Evangelism

[creedence3]

I am a non-Catholic who has great respect for the Chruch and Catholic people. This is not a criticism. Only a question. I live in Kentucky, in the USA. I don’t see Catholics actively involved in evangelism of our local community. I have never had a Catholic approach me about their faith. I would love to make friends with Catholics in my town, but don’t know how, since they don’t seem to reach out as other faiths do. I know persecution in the past may have a great deal to do with this. I am older and I remember those days. I encourage all Catholics to reach out to the lost of their community and those of other faiths, as well. I am hungry for the truth and many of those around you are, as well.

Creedence3

 

[Redratfish]

I am a non-Catholic who has great respect for the Chruch and Catholic people. This is not a criticism. Only a question. I live in Kentucky, in the USA. I don’t see Catholics actively involved in evangelism of our local community. I have never had a Catholic approach me about their faith. I would love to make friends with Catholics in my town, but don’t know how, since they don’t seem to reach out as other faiths do. I know persecution in the past may have a great deal to do with this. I am older and I remember those days. I encourage all Catholics to reach out to the lost of their community and those of other faiths, as well. I am hungry for the truth and many of those around you are, as well.

Creedence3

It may be that Catholics in your area are not using (supposedly) traditional means of evangelism. Many Catholics (myself included) perfer what I call living evangelism. You show the Gospel, and teachings throughout your life, answering questions if someone else brings it up.

From my experience (I live in a very Baptist part of Texas), talking about being Catholic often times leads to debate instead of discussion. Respectful discussion is fun to have, as long as both sides respect on another; but many times, discussion leads to debate, and hurt feelings.

I would suggest asking some of your current friends, you’d be surprised how many are Catholic.

Peace

 

[PattiDay]

I am a non-Catholic who has great respect for the Chruch and Catholic people. This is not a criticism. Only a question. I live in Kentucky, in the USA. I don’t see Catholics actively involved in evangelism of our local community. I have never had a Catholic approach me about their faith. I would love to make friends with Catholics in my town, but don’t know how, since they don’t seem to reach out as other faiths do. I know persecution in the past may have a great deal to do with this. I am older and I remember those days. I encourage all Catholics to reach out to the lost of their community and those of other faiths, as well. I am hungry for the truth and many of those around you are, as well.

Creedence3

I think active evangelization, like knocking on doors and stopping people on the street, was not taught to Catholics of my generation, but rather letting the world see by our example that we are Catholic, living one’s faith daily. Today we are teaching our children that they must go out like the Apostles and share their faith with the world. Whether that happens in one generation I don’t know, but I see a lot more interest in active evangelization of the kind you are familiar with on the part of younger Catholics. You spoke of persecution, but I have never felt persecuted, so I can’t use that as an excuse. Now the Holy Martyrs, they were persecuted for being Catholic.

If you are interested in meeting Catholics, why don’t you call the local Catholic church. The pastor would love the opportunity to tell you about our faith (not convert you), or link you up with Catholics who would enjoy answering your questions. I am only speaking for myself when I say this, but my encounters with Protestants who actively evangelize is that they are very interested in telling me what’s wrong with my Catholic faith, but not learning about it. You could learn much here on CAF and from EWTN Catholic TV. I hope you pursue this interest. It would benefit both of us. God bless you.

 

[rebecca123]

Living out one’s faith is an honorable thing for all to see and an important part of evangelism. If that’s all we all did however, many people will never “hear” about God, Christ and the Church.

As someone who came from a strongly atheistic home, I came to faith by the witnessing of a Baptist classmate in high school who shared biblical truth with me and challenged me in atheism. She also lived out her faith.

The Catholics I knew were very nice people and good examples. They never spoke about anything to do with their faith. I do appreciate their good example though.

People usually have to hear to believe. It can be much more challenging to not only live out your faith for people to see, but also speak to people about it, as the response is not always positive. I hope I can be more brave about speaking boldly for the Lord.

 

[asia53]

I don’t see Catholics actively involved in evangelism of our local community. I have never had a Catholic approach me about their faith. I would love to make friends with Catholics in my town, but don’t know how, since they don’t seem to reach out as other faiths do. I know persecution in the past may have a great deal to do with this. I am older and I remember those days. I encourage all Catholics to reach out to the lost of their community and those of other faiths, as well. I am hungry for the truth and many of those around you are, as well.

Creedence3

This past summer, my parish started a door-to-door evangelization ministry within our parish, with the encouragement of our archbishop, following the Holy Father’s request. Archbishop Chaput has asked all the parishes in Colorado to this. We quit for the winter, but we’ll resume in the spring.

Not only persecution in the past, persecution now. It still persists, especially with the Scandal. Our group met quite a few downright angry people, plus some nice folks. Angry outweighed nice though.

As to meeting Catholics, you might look at local church bulletins. They’re available online. Our church has monthly lectures on various Catholic topics. A few non-Catholics do attend.

 

[Edward_H]

QUOTE=Redratfish;7265563]It may be that Catholics in your area are not using (supposedly) traditional means of evangelism. Many Catholics (myself included) perfer what I call living evangelism. You show the Gospel, and teachings throughout your life, answering questions if someone else brings it up.

From my experience (I live in a very Baptist part of Texas), talking about being Catholic often times leads to debate instead of discussion. Respectful discussion is fun to have, as long as both sides respect on another; but many times, discussion leads to debate, and hurt feelings.

I would suggest asking some of your current friends, you’d be surprised how many are Catholic.

Peace



I’m reading Cardinal George’s book (The Difference God Makes). In Chapter 4 he points out, paraphrasing the Catholic should have a love Holy Scripture that exceeds a Fundamentalist Protestant, and a love of the world that exceeds that of a securlarist.

He points out we need to have a “joy that attracts”.

Wonderful points.

Live the Gospel out in our lives, be as close to God as possible, such that the Holy Spirit spills out in our life, and over time, others will ask about our life. This can be a very natural and loving way to begin a conversation about God and how He loves us all.

 

[Redratfish]

Living out one’s faith is an honorable thing for all to see and an important part of evangelism. If that’s all we all did however, many people will never “hear” about God, Christ and the Church.

As someone who came from a strongly atheistic home, I came to faith by the witnessing of a Baptist classmate in high school who shared biblical truth with me and challenged me in atheism. She also lived out her faith.

The Catholics I knew were very nice people and good examples. They never spoke about anything to do with their faith. I do appreciate their good example though.

People usually have to hear to believe. It can be much more challenging to not only live out your faith for people to see, but also speak to people about it, as the response is not always positive. I hope I can be more brave about speaking boldly for the Lord.

I agree with you, and I will say that I was an atheist for a time, but then found my way to the Catholic church, so I do commend you for following Christ despite your upbringing. Often times (given my background of atheism) some of my atheist classmate will start discussions, then I am happy to challenge atheism, based upon scientific, and logical laws.

With other religions, it is often times the same way.

However, in terms of evangelizing to other Christians, often times, if I attempt to evangelize, I would be team up against, where it would turn into, not a debate, but who can yell the loudest (and with 4 against 1 I think we all know who that would be )

The point is, it is often difficult (especially given the media’s focus solely upon Catholic priest’s abuses) to have a discussion where you are not immediately tuned out. I know it has silenced many, and like Jesus said, some have dusted off their sandals, and left to evangelize to others. I think with the OP, that might be the case.

 

[creedence3]

I reallly hadn’t thought about the Priest abuse thing. I understand. People can be very narrow minded. They are many forms of abuse in all faiths. I totally agree that “living out your faith” is the most effective form of evangelism. I have nothing but respect for Catholics and the faith. Blessings.

Creedence3

 

[Thyme]

I reallly hadn’t thought about the Priest abuse thing. I understand. People can be very narrow minded. They are many forms of abuse in all faiths. I totally agree that “living out your faith” is the most effective form of evangelism. I have nothing but respect for Catholics and the faith. Blessings.

Creedence3

That’s really sweet of you, thank you. If only everyone had your way of thinking though.

This reminded me of one of my favourite hymns. Here you can listen to it on Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=1Eq97a-VxJc

Here are the lyrics. The words in bold are the main words which this thread reminded me of:
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Refrain
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

1. Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
   Longing for hope, many despair.
   Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
   Make us your living voice.
2. Longing for food, many are hungry.
   Longing for water, many still thirst.
   Make us your bread, broken for others,
   shared until all are fed.
3. Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
   Longing for warmth, many are cold.
   Make us your building, sheltering others,
   walls made of living stone.
4. Many the gifts, many the people,
   many the hearts that yearn to belong.
   Let us be servants to one another,
   making your kingdom come.

 

[Axe_Swipe]

Hi creedence3! I’m not sure what activities the Catholic parishes in Elizabethtown as I work in Louisville and live across the river in Indiana. If you want to meet a very vibrant group of welcoming Catholics, I would recommend paying a visit to the Incarnation of the Lord parish on Lower Hunter’s Trace off of Dixie Highway. The pastor, Fr. Christian is wonderful.

It is true that you don’t see many Catholics “actively” evangelizing. But that is starting to change with Pope Benedict’s call for a “new evangelization”, especially for Europe. I think most Catholic entities currently have been more concerned with charity and community work and sort of let their actions do the evangelizing.