How to reach out

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It’s been on my heart lately that I need to make more of an effort in bringing people to the Truth. I’ve been blessed with such a precious gift, not only of faith in our Lord, but also in the sure knowledge that He founded the Church with His own hand, word, and blessing. The hubris of those who start or have started their own churches amazes me, though I realize that mostly they are not purposely being arrogant and ignorant.

As that shock has been more and more on my mind lately, it occures to me that I haven’t really been doing my part (other than in prayer) to help people realize the truth. I testify to the Truth contained in the Church whenever it comes up, but I don’t reach out to people to first bring them to Christ and secondly help them see that the Church is His Church, His Bride.

What are some gentle, non-pressuring ways you have found to do this? I’m well aware how easy it is to put someone off of the Faith if you are over-enthusiastic, and that can have life-long repercussions.

So, beyond simply living my faith and learning as much about it as I can in order to be prepared for the inevitable questions, how can I reach out to people? Both those I do know and those I don’t. It hurts me deeply that some of my closest friends don’t hold with the Faith, and I so want to bring them Home, but I really want to reach out to everyong: family, friend, acquaintances, and strangers. Any ideas?
 
Besides living your faith, prayer is the best thing you can do for others. More souls are converted to God by prayers than by the most eloquent words. Numerous saints have written on this topic. Always pray for your friends, relatives and other people you wish to commend to God and ask Him to shed His graces upon them.

The second way to evangelize is to learn more about the faith. The Church is a treasure trove of subjects to be explored. Knowing as much as you can about Catholicism will help you be able to answer on-the-spot questions and give you a firm footing in debates. Look further into apologetics and move on from there. Know when to be firm on a point and when to retreat back into prayer. Conversion is about love. We ourselves are always having to undergo conversion and so we can understand where our neighbor is coming from. We see the splinter in their eye but also are aware of the plank in our own.

If you stick with prayer and learning more about the faith, people will naturally gravitate towards you and ask you questions, whereas if you take a more direct approach, you can turn people off to the faith. Grow close to God yourself, and you will take all your loved ones with you to Him. 🙂
 
k8e308 said:
It’s been on my heart lately that I need to make more of an effort in bringing people to the Truth. I’ve been blessed with such a precious gift, not only of faith in our Lord, but also in the sure knowledge that He founded the Church with His own hand, word, and blessing. The hubris of those who start or have started their own churches amazes me, though I realize that mostly they are not purposely being arrogant and ignorant.

As that shock has been more and more on my mind lately, it occures to me that I haven’t really been doing my part (other than in prayer) to help people realize the truth. I testify to the Truth contained in the Church whenever it comes up, but I don’t reach out to people to first bring them to Christ and secondly help them see that the Church is His Church, His Bride.

What are some gentle, non-pressuring ways you have found to do this? I’m well aware how easy it is to put someone off of the Faith if you are over-enthusiastic, and that can have life-long repercussions.

So, beyond simply living my faith and learning as much about it as I can in order to be prepared for the inevitable questions, how can I reach out to people? Both those I do know and those I don’t. It hurts me deeply that some of my closest friends don’t hold with the Faith, and I so want to bring them Home, but I really want to reach out to everyong: family, friend, acquaintances, and strangers. Any ideas?
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If you are serious it is going to take some work and some money.

When your parish announces RICA classes, cut out the announcement, copy it,
and distribute it around neighborhoods as long as your pocketbook holds out.

Make up a little announcement for “Catholics only”. Then list in this announcement that
catholics can find wounderful information about all the things they want to know or were
curious about. Then list a few of the catholic websites. And of course, others are going to be just as curious. Distribute these in neighborhoods as well. You might print 8 annuncements to a page and then split them to save costs.

If you want to draw lapse catholics back, then go to the pastor and ask him if you may take a poll of catholics in your parish. Draw up a list of 3 easy questions. Once your foot is in the door, many will open up to you like you were their long lost bartender. Then, with
their consent, you can present their names to someone to follow up on depending on what the problem is. Sick catholics, lost catholics, catholics waiting to be asked, confused catholics, and the list goes on. My brother did this in his parish with a good deal of response from people.

Jesus said that a prophet is never accepted in his own country. And when it comes to my family, I am so helpless to help them because they are too familiar. It takes someone else to help them. But then I can help someone else’s family, and then they may do me
the same service. Helping others is the way we will get the blessings we need.

Above all don’t give up on your idea whatever form it may take. The harvest is ripe and waiting. You will do just fine once you begin. What it takes more than all else is a kind
heart seening the need of others.
 
I like what St Francis said. "Evangelige always. Use words when necesarry.
 
That desire that God has put on your heart is a blessing and a grace! Thank Him for it!
I don’t know what stage in life you are or where you are at, but as a college student, I can give you a few pointers.

I agree with wild thing, prayer and learning more about the faith are key. I encourage you to spend 20 minutes a day or more in prayer, in front of the Blessed Sacrament if possible! Let your efforts to share the Truth flow from your prayer life. And yes, pray and intercede for those around you! Secondly, learn more about the faith! This takes time. I also would encourage you to begin memorizing Scripture verses. Most non-Catholic Christians generally have a better knowledge of Scripture. Spend time reading the Bible every night before you go to bed.

Lastly, put yourself in a position to share the Truth! For me and my stage in life, that means spending time in the Student Union on campus and not staying at the safe environment of the Newman Center. It also means taking a chance, being vulnerable, and bringing up God, Jesus, or faith in conversations with others. Depending on your stage in life, putting yourself in a position to share the Truth will probably look different.

Keep thanking God for that desire to share the Truth and most importantly, act on it!
 
I have been feeling sort of like that too recently. When I find myself with other people I just try to talk with them. It might be a little difficult sometimes, but I usually find a way to bring the conversation to the faith.

One example that just happened to me yesterday: I was at a car place getting the brake light fixed on my car. I was sitting in the waiting room with another woman who was reading a book. I started talking to her about it. The book was ‘The Talisman’ by Stephen King. She told me it was about a boy who traveled between worlds to save his mother. I responded with, “Oh! sort of like Jesus Christ!” Then we talked about Catholicism for the rest of the time until her car was ready.

I know that is a very specific case, but it seems to me like a good approach is just conversing with a fellow human being, and then introducing this wonderful and glorious faith.

I think it works millions of times better than the old “Hi. Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior?” 😃

I don’t want to present the truth as weak and watered down, yet I don’t want to come off too strong either.

Another example: Someone was telling me about driving to San Diego, California. I asked if she knew the history of the place and how it got its name. She did not know. I proceeded to tell her just a quick point about how it was founded as a Franciscan mission to the indigenous people.

Always remember to follow proper conversation etiquette however. Actively listen to other people. Don’t interrupt or force your views on others.

I think I am pretty lucky(or blessed 👍 ) where I live and I hope you are too. It is a mostly Protestant area, so many people wear crosses and have Bible verse tattoos and stuff. (There have also been many people wearing rosaries lately as fashion statements. :eek: )They are prime pickings for a Catholic like me. I just go up the them and ask them about it, jewelry, tattoos etc. Then I start to discuss Christianity with them and maybe even invite them to church! 😃

There are people who quickly shut me down; some are hostile, while some are just too Politically Correct to discuss such matters. However, we are religious (or spiritual) beings, so a surprising amount of people aren’t afraid to jump right in. Just don’t let the discussion turn into a shouting match, nothing will ever get accomplished that way… 😊

I am sure the faith is important to you. This is a helpful talking point with the initial general conversation. What do I mean by this? Well my trump card is the seminary. When people ask if I am in school or what I am studying at school, I tell them and then proceed to mention my plans of entering the seminary.

If you are involved with prison ministry in any way or helping the homeless or hospitalized, then when you are asked what you do in your spare time, or something like that, you can mention these things. That will surely get the ball rolling.

“you shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.” --Matthew 10:22

Don’t despair! It might be hard sometimes, but keep going. The truth can take care of itself, all it needs is to be preached.

And lastly: Prayer is important beforehand. It is our armor, but it is also important afterwards. Once you talk with someone, make sure to keep them in your prayers that the truth might take root in their hearts. God Bless You!

“The only way to win audiences is to tell people about the life and death of Christ. Every other approach is a waste.”–Archbishop Fulton Sheen
 
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