Some thoughts about evangelization

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A few years back I approached our Father and asked him if I could create a radio commercial as an invitation to midnight Mass in our Parish in Utah. He agreed and it was made. We also did one for Easter Sunday. They turned out beautifully. A simple invitation. To my surprise I received a few comments from other parishioners. One was “where are we going to sit?” I responded, “If someone comes to the Mass for the first time we will sit on the ground, give them our seats. She walked away a bit angry. Another said “radio commercials inviting people to our Mass, that’s what Protestants do” I said “then I will be a Protestant for you” I had been Baptized a few years back and was on fire for the faith. I knew how our Mass can change lives. It changed mine. 15 years later I am still on fire for our faith in Christ, for His Holy Church. What comes to mind today is this…wear your crucifix…people out in the world need to see us. All of us constantly need to be reminded of what we have been gifted like it or not. Know it our not…
www.utahmission.com
 
Radio commercials for an invitation to Mass. What a wonderful idea to reach people to know, love, and receive Jesus. Perhaps, this idea will spread throughout the U.S.A. Is your bishop spreading the word about this approach?

Pope Francis wants to bring faith and devotion to Jesus to the whole wide world.

My constant prayer for 8 years now has been the intercession of the Angels and Saints for the conversion of souls to Jesus’ Holy Catholic Church.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!
 
A few years back I approached our Father and asked him if I could create a radio commercial as an invitation to midnight Mass in our Parish in Utah. He agreed and it was made. We also did one for Easter Sunday. They turned out beautifully. A simple invitation. To my surprise I received a few comments from other parishioners. One was “where are we going to sit?” I responded, “If someone comes to the Mass for the first time we will sit on the ground, give them our seats. She walked away a bit angry. Another said “radio commercials inviting people to our Mass, that’s what Protestants do” I said “then I will be a Protestant for you” I had been Baptized a few years back and was on fire for the faith. I knew how our Mass can change lives. It changed mine. 15 years later I am still on fire for our faith in Christ, for His Holy Church. What comes to mind today is this…wear your crucifix…people out in the world need to see us. All of us constantly need to be reminded of what we have been gifted like it or not. Know it our not…
www.utahmission.com
these are all very interesting thoughts about evangelization. The ONLY thing I would say is that I don’t know if wearing the crucifix would be the best thing to do, sure it could help but don’t try and look like someone who is prideful or something about their religion. The BEST way to bring people to the faith is in our daily conversation with them.
 
A few years back I approached our Father and asked him if I could create a radio commercial as an invitation to midnight Mass in our Parish in Utah. He agreed and it was made. We also did one for Easter Sunday. They turned out beautifully. A simple invitation. To my surprise I received a few comments from other parishioners. One was “where are we going to sit?” I responded, “If someone comes to the Mass for the first time we will sit on the ground, give them our seats. She walked away a bit angry. Another said “radio commercials inviting people to our Mass, that’s what Protestants do” I said “then I will be a Protestant for you” I had been Baptized a few years back and was on fire for the faith. I knew how our Mass can change lives. It changed mine. 15 years later I am still on fire for our faith in Christ, for His Holy Church. What comes to mind today is this…wear your crucifix…people out in the world need to see us. All of us constantly need to be reminded of what we have been gifted like it or not. Know it our not…
www.utahmission.com
What a lovely idea you had! What a tragic response from your congregation!
 
If we have to worship in the lobby, so be it. I’ve had to do it before when one time I waited until the last minute to go to the last Pentecost service of a weekend. :rolleyes: For the reason of bringing so many people back to the Church or those who want to come for the first time, it would be totally worth it!!! We can always build bigger sanctuaries 🙂
 
Everything we can do for help the church is great, the priest of my church is asking volunteers for transport people who can make it to the church on Sundays, I think last week they were 5 families that doesn’t have a car who were bring to the mass, he also organize the pray group every thrusday, we don’t have many people yet but we still invited people to come, also i find a page call St Paul Street Evangelization, and what this guys are doing is great, going to the street as Our pope Francis wish, taking the church to the streets.
God Bless You
 
The thing that bothers me about the idea of advertising Mass on a non-Catholic radio station is that those broadcasts go to a very broad range of people, and they’re all welcome to come, but a non-personal invitation such as that could cause problems, such as:
  • Folks might think that the Catholic Church was “opening up” to other faiths - maybe even sharing Communion. The Catholic Church is not like a protestant church, where typically anyone can participate on whatever level they wish. Advertising in a very broad manner might give people the wrong idea. “Why invite me, if they won’t let me receive Communion?”
  • Non-Catholics who gets a non-personal invitation might not actually know any Catholics, and would probably be completely lost with nobody to help guide them. FWIW, when my wife and I went through RCIA, neither of us knew a Catholic in good standing. The priest appointed a sponsor for us. But we came from a traditional Anglican background. I can hardly imagine someone from some non-dom mega church walking into a Catholic Mass, completely unprepared with no support.
 
What a lovely idea you had! What a tragic response from your congregation!
I did not see it as tragic although it really made me think about why I got this reaction. You have to just love them. If a few could say these things how many others were thinking it. I think it has something to do with being un comfortable about speaking about our faith, about Jesus. We don’t want to be looked at as weird or trying to convert. We need to pierce peoples hearts…first many Catholics. Its ok to be excited about Jesus and our Church. We should be able to invite and talk about what we have. Not worry about what they think. Its what God thinks that is important and He loves His Son. He wants us to speak about His Son to everyone. When you love another it is natural to want to talk about them. No fear of rejection…its ok to be rejected in this Catholic light.
 
The thing that bothers me about the idea of advertising Mass on a non-Catholic radio station is that those broadcasts go to a very broad range of people, and they’re all welcome to come, but a non-personal invitation such as that could cause problems, such as:
  • Folks might think that the Catholic Church was “opening up” to other faiths - maybe even sharing Communion. The Catholic Church is not like a protestant church, where typically anyone can participate on whatever level they wish. Advertising in a very broad manner might give people the wrong idea. “Why invite me, if they won’t let me receive Communion?”
  • Non-Catholics who gets a non-personal invitation might not actually know any Catholics, and would probably be completely lost with nobody to help guide them. FWIW, when my wife and I went through RCIA, neither of us knew a Catholic in good standing. The priest appointed a sponsor for us. But we came from a traditional Anglican background. I can hardly imagine someone from some non-dom mega church walking into a Catholic Mass, completely unprepared with no support.
 
The thing that bothers me about the idea of advertising Mass on a non-Catholic radio station is that those broadcasts go to a very broad range of people, and they’re all welcome to come, but a non-personal invitation such as that could cause problems, such as:
  • Folks might think that the Catholic Church was “opening up” to other faiths - maybe even sharing Communion. The Catholic Church is not like a protestant church, where typically anyone can participate on whatever level they wish. Advertising in a very broad manner might give people the wrong idea. “Why invite me, if they won’t let me receive Communion?”
  • Non-Catholics who gets a non-personal invitation might not actually know any Catholics, and would probably be completely lost with nobody to help guide them. FWIW, when my wife and I went through RCIA, neither of us knew a Catholic in good standing. The priest appointed a sponsor for us. But we came from a traditional Anglican background. I can hardly imagine someone from some non-dom mega church walking into a Catholic Mass, completely unprepared with no support.
Your making some great points. What we did was make a flyer that explained these things in detail in a very comfortable way. We gave them out as guest came it and tried to be in tune. We also had them in the pews so guest could read about these important aspects of our faith. If I knew that there was a Mormon close to me I would make myself available in a very polite manner. I have some stories I could tell…We all need to be in tune to the Mass first and those around us. We all have parts to play…out of our love for Christ and those around Him
 
Your making some great points. What we did was make a flyer that explained these things in detail in a very comfortable way. We gave them out as guest came it and tried to be in tune. We also had them in the pews so guest could read about these important aspects of our faith. If I knew that there was a Mormon close to me I would make myself available in a very polite manner. I have some stories I could tell…We all need to be in tune to the Mass first and those around us. We all have parts to play…out of our love for Christ and those around Him
Sounds like a very well thought out plan. Congratulations.
 
Your making some great points. What we did was make a flyer that explained these things in detail in a very comfortable way.
That’s good. But the protestant visitor is probably already freaked out by the time he takes his seat. Most people dip their fingers and bless themselves when entering (what is THAT all about), and, depending on the Parish, maybe half of them genuflect before sitting (why do those people do this, and others do not? Is this some bizarre caste system?) Usually, NOBODY turns and greets their neighbors before Mass (which is a courtesy, because Catholics usually engage in private prayer before Mass, but many protestants view this as “social time,” and our non-social behavior could be perceived as rude). In a typical non-dom church, the time before services begins is like being in a sports stadium - everyone is talking (or shouting) to everyone. It’s utter chaos, and it takes the pastor five or ten minutes to bring the assembly to order. No priest has EVER had to bring any Catholic assembly to order at any Mass I have ever attended, in any country I’ve ever visited.

Before Mass even begins, they probably already feel like outsiders (and perhaps they feel insulted). Are they gonna pick up and read a tract titled something like “For New Catholics?” When NOBODY around them is reading this tract? At this point, I think most non-liturgical protestants are trying to “blend in” and are looking for the soonest opportunity to escape.

Then Mass begins, with the priest saying, “The Lord be with you,” and the congregation actually responds, and everyone is (mostly) saying the exact same response (some still forget, and say “And also with you,” but I digress). But nobody seems to be reading this from a book (in the Archdiocese of Seattle, where my family sometimes attends Mass due to scheduling constraints (Washington is actually only four miles away), pew missals have been “banned” by the Bishop) As the Mass progresses, Catholics demonstrate an amazing capacity to recite, in unison, the Act of Contrition, the Nicene Creed, etc, usually without referring to any text. We can even sing them! Catholics sometimes loose sight of how foreign a liturgical, responsive service seems to people who have never experienced such a service.

Non-liturgical protestants have NEVER experienced anything like this! They might punctuate a two-hour homily in their own church with an occasional shout of “Amen” or “Wonderful Savior,” but they have no experience with any sort of liturgy, much less full-blown Catholic liturgy (God help them if they ever visit a Greek Orthodox church!)
If I knew that there was a Mormon close to me I would make myself available in a very polite manner. I have some stories I could tell…
Out of curiosity, how would you spot the Mormons? I doubt they would have flashed their Mormon ID cards at the door (you probably know what I’m talking about, but for the benefit of others, I’m not being sarcastic here - Mormons really have such cards, which they call Temple Recommends - the image is outdated; modern Recommends have barcodes. Mormons who are not known by sight are required to show these cards (which undergo verification) before entering a temple)).
 
That’s good. But the protestant visitor is probably already freaked out by the time he takes his seat. Most people dip their fingers and bless themselves when entering (what is THAT all about), and, depending on the Parish, maybe half of them genuflect before sitting (why do those people do this, and others do not? Is this some bizarre caste system?) Usually, NOBODY turns and greets their neighbors before Mass (which is a courtesy, because Catholics usually engage in private prayer before Mass, but many protestants view this as “social time,” and our non-social behavior could be perceived as rude). In a typical non-dom church, the time before services begins is like being in a sports stadium - everyone is talking (or shouting) to everyone. It’s utter chaos, and it takes the pastor five or ten minutes to bring the assembly to order. No priest has EVER had to bring any Catholic assembly to order at any Mass I have ever attended, in any country I’ve ever visited.

Before Mass even begins, they probably already feel like outsiders (and perhaps they feel insulted). Are they gonna pick up and read a tract titled something like “For New Catholics?” When NOBODY around them is reading this tract? At this point, I think most non-liturgical protestants are trying to “blend in” and are looking for the soonest opportunity to escape.

Then Mass begins, with the priest saying, “The Lord be with you,” and the congregation actually responds, and everyone is (mostly) saying the exact same response (some still forget, and say “And also with you,” but I digress). But nobody seems to be reading this from a book (in the Archdiocese of Seattle, where my family sometimes attends Mass due to scheduling constraints (Washington is actually only four miles away), pew missals have been “banned” by the Bishop) As the Mass progresses, Catholics demonstrate an amazing capacity to recite, in unison, the Act of Contrition, the Nicene Creed, etc, usually without referring to any text. We can even sing them! Catholics sometimes loose sight of how foreign a liturgical, responsive service seems to people who have never experienced such a service.

Non-liturgical protestants have NEVER experienced anything like this! They might punctuate a two-hour homily in their own church with an occasional shout of “Amen” or “Wonderful Savior,” but they have no experience with any sort of liturgy, much less full-blown Catholic liturgy (God help them if they ever visit a Greek Orthodox church!)

Out of curiosity, how would you spot the Mormons? I doubt they would have flashed their Mormon ID cards at the door (you probably know what I’m talking about, but for the benefit of others, I’m not being sarcastic here - Mormons really have such cards, which they call Temple Recommends - the image is outdated; modern Recommends have barcodes. Mormons who are not known by sight are required to show these cards (which undergo verification) before entering a temple)).
I have to say this. Jesus will take care of anyone who comes to His Mass. This I have 100% faith in. I came…I became Catholic 12 years later. Just get them there any way you can. Its what He wants.
 
I like it.

In fact, I like it a lot!

Now, here’s some ideas to follow on and make it even more effective.

Your greeters should have specially made visitors packets that maybe contain a short welcome letter from your pastor and I would suggest a pair of the following excellent Catholic tracts.

catalog.osv.com/images/products/P9_150.gif
Top Ten Questions Catholics are Asked Author: Dave Armstrong List Price: 15.95 US$
Package of 50

shop.catholic.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/o/gods-love-for-you.jpg
God’s Love For You

Buy 100 for $0.15 each and **save 40% **

This way, you hand them good answers to some of the most common questions/objections that many n-Cs may have been exposed to, and you also offer them a very clear invitation to consider the answer to that need we all have… a conversion that brings us into a relationship with God and His Church.

I think you’re a genius! 👍**
**
 
I like it.

In fact, I like it a lot!

Now, here’s some ideas to follow on and make it even more effective.

Your greeters should have specially made visitors packets that maybe contain a short welcome letter from your pastor and I would suggest a pair of the following excellent Catholic tracts.

catalog.osv.com/images/products/P9_150.gif
Top Ten Questions Catholics are Asked Author: Dave Armstrong List Price: 15.95 US$
Package of 50

shop.catholic.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/o/gods-love-for-you.jpg
God’s Love For You

Buy 100 for $0.15 each and **save 40% **

This way, you hand them good answers to some of the most common questions/objections that many n-Cs may have been exposed to, and you also offer them a very clear invitation to consider the answer to that need we all have… a conversion that brings us into a relationship with God and His Church.

I think you’re a genius! 👍**
**
Yes…yes and yes…in the pews. It also helps all Catholics. I would also suggest a tour of each Parish once a month. Maybe the first Tuesday of each month. We had it running in the newspaper continually in Logan Utah. At times we may have had one or two people take the tour. Other times may have been the Mormon youth groups with over 15 teens. I have so many stories that I could tell. It was awesome. We used this tri-fold that we all got together on and created.
utahmission.com/Common-Questions-.html
Remember we are in Utah. If it was a youth group we would ask permission to give them out. They said yes. Anybody want one of my stories?

We also made a sheet on each station such as the stations of the cross, confessional, the Crucifix, etc… If anyone is interested in doing any of these things you can contact me for support. Guess what. RCIA was right after the tour. Did we get anyone…YES
 
A few years back I approached our Father and asked him if I could create a radio commercial as an invitation to midnight Mass in our Parish in Utah. He agreed and it was made. We also did one for Easter Sunday. They turned out beautifully. A simple invitation. To my surprise I received a few comments from other parishioners. One was “where are we going to sit?” I responded, “If someone comes to the Mass for the first time we will sit on the ground, give them our seats. She walked away a bit angry. Another said “radio commercials inviting people to our Mass, that’s what Protestants do” I said “then I will be a Protestant for you” I had been Baptized a few years back and was on fire for the faith. I knew how our Mass can change lives. It changed mine. 15 years later I am still on fire for our faith in Christ, for His Holy Church. What comes to mind today is this…wear your crucifix…people out in the world need to see us. All of us constantly need to be reminded of what we have been gifted like it or not. Know it our not…
www.utahmission.com
Cool. And that’s a nice looking website. And the other one that it links to. Really cool: The Catholic Mass… Revealed.

With love in Christ,
Pete
 
Thanks Pete
The Catholic Mass revealed is great for the RCIA. It is a link from my site only. No money made on it. Really look it over and if you can bring attention to it at your Parish, the RCIA coordinator.
 
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