Need to "re-evangelize" Catholics!

[MariaChristi]

…it is evident that the people of God are called to purify themselves and to revitalize their faith, allowing themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, to thus give new thrust to your pastoral action, as “many times sincere people who leave our Church do not do so because of what ‘non-Catholic’ groups believe but, fundamentally, because of what they live; not for doctrinal but for existential reasons; not for strictly dogmatic but for pastoral reasons; not because of theological but methodological problems of our Church” (5th General Conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopate, Conclusive Document, n. 225). Hence, it is about being better believers, more pious, affable and welcoming in our parishes and communities, so that no one will feel distant or excluded. Catechesis must be promoted, giving special attention to young people and adults; homilies must be carefully prepared, as well as promoting the teaching of Catholic doctrine in schools and universities. And all this to recover in the baptized a sense of belonging to the Church and to awaken in them the aspiration to share with others the joy of following Christ and of being members of his Mystical Body. (Underlining is mine)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Although the above words of Pope Benedict were addressed to the Bishops of Columbia, they are words we all need to hear and take to heart. I hope many parishes have some outreach to non-practicing Catholics. We have at least two times in the year (Advent and Lent) when we conduct a 6 week session for “Returning Catholics”. I wish it could be an ongoing effort rather than limited to only two times per year, but that is the pastor’s decision and so we work within that framework. It is better than no effort at all.

There is also a lack within many parishes to recognize the need each of us have for ongoing adult faith formation. Our “lived” witness need constant nourishment!

Full text of the Pope’s Address is HERE

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love…renew the face of the earth!

 

[andremiguel]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Although the above words of Pope Benedict were addressed to the Bishops of Columbia, they are words we all need to hear and take to heart. I hope many parishes have some outreach to non-practicing Catholics. We have at least two times in the year (Advent and Lent) when we conduct a 6 week session for “Returning Catholics”. I wish it could be an ongoing effort rather than limited to only two times per year, but that is the pastor’s decision and so we work within that framework. It is better than no effort at all.

There is also a lack within many parishes to recognize the need each of us have for ongoing adult faith formation. Our “lived” witness need constant nourishment!

Full text of the Pope’s Address is HERE

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love…renew the face of the earth!

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

That is a great idea, especially as we are going to be entering into “The Year of Faith” in October. I also wish there was a good way to emphasize to those of us who have not fallen away, to continue learning our faith and not just go through the motions at Mass. It is a very touchy subject to say the least

 

[Samuel63]

This is a great idea. I found a group called Miles Christi that supplies me with great faith formation material. I hold a faith formation meeting every week at my house for men in the community. We are starting small with only two men that attend regularly. I will keep trying.

This website, www.catholic.com, has a lot of material that can be used in a faith formation setting.

The one piece that is true in my opinion, in this time we have to focus on teaching our own catholic brothers and sisters what the real faith actually is. They are at the edge of beign lost and most parents in my community do a pathetic job of passing on the faith. They leave this to CCD class or the catholic school. This can be even worse. The faith is tought most effectively at home by Mom and Dad. Charge!

 

[MariaChristi]

This is a great idea. I found a group called Miles Christi that supplies me with great faith formation material. I hold a faith formation meeting every week at my house for men in the community. We are starting small with only two men that attend regularly. I will keep trying.

This website, www.catholic.com, has a lot of material that can be used in a faith formation setting.

The one piece that is true in my opinion, in this time we have to focus on teaching our own catholic brothers and sisters what the real faith actually is. They are at the edge of beign lost and most parents in my community do a pathetic job of passing on the faith. They leave this to CCD class or the catholic school. This can be even worse. The faith is tought most effectively at home by Mom and Dad. Charge!

Dear Samuel,

Thanks for your reply. May the Lord bless your efforts and the men who meet with you as well. Growth takes time and prayer makes the growth fruitful. Let us continue to pray for the Church (Clergy and Laity) through the intercession of Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelization.

 

[MariaChristi]

That is a great idea, especially as we are going to be entering into “The Year of Faith” in October. I also wish there was a good way to emphasize to those of us who have not fallen away, to continue learning our faith and not just go through the motions at Mass. It is a very touchy subject to say the least

Dear Gratefulone,

Thanks for your reply. You may be interested in reading this blog entry on an “Inert Laity and the Cure” HERE

 

[kkollwitz]

Thanks for the link, MariaC.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks for the link, MariaC.

Dear kkollwitz,

Since I posted first the link to the Pope’s Address in th OP and then most recently the link to the blog on “An Inert Laity and the Cure”, I’m not sure which link you may be referring to, but you are very welcome. I was blessed by both!

I think the blog entry HERE speaks more directly to the situation we experience in most Catholic parishes today. I think the Pope addresses the Bishops on the need to revitalize the faith because he is aware that the Body of Christ is suffering from members (Clergy and Laity) who are failing to build up the Body in love. Each of us, as members, needs to examine ourselves

I’d be interested in any comments you have on either link. Thanks.

 

[kkollwitz]

I’d be interested in any comments you have on either link. Thanks.

Re inert laity, I wrote:

I was born in 1957 into the faithful, modestly informed, modestly motivated Catholic world of South Louisiana. Let that situation be generational step 0. Then:

1. an inert laity: 1968
2. a merely loyal laity: 1972
3. a non-practicing laity: 1978
4. an ungrounded, confused laity: 1982
5. an unbelieving laity:1988
   That is, it didn’t take 5 generations. It took one. That may sound dreadful, but I believe that a meaningful turnaround is in progress that may be just as quick. And if you are the sort of Catholic who frequents blogs named “Renew the Church,” may I propose that you get into the catechetical classroom and teach the young’uns what they can’t learn at home.

 

[MariaChristi]

I’d be interested in any comments you have on either link. Thanks.

Re inert laity, I wrote:

I was born in 1957 into the faithful, modestly informed, modestly motivated Catholic world of South Louisiana. Let that situation be generational step 0. Then:

1. an inert laity: 1968
2. a merely loyal laity: 1972
3. a non-practicing laity: 1978
4. an ungrounded, confused laity: 1982
5. an unbelieving laity:1988
   That is, it didn’t take 5 generations. It took one. That may sound dreadful, but I believe that a meaningful turnaround is in progress that may be just as quick. And if you are the sort of Catholic who frequents blogs named “Renew the Church,” may I propose that you get into the catechetical classroom and teach the young’uns what they can’t learn at home.

Great comment! Thanks. Yes, to be a catechist is a great work. I have taught children, teenagers and adults. At present I am involved more with adults since I feel they are the most in need, for their own sake and for the sake of their children and grandchildren. My husband and I have facilitated Bible Studies as well as classes on the Catechism and the Compendium of the Catholic Church in our parish most recently. So many Catholic adults simply do not know their faith. I believe Archbishop Sheen once said that Catholics leave a Church they never really knew. I think he was right.

Please let us pray for one another and for the Church, that all of us may shine more brightly as Christ has told us:

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

 

[Gordon_Sims]

For the past few years, as I’ve worked hard to strengthen my faith, one thing I’ve tried to do is inspire the same in others. The vast majority of the lukewarm and non-practicing Catholics I know would not respond well to direct/overt evangelization so I’ve taken a different approach, mentioning things like our daughters sacraments and amusing or inspiring anecdotes from Mass. The bulk of this is on Facebook which seems to be the communication media of choice for most of them. During Christmas and Easter I’m much more open about my faith and frequently discuss our family’s preparations and everything we do during Holy Week. Have seen how few people see a need for it has turned me into something of a cheerleader for Reconciliation, and I tend to mention most of the times I go, especially if I can make an amusing, self-deprecating comment about it. If I’d say something like, “I went to Confession today, which you know is a requirement for all Catholics at least once a year,” I’d either be ignored or met with a bit of hostility. But if mention that I said something in the confessional that caused the priest to choke on his water, got him to laugh, etc. I tend to get more positive responses and can then engage people a little more seriously about it. I don’t know that I’ve encouraged anyone to go, but I know that I’ve corrected some misconceptions for a handful of people, and I figure that anything I do to keep the Church in these people’s mind in a positive light is a good thing.

 

[MariaChristi]

For the past few years, as I’ve worked hard to strengthen my faith, one thing I’ve tried to do is inspire the same in others. The vast majority of the lukewarm and non-practicing Catholics I know would not respond well to direct/overt evangelization so I’ve taken a different approach, mentioning things like our daughters sacraments and amusing or inspiring anecdotes from Mass. The bulk of this is on Facebook which seems to be the communication media of choice for most of them. During Christmas and Easter I’m much more open about my faith and frequently discuss our family’s preparations and everything we do during Holy Week. Have seen how few people see a need for it has turned me into something of a cheerleader for Reconciliation, and I tend to mention most of the times I go, especially if I can make an amusing, self-deprecating comment about it. If I’d say something like, “I went to Confession today, which you know is a requirement for all Catholics at least once a year,” I’d either be ignored or met with a bit of hostility. But if mention that I said something in the confessional that caused the priest to choke on his water, got him to laugh, etc. I tend to get more positive responses and can then engage people a little more seriously about it. I don’t know that I’ve encouraged anyone to go, but I know that I’ve corrected some misconceptions for a handful of people, and I figure that anything I do to keep the Church in these people’s mind in a positive light is a good thing.

Dear Gordon,

Thanks for your reply, and for your zeal. I’d like to share a good link with you and others HERE, It is entitled “Answering Hard Questions”. I’m also repeating the link for “An Inert Laity - the Cure” HERE, in case you missed it.

Please let us continue to pray, to use the internet, while never neglecting the personal face to face contacts we have with family, friends and strangers each day.

The Mission of the Church is to evangelize, Pope Paul VI reminded us in his encyclical “On Evangelization in the Modern World”. Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI likewise have urged us, but some remain “drowsy disciples” (a term used Pope Benedict in his book Jesus of Nazareth). May God help us, and Mary, Star of the New Evangelization intercede for us.

 

[uther]

MariaChristi,
Here is another quote from the same message to the Bishops of Colombia;

Hence, for the light from on High to continue to make fruitful the prophetic and charitable commitment of the Church in Colombia, you must insist on fostering in your faithful their personal encounter with Jesus Christ, so that they pray without faltering, meditate assiduously on the Word of God and participate more worthily and fervently in the sacraments, celebrated in keeping with the canonical norms and liturgical books. All this will be a propitious way for an ideal itinerary of Christian Initiation, inviting all to conversion and sanctity and will cooperate towards the very necessary ecclesial renewal.

And yet another from Benedict XVI visit to America;

What matters most is that you develop your personal relationship with God. That relationship is expressed in prayer. God by his very nature speaks, hears, and replies. Indeed, Saint Paul reminds us: we can and should “pray constantly” (1 Thess 5:17). Far from turning in on ourselves or withdrawing from the ups and downs of life, by praying we turn towards God and through him to each other, including the marginalized and those following ways other than God’s path (cf. Spe Salvi, 33). As the saints teach us so vividly, prayer becomes hope in action. Christ was their constant companion, with whom they conversed at every step of their journey for others.
(Meeting with Young People and Seminarians, Saint Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, New York Saturday, 19 April 2008)

In his book Introduction to Christianity he also develops this theme of conversion of heart in one part which I won’t quote here. Suffice to say, I think there is a theme coming through over the years of his pontificate. I underlined some of the key quotes that I have noticed.

As someone raised in an Evangelical home I have seen their evangelism and those of the Pentecostals first hand. And that is something that the Holy Father is very concerned with in his address to the Colombian bishops.

For a long time I have reflected on this, being a Catholic now 9 years, and I believe that there is an element that the Church allowed the Protestants to steal from her. It was ground she ceded a long time ago I think, which rightfully belongs to her.

How many times have I heard re-verts to the Church speaking with people like Marcus Grodi and saying that they left the Church to find Jesus Christ as their personal savior and later came back to the Church when they discovered that he was there all the time. This says to me that they would not have left if they had been challenged at some point in their youth to face their own personal faith in Jesus Christ, their own conversion of heart, and whether or not it was really there. But if we don’t talk about that directly I think they will follow someone who does talk about it.

Is it something that we are afraid to talk about, perhaps because we may be accused of being too Protestant because they have so effectively commandeered this territory over the years? And we may be afraid to confuse our theology of justification with theirs by using terminology that resembles their evangelization pitch. “Are you saved brother?” Perhaps we are afraid in some cases to sound like charismatics who have perhaps taken over the same territory in the Catholic Church in their emphasis on the experiences which many of us find a tilted theology derived from sources outside the Church.

Whatever the reason, I find that in 9 years, the only one that I have consistently heard mention the subject and teach or preach on it is Pope Benedict himself. I think we need to take back what rightfully belongs to the Catholic Church and overcome our discomfort with the idea of openly discussing personal faith in Jesus Christ with our children and young people.

Now, I can only speak from my own limited experience. Perhaps this is not an issue elsewhere, but I truly think that part of our entire gospel message, has been left out in many cases at many levels, and if it were not I think there would be a serious check on the flow of Catholics into the Evangelical and Pentecostal communions.

IMHO

 

[MariaChristi]

MariaChristi,
Here is another quote from the same message to the Bishops of Colombia;

*Hence, for the light from on High to continue to make fruitful the prophetic and charitable commitment of the Church in Colombia, you must insist on fostering in your faithful their personal encounter with Jesus Christ, *so that they pray without faltering, meditate assiduously on the Word of God and participate more worthily and fervently in the sacraments, celebrated in keeping with the canonical norms and liturgical books. All this will be a propitious way for an ideal itinerary of Christian Initiation, inviting all to conversion and sanctity and will cooperate towards the very necessary ecclesial renewal.

And yet another from Benedict XVI visit to America;

What matters most is that you develop your personal relationship with God. That relationship is expressed in prayer. God by his very nature speaks, hears, and replies. Indeed, Saint Paul reminds us: we can and should “pray constantly” (1 Thess 5:17). Far from turning in on ourselves or withdrawing from the ups and downs of life, by praying we turn towards God and through him to each other, including the marginalized and those following ways other than God’s path (cf. Spe Salvi, 33). As the saints teach us so vividly, prayer becomes hope in action. Christ was their constant companion, with whom they conversed at every step of their journey for others.
(Meeting with Young People and Seminarians, Saint Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, New York Saturday, 19 April 2008)

In his book Introduction to Christianity he also develops this theme of conversion of heart in one part which I won’t quote here. Suffice to say, I think there is a theme coming through over the years of his pontificate. I underlined some of the key quotes that I have noticed.

As someone raised in an Evangelical home I have seen their evangelism and those of the Pentecostals first hand. And that is something that the Holy Father is very concerned with in his address to the Colombian bishops.

For a long time I have reflected on this, being a Catholic now 9 years, and I believe that there is an element that the Church allowed the Protestants to steal from her. It was ground she ceded a long time ago I think, which rightfully belongs to her.

How many times have I heard re-verts to the Church speaking with people like Marcus Grodi and saying that they left the Church to find Jesus Christ as their personal savior and later came back to the Church when they discovered that he was there all the time. This says to me that they would not have left if they had been challenged at some point in their youth to face their own personal faith in Jesus Christ, their own conversion of heart, and whether or not it was really there. But if we don’t talk about that directly I think they will follow someone who does talk about it.

Is it something that we are afraid to talk about, perhaps because we may be accused of being too Protestant because they have so effectively commandeered this territory over the years? And we may be afraid to confuse our theology of justification with theirs by using terminology that resembles their evangelization pitch. “Are you saved brother?” Perhaps we are afraid in some cases to sound like charismatics who have perhaps taken over the same territory in the Catholic Church in their emphasis on the experiences which many of us find a tilted theology derived from sources outside the Church.

Whatever the reason, I find that in 9 years, the only one that I have consistently heard mention the subject and teach or preach on it is Pope Benedict himself. I think we need to take back what rightfully belongs to the Catholic Church and overcome our discomfort with the idea of openly discussing personal faith in Jesus Christ with our children and young people.

Now, I can only speak from my own limited experience. Perhaps this is not an issue elsewhere, but I truly think that part of our entire gospel message, has been left out in many cases at many levels, and if it were not I think there would be a serious check on the flow of Catholics into the Evangelical and Pentecostal communions.

IMHO

Dear uther,

Thanks so much for your reply and the additional quotes from Pope Benedict XVI. I couldn’t agree with you (and Pope Benedict ) more! The late Archbishop Sheen said once that many Catholics left a Church they never knew! So few in my parish seem to have a zeal for learning more themselves or sharing the Lord with those “outside the parish”. What a sad condition of “inertia”! Adult Faith Formation is a critical issue, related to re-evangelizing Catholics, and engaging more Catholics in evangelizing others.

On this thread I posted a link to “An Inert Laity - the Cure”, HERE. I hope you read or will read it. The author is a revert and has written several books as well as this article. You may be interested in his website HERE. All of us Catholics need to realize that the Church “exists to evangelize” (quote from Pope Paul VI’s encyclical On the Evangelization of the Modern World.)

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us, the Fire of Your Love!

 

[IanGE]

MariaChristi,

And yet another from Benedict XVI visit to America;

What matters most is that you develop your personal relationship with God. That relationship is expressed in prayer. God by his very nature speaks, hears, and replies. Indeed, Saint Paul reminds us: we can and should “pray constantly” (1 Thess 5:17). Far from turning in on ourselves or withdrawing from the ups and downs of life, by praying we turn towards God and through him to each other, including the marginalized and those following ways other than God’s path (cf. Spe Salvi, 33). As the saints teach us so vividly, prayer becomes hope in action. Christ was their constant companion, with whom they conversed at every step of their journey for others.
(Meeting with Young People and Seminarians, Saint Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, New York Saturday, 19 April 2008)

How many times have I heard re-verts to the Church speaking with people like Marcus Grodi and saying that they left the Church to find Jesus Christ as their personal savior and later came back to the Church when they discovered that he was there all the time. This says to me that they would not have left if they had been challenged at some point in their youth to face their own personal faith in Jesus Christ, their own conversion of heart, and whether or not it was really there. But if we don’t talk about that directly I think they will follow someone who does talk about it.

Whatever the reason, I find that in 9 years, the only one that I have consistently heard mention the subject and teach or preach on it is Pope Benedict himself. I think we need to take back what rightfully belongs to the Catholic Church and overcome our discomfort with the idea of openly discussing personal faith in Jesus Christ with our children and young people.

IMHO

I used to pray with my eyes closed, concentrating on God. Many years ago he told me to open my eyes, “look around you, at your brothers and sisters, truly join in with them.” He said the same thing to me about my private prayers too, “don’t close your eyes, Ian, I am not just in your head when you concentrate. Look around at my creation and understand I am in EVERYTHING.” I found this advice hard to follow after years of closed-eyes devotion! But later I began to hear God in the song of a blackbird, perceive the wonder of Him in the passing of a cloud, changing its shape and colour. In the life-giving sunlight and the equally life-refreshing rain that Abba has thoughtfully provided for us. It is then that I KNOW God is alive and that lifts me into the miraculous joy of my being alive in Him!

I am one of those who left the church to search for God. After 21 years I was led to ask Jesus to take over my sin-filled life. He did, led me to a baptism in the Holy Spirit, a realisation that God was not a glowering tyrant but a loving Father through Jesus. I and my wife were ordered back to the Catholic church: we grumbled a bit because we couldn’t pray in tongues or raise our worshipping hands to our Great God. But the Lord said there was no need to join an already Charismatic church, our duty was to take our glorious indwelling Holy Spirit to the Church. Sometimes I feel like Sysiphus, get the stone nearly to the top and the wretched thing rolls back down the hill! But there are small consolations: once, while waiting behind the pulpit to read while my partner was reading the OT, I prayed silently in tongues. The Lord commented, “you’re the first one to pray in tongues on this altar, Ian” Our church is quite young, barely 50 years old. I’m still surprised!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Ian,

The Lord works ALL things unto good… (cf. Romans 8:28) Thanks much for your reply.