Christmas season presents us with new opportunities to bring “the Good News of Jesus into every human situation” (Go and Make Disciples, section. 10). Here are ten simple ways to evangelize during the holidays.
Pope Francis has a way of putting things. Back in 2013, he called on his priests to be “shepherds living with the smell of sheep.” He said, “A church that limits itself to just carrying out administrative duties, caring for its tiny flock, is a church that in the long run will get sick. The … Read more
In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, the workplace can often transform into a battlefield of stress and demands. As the pressure mounts, finding solace becomes essential. For those navigating the challenges of a hectic job, there exists a source of strength beyond the tangible—the power of prayer. In the realm of Catholic … Read more
In a world brimming with challenges and uncertainties, the quest for open doors and favorable opportunities becomes a universal pursuit. Whether you find yourself at a crossroads in your career, relationships, or spiritual journey, the power of prayer can be a guiding light. In this article, we delve into the significance of the “Prayers for … Read more
In the mosaic of faith, forgiveness is a thread that weaves through the very fabric of our existence. As Catholics, our journey toward redemption is often paved with the timeless words of Psalms—a divine symphony that resonates with the echoes of repentance and the promise of absolution. In this exploration, we delve into the profound … Read more
Evangelization has always been important for the Church, based on Jesus’ missionary mandate given to the disciples which is found in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go, therefore,- and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have … Read more
In the quiet hours of the night, when the world slows down and our thoughts become more reflective, many of us find a unique comfort in prayer. Especially for those in a marital bond, these moments can be a time to focus on our significant other, lifting them up in prayer and seeking divine guidance … Read more
Hello, dear readers! As the calendar turns to another year, it’s a beautiful time to pause and ponder. We often look ahead with aspirations and reflections, and what better way to channel these thoughts than through prayer? Regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey, a heartfelt prayer for the new year can set … Read more
The New Evangelization encourages us to forego a one-size-fits-all approach to proclaiming the Good News of salvation from sin and death by the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus. We are encouraged to consider three separate but related audiences: the unchurched, the alienated (i.e. Catholics who aren’t practicing for one reason or another) and the … Read more
In the tapestry of Catholic devotion, each day is woven with threads of spiritual significance. Wednesdays, bathed in celestial hues, beckon believers to cradle the Holy Rosary for Wednesday in their hands. As we embark on this sacred journey, let us unravel the relevance, prayers, and profound importance of the rosary on this midweek day. … Read more
Isn’t the world ready for a little more joy? It has been a year since Pope Francis shared his vision for Christian discipleship in The Joy of the Gospel. Wouldn’t it be great if this text continued to set the course for conversations about evangelization and catechesis throughout the year? A unique new website entitled “A … Read more
As the calendar turns its page, ushering in a fresh chapter of time, there’s a sacred pause for reflection and anticipation. In the tapestry of faith, Catholics find solace and purpose in the practice of offering prayers for the beginning of each month. This article embarks on a spiritual journey, exploring the relevance and significance … Read more
The Church exists to evangelize. I remember when, in 1975, Paul VI, in OnEvangelization in the Modern World, taught that “the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church” (par. 14), I was taken by surprise. I had never thought of myself as an evangelizer. I had thought of myself as a … Read more
Archangel Gabriel is the revealer of destiny. Making these prayers to Archangel Gabriel can help reveal your destiny, give you direction in life, and offer healing. He is the one who revealed to Virgin Mary that she is carrying the son of God and also appeared to Daniel to explain his visions. In times of … Read more
We’ve all seen it. “Susie, will you read the first paragraph on page 45?” Next, the catechist asks questions. One or two students respond. The rest look bored. It’s the standard classroom-model lesson plan provided by most textbook publishers and it continues to be inadequate in communicating the living reality of faith. Two things are … Read more
Recently I gave a talk for the Diocese of Springfield about an evangelizing resource produced in my Archdiocese – Indianapolis – not too long ago. The resource is known as 10 Things We Want You to Know About the Catholic Faith. We had 50,000 of them printed up earlier this year – the size of … Read more
Amidst the enchanting glow of twinkling lights and the aromatic allure of pine, Christmas beckons families to unite in a harmonious blend of joy and reflection. As we navigate this festive season, poignant prayers become the cornerstone of our celebrations. This article explores the prayers “A Radiant Christmas Blessing” and “Extending Blessings Beyond,” unveiling their … Read more
“Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” Often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, these words can be used to emphasize the importance of the silent witness, the implicit or wordless sharing of faith that Catholics can give to others by living Jesus’ love in everyday life. Church teaching affirms this aspect … Read more
Nothing characterizes the coming of the Kingdom of God more than healing. Jesus’ ministry builds upon a foundation of bringing healing to the sick, and, through exorcisms, peace to those afflicted in mind. Even John’s Gospel, which gives an entirely different approach to the story of Jesus, has the cure of the man-born-blind as one … Read more
This text was originally published on our blog on 09/08/2014. As a parish catechetical leader I am responsible for the formation of catechists. I used to focus primarily on methodology and classroom management because the catechists seemed to have the most questions in these areas. Now, however, I have a different perspective. One of the … Read more
The extended family walks into church, with the beautiful baby, all dressed in christening finery. During Mass, the baby is welcomed, anointed, baptized and celebrated with applause – and the family basks in the glow of belonging to this faith community. However, in too many instances, the newly baptized and their families seem to … Read more
One challenge faced by many evangelization teams is how do they invite those who are away from the faith to a program or process designed to reunite them with their Catholic faith? How do we reach those who are not in the pews? How do we inspire the parish community to personally invite those we … Read more
This article was originally published on our blog on 08/26/2014. One of my special treats this summer was being able to read “Jesus of Nazareth” by Gerhard Lohfink. The subtitle ambitiously reads: “What He Wanted; Who He was.” Lohfink confirms a direction which, from the beginning, has haunted our Catholic thinking about evangelization. “On Evangelization … Read more
Have you ever tried home visitations as a way of reaching out to others? In this text originally published in August, 2014, Lorraine DeLuca shares her insights in this experience. In our diocese we have begun training Evangelization Teams in parishes using a combination of The Evangelizing Laity from the USCCB webinar series and The Evangelization Jump Start … Read more
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