Go make Disciples

We have now spent two days with Fr. Frank DeSiano, CSP, from Washington, DC, discussing the very necessary topic of Evangelization. Today as we try to do ministry, keep the parish afloat, solve crisises, its a real need for all of us. Plus I get to see a lot of guys I usually do not see.

These last few years I have been trying to push Stewardship at St. Mary's sadly many still equate this with money getting. The bishop's document, Stewardship: A Disciples Response, is an excellant outline. The text reiterates for us the importance to receive God's gift joyfully, to share and cultivate those gifts, and to return them with increase. Stewardship has to be a lifestyle. Moreover it demands conversion and discipleship. The ideal reminds individuals that collectively we are the Body of Christ. So a stewarship parish lives in a particular manner. The document mentions Dorothy Day in her observation that the Church needs to meet the people in the street and soup kitchens.

With all of this said, the beginning and the end of this is Evangelization. The Church and those who minister in it are called to share the Good News, which is the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We had talked about this in another conference, but our post-modern society is very much centered on the individual, and the individuals needs. To be sure it is not simply a matter of showing someone that they need heaven, but really how their life makes connections with the life of others. Why are relations important? Why is a relation with God, and his Church important?

People are seeking friendships on social networks and try to meet via computer services. But our societies attention span is so limited. That is the context the church is working in.

I keep reminding our staff, Catechesis, Evangelization, and Stewardship. These are the big three areas our parish needs to concentrate on. But really they are areas that our ministry should probably center on. The evangelizing needs to be soft and inviting, but should have something substantial as well.

I will be back. Take care.