Why are Catholics afraid to evangelize?

[Mt_28_19_20]

No, but they DO have one with the prayer to the Archangel Michael:

"Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.
"

• Adam

Yes, what a beautiful day to reflect on the angels God created, epecially Michael the Archangel.

If I had to chose between that prayer or this prayer, I’d go with this one:

"Holy Merciful Father, forgive us our sins of which we truly repent,
defend us in battle [with the help of your angels].
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Heavenly Host -
by your divine power -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen. "

God bless,

Michael

 

[averheyen]

Yes, what a beautiful day to reflect on the angels God created, epecially Michael the Archangel.

If I had to chose between that prayer or this prayer, I’d go with this one:

"Holy Merciful Father, forgive us our sins of which we truly repent,
defend us in battle [with the help of your angels].
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Heavenly Host -
by your divine power -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen. "

God bless,

Michael

Why?

 

[puzzleannie]

OP is talking about parishes he knows of, I will speak of my own and surrounding parishes. Let us see how pastoral staff, and parishioners, have evangelized this week:
Father: besides his usual sacramental and pastoral duties for the parish and the diocese
Offering Mass and speaking at Youth 2000 rally in a neighboring parish
Radio programs and TV interviews taped (for his own shows)
coordinating Red Mass for the diocese
Has been interviewed twice by local media on church-related news stories, and given authentic Catholic and diocesan point of view
Edits quarterly magazine distributed throughout the state
met with interfaith mininsterial association
school Mass and talks with all CCD classes

Deacon (retired)- funerals, weddings, baptisms and quinceneras, all opportunities to speak not only to the principals, but to friends and family who may not be Catholic, or may not be practicing
marriage prep, which includes the same opportunities to evangelize not only couples but their families
Plus he participates with his wife in a number of community faith-based organizations and endeavors

Sisters - coordinate and train leadership and facilitators in English and Spanish for the Disciples in Mission diocesan evangelization program, now going into its 2nd year, as door-to-door- teams are being trained.

DRE-CCD and RCIA, training catechists, this all includes besides the usual classes for students, parents and sponsors, chances to reach out to families for adults and others not in parish programs, who need sacraments, who need healing and reconciliation, and who are not practicing the faith, or wish to know more. Through children and youth, entire families are evangelized.

Secretaries–put together welcome packets for new parishioners including a wealth of evangelization materials, keep pamphlet rack filled, publish bulletin and maintain parish website, and communicate in a variety of ways with parishioners, and interact with residents within our boundaries who are not Catholic, in a positive welcoming way.

That is just the paid staff. Even the housekeeper, brings in neighbors and their children to Mass, to CCD, to other programs.

How about parishioners and volunteers?
Bereavement ministry
Fledgling program to do household repairs and lawn work for the eldery and disabled
St. Vincent de Paul (food bank, clothing cupboard, household repairs, utility cutoffs, emergency assistance, medications etc).
Pro-Life–nightly rosary, 40 days for life, sidewalk counselling at PP and clinics, liaison with local and national pro-life orgs.
Parishioners who belong to and support the various ministries and outreaches of:
Catholic Daughters
KofC
Catholics United for the Faith
ACTS retreat
Priests for Life
Legion of Mary
Altar Sodality
America Needs Fatima
Mexico Outreach
and many more

Plus parishioners who participate in various other community groups under other sponsorship, using these means to witness by actions rather than words to the Catholic beliefs and values.

Not to mention the many teachers, health care professionals, justice system workers, and government employees, who use their workplace as a forum to witness to Christ and Catholic values.

Yes, I’d say we have made a good start on evangelization.

forgot those engaged in prison ministry, youth ministry, and visiting the sick and dying, and hospice ministry.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

Why?

God is my Father, Michael is an Archangel.

God created the angel Michael.

It’s God’s divine power, I’d prefer to pray to God in first person.

Mt 6:6 "“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Mt 14:23 “After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.”
Did Jesus pray to angels, or to God our Father?

God bless (not Archangel Michael bless),

Michael

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

Yes, I’d say we have made a good start on evangelization.

forgot those engaged in prison ministry, youth ministry, and visiting the sick and dying, and hospice ministry.

May very well be true. Assuming the Gospel is being heard and witnessed thought these activities. “Good” deeds and acts of service don’t always communicate the Gospel. Many “good” deeds are performed by nonChristians.

God bless,

Michael

 

[averheyen]

God is my Father, Michael is an Archangel.

God created the angel Michael.

It’s God’s divine power, I’d prefer to pray to God in first person.

Mt 6:6 "“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Mt 14:23 “After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.”
Did Jesus pray to angels, or to God our Father?

God bless (not Archangel Michael bless),

Michael

Are you Catholic?

 

[LilyM]

Are you Catholic?

Clearly not - or an extremely badly educated one if he doesn’t understand the Communion of Saints.

Look, there’s a reason the prayer is called the ‘OUR Father’ rather than the ‘MY Father’ - we are all members of Christ’s body, the earthly and heavenly saints. All united through our common head, Jesus Christ. And all can and must be united in prayer for each other. We all on earth should certainly seek the prayers of others at every opportunity.

Remember Paul tells us to pray for each other - and also ***asks ***prayers for himself from others. James says ‘the prayers of a righteous man AVAILETH MUCH’ (they’re powerful), which is more than just telling us to seek prayers from other people, it means we’re specifically to seek the prayers of righteous people on our behalf.

Don’t tell me you never ask other people to pray for you - friends, relatives, your pastor? In doing so you’re doing EXACTLY what we do with the Saints and Mary - we choose them because we know they’re in heaven (where no earthly person is guaranteed to end up!) and are the most righteous of all.

 

[averheyen]

Clearly not - or an extremely badly educated one if he doesn’t understand the Communion of Saints.

Look, there’s a reason the prayer is called the ‘OUR Father’ rather than the ‘MY Father’ - we are all members of Christ’s body, all in this together, all should be united in prayer for each other and asking the prayers of others.

Remember Paul tells us to pray for each other - and also ***asks ***prayers for himself from others. James says ‘the prayers of a righteous man AVAILETH MUCH’ (they’re powerful), which is more than just telling us to seek prayers from other people, but specifically to seek the prayers of righteous people on our behalf.

Don’t tell me you never ask other people to pray for you - friends, relatives, your pastor? In doing so you’re doing EXACTLY what we do with the Saints and Mary - we choose them because we know they’re in heaven (where no earthly person is guaranteed to end up!) and are the most righteous of all.

I was going to say.

I’d strongly, STRONGLY, advise against modifying the Noveana to St Micheal the Archangel to suit personal preferences.

STRONGLY!

 

[rien]

Parish in my neighborhood has lost a third of its memebers over the last decade. Budget issues are front and center. I am told they recently cut their evangelization budget out - to keep the social outreach functions going. You need to look at it in context.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

Are you Catholic?

Yes. Are you? What did I say that is not consistent with Catholic teaching?

God bless,

Michael

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

I was going to say.

I’d strongly, STRONGLY, advise against modifying the Noveana to St Micheal the Archangel to suit personal preferences.

STRONGLY!

Why? What was inconsistent with Catholic theology and teaching with the slight change in wording? Opposition to praying directly to God, and acknowledging Michael the Archangel, one of His creations?

May I suggest doing a seach on biblegateway.com, with the NAB Catholic version and search pray:

1. Notice every time a verse says “pray to” notice the name that comes next?
2. Notice when Jesus teaches how to pray, who does He teach us to pray to?
3. Notice everytime Jesus prays? Do you think He is praying to God, or to an angel, or Mary, or St Peter, or St Joseph?

This in no way detracts from praying for one another, or from the communion of saints:

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Eph 6:18 “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”

God bless,

Michael

 

[Genesis315]

Do you have a Legion of Mary chapter at your parish or in your diocese? They do a ton of evangelization.

That being said, there is nothing wrong for praying for converts too–in fact, it is very good. In St. Bonaventure’s biography of St. Francis of Assisi, he describes how St. Francis taught that a tongue tied friar who prayed for the salvation of souls would receive many glories in Heaven for the souls he was converting by his prayers than a preacher who converted many by his preaching, but gave into the temptation to take pride in the souls he had converted, as if it was his own doing.

The point being, while more expressive evangelization like preaching is very good (St. Francis did a lot of it), it can be a temptation and praying for conversions is also very, very meritorious and efficacious.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

Clearly not - or an extremely badly educated one if he doesn’t understand the Communion of Saints.

Look, there’s a reason the prayer is called the ‘OUR Father’ rather than the ‘MY Father’ - we are all members of Christ’s body, the earthly and heavenly saints. All united through our common head, Jesus Christ. And all can and must be united in prayer **for **each other. We all on earth should certainly seek the prayers of others at every opportunity.

Actually, there is a reason Jesus taught "Mt 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and **pray to your Father **who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Yes, we pray for one another, the communion of saints. My point is that my preference is to pray to God. Type “pray to” on the search tool on biblegateway.com and see what results. I certainly do pray TO God FOR the body of Christ, the communion of saints.

Remember Paul tells us to pray for each other - and also ***asks ***prayers for himself from others. James says ‘the prayers of a righteous man AVAILETH MUCH’ (they’re powerful), which is more than just telling us to seek prayers from other people, it means we’re specifically to seek the prayers of righteous people on our behalf.

Don’t tell me you never ask other people to pray for you - friends, relatives, your pastor? In doing so you’re doing EXACTLY what we do with the Saints and Mary - we choose them because we know they’re in heaven (where no earthly person is guaranteed to end up!) and are the most righteous of all.

I ask people to pray for me, and I ask Saints and Mary to pray for me. As I said, if I had to chose between a prayer to St Michael, and the prayer to God, I would prefer the direct prayer to God. How about you, which would you prefer if you had to chose one or the other.

So, you judge me to be a clearly not Catholic, or at least a poorly educated one? Are you confident that does not risk being false witness?

God bless,

Michael

 

[puzzleannie]

seems like this thread is running in stereo, one conversation about evangelization efforts by Catholics, and another an apologetics issue (which belongs on another forum entirely). anybody interested in staying on topic and following forum rules?

 

[averheyen]

seems like this thread is running in stereo, one conversation about evangelization efforts by Catholics, and another an apologetics issue (which belongs on another forum entirely). anybody interested in staying on topic and following forum rules?

Deal.

Mt, I’m creating a topic on this over in apologetics, join me there need be.

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

…The point being, while more expressive evangelization like preaching is very good (St. Francis did a lot of it), it can be a temptation and praying for conversions is also very, very meritorious and efficacious.

Excellent post. On our heart, and on our tongue. In my opinion both efficacious, and both have temptations, such as the temptation of judging or acting self-righteous while preaching, or praying more for our will than for God’s will.

God bless,

Michael

 

[averheyen]

Excellent post. On our heart, and on our tongue. In my opinion both efficacious, and both have temptations, such as the temptation of judging or acting self-righteous while preaching, or praying more for our will than for God’s will.

God bless,

Michael

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=187572

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

Deal.

Mt, I’m creating a topic on this over in apologetics, join me there need be.

Averheyen,

 Feel free, however I'll pass on participating. Not really anything more to say in that regard right now.

puzzleannie wrote “seems like this thread is running in stereo, one conversation about evangelization efforts by Catholics, and another an apologetics issue (which belongs on another forum entirely). anybody interested in staying on topic and following forum rules?”

What seems to be an apologetics issue may really have to do with “Why are Catholics afraid to evangelize?” May I suggest part of being afraid is that many Catholics don’t know the bare basics of their faith, they are more familiar with what has been built upon the core basics. For example, they might not see the concrete blocks and support beams, and might be more familiar with the upstairs balcony, or the stain-glassed entrance door, or the oriental carpet in the third floor guest room.
So, when asked about their foundation, and they start talking about the balcony (the assumption), the stained-glass entrance door (Mary), the oriental carpet (communion of saints) (randomly associated the pairs, no theological significance intended), the person asking about building a house on a strong foundation is going to look at them wondering how is that going to help them build a foundation. They hear nothing about blocks and support beams, so they wonder what’s what… and the person talking about balconies and stained-glass and carpets might not be comfortable that they love the house yet have difficulty describing the core basics, the blocks and beams.
I know, an imperfect analogy, however it’s the best my mind can come up with?

God bless,

Michael

 

[averheyen]

Averheyen,

 Feel free, however I'll pass on participating. Not really anything more to say in that regard right now.

puzzleannie wrote “seems like this thread is running in stereo, one conversation about evangelization efforts by Catholics, and another an apologetics issue (which belongs on another forum entirely). anybody interested in staying on topic and following forum rules?”

What seems to be an apologetics issue may really have to do with “Why are Catholics afraid to evangelize?” May I suggest part of being afraid is that many Catholics don’t know the bare basics of their faith, they are more familiar with what has been built upon the core basics. For example, they might not see the concrete blocks and support beams, and might be more familiar with the upstairs balcony, or the stain-glassed entrance door, or the oriental carpet in the third floor guest room.
So, when asked about their foundation, and they start talking about the balcony (the assumption), the stained-glass entrance door (Mary), the oriental carpet (communion of saints) (randomly associated the pairs, no theological significance intended), the person asking about building a house on a strong foundation is going to look at them wondering how is that going to help them build a foundation. They hear nothing about blocks and support beams, so they wonder what’s what… and the person talking about balconies and stained-glass and carpets might not be comfortable that they love the house yet have difficulty describing the core basics, the blocks and beams.
I know, an imperfect analogy, however it’s the best my mind can come up with?

God bless,

Michael

I think you and I strongly disagree on key theological issues central to catholic belief.

That being said, put on the gloves, and lets take this over to apologetics!

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

I think you and I strongly disagree on key theological issues central to catholic belief.

That being said, put on the gloves, and lets take this over to apologetics!

As I said, “Feel free, however I’ll pass on participating. Not really anything more to say in that regard right now.” Will you respect that? If I prefer to pray directly to God and not a prayer to St Michael, why do you want to put on the gloves? If I’d rather say ten Our Fathers than ten Hail Mary’s, what’s the problem? I say both when I pray the rosary. However, if I had to chose between one or the other, I’d chose the Our Father hands down.

Back to the OP “Why are Catholics afraid to evangelize?” Do you have any comment on the house analogy? Note, the analogy in no way disregards the balcony, the stained-glass door, or the oriental rug as unimportant. It merely acknowledges the importance of the blocks and beams for the foundation, and how has the house grows beautifully, we might not have a clear view and understanding of the blocks and beams. Thus, we might be “afraid” to evangelize, and more at ease talking about what we see everyday in the house. When someone asks about the foundation/basement, we might not be comfortable looking at that and talking about that compared to our comfort looking at and talking about the stained-glass door.

If I was a non-Catholic, how would you evangelize me? What would be the core basics, the blocks and beams? In 50 words or less?

Michael