Does your parish have a vibrant Evangelization program?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mberg3
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Mberg3

Guest
Hello,
I am a member of an area that does not have a very strong evangelical impulse. There are rarely ever any converts present for RCIA process: especially when compared to the dozens of people going to “evangelical” protestant churches. On the whole it seems as though there are not many Catholics who are reaching out to those in the community. Is this different in your parish, and if not, how can Catholics improve on this.
 
It’s exactly the same in my parish. They didn’t even do an RCIA program this year. No interest. Most of the parish “ministries” are all run by the same people who’ve been in the church for many years. There are no real opportunities for people who are more on the periphery to get involved , let alone newcomers. The atmosphere is very holy and worshipful, but terribly unfriendly. I’m not sure they are even interested in any type of evangelization, it would take some radical changes for sure.
 
Ours is trying to make a difference. We have a parish council that is working on getting people involved. The thing to remember is it requires each of us stepping up to help. When we see a lack, we need to help feed that lack. When we see that it’s the same people doing the same things over and over, we need to step up and help with new faces. WE are the church, and we need to help.

We had 5 confirmed at the Easter Vigil. (I was one of those). Those 5 have been encouraged the entire time to get involved. I’ve even been involved in teaching R.E. and leading Living the Eucharist programs. I’ve also been involved in several of the bible studies. Each of us has to step up and help with whatever we have to offer.
 
Vibrant isn’t the adjective I would choose. A better adjective for our Evagelization program would be “active”.

As a result of a brainstorm session between the RCIA team and Father, my parish has started an Inquiry session. Every other Thursday, Father and our RCIA team meet people who are curious, or have questions about Catholicism. It is my understanding, the Inquiry sessions gives a general overview, answer general questions, and is a “You look us over, and we’ll look you over.”, easygoing kind of thing. The parishioner’s part in this, we’re asked to invite/bring people who are curious about Catholicism.

If a person expresses a definite interest, contact will be maintained by our RCIA team through the Spring and Summer. The RCIA team would invite them to Mass, parish activities, and make introductions of parish members. The idea being: help the interested people transition into Catholic parish life. If they are still interested in the Fall, the person would start RCIA.
 
Wow no RCIA program at all!? That is pretty bad.

I guess it’s kind of different here because I go to a Catholic Church on a college campus. This year I was confirmed along with 15 others (at least 5 or 6 of them were converts, maybe more). And, every RCIA meeting had between 30 and 50 people showing up.

I’m definitely going to try to do my part to make my parish even more vibrant. I think evangelism is a big part of that. But, I also think a friendly and inviting atmosphere in Church also goes a long way towards that. We don’t know how many people might be visiting the Church for the first time in their lives or the first time in a long time at each and every Mass.

I’m going to continue to pray that all of the recent converts and all those Confirmed on Easter will do their part in proverbially “lighting their parishes on fire”.
40.png
Asia53:
As a result of a brainstorm session between the RCIA team and Father, my parish has started an Inquiry session. Every other Thursday, Father and our RCIA team meet people who are curious, or have questions about Catholicism. It is my understanding, the Inquiry sessions gives a general overview, answer general questions, and is a “You look us over, and we’ll look you over.”, easygoing kind of thing. The parishioner’s part in this, we’re asked to invite/bring people who are curious about Catholicism.
Click to expand...
GREEEAT IDEA!!! 👍

After being Confirmed this year, I already know what my goal is next year: bring people to RCIA, and become someone’s sponsor. 😃
 
Hi.

I’m glad to see The motivation in you guys. 👍 what a difference the Holy Church would be wil more like you guys. Don’t stop doing what your doing! 👍
I recently began work on a parish family night, every other week. We plan on beginning in may and all ages are welcome. It’s going to be a 2 hour long sporting event/cookout! Where we play kickball or frisbee golf, volley ball or similar. This will give our priest a relaxed setting to talk to many (we hope) parishners of all ages about a wide range of topics including setting up new study groups/ religous book clubs/ catechism classes/ evangelization groups/ think tanks and hopefully more! That is step one, step two takes place after we make this a well established event. Once it’s established and we have a good group of people there we will start to seriously encourage our participants to bring their friends/ neighbors. Thus from our family parish we will attempt to evangelize ourselves, and then others from this seed we plant! Please say a prayer for our success! I’d love to exchange ideas on any groups/activities with you. Please private message me!
 
Mberg3 said:
Hello,
I am a member of an area that does not have a very strong evangelical impulse. There are rarely ever any converts present for RCIA process: especially when compared to the dozens of people going to “evangelical” protestant churches. On the whole it seems as though there are not many Catholics who are reaching out to those in the community. Is this different in your parish, and if not, how can Catholics improve on this.
Click to expand...
Our church has a great evangelism team with about 80 people.
 
Mberg3 said:
Hello,
I am a member of an area that does not have a very strong evangelical impulse. There are rarely ever any converts present for RCIA process: especially when compared to the dozens of people going to “evangelical” protestant churches. On the whole it seems as though there are not many Catholics who are reaching out to those in the community. Is this different in your parish, and if not, how can Catholics improve on this.
Click to expand...
This might be your call to try and start one at your Parish. I would talk to your priest about it and see what he says. Also, you might want to contact the Legion of Mary to help you get started with ideas and what not. I think the best things to do are try and make sure your parish is properly catechized and continue to invite people to Mass.

In addition check out this awesome link from Father Peffely regarding 30 was to evangelize and cathecize a parish…

fatherpeffley.org/docs/30Ways.pdf

Also, for a simple start you can start putting up literature in your Parishes pamphlet rack. I do this at mine and am always surprised at how fast some of the pamphlets are taken (especially the once on Mary, praying the rosary and the 7 sacraments.) Here are some links to check out for free pamphlets you can print out…

evangelizationstation.com/Pamphlets/free_downloadable_pamphlets.htm#Abortion
pjpiisoe.org/Resources_Pamphlets.html
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top