Parish evangelization plans

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Has anyone done an evangelization program at your parish or school for a particular group? Like youth, or ex-Catholics, or couples, or whatever? And you created or your parish provided an evangelization plan for the program that you could share with me? Either online or via email. Thank you.
 
MarcoPolo said:
Has anyone done an evangelization program at your parish or school for a particular group? Like youth, or ex-Catholics, or couples, or whatever? And you created or your parish provided an evangelization plan for the program that you could share with me? Either online or via email. Thank you.
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Yeah…it is called catechesis.
 
We are to teach the Gospel and sometimes use words. Also we are to show others by example that we are Christian.
 
MarcoPolo said:
Has anyone done an evangelization program at your parish or school for a particular group? Like youth, or ex-Catholics, or couples, or whatever? And you created or your parish provided an evangelization plan for the program that you could share with me? Either online or via email. Thank you.
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Check out the following:
 
Yes, I did one last fall going into spring of 2013. I got enamored of fr. Robert Barron’s DVD’'s “Catholicism” online. I wound up ordering the set and watched all of them a few times. Then, I told my prayer group about them and shared my thoughts about showing them in the parish hall weekly. They encouraged me in this and I talked to my parish priest about doing a program and even advertising it in the newspaper. He said I should show them to my group and afterward let him know if they all agreed or saw any problem with this. I did as he said and showed to a group of prayerful warriors and also invited some of the other parishoners who were daily Mass attendees and also our Deacon and his wife. Finally, after they all agreed, Fr gave his permission and we were off and running. We had two immediate conversions, and several more that are now going thru RCIA and plan to become Catholic. This is a great time to evangelize, especially since so many religions are bending their rules so much they cannot even refer to the Bible anymore except by carefully picking and choosing. when other faiths started admitting actively gay pastors, women pastors, doing gay “marriages”, etc., many devout members had to turn away. Seeking the church that has remained faithful to God’s word has turned many toward the one true church. All these people need is an invitation to learn more.
 
Used2beSherryG said:
Yes, I did one last fall going into spring of 2013. I got enamored of fr. Robert Barron’s DVD’'s “Catholicism” online. I wound up ordering the set and watched all of them a few times. Then, I told my prayer group about them and shared my thoughts about showing them in the parish hall weekly. They encouraged me in this and I talked to my parish priest about doing a program and even advertising it in the newspaper. He said I should show them to my group and afterward let him know if they all agreed or saw any problem with this. I did as he said and showed to a group of prayerful warriors and also invited some of the other parishoners who were daily Mass attendees and also our Deacon and his wife. Finally, after they all agreed, Fr gave his permission and we were off and running. We had two immediate conversions, and several more that are now going thru RCIA and plan to become Catholic. This is a great time to evangelize, especially since so many religions are bending their rules so much they cannot even refer to the Bible anymore except by carefully picking and choosing. when other faiths started admitting actively gay pastors, women pastors, doing gay “marriages”, etc., many devout members had to turn away. Seeking the church that has remained faithful to God’s word has turned many toward the one true church. All these people need is an invitation to learn more.
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That’s good news! 👍
 
R_C, thanks for the links…I’m needing those as well. 🙂

MarcoPolo, a friend of my wife and myself are planning on doing such a program. We have not started yet, have not even submitted our final proposal to the Priest yet (hoping to be able to use the Church grounds instead of my living room). We’re going to offer the Beginning Apologetics series to the Parish (bulk purchase order) and then have a sign-up for anyone interested in a study group on the series. We’ll meet once a month and discuss 1 booklet each time, with supplemental Q&A/discussion as needed.
 
ahs said:
R_C, thanks for the links…I’m needing those as well. 🙂

MarcoPolo, a friend of my wife and myself are planning on doing such a program. We have not started yet, have not even submitted our final proposal to the Priest yet (hoping to be able to use the Church grounds instead of my living room). We’re going to offer the Beginning Apologetics series to the Parish (bulk purchase order) and then have a sign-up for anyone interested in a study group on the series. We’ll meet once a month and discuss 1 booklet each time, with supplemental Q&A/discussion as needed.
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You’re welcome!

A good couple of books: “Handbook of Christian Apologetics” and “Handbook of Catholic Apologetics” - both by Peter Kreeft & Ronald Tacelli, SJ.

The issue I have seen with study groups is that often times they miss a crucial point: that the Church on earth is militant. If Catholics see the studying as something towards their personal edification, as a way to better defend their faith and their church “if the occasion arises”, they may or may not be interested, depending on their state of life. If they see it as part of their militancy, as a first, introductory step towards the primary goal of evangelization, then the interest may be kindled in their hearts with greater strength - because there is greater joy in giving than in receiving, and nothing can (or should!) move the Catholic heart more than the perspective of being able to bring Christ and His Church to those who ignore them due to ignorance, misunderstanding, or prejudice.

Otherwise, if we are limiting ourselves to Catholics, we are taking part of the much needed “new evangelization” within the Church - but we are *not *evangelizing in the proper meaning of the word.

Just some thoughts! I am trying to push these plans forward within my own place, as well.
 
My parish has a notebook of prayer intentions. On occasion I will write: “For the conversion of Generation X.” As a “GenX-er,” I feel that my age group has been conceded as a loss. All the parish programs seem to be youth-oriented. That’s not a bad thing of itself. I just wish there was more that I could do to help my age cohort.
 
Good luck!

Another group to look at is the Legion of Mary. I don’t know if they are active in your area. We had a seminarian attached to our parish for a year who persuaded our priest to get it started in our parish about 6 months ago. To be fair the Priest, the seminarian and our permanent Deacon were all members in the past. The main aim of the Legion of Mary is evangelization.

We started by going round updating the parish records, just knocking on people’s doors. Now we’ve done that we are going door to door and revisiting people who aren’t Catholic but said they are interested in the church or have lapsed.
 
andy4d said:
Good luck!

Another group to look at is the Legion of Mary. I don’t know if they are active in your area. We had a seminarian attached to our parish for a year who persuaded our priest to get it started in our parish about 6 months ago. To be fair the Priest, the seminarian and our permanent Deacon were all members in the past. The main aim of the Legion of Mary is evangelization.

We started by going round updating the parish records, just knocking on people’s doors. Now we’ve done that we are going door to door and revisiting people who aren’t Catholic but said they are interested in the church or have lapsed.
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“those who have lapsed” you mentioned. Good idea. The good shepherd leaves the 99 and goes after the one that is lost. Jesus mentioned that this would bring great joy in heaven. Good for you, that is where it is needed the most.

The green scapular is a wonderful thing to use for this very purpose. If they are interested at all, give them one and have them say that prayer of Mary’s every day. For this is what Mary gave that scapular to us for, for those who have no faith, and for those lapsed in their faith.
Let her work on them. Great, great, great.

Mary said that “thousands” would be converted using this scapular if used properly.

Be at peace.​

“Mary, woman of the Gospel, humble home for treasured seed, help us to be true disciples bearing fruit in word and deed.” (hymn)
 
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