Evangelization Resources

Person to Person:  Parishioners' Relationship Spheres
The most obvious and simple means of evangelization is for lay Catholics to share their faith across their own relationships and spheres of influence, whether that's with non-Catholics or with inactive Catholics who no longer attend Mass regularly. Every baptized person is called to be like leaven (i.e. yeast) mixed into the dough of the world--our very presence who permeate and elevate through our authentic (though imperfect) witness of Christ's love and mercy. 

This component of evangelizing could involve any or all of the following strategies:
·    Identify upcoming events that would be particularly appropriate for parishioners to invite non-parishioners to (parish festival, fish fry, concert, parish picnic, a course like "Alpha" or "Discovering Christ," etc.). In the weeks preceding these events or opportunities, explicitly encourage parishioners to consider a friend they might invite. 

·    Parishioners are encouraged to identify, in writing, 1-3 Catholics they know in the area who no longer attend Mass or any Christian community regularly – whether relatives, friends, neighbors, acquaintances or co-workers.

·    Parishioners are asked to commit to pray for these individuals daily, both for their return to the practice of their faith and for an opportunity to invite them to Mass or another parish event or program.

·   Parishioners are asked to consider inviting these persons to Mass or another parish event, especially but not limited to specifically planned weekends designated as “Welcome Sundays.” These “Welcome Sundays” might include special opportunities for fellowship after Mass, such as a donut/coffee gathering or a parish-wide meal or picnic. Other events might include parish missions, special speakers, formation sessions on Catholic teaching, and so on.

·   Mass petitions regularly mention these persons (not by name, but in general).

·   Parishioners are provided with slips of paper (at the end of pews, for example), and are asked to put the names of those inactive Catholics for whom they are praying for in a sealed envelope, addressed to themselves. These envelopes could be kept in a basket visible in the Church as a reminder of those for whom they are praying. Sometime then before a planned “Welcome Sunday,” the parish mails these envelopes (already self-addressed) to the parishioners as a reminder of their commitment to consider inviting the listed person(s) to Mass.

·   Basic training (e.g., a 30-45 minute session, an accessible on-line video podcast, a written letter or bulletin column, etc.) is offered for those who would like guidance on effective ways of inviting persons.

·   Provide some sort of written postcard or brochure that parishioners can add a personalized, handwritten message to and mail to inactive Catholics they know, perhaps in advance of a particular parish event, special liturgy, or holy day.

·   Parishioners should be encouraged to accompany to Mass those they invite so that they have a familiar face beside them, and to guide them toward the proper liturgical guide for the new translation.

Cost: Anywhere from $0 to the cost of postage for mailing the self-addressed envelopes to those parishioners who identify someone to pray for and invite, and/or the cost of printing postcards or brochures for parishioners to personalize (see link for an example).

Target Audience: Relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances of active parishioners.

Measureable Goals: Goals may be set by the individual parish. Examples might include a percentage of active parishioners who will participate in this ministry (or a set number), or a set number of inactive parishioners who become active in their faith practice, or an overall increase in Mass attendance.

Programs for Welcoming Inactive Catholics 

Catholics Returning Home is a six-week parish-based series intended to be a reconnection point for Catholics who are away from the Church and are open to discerning a possible return to an active practice of the faith.
 
   The series is intended to be run twice a year (after Christmas and after Easter) though it can optionally be held in the early fall (back to school) as well.

The series can be facilitated by a small team of parishioners (3-5) who are willing to do a small amount of promotion and  planning in advance of the series and then facilitate the sessions during the six weeks. Though it could be led by a member of the clergy, it is best if most of the team is made up of laity and those who themselves were away from the Church at some point.  Speakers on Vatican II, Eucharist, and Reconciliation are required; priests and deacons typically fill the role as speakers.

Cost: The start-up costs can be between $200-$300 which includes a large yard banner and a DVD presented in Week Two.  Ongoing costs are minimal (copies of hand-outs and other optional materials).

Target Audience:  Inactive Catholics of all ages (time away from Church doesn’t matter).

Note: The CRH team at the Cathedral of Christ the King is willing to train other parishes or groups of parishes on how to get this series started.  Email Deacon Tim Weinmann or call him at 859-272-0277.

Awakening Faith, Reconnecting with Your Catholic Faith, is a small group process that helps inactive Catholics return to the Church. The group meets once a week for six weeks of 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 honest sharing in a setting of hospitality and acceptance. Spanish versions also available. Click on  Awakening Faith to examine this process.

St. Paul Street Evangelization
St. Paul Street Evangelization (or SPSE, see link for more information) is a grass-roots apostolate which started in the Detroit area and has chapters both national and international. It involves a non-confrontational means of taking the Catholic faith "to the streets," in which trained lay persons set up in high foot-traffic areas with a ministry of presence that engages with interested persons via listening, dialogue, answering questions, prayer, and the distribution of materials (rosaries, miraculous medals, literature, etc.). 

There is a fledgling SPSE chapter in Lexington, headed by Casey Phillips, parishioner at Mary Queen parish/Lexington (email him for info), with plans to develop SPSE chapters in other areas throughout the diocese, depending on interest. 

Discovering Christ
Discovering Christ is a seven-week evangelizing process. It is a course that provides a relational context in which members of a parish, campus ministry, etc. can bring family and friends to hear the good news and personally encounter Jesus Christ. St. Peter parish in Lexington has used Discovering Christ as a tool to engage parishioners toward a deeper relationship with Christ and more intentional outreach (for more information, email Deacon Bill Wakefield at bwakefield@cdlex.org. 
 
 The Course
 The course consists of seven sessions and a retreat day. Each session includes four components: a dinner (if the course is offered in the evening), a prayer time, a teaching, and a small group discussion. Each component is vital to the evangelizing process of Discovering Christ.
 
                                       A Typical Evening Schedule
                                                    6:45 - Dinner
                                                    7:30 - Welcome and Prayer
                                                    7:45 - Teaching (video-based or live)
                                                    8:30 - Break and Small Group Discussion
                                                    9:15 - End

Alpha for Catholics is a practical tool that parishes use to inspire Catholic renewal, answer the call to the New Evangelization and the call of Christ and His Church to "go and make disciples of all nations".  The Alpha course is an effective tool for awakening faith in people who are on the fringe of the parish life, faithful Catholics and those outside the faith. Watch this video for endorsements from Catholic clergy and other leaders.

Each weekly session centers around a common meal, a short presentation of a basic truth of the faith, and small group discussion in which persons are free to ask any question.

As Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household for over 31 years is fond of saying; “It is the Alpha course, not the Alpha and Omega course. Alpha focuses on the kerygma, which is the starting point of faith. After people come to a living faith in Jesus then they need to be formed in the faith which is up to other parish programs to do.”

Alpha is very effective as a means of bringing people to this "starting point of faith," an encounter with the risen Lord Jesus.  Alpha's introduces people to Jesus while teaching the foundational elements of our faith.