What is your idea to spread the word about our Catholic faith?

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GRATEFULONEjim

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We are called to evangelize and propagate our faith. I am wondering how all of you go about it. What have you found that works for your age group or in your experience? Do you have any ideas to help spread the word? My family was at Mass last night for the Ascension Holy Day and I was shocked, no, saddened how empty the church was. I know there are many age groups here on CAF. Let’s get some ideas rolling!
 
GRATEFULONEjim said:
We are called to evangelize and propagate our faith. I am wondering how all of you go about it. What have you found that works for your age group or in your experience? Do you have any ideas to help spread the word? My family was at Mass last night for the Ascension Holy Day and I was shocked, no, saddened how empty the church was. I know there are many age groups here on CAF. Let’s get some ideas rolling!
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Don’t forget that most parishes have at least three Masses for HDOO—two Vigils and one early morning. Maybe a lot of people were at another Mass.

Me? I just think of St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.”
 
I’m the only practicing Catholic in my family other than my husband, so I have no way of spreading the beauty of our faith other than talking with my husband. I mention in passing to my children who no longer live at home when I see them. Also, I have either Relevant Radio or EWTN radio blaring from my computer from morning until about 5 or 6 each evening so my other 2 kids who live here, have no choice but to hear at least snippets of our faith.

I forgot… I do evangelize by putting Catholic quotes and links in my facebook page. This reaches all those I play “farmville” with, as well as all those lukewarm, fallen away, and non believers within my real life friends too. (those who haven’t put my statuses on “ignore” at least)
 
I am a 27 year old soldier. In my world, religion isn’t a topic that is easily breached.

My strategy has been to be very careful to be a great friend, a hard worker, and a good soldier. As I do this, relationships are built. Eventually, my friends find themselves in a situation where they are in need. As it happens, I have the answer for them. When the opportunity presents itself, I share with them the hope of our Faith.

The results have varied, some have come to the Church, some have not. But in every case, my friendship is deepened with them and I am in a better situation to share my faith in the future.

Some have equated evangelism to salesmanship, but I know this isn’t the case. I’m not peddling anything; I’m only trying to give medicine to wounded people.

edit: To clarify, I have never been accused of “selling” my faith, but I’ve heard some Christians talk about evangelism as if it’s a product to be sold.
 
Sailor_Kenshin said:
Don’t forget that most parishes have at least three Masses for HDOO—two Vigils and one early morning. Maybe a lot of people were at another Mass.

Me? I just think of St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.”
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Nope, Our priest mentioned in the homily that that was not the case. It was actually his homily that inspired me to write this thread today.
 
As a nurse, I am given the great opportunity even in a non-Catholic hospital setting, to pray with and for my patients. I stop before my shift and after my shift to pray for my patients…even when I don’t know their names yet. Frequently, I will mention that to those who I feel are open to hearing it. Plus, I will often suggest to the roving chaplains who come up on the floors, which ones need especially a comforting visit. Among my coworkers, I have them also asking me to pray for some of their personal intentions, plus frequently when someone has misplaced something, they will come up to me and ask me to pray for St.Anthony’s intercession. And he has never let me down. In fact, they are surprised by my strength of faith and will come back and tell me that he actually helped them find a lost article. I remind them to also thank this faithful saint, so that he will help them once again.
My nursing career is more than a job, it’s a ministry it itself and I am grateful to God for the opportunity to use it to advance His name and help others get closer to Him
 
I just mentioned in another thread about how I saw a woman on the train today wearing an “Ask me about Seventh Day Adventists” button preaching on the train.

I thought the button was a nice idea.
 
I’m trying to get involved with a Prison/Jail ministry. Those incarcerated need God so much, and for many, it will be the first time they ever truly hear the Word of God.
 
Quiet, exhausting acts of charity, until I breath my last. The life of Christ.
 
2 Timothy 3:5 They will keep up the outward appearance of religion but will have rejected the inner power of it.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is ecstacy. The Body and Blood a legitimate addiction. Time and no time kiss at the epiclesis. Our Lord is true peace and joy.If only they could taste Him for themslves. A moment of grace is ten years at the university.

Come Holy Spirit.

peace
 
hazcompat, I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to use that picture as a part of my signature. It’s so beautiful!
 
I view this in two important ways. The first is evangelizing wayward catholics and protestants. The second is evangelizing athiest, agnostics, etc.

Evangelizing protestants and wayward catholics:
Proper education on the teaching of the church as well as the writings of the church fathers, along with serious learning of sacred scripture would go a very long way.

Its very hard for most catholics to discuss scripture with protestants for a variety of reasons. However, I have also witnessed protestants who have a very difficult time discussing the church fathers with catholics. When St. Paul said to “Put on the full armor of God” there is a reason in my view that he classified the Word as the sword. All catholics should be able to discuss the biblical foundations for our faith to include the sacraments and the doctrines of the church and should also be able to cite church fathers for the same. Of course this is predicated on them being knowledgeable enough in the catechism to know what they are supposed to defend in the first place.

I truly believe that if all catholics were properly educated in the catechism, writings of the fathers, and the bible a couple of things would happen. 1) we would lose far less catholics to other religions or to non-religion; and 2) we would be far more effective at swaying our protestant brothers and sisters. As it stands, we are asking the faithful to be spiritual warriors and we are giving them armor and a shield but no sword with which to fight back.

Evangelizing athiests and agnostics:
Here I see the need for training in philosophy, rhetoric, and the physical sciences. One of the best defenses of God in the world I have read came from this book.

Of course, this is all predicated on catholics seriously attempting to live a holy and devout life.

Well, there’s my :twocents:
 
jwinch2 said:
I view this in two important ways. The first is evangelizing wayward catholics and protestants. The second is evangelizing athiest, agnostics, etc.

Its very hard for most catholics to discuss scripture with protestants for a variety of reasons. However, I have also witnessed protestants who have a very difficult time discussing the church fathers with catholics.
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Excellent post!

I also agree with the comment above. I would venture to say most Evangelicals, unless they have taken theology courses, know zilch about the church fathers. My knowledge of the church fathers was pretty much contained in the Book of Acts.
 
TrueLight said:
Excellent post!

I also agree with the comment above. I would venture to say most Evangelicals, unless they have taken theology courses, know zilch about the church fathers. My knowledge of the church fathers was pretty much contained in the Book of Acts.
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Thanks.

When I see problems in the world, my place of work, the church, etc. the answer to me is almost always education. If people are properly trained they are prepared to deal with what comes. In the faith, that means knowing the catechism, knowing the fathers, and knowing sacred scripture. This is particularly important in my view in terms of catholics who are guilty of apostasy. As Father Corapi said in a show I was watching once “if you know what you’ve got, where are you going to go?”.

I am a recent convert as of this Easter and I am trying to educate myself in the faith the best that I can. I was very lucky in that our RCIA process was very structured and faithful to the magesterium, but I have been woefully ignorant of sacred scripture for my entire life. So now, I have more study bibles than I know what to do with and am off to the races.

Best of luck in coming into the Church and welcome home!
 
For me I do as St. Francis says (stated earlier) and when someone comments on my act of charity/whatever I did. “that was nice of you” Etc. I just say, “Hey I’m Catholic, just doing what I was called to do by Christ!!!” 😃 I don’t press the matter unless they ask, in which case I involve them in a nice conversation about the True Church… 👍
 
If you know a Catholic who hasn’t been to Mass in a while - invite them to go with you! Some folks are longing to come back but they are afraid to make a “goof” in church. So say, “Hey, I’m going to Mass <date/time> would you like to come with me?” Then smile. Big. 😃
 
InternetWoman said:
If you know a Catholic who hasn’t been to Mass in a while - invite them to go with you! Some folks are longing to come back but they are afraid to make a “goof” in church. So say, “Hey, I’m going to Mass <date/time> would you like to come with me?” Then smile. Big. 😃
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Great recommendation. 👍 👍
 
Yes, I am very pleased with the responses so far. Thanx every body. I hope we will see some more come in!
 
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