EVANGELIZATION GOALS
2008 YEAR OF EVANGELIZATION
Evangelization-centered goals for the Secretariat of Evangelization
Mission: As a Eucharistic people, we are called to proclaim the Good News. Enlivened by the teachings of the Church and Her sacraments, we invite everyone to a new, deeper journey of discipleship. Alive in Christ, we witness hope to transform our world into the Kingdom of God.
Evangelization:
We grow individually and in community by deepening our faith through the Sacraments and the teaching of the Church.
Catechesis:
- We nurture ourselves and recognize the importance of renewal in our faith.
- We arrange liturgies as part of our overall programming, recognizing the celebration of the Mass as the source and summit of our Catholic faith.
- We promote prayer and other spiritual activities.
- We invite people to a loving communication through our own speech and the materials we produce and distribute.
Evangelization:
We lead others to Christ through discipleship and outreach.
Catechesis:
- We focus on our personal ministry in all things (365/24/7), recognizing our weaknesses and seeking forgiveness and correction through collaboration and the Sacraments.
- We witness through programs offering spiritual guidance and global outreach to the larger community.
- We bring knowledge and awareness of the Word of God through our communication and action in daily living and programming.
Evangelization:
We inspire others to action by sharing God’s love through advocacy and justice.
Catechesis:
- We follow Jesus’ challenge, “Be not afraid!” by committing ourselves to proclaim truth in love.
- We work together collaboratively across departments and other entities to be true witnesses in the Lord’s name.
- Through our Christ-centered programs and outreach, we relentlessly transform society into the Kingdom of God.
Evangelization-centered goals for the Office of Advocacy and Justice
Mission: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Office of Advocacy and Justice promotes the social mission of the Church through education and legislative advocacy efforts. Called to evangelize individuals, institutions, and the culture through personal witness and public outreach, we act on behalf of those who are voiceless. We provide opportunities in the parish and community for on-going conversion and social transformation, seeking always to protect and defend the sacredness and dignity of human life.
“The teaching and spreading of [the Church’s] social doctrine are part of the Church’s evangelization mission.” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Vatican, 2007, 7)
Goal 1: GROW
Evangelization:
We grow in our life in Christ through on-going conversion and building relationships of peace and justice.
Catechesis:
- Offer qualified and professional speakers, presentations, conferences and resources
- Coordinate a variety of outreach activities such as Life Chains, Helpers Vigils, Gabriel Project, March for Life, Project Rachel, etc.
- Increase base of support, recruiting and nurturing parish volunteers, other Catholics and people of good will
Encourage school teachers, seminarians, religious educators, the deaconate, clergy, and youth and young adults to integrate and apply principles of Catholic Social Teaching, in their respective ministries, on a regular basis
Goal 2: LEAD
Evangelization:
We lead by providing opportunities for personal and collective transformation through Catholic Social Teaching.
Catechesis:
- Create training opportunities through DVD’s and other resources on Catholic Social Teaching and social issues.
- Work with the media to evangelize the value-centered message of the Church.
- Collaborate with community organizing groups and other agencies on compatible social and moral issues.
- Support public policy that promotes the common good and transforms unjust social structures through effective legislative advocacy efforts.
Goal 3: SHARE
Evangelization: We share our faith by proclaiming the Gospel through our witness, dialogue, invitation and actions in solidarity with others, particularly the poor and powerless.
Catechesis:
- To be welcoming and respectful of other faith traditions through interfaith/ecumenical outreach and dialogue.
- Challenge and enable others to action on behalf of justice as an integral part of their Catholic faith identity.
- Invite others to full participation in and commitment to the evangelizing mission of the social doctrine of the Church.
- Oversee USCCB programs such as, CCHD, CRS, JustFAITH, Justice for Immigrants etc.
- “We are at the service of this Gospel, sustained by the awareness that we have received it as a gift and are sent to preach to all humanity, ‘to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 1:8) (Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II, 78, 1995).
Evangelization-centered goals for the Diocesan Media Resource Center
We evangelize by promoting the use of excellent Catholic resources through a variety of means including:
- Showing evangelization resources at Media Preview Day
- Writing about resourcs in departmental newsletters, quarterly e-mail reports, el Clarin
- Exhibiting and promoting resources at Faith Formation Day, principal in-service days, Festival of Faith, catechist meetings
- Researching, previewing and purchasing materials for Media Center that promote evangelization.
- Designing, maintaining and updating a user-friendly, searchable web-site with listing of Media Center resources.
Catechesis for evangelization of the Diocesan Media Resource Center
We evangelize by providing excellent resources on topics including spirituality, catechesis, sacrament preparation, ministry training etc. for Catholic people of all ages in classroom and formation and training programs throughout the diocese.
We evangelize by providing Media Center presentations in parishes and schools throughout the diocese on topics such as:
- How to Use Media Effectively within a Faith Context
- Media Savvy Families
- Media Literacy Skills
- How Media and Popular Culture are Shaping Our Values
