Door to Door Catholicism

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brianjbyrne

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Yesterday I started pamphleting in Old Town Alexandria, VA within the parish of Saint Mary in response to Evangelium Vitae and the USCCB’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities as an individual lay Catholic, exercising a 1st Amendment, constitutionally protected right to go door to door and put in the hands of those who accept, carefully crafted publications of the USCCB on life issues. It was an awsome experience I’m repeating this afternoon.

A few things I’d like to share with anyone considering doing the same:
  1. The USCCB have an online catalog of pro-life pamphlets one can order very inexpensively in quantity. Some of the pamphlets are only 5 cents each. And they are of quality, produced by the Bishops. I had thought to craft my own but am certain in my first attempts I would not have put so well what I intended or been so considerate. I’m now looking at Cathlic Answers materials too, but I thought it a safe start to use materials directly from the Bishops.
  2. Initially I’d thought to leave the pamphlets at homes where no one answered the door. I then sought legal advice on this and could find no overarching federal decision that makes clear one protected from local ordinance by doing so as I thought and think such can be construed as littering. I may be wrong about that and welcome direction. But what I did find was the 2002 Supreme Court case involving the Jehovah’s Witnesses of New York and Stratton, OH where the Court found knocking on the door or ringing the bell to pass out literature, in and 8-1 decision, is a 1st Amendment, constitutionally protected right. So instead of just leaving the pamplets in the cracks of doors or on car windshileds I’m knocking on door and ringing bells and handing the pamphlets directly to residents. By doing it this way I am no longer concerned by the potential for undue interference by local authorities. It should also be noted the same decison recognizes “No Solicitations” signs as a valid indication of resident intent and all such signs should be honored, as well as, for instance, “No Trespassing.”
  3. If you do decide to leave pamphlets behind, don’t put them in US Mail mailboxes. Federal law prohibits anything but valid mail processed by the US Postal Service being placed for delivery in someone’s mailbox. This too went to the Supreme Court in 1981 after a New York Circuit Court Judge ruled infavor of a local civic organization’s ability to use the mailboxes for literature distribution. When the issue made it to the Supreme Court, the Court struck down the lower Court’s ruling and ruled for the government - affirming the US Code restricting the use of mailboxes.
  4. One thing I learned from Catholic Answers - let the experts do the apologetics. Abortion is a very contentious issue and distributing pro-life pamphlets can really set someone off. I’ve determined in advance not to engage in conversation on the subject but simply to put in their hands the pamphlet if they accept, thenk them for their time either way, and move on.
  5. On my first day out the reaction I received was overwhelmingly positive. About 80% of those answering the door were glad to see me. One man came over and shook my hand and thanked me for doing what I was doing. I’m not sure what I expected, but it definitely wasn’t such a welcoming community. Part of it I think was the surprise at seing someone passing out pro-life Catholic literature door to door, not asking for donations, and not looking for a fight.
We put together this website over seeral months of planning and coordination before knocking on the first door and I think the process gave me confidence and clarity of purpose:

alexandria-respectlife.org

Pax et bonum
 
If anyone has suggestions for additional pro-life pamphlets to distribute, they are most welcome. The idea is to initially distribute one throughout the parish boundaries, which will take nearly two months, then start over with another pamphlet.

Pax et bonum
 
We leave them everywhere. Schools,hospitals,other churches, phonebooths, doorsteps, and we hand them out!
 
Here’s another good way to do it. Set up an apologetics booth during your outdoor summer carnivals. Include info about your parish. Basic Catholic literature, prayer cards, rosaries etc.

Works very well. Plus have staffed capable people to answer specific questions…even have a sign…ask your priest/deacon/layminister/pastor question time. You would be surprised how inexpensive and how effective this technique works.
 
Some college campus’ will let you have a booth set up also.🙂
 
You are all heroes to me…and I have learned by your examples! 👍
 
Well done. Keep up the good work!

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Church; which is close that that area has a Legion of Mary group that meets on Thursdays at 7:20 p.m. at the Lourdes Center, Room 5. They go door-to-door, which you may like.

For more information, contact the parish office at: 703-684-9261
 
chrysostom15 said:
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Church; which is close that that area has a Legion of Mary group that meets on Thursdays at 7:20 p.m. at the Lourdes Center, Room 5. They go door-to-door, which you may like.
Click to expand...
I definitely enjoyed door to door evangelization when I was an active member of LOM!

Keep up the great work. 😃
 
Ran out of pamphlets Saturday afternoon and ordered 1,000 Monday from the USCCB - we’ll see if I can get some help.

Pax et bonum
 
brianjbyrne said:
Yesterday I started pamphleting in Old Town Alexandria, VA within the parish of Saint Mary in response to Evangelium Vitae and the USCCB’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities as an individual lay Catholic, exercising a 1st Amendment, constitutionally protected right to go door to door and put in the hands of those who accept, carefully crafted publications of the USCCB on life issues. It was an awsome experience I’m repeating this afternoon.

A few things I’d like to share with anyone considering doing the same:
  1. The USCCB have an online catalog of pro-life pamphlets one can order very inexpensively in quantity. Some of the pamphlets are only 5 cents each. And they are of quality, produced by the Bishops. I had thought to craft my own but am certain in my first attempts I would not have put so well what I intended or been so considerate. I’m now looking at Cathlic Answers materials too, but I thought it a safe start to use materials directly from the Bishops.
  2. Initially I’d thought to leave the pamphlets at homes where no one answered the door. I then sought legal advice on this and could find no overarching federal decision that makes clear one protected from local ordinance by doing so as I thought and think such can be construed as littering. I may be wrong about that and welcome direction. But what I did find was the 2002 Supreme Court case involving the Jehovah’s Witnesses of New York and Stratton, OH where the Court found knocking on the door or ringing the bell to pass out literature, in and 8-1 decision, is a 1st Amendment, constitutionally protected right. So instead of just leaving the pamplets in the cracks of doors or on car windshileds I’m knocking on door and ringing bells and handing the pamphlets directly to residents. By doing it this way I am no longer concerned by the potential for undue interference by local authorities. It should also be noted the same decison recognizes “No Solicitations” signs as a valid indication of resident intent and all such signs should be honored, as well as, for instance, “No Trespassing.”
  3. If you do decide to leave pamphlets behind, don’t put them in US Mail mailboxes. Federal law prohibits anything but valid mail processed by the US Postal Service being placed for delivery in someone’s mailbox. This too went to the Supreme Court in 1981 after a New York Circuit Court Judge ruled infavor of a local civic organization’s ability to use the mailboxes for literature distribution. When the issue made it to the Supreme Court, the Court struck down the lower Court’s ruling and ruled for the government - affirming the US Code restricting the use of mailboxes.
  4. One thing I learned from Catholic Answers - let the experts do the apologetics. Abortion is a very contentious issue and distributing pro-life pamphlets can really set someone off. I’ve determined in advance not to engage in conversation on the subject but simply to put in their hands the pamphlet if they accept, thenk them for their time either way, and move on.
  5. On my first day out the reaction I received was overwhelmingly positive. About 80% of those answering the door were glad to see me. One man came over and shook my hand and thanked me for doing what I was doing. I’m not sure what I expected, but it definitely wasn’t such a welcoming community. Part of it I think was the surprise at seing someone passing out pro-life Catholic literature door to door, not asking for donations, and not looking for a fight.
We put together this website over seeral months of planning and coordination before knocking on the first door and I think the process gave me confidence and clarity of purpose:

alexandria-respectlife.org

Pax et bonum
Click to expand...
Very cool indeed!
 
I wish that you lived in Colorado, I’d walk with you. I have been doing door to door evangelization using a method published in book called ‘The 7 percent Solution’. In brief, in groups of two - go out and invite non-churched people to a ‘info’ meeting on Catholocism. We don’t do apologetics at the door. This eliminates some worries your pastor may have. The response has been amazing. People have been absolutely shocked to see a Catholic at the Door. You can go to the John Paul II Society of Evangelists at www.jpiisoe.org to learn more about this method. It was first used in San Diego fifty years ago and it works!
 
Colorado’s a beautiful state - I’ve been to Denver for World Youth Day; we took about 30 kids from Marco Island, FL where I lived at the time. And thank you for providing direction to the Pope John Paul II Society of Evangelists and School of Evangelization - I did not know of it until I posted here to the Forum. But it seems the link needs a “p” for Pope in front to work like:

pjpiisoe.org/

I especially liked Fr. Pavone’s homily instructing how to teach children about abortion, put in pamphlet form.

Pax et bonum
 
brianjbyrne said:
If anyone has suggestions for additional pro-life pamphlets to distribute, they are most welcome. The idea is to initially distribute one throughout the parish boundaries, which will take nearly two months, then start over with another pamphlet.

Pax et bonum
Click to expand...
Cartoon tracts are quite good and visually appealing. Concise and plenty of Scripture quotes. You can check them out at grottopress.org/Grotto_Books/Catholic_Tracts/catholic_tracts.html. The price is reasonable - about 20 bucks for 100 tracts. I think these are very effective because of the bright colors, absolutely orthodox message and sense of being “hip”.

I am a bit over 30 and live in a very liberal area. Still I monthly get visits from Mormons, JW’s and not se frequently pentecostals. One new phenomen - the Muslims here are doing an active outreach and getting into the door to door thing. I had my first Muslim door knockers a month ago. Blond, blue-eyes both of them - one male and one female. Funny as the LDS knockers have so far been all male.

In any case the catholic church is absolutely AWOL on this. Someone mentioned the Legion of Mary and I have family/friends in a dozen big US cities. I have asked previously of these folks if the Legion ever knocked on their door. No one knew what I was talking about. I would not be surprised if you are among a very, very small handful of Catholics doing this. You’d think most would be on fire with the Eucharist and such and be out there on their own. Ain’t happening. But kudos to you.

BTW, let me know what you think of the tracts. I am so stunned to find catholics going door to door that, if you like them, I will purchase several hundred for your oganization. Kind of a 'test run".
 
rien said:
Cartoon tracts are quite good and visually appealing. Concise and plenty of Scripture quotes. You can check them out at grottopress.org/Grotto_Books/Catholic_Tracts/catholic_tracts.html. The price is reasonable - about 20 bucks for 100 tracts. I think these are very effective because of the bright colors, absolutely orthodox message and sense of being “hip”.

I am a bit over 30 and live in a very liberal area. Still I monthly get visits from Mormons, JW’s and not se frequently pentecostals. One new phenomen - the Muslims here are doing an active outreach and getting into the door to door thing. I had my first Muslim door knockers a month ago. Blond, blue-eyes both of them - one male and one female. Funny as the LDS knockers have so far been all male.

In any case the catholic church is absolutely AWOL on this. Someone mentioned the Legion of Mary and I have family/friends in a dozen big US cities. I have asked previously of these folks if the Legion ever knocked on their door. No one knew what I was talking about. I would not be surprised if you are among a very, very small handful of Catholics doing this. You’d think most would be on fire with the Eucharist and such and be out there on their own. Ain’t happening. But kudos to you.

BTW, let me know what you think of the tracts. I am so stunned to find Catholics actually going door to door that, if you like them, I will purchase several hundred for your organization. Kind of a 'test run".
Click to expand...
Sorry for double post. Don’t know why that happened. If you are interested in my offer PM me.
 
Rien,

Joe Hardhat is the coolest :cool: Those are really excellent tracts from what I can preview and would definitely disitribute one of theirs on abortion - perhaps a tract is forthcoming in the series… but I don’t see one available.

Thank you for the offer - its very kind of you. I know in our parish not long ago a census was performed and the Legion and went door to door for that. I’ve also seen the Legion on King Street - the main street in Old Town popular with tourists, very crowded most weekends, distributing pamphlets and engaging in apologetics. They also sponsor the Society of the Patricians which meets, I believe, once a month on Saturday after Mass and just recently carried their banner in the Procession for Corpus Christi (after the 1:00 Mass about 100 or so people walked in Eucharistic Procession from the Church about 7 blocks through the neighborhood to the cemetary where we prayed the Rosary in Adoration at a newly constructed (about 3 years ago) altar - through the same neighborhood I’ve been distributing pamphlets). I’m not sure if they have an active ministry that goes door to door on a regular basis within the parish but I do know within the Diocese, the Legion goes elsewhere in groups from several parishes to go door to door:

catholicherald.com/articles/07articles/mcgraw0201.htm
arlingtonregia.com/ppc.html

From Catholic Answers:
catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9012fea1.asp

Pax et bonum
 
brianjbyrne said:
Rien,

Joe Hardhat is the coolest :cool: Those are really excellent tracts from what I can preview and would definitely disitribute one of theirs on abortion - perhaps a tract is forthcoming in the series… but I don’t see one available.

Thank you for the offer - its very kind of you. I know in our parish not long ago a census was performed and the Legion and went door to door for that. I’ve also seen the Legion on King Street - the main street in Old Town popular with tourists, very crowded most weekends, distributing pamphlets and engaging in apologetics. They also sponsor the Society of the Patricians which meets, I believe, once a month on Saturday after Mass and just recently carried their banner in the Procession for Corpus Christi (after the 1:00 Mass about 100 or so people walked in Eucharistic Procession from the Church about 7 blocks through the neighborhood to the cemetary where we prayed the Rosary in Adoration at a newly constructed (about 3 years ago) altar - through the same neighborhood I’ve been distributing pamphlets). I’m not sure if they have an active ministry that goes door to door on a regular basis within the parish but I do know within the Diocese, the Legion goes elsewhere in groups from several parishes to go door to door:

catholicherald.com/articles/07articles/mcgraw0201.htm
arlingtonregia.com/ppc.html

From Catholic Answers:
catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9012fea1.asp

Pax et bonum
Click to expand...
You are right - there is not one on abortion. I do notice their latest is on contraception so perhaps one will come on abortion.

My offer stands. If they release one on abortion or if you want to use the one on contraception. Either way.
 
Brian,

God bless you! Will pray for you on your mission.

Just as an aside, while reading your posts, I longed to be home again. I was born in D.C. and raised in Alexandria. Spent the first 39 years of my life two parishes south of you in Alexandria. I went to St. Mary School as a child, and we attended daily Mass at St. Mary. Beautiful church! My mother was born in Alex. and christened at St. Mary. Makes me homesick thinking about it.

You’re in my prayers. Go with God.

Ann
 
Ann,

We really love and are glad to have found Saint Mary’s. When I moved to the parish from Massachuetts I found the church with my sister exploring Old Town and went in a little after noon on a Monday and was surprised to find more than 50 people - mostly younger, dressed for work, attending daily Mass on their lunch hour. We called the Rectory and learned it was our parish - and good that it was as we didn’t have a car and we could take the Metro two stops from Huntington to King Street, then a bus (free on Sundays) or walk to S. Royal. That was back in 2001. I’d have to say through my entire life this is the first truly orthodox parish I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of and value it highly.

My wife and I were married by the Pastor and she went through RCIA, received, First Penance, First Holy Communion, and was Confirmed there soon after. When we were married, my wife owned and I rented so we lived at her townhouse which was outside the boundaries of the parish, but we were still welcome. However it didn’t feel right and when we decided to sell, we looked only at properties inside the parish and moved into an apartment about two miles from the church in Bell View, about 3 blocks off the Potomac.

Both of our children were Baptized there - Teagan Ruth our daughter, and our son Athanasius Joseph.

I later learned the parish has an interesting history - the first in Virginia founded by the mayor of the city and aide to Gen. George Washington during the Revolution. Apparently Washington, in an expression of respect for religious liberty and the poor treatment of Catholics in Virginia’s history as a colony was among the first to contribute toward the construction of a church. And most of the older parishes in Northern VA can trace their roots back to Saint Mary.

Now I understand the Diocese of Arlington is the fastest growing in the nation. From being a colony where Catholics were persecuted and most unwelcome to the fastest growing Diocese in the US… 🙂

Pax et bonum
 
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