Ways of evangilizng

[mark_eugene]

Hi Christian brothers and sisters,

First time posting , lifetime Catholic wanted to start a dialogue on methods to glorify God through works of mercy.
We are all aware of methods of feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, but what about taking it a step further : sharing the gospel with these people at the same time?
At our church we are promoting evangilization within the family as well as community. It has been a struggle, most are afraid to step outside of their comfort zone. Always looking for new ideas…Jesus said “If you acknowledge me publicly I will acknowledge you to my father in heaven”. How can we acknowledge him publicly more often?

Lets talk…

Mark

 

[JRKH]

1. Say Grace before meals in public resturaunts.
2. LIVE your faith. Do nothing that is uncharitable. Remember St Francis’ admonition to, “preach the Gospel always, when necessary use words.”
3. Check this out - 12 ways to painlessly evangelize It’s right here on CAF.

Peace
James

 

[mfj]

Usually anything bishops and the like write are way over my head. But they came up with a program “The New Evangelization” that is, in my mind, extraordinary. The program touches on so many aspects within the church, home, community, that it’s a great place to start and end.( Like alot of folk, I have many more ideas of my own, they are untested and semi expensive.) But sticking with real thinkers is better advise!

I recieved the materials from our archdiocesan office of evanglization in St Louis. I was in the process of working with our Priest when he was transferred. Then the Archbishop Raymond Burke started a new program in north St Louis county which put the final squish on it. So final implementation didn’t happen though you should be able to find some parishes that did work it out.

I can’t say how the new program is working out either. I hope well. It involved several parishes and had great people with alot of great ideas. I was layed off from my job and had to move out of the area. I may be able to contact them if you feel the need.

The New Evangelization by the USCCBs. check it out.

 

[Lief_Erikson]

To begin evangelizing, it’s valuable to do research and know your faith well. Read up on common objections made by atheists, relativists, liberals, and people of other faith backgrounds, and know your faith.

That’s useful preliminary work.

The most important thing of all is Prayer. Lots of prayer. Pray to Mary, acknowledge any successes as hers privately and if you must acknowledge them to anyone publicly, direct the praise to Jesus and Mary, where it belongs, for our prayers next to Mary’s are a drop of water in a bucket-full. Keeping this in perspective is very important because humility helps.

Humbly also accept that your prayers will be answered in God’s time and way, not necessarily yours, and if His will is for all your arguments and labors to fail, this is up to Him.

Prayer is the most important part of evangelism by far.

Aside from that, be open to talking about your faith when a natural moment arises in ordinary conversation. Don’t “push” for an opportunity – or at least I wouldn’t. Just wait for it and when it comes, take it. This is more natural the more you focus on your spiritual life, because the more your spiritual life fills your life, the more interested you naturally will be in talking about what you’ve learned, care about and are experiencing. So it’ll naturally, spontaneously come out, the more you devote yourself to your faith. Or at least it may – I’m not saying it will for all people, in all situations. You can pray also to be able to speak of this more in natural conversation, as the Spirit leads you.

Pray to be of use to Him as an evangelist, if it is His will, if that is what you want.

As I think I’m emphasizing pretty clearly, prayer is definitely the heart of evangelistic activity. The ability to speak and see results springs from the prayer.

Oh, and if a situation comes where you see what appears to you a good opportunity but religion hasn’t come up in the natural course of conversation, feel free to act. For instance, my sister, who spends most of her time at college, was on break for the winter holidays and I saw she had spare time on her hands, so I asked her if she wanted to do some Bible studies with me. I saw the opportunity and just stepped in. She said yes and a lot has gone excellently as a consequence.

On the other hand, I made the same offer to someone else when he had the opportunity and he said no. I don’t fret about the failure and I point to Mary with the success. That’s how we need to try to practice it.

 

[mark_eugene]

Lief,

Thank you and the others for sharing, that was great!

I noticed it has been over a week since my original question posted and we have had three replies, yet 143 people read this thread. Does that mean many others are looking for more ways of Evangilizing?

Here are a few more ways that our church is trying…

1. clinic on; responsibility of Dad teaching the faith at home (supported with handouts)
2. making handouts available titled " twelve reasons from the teachings of the church for wanting to spend one hour with Jesus in the “Blessed Sacrament”/promoting “Holy Hour”.
3. Enrolled in prison ministries “Angel Tree program” (Christmas party for the children in our community that have parents in prison)
4. Text messaging spiritual message to cell phones each morning during Lent for all enrolled families of parishners.

 

[mfj]

Sorry for the confuscion the book and training series is called “Go And Make Disciples” not the New Evangelization.