Do You Think This Catholic Card is a Good Evangelization Tool or Low Dose Catholicism?

[TrueLight]

catholicherald.co.uk/news/2012/02/01/bishops-to-distribute-cards-to-catholics-declaring-their-faith/
A card communicating that its carrier is a baptised Catholic will be distributed nationally on behalf of the bishops of England and Wales.

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales is distributing one million cards to 24 dioceses including the Bishopric of the Forces and the ordinariate in order to cultivate evangelisation among Catholics.

The credit-card-size resource features on one side a clear statement that the carrier is a Catholic and a list of six things that Catholics are called to do.

There is also a sentence that reads: “In the event of an emergency, please contact a Catholic priest.”

I was surprised to see some of the disgusted responses. Some feel that the card doesn’t say anything at all and is “low dose Catholicism.”. In other words, they think the card is a lousy evangelization tool.

What do you think? Would you carry it as a tool for evangelization?

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4594/catholiccard.jpg

 

[runningdude]

I found this reply encouraging and concur with her opinion:
ms Catholic state:

Sounds good. Now at least I now have something to tell people who ask about the re-Evangelisation. It’s a small but concrete step rather than completely conceptual. We need lots of concrete initiatives that needn’t cost the earth. At least we now have the goal of the Conversion of Britain to Catholicism, courtesty of the Pope (don’t we?!). That’s a bit different from our past mentality whereby we eeked out a cosy co-existence with secular society without any missionary zeal at all.

These cards can help boost to our Catholic identities, remind us of our obligations somewhat…and will give every Catholic pause for thought as to whether they wish to live as Catholics or not. Good!

catholicherald.co.uk/news/2012/02/01/bishops-to-distribute-cards-to-catholics-declaring-their-faith/#comment-42640629

 

[Thomas_Francis]

It’s not bad, but I’d rather carry around a card that says -

I (Insert name) believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

With the “Our Father” and the “contact a priest” message on the back.

I feel like that would be a little more “Catholic”.

If the point is to evangelize other Catholics then why not include the precepts of the Church? You shall attend Mass on Sundays, and holy days… etc. Maybe I’m just being nit-picky. At least they’re doing something. I voted “Don’t know”, I wouldn’t say it’s great, but it’s good.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

It’s not bad, but I’d rather carry around a card that says -

With the “Our Father” and the “contact a priest” message on the back.

I feel like that would be a little more “Catholic”.

If the point is to evangelize other Catholics then why not include the precepts of the Church? You shall attend Mass on Sundays, and holy days… etc. Maybe I’m just being nit-picky. At least they’re doing something.

I know a lot of Catholics for whom the Our Father and the words of the Creed (at least, the old words) come trippingly off the tongue. I know many fewer Catholics who live according to the 6 points on the card. I think the card is great as is.

 

[Waiting]

The card sounds like a good idea to me. Any means of evangelizing without getting right in someone’s face is good.

 

[Thomas_Francis]

I know a lot of Catholics for whom the Our Father and the words of the Creed (at least, the old words) come trippingly off the tongue. I know many fewer Catholics who live according to the 6 points on the card. I think the card is great as is.

I do like the other side

The other side of the card has a quote from Blessed John Henry Newman, focusing on the call to serve and affirming that everyone has a mission.

 

[TrueLight]

The card sounds like a good idea to me. Any means of evangelizing without getting right in someone’s face is good.

Well, suppose there was something like the creed (love that idea), that wouldn’t be getting in someone’s face at all. In fact, I think in general, someone would have to get a glimpse of the card and ask what it is in order to even see it.

 

[Waiting]

Well, suppose there was something like the creed (love that idea), that wouldn’t be getting in someone’s face at all. In fact, I think in general, someone would have to get a glimpse of the card and ask what it is in order to even see it.

Something that wouldn’t be pushy, yet clearly visible, would be a crucifix worn as a pin or on a chain, or a medal of a favorite saint. These might encourage someone to inquire, without the wearer initiating a conversation. I feel that any means of evangelizing, without forcing another to listen, is worthy of the effort.

 

[paperwight66]

It’s not bad, but I’d rather carry around a card that says -

With the “Our Father” and the “contact a priest” message on the back.

I feel like that would be a little more “Catholic”.

If the point is to evangelize other Catholics then why not include the precepts of the Church? You shall attend Mass on Sundays, and holy days… etc. Maybe I’m just being nit-picky. At least they’re doing something. I voted “Don’t know”, I wouldn’t say it’s great, but it’s good.

Well, I suppose there’s nothing to stop you producing your own on the computer, and laminating it. in fact, with just one A4 size laminating pouch you could run off several.

 

[CatholicSensei]

This card isn’t so bad. It’s a little bit generic. I think the Apostle’s Creed would be a good thing to put on it. It is more universally recognized in protestant Christendom. I think it’s a good segue into a deeper discussion. I also think there could be a way to seek more information. Perhaps a web site like catholic.com Or, something equivalent in the UK. Overall a thumbs up from me.

 

[svid2]

I always carry a copy of the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) so that whoever finds my body might read it.