Catholic Street Evangelization

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I’ve been watching quite a fiew videos of Protestant street preachers. I don’t like most of their methods of evangelizing, but I’ve taken up a little interest in street preaching. Are there any Catholic street preaching ministries? If so, what are their methods of evangelism? Are there any videos of any Catholic street preachers online? In order to be a Catholic street preacher, would one need the approval of a local bishop? What kind of training would one need?
 
I’ll bet that, at times, the Apostles were street preachers:) .
 
Frank Sheed and his colleagues started just such a ministry in England called the Catholic Evidence guild, and eventually founded a publishing arm, Sheed and Ward, which still operates as an imprint under a larger publisher.
 
As I recall Francis Sheed, of Sheed and Ward, had a street preaching organization in England in the 30’s. I forget the details but they should be readily available if you Google Sheed.
 
Do you have to be a priest to be a Catholic street preacher? Do you have to have approval from a bishop?
 
TBolt1000T said:
I’ve been watching quite a fiew videos of Protestant street preachers. I don’t like most of their methods of evangelizing, but I’ve taken up a little interest in street preaching. Are there any Catholic street preaching ministries? If so, what are their methods of evangelism? Are there any videos of any Catholic street preachers online? In order to be a Catholic street preacher, would one need the approval of a local bishop? What kind of training would one need?
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Read up on Saint Philip Neri.
 
Catholic street evangelization is found in some cities, but it’s usually associated with a particular social justice or moral issue. The Catholic activism in the Pro-Life Movement is one such example. But, there are some very striking differences. Whereas many protestant street preachers are confrontational, Catholic sidewalk counselors and prayer warriors are more calm and rely on a much more gentle approach.
 
I’ve done some street preaching (see danwegner.org and watch my videos and listen to the full-length audio). It’s definitely a charism that few people have (or want). I say that if you believe God is moving you in that direction - give it a shot but only after thorough practical and spiritual prep. Also know that you could (will) incur the wrath of forces both visible and invisible. So don’t go into in lightly. Get groups of religious praying for you, do a sacramental confession, do an hour before the Blessed Sacrament for every hour you’re out there, and receive our Lord in the Eucharist the day you go out.

I had a great experience the days I was out there, and had many positive private interactions afterword. For example, a young Jewish woman (20ish) said that I was different than other “street preachers” that had been on campus and she was rethinking her views on abortion as a result. Very cool.

–
Follow me on twitter.com/Catholic_Dan
 
My Catholic Street Apostolate Story

I started my subway Evangelization on August 2001 after the bombing of World Trade Center 9/11 I was laid of at Manhattan Honda (I average $4k a month) so I started setting up my table in Herald Square across from the famous Macy’s Dept. Store.

Very rare you see a Catholic table in the street (not infront of the church) there is no day that I won’t encounter anti-Catholics who want to debate me like “I must be Born Again”, “Are You Save” or “Mary Worshiper” Idolaters and “Your priests are child molesters”

I also learned how to answer them by telling them

“If you believed 100% that Catholics is wrong just pray for us over 1 billion Catholics”

The thing that really caught their attention is my big Poster “Who Started Your Church?”


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE35WVychJs

I think I will suggest to anyone who is interested in preaching in the street is just put a small table with tracts of the Most Common Misconceptions about Catholic, go to Catholic Answer they have very rich apologetic library very helpful to prepare you with these Bible Thumpers.

History and Bible knowledge is a must, most of them actually cannot answer me back when I answered their misconceptions with scriptures back-up, they often will ask me if they can bring with them their Minister.

Lastly if anyone who is interested in getting more ideas or coordinating with me on Catholic Street Apostolate feel free to email: me junmescallado@gmail.com

If ever in New York City try meeting with me.

God Bless You All

AMDG

Al
 
Hi Everyone

I’m a member of the Catholic Evidence Guild, originally started by Frank Sheed, as was mentioned in a previous post.

We are located in New York City. And we currently have monthly outdoor sessions doing “street preaching”. On this Saturday (3/7) between 1-5pm our group will be at Grand Central Station, at the 42nd st entrance.

Anyone who is interesting in “street preaching” or evangelization and is in the NYC area, please come by and say HI. Speak to some of the members to learn about our organization.

God Bless to All
Bobbymac.
 
TBolt1000T said:
Do you have to be a priest to be a Catholic street preacher? Do you have to have approval from a bishop?
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The church is very careful on Catholics preaching and personal interpreting the bible.

You don’t have to be a priest to preach in the street, but be very careful to what you preach be aware that you will encounter some Protestants specially those “anti-Catholic” who will distort the Bible to refute anything you said.

Unless you have studied Theology and Philosophy preach cautiously.

As my suggestion in my previous post try setting up an Apologetic Table with different tracts “Answering Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Church”.

I believed Tracts is more effective than preaching (less confrontational) since they will have time to read a well written info & answers, unless you are Charismatic and a good well verse (Apologist) speaker then go for it.

PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY is a best weapon you have.

See what works for me
youtube.com/watch?v=gE35WVychJs (sorry I’m posting em again)

I hope this helps

God Bless

AMDG

Jun(ior)
 
my brother… all it takes is faith in God and an actual prayer life… and u can preach on the streets… yesterday yesterday i was praying to prepare myself to go and preach outside my parish and God gave me a name Jason, wearing a blue shirt, young adult … and to tell him not to give up… i walked outside a few metres away was a young adult on the phone… i prayed before going up to him asking God for courage and strength and i talked to him gave him the message… to my AMAZEMENT it really was JASON wearing a blue shirt I WAS PRAISE the LORD… and i am CATHOLIC… as long as you are filled with the spirit and want to do what the apostles did then there is no training required but actual action… FAITH without ACTION is WORTHLESS TO GOD. God Bless
 
Preaching on the Streets is how my ministry began some 4 years ago. No training, no degree, JUST THE HOLY SPIRIT! Just a LOVE for our Eucharistic Lord and a Love for our ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC and APOSTOLIC CHURCH! Keeping my head burried in the Bible and burried in my Catechism.

See what scares Catholic’s about “Evangelization” is that they seem to think they need a PHD, or MASTERS in Theology…they think that if they GO OUT into the street, they are going to get into Confrontations, with Protestants and others. What you fail to realize is that if you JUST GO…GOD will do the rest! JUST GO and DO IT! We are not out there to talk about what divides us…but what we have in common…what UNITES us, which is CHRIST!

You are not, or should not go out on the streets thinking you are going to preach a homily, because you are NOT! You are going on the streets for what reason…SEEKING THE FACE OF JESUS in others! Let GOD be GOD and let US be HIS Disciples and HE will lead those to us who need our help. It is the Holy Spirit, who will provide the Words, when we need them most, and if we listen…we ALSO will be ministered to on the streets.

I cannot tell you the COUNTLESS amounts of Angels who have come to minister to ME, while I was on the streets, in the form of Gangbangers, Dope Dealers, Substance abusers. Where did Jesus go? He went and hung out with the worst of the worst, Gangsters, Prostitutes, Criminals, those who were SICK…the Poor, Needy and Suffering…brothers and sisters…that is STILL where Jesus IS…and were HE is calling US TO GO!!!

BE NOT AFRAID!!!

God bless you brothers and sisters, oh and yes, one more thing…Pope Paul VI said, “The Catholic Church Exists to EVANGELIZE!” Let us ALL be Evangelists and proclaim the LOVE of Christ to the whole WORLD!

Catholic Lay Evangelist Richard Lane

www.QorbanMinistries.net
 
Another group of people who do, among other things, a form of street preaching is the Legion of Mary. I have heard of more LoM groups across the US, so you might be able to find them more easily. They also do door-to-door evangelization in a very relaxed sort of way, not hellfire and brimstone.
 
Today, both in the morning and in the afternoon, I gave a co-worker of mine a ride to and from work. The route I took had me going around a corner where this one individual stood there with a sign about Hell and that being a destination for those who do not repent or believe. I asked my co-worker about this individual and he told me that he would stand out there for almost the entire day. And he would be out there most of the week if I remembered correctly.

I’ve been back to the church for only 3-4 months, and while that means I’m not exactly Catholic-smart, what this individual was doing felt wrong in my heart. In my opinion, this aggressive approach would have a negative impact on those who would be thinking about becoming a Christian. To me what this individual is saying, though I have no clue what truly motivates his preaching, is convert or burn. It almost makes it sound like you have to be a Christian.

And it’s not just this individual I’ve seen. Pictures I’ve seen of other such preachers, videos and such about the Westboro Baptist Church’s many protests also in my opinion through Christianity into a negative spotlight. Again, while yes they are trying to prove a valid point, they are mainly preaching the eternal punishment. I do not think I’ve ever seen anyone take to the sidewalk corners with a sign that says the simplest thing: “Jesus loves you.” Its almost like “hell” this and “damnation” that which dominate that kind of preaching.

I guess I wrote this thread to see how other people feel about such preaching. And please, again with me not being Catholic-smart, tell me if I crossed a line or such that may require a confession or two. I don’t feel like I have but rather be safe than sorry…

God bless you… :signofcross:
 
There was no line-crossing there. Your intent seems very innocent.

I think there are varying degrees of people who are so-called “sidewalk preachers”. There are people who are there to pray and just to talk to people who want to be talked to, and on the other end of the spectrum there are people who are more like the Westboro Baptist people who are actively heckling people on the streets.

To answer, I think it is okay when it is done correctly. If people are outside praying for something (like the 40 days for life) or just praying and allow people to come up to them and speak with them charitably, I think it can be a super powerful tool for evangelization. That being said, people who yell hateful messages or are angry will most likely not accomplish their goal.

I once had an experience in downtown Chicago while I was visiting some religious sisters. We were waiting to cross the street, and a man came up to us and started saying very nasty things about Catholics and how we were going to straight to Hell unless we repented. I have never been so absolutely shocked in my life and it just made me want to walk away from him. I’m guessing that most people would have the same reaction.

I don’t mean this to sound hippie, but I think that peace and prayer are really the key to doing something like that. Holding up signs about people going to Hell usually will not work. People usually know the life they’re living isn’t completely right, they don’t need someone to shove it in their face.
 
I was a street-side/sidewalk… preacher… errrr… catechist… when I was in college. I spent most of my saturdays gathering street kids and taught them about Our Lord. 😃
 
It isn’t only street preachers who are too hung up on threats of hell and bribes of heaven, that they give God a manipulative, petty, face. Good for early moral training, but it needs to move on. IMO God does not need us to train each other like lab rats to get the reward and avoid the shock, when He’s written the law of love on our hearts.

Some think that preachers need to preach more about hell and damnation; I disagree. I think it’s time that we all quit looking down to guard against stepping on a crack, instead of looking forward into the Cloud of the Unknowing or whatever it is you’re going. Even when preachers don’t directly teach about hell and damnation, though, they still often allude to it – just can’t get away from the habit.

Nothing wrong with teaching about going to hell, but there is something wrong with living in constant fear of it. I remember Jimmy Swaggart once; I turned on the TV and he was pointing into the camera with a stern look on his face and yelling, “LITTLE GIRL, YOU’RE GOING TO HELL.” Turns out there was no particular little girl; it was just a hypothetical one he imagined who had just done some terrible thing – probably sex related. The guy makes tons of money by scaring people.

Alan
 
I believe that you are correct to feel disturbed by what you saw and heard.

I was a member for several years of a fundamentalist church which urged us to go out onto the streets and preach about the “end times.” I can only speak for myself here, but I was completely driven by an all- consuming fear and deep feelings of unworthiness. We were taught that God could come at any moment and judge us, that we were so evil that we must watch ourselves constantly and so out we went into the streets shouting at anyone who would listen.

Strangely, I never heard the scripture “Perfect love casts out all fear.” Decisions based on such fundamentalist fear without the balance of two thousand years of the Church’s teachings will produce no good result. This is where “Sola Scripture” gets one into trouble: Thinking our own interpretation and understanding of things is "the way, we forget Who truly was The Way, The Truth and the Life, Jesus Christ, who gave us the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church to help us on our journey.

Thank God, I was eventually led to the Catholic Church and my questions and fears were answered with patience and love and with the balance of Christ’s teachings on mercy.

Yes, we must have a healthy fear of God as a child fears dis-appointing his or her parent. But Christ came to teach the Good News, the Gospel, that is the saving grace, the Divine Mercy he showed us on the Cross. Holy Church helps me understand scripture when I go astray. I can read alone, but I must remember to submit to instruction by those who have studied decades longer than I have, who have studied the Saints, the Doctors of the Church, Church history and so much more than I will ever be able to glean on my own.

I often thought I understood I Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter. To me, it seemed to list all the ways we humans fail in loving others correctly. There were many negatives listed: Love doesn’t puff it self up, does not parade itself, etc. Then one day I read it again and saw a translation that read “If I do not* possess* love, I am a tinkling brass, a sounding cymbal…” and realized something. God wants us to possess love. To POSSESS LOVE!

When we possess something, it is ours to treasure!

Fear can be a tool to awaken us to our faults, certainly. But love was the original, Divine Intent for Creation. It was Good. Christ brought us the Good News. To shout in the streets about hell and damnation without leading people to Christ AND His Holy Church is to leave people without the hope and faith and instruction they need for real salvation. The Church is the pillar and bulwark of the faith. Not fear, not spreading words of despair, not private interpretation and endless schism.

It’s a wonderful thing to be in the Ark of Christ. I need every inch of The Church to make my way to Heaven. Only Christ and His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church could literally save someone like myself from false teachings and from a most unhappy journey through life.

That is why I believe your natural reaction to the street preaching was correct. You were hearing the clashing thunder of fear without the balance of God’s loving mercy, without the Divine Continuity of the Church’s plan for us, which Christ mercifully gave to all who desire Him in HIs fullness.

Blessings to you,
Kathryn Ann
 
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