prepara on for and Celebra on of Marriage Faith Forma on A er Celebra on of Marriage 18

Newly Married Couples Mentors Faith Prac ces Prayer, Rituals, Bible Reading, Service, Faith Conversa ons Marriage Con nuing Forma on Married Life Tasks & Issues Theology, Scripture, Spirituality Courses, Workshops, Online Resources Support Groups Quarterly Couple Gatherings 19

For Your Marriage 20

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Example: Young Adult Faith Formation Cross- genera onal Experiences (worship, service, mentoring) Alpha Course Social Network & Blog Small Group Studies Young Adult Faith Forma on Weekly Gathering & Worship Life Issues Workshops & Online Resources Prayer & Spiritual Prac ces (online, small groups, retreats) Third Place Café Online Audio & Video Programs Online Courses Jus ce & Service Projects (local and global) 23

Example: Adult Faith Formation Faith in Art Tours Online Courses Audio & Video Programs Extended Learning Programs Life Tasks & Issues Adult Faith Formation Books & Book Clubs Life Transitions Small Group Studies Justice & Service Prayer & Spiritual Practices 24

itunes U Online Courses 25

American Bible Society 26

Sunday Connec on Loyola Press 27

YouVersion Bible App Bible Study, Small Groups 28

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Service & Mission Ø Local and global Ø Developmental with increasing depth and scope: 1. introduc on: several hours to a full day 2. short term: mul - day and local 3. weeklong and na onal mission trips 4. global expedi on of one or more weeks 31

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