Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Political Rights
Catholic Conference of Illinois WHAT THE CHURCH SAYS ABOUT EVANGELIZING
Media The Second Vatican Council and recent Popes have all affirmed that the Catholic
Your Family and Cyberspace Family Guide for Using Media Church's primary mission is to evangelize.
Pauline Books and Media Renewing the Mind of the Media Movie
Reviews The Jesus Film All disciples of Christ are obliged to spread the faith to the best of their ability.
Luke Films (The Decree on the Church,Vatican II, #17)
Let everyone be aware that the primary and most important contribution they can
Catholic Arts and Culture
make to the spread of the faith is to lead a profound Christian life."
Catholic Information Network
(Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity, Vatican II, #36)
Radio For the Church, evangelizing means bringing the Good News into all strata of
Archdiocese on the Radio Catholic On the Air humanity, and through its influence, transforming humanity from within and
Ave Maria Catholic Radio EWTN making it new."
(Evangelization in the Modern World, Pope Paul VI, 1975)
Peace and Justice
The Busy Christian's Guide to Catholic Social Teaching
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GO & MAKE DISCIPLES – A NATIONAL PLAN & STRATEGY EVERYDAY EVANGELIZING
FOR CATHOLICS EVANGELIZING IN THE UNITED STATES • Be generous with compliments, especially to those who appear to be
In 1992, the U.S. Bishops issued a document with three goals: down today.
Goal I: To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, • Send a sympathy or get-well card to neighbors or friends assuring them of
in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others. your prayers.
Goal II: To invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or • Share a smile and a personal greeting with a stranger. Try to see Christ in
cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ everyone you encounter each day. Ask friends and family to pray for your
so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic Faith.
special intentions.
Goal III: To foster Gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the • Share an unanswered prayer with a friend or family member.
human person, the importance of the family, and the common good
of our society so that our nation may continue to be transformed by
Remember to give thanks for what you have received.
the saving power of Jesus Christ.
• Tell someone about a good book or tape to help them grow in their faith.
• Treat everyone you meet with dignity. No matter what they look like,
how they try your patience, or how they speak, they are part of the Body
of Christ.
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EVERYDAY E V A N G E L I Z I N G WHAT ARE SOME ASPECTS OF CATHOLIC EVANGELIZATION?
• Invite someone who has been away from the Church for a while to
Catholic evangelization is led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the primary agent
attend Mass with you. of evangelization and moves us toward spiritual transformation as individual disciples
and as a Church. The Holy Spirit is at work in the evangelizer and in the heart of the
• Offer to help your neighbor even when it's not convenient.Take time in person who is being evangelized.
your life for those who are suffering or in need. Remember, people are Catholic evangelization is rooted in Jesus Christ and His Church. There is a
more important than tasks. profound link between Christ, the Church, and evangelization. We cannot claim to love,
listen to, and belong to Christ without the Church.
• When you see God working in your life, point it out to others. We are
Catholic evangelization is directed toward the Kingdom of God. Sharing one's faith
all enriched by the personal witness of others. is a way to facilitate the fulfillment of God's will "on earth as it is in heaven." The evan-
gelizing Catholic fully accepts this activity as part of what it means to be a disciple of
• Talk to friends about the good experiences you have had with the Church. Jesus Christ.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green
pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He guides
COMMIT BELIEVE
me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
How do I plan What do I do to grow
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no
to evangelize? in my relationship evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You
with God? prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my
head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I
shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
SHARE TRANSFORM
How do I share How does my life
my Catholic faith bring about a Ordinary Ways to Share Your Faith with Others (Everyday Evangelizing)
with others? loving and just We offer these suggestions as a Catholic approach to sharing your faith
with family and friends:
society?
• Say I will pray for you to a friend who has shared some personal
concern or difficulty.
• Respond Thank God when someone shares a success story with you.
• Make the sign of the cross as you pray before a meal in a restaurant.
I give you a new commandment - love one another as I have • Display a religious article in your room. Wear a cross on a chain or
loved you. This is how all will know that you are my disciples; other religious article. You might be surprised how many times this will
if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) start a conversation about your faith.
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WHAT VISIBLE SIGNS DOES MY LIFE SHOW?
Pray to the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit of God, take me as your disciple. Guide me, illuminate me,
sanctify me. Bind my hands that they may do no evil, cover my eyes that
they may see it no more, and sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell
If Jesus asked you
to give your heart to Him today, what would it look like?
within me. Be my guard and be my guide. Wherever you lead me, I will
go; whatever you forbid me, I will renounce; whatever you command me,
in your strength, I will do. So lead me to the fullness of your truth. Amen.
COMMIT BELIEVE
Read Scripture Daily
Choose a passage from Scripture – perhaps the daily Mass readings or
part of a Biblical book you are exploring. Sit quietly and read it slowly.
Meditate by asking yourself to explore the following questions:
What is the Scripture saying about the ancient times in which it was written?
What is the Scripture saying to the world today?
What is the Scripture saying to the Church and my parish?
What is the Scripture saying to me in my daily life?
SHARE TRANSFORM
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PERSONAL OBJECTIVE ONE: COMMITMENT
Commit
As a Catholic, I
will recommit myself to
Jesus Christ as a disciple, by embracing
evangelization as my personal mission.
This part of the Personal Mandate is the first step: we recommit ourselves to our
Baptismal vows to love and serve God.
Strategies
• Accept God's invitation to personal conversion, to know and love Jesus as
Lord and Savior.
• Pray daily for the grace and power of the Holy Spirit to be more of a disciple
of Jesus Christ by growing in faith, hope, and love.
• Pray daily for the spread of the Gospel and for all of the disciples of Jesus,
especially the Church's official ministers and our Cardinal Archbishop.
• Develop a mindset of "being sent" to share the Good News with everyone.
• Write a personal mission statement in light of evangelization and discipleship.
• Renew your Baptismal Promises on a regular basis (daily if possible) as a sign
of your commitment to discipleship and evangelization.
• Take a personal inventory on a regular basis (daily) by examining your
conscience, your intentions, and your actions.
• Create a daily plan to evangelize by being "intentional" in what you say and do.
• Witness to the Gospel and to Jesus Christ by living as a faithful, practicing
Catholic.
• Support the Church by exercising Gospel stewardship of personal time, talent,
and treasure.
Visible Signs
Renew Your Baptismal Vows The first step in evangelizing is making a commitment to evangelize. See yourself
I reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God's children. as a disciple who believes, shares and transforms. Take a few moments to write
I reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin. your own mission statement:
I reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I am a believer in Jesus Christ because…(How has the Lord become present in
my life?)
I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, our Lord, who was born of
the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the
dead and is now seated with the Father.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion
of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.
Blessing
Evangelization Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of all people with the fire of Your Love.
I share my faith through…
May all accept Your invitation to know and love Jesus as Lord and Savior
Fill this Archdiocese with people who welcome and invite others to share in the
Catholic faith.
Fill our Cardinal, our bishops and priests, deacons and lay ministers with wisdom
and courage to live and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Fill all parish and agency staff with Your power to evangelize those whom they As a servant of Christ, I serve others through…
serve.
Fill all consecrated men and women and all lay people with the grace to become
and make disciples of Jesus through prayer, work, and daily living.
May the holy fire of Your love transform our society according to the Gospel.
Come Holy Spirit! With the Father and the Son, You are worshiped and glorified I commit myself to great discipleship through…
forever and ever. Amen.
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PERSONAL OBJECTIVE TWO : BELIEVE EXERCISE: ADDING FUEL TO THE HOLY FIRE
Commit Believe
As a Catholic, I
will respond to God's grace
to grow in personal holiness by Name at least one personal action
deepening my personal relationship with Jesus and you can take on a consistent basis
His Church.
Strategies to bring about transformation
• Actively participate in the Sunday Eucharist on a regular basis.
in the following areas:
• Try to share in the Eucharist more often than Sunday.
• Cultivate a daily practice of personal prayer and conversation with God.
• Actively celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a part of your spiritual life.
Kindling Action
• Encourage family members to participate in celebrating the Sacramental Life
of the Church, especially the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Family
• Develop a deeper appreciation for the Sacred Scriptures by reading and
reflecting upon them on a regular basis, especially the readings of the liturgical day. Parish
Visible Signs
Social Justice
• I actively and regularly participate in the celebration of the sacramental life of
the Church, especially the Holy Eucharist. Use of the media
Commit Believe
As a Catholic, I will participate in the Mark down each statement with A (always); O (often); S (sometimes); R (rarely)
or N (never.)
transformation of society and culture by living
Share Transform
• Develop and practice a spirituality of work so that all employers and ___I study and reflect upon the rich heritage and teachings of the Catholic Church
employees are transformed by just labor relationships. as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church or other such
documents and share them with others.
• Practice faith by witnessing to the Gospel in all areas of your daily life including
family, neighborhood, workplace, politics, the arts, the sciences, media, and ___I have a daily, personal spiritual regimen; e.g., morning and evening prayers,
other areas. prayer before meals, examination of conscience, Scripture reading, personal
• Work in your neighborhood, parish, and home to foster cultural diversity devotions, Mass, etc.
and racial justice.
Visible Signs
• Be involved in parish and local service groups in your neighborhood which
serve the needs of the neighborhood. ___I actively and regularly participate in the celebration of the sacramental life of
the Church, especially the Holy Eucharist.
• Study and reflect upon the social teachings of the Church.
Visible Signs ___I am enthusiastic about being Catholic.
• I am involved in putting into practice the social teachings of the Church. ___I am alive with an informed faith, a vibrant hope for the coming of God's
Reign, and a joyful love of God.
• I am transformed in my personal life as I am affected by the power of the Gospel.
• I have transforming relations at home, work, neighborhood, and parish.
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PERSONAL OBJECTIVE THREE: SHARE EXERCISE: THE POWER OF PERSONAL WITNESS
Commit Believe As a Catholic, I will reach out to share the Each one of us has become a disciple of Jesus because someone shared his
Share Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone or her faith with us. Identify one person who has touched your life with God's
presence. Write down the answers to these questions and share the answers
and especially newcomers, inactive Catholics, the with your small group.
marginalized, and the unchurched.
Who has touched my life with their example of faith?
Strategies
• Become a sharing person who freely witnesses to the Catholic Faith and
recount personal experiences openly with others.
• Invite a new parishioner, neighbor, or friend to dinner or a social event to
build a friendship based on Christ's love.
• Visit a new parishioner or neighbor in his or her home to build community
and communion. What is his/her relationship to me?
• Become a minister of care and bring Holy Communion to the homebound
and hospitalized.
• Practice hospitality in the parish, in the neighborhood, in the workplace by
listening, encouraging, affirming, and celebrating others.
• Develop a welcoming atmosphere at home by being present for family meals
and other family celebrations and special occasions.
Why did they reach out to me to touch my life?
• Celebrate the diversity and faith of people from different ethnic and cultural
backgrounds by sharing stories and entering into conversation and dialogue.
• Reach out and welcome Catholics who have become inactive in the practice of
their faith by listening to their stories and inviting them, when ready, to return
to active participation in the Church.
• Know the outreach ministries of the parish and invite fellow parishioners,
friends and family members to enroll in outreach sessions.
Whose life can I touch through my faith? How would I do that?
• Witness the Gospel to the unchurched and to those who have never heard of
Christ and His Church by word and deed so that they may come to know of
God's love for them.
Visible Signs
• I invite inactive Catholics to return to the practice of their faith.
• I express a joyful spirit of hospitality.
• I live out the paradigm shift of the Second Vatican Council by being focused
on outreach to all and not just to practicing Catholics.
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