Our Mission
On behalf of the wider Church and the Paulist Fathers, the mission of the Paulist Evangelization Ministries is to develop effective methods for inviting people to believe in Jesus Christ as Catholics or to become active again in the Catholic faith, and for equipping Catholics with the tools to further this invitation.
Reaching the unreached in faith
Who are the unreached in faith? They are your neighbors, co-workers, friends and acquaintances. Sometimes they are people sitting in the pew next to you. Often they are people waiting for someone to invite them to take a look, but they feel hesitant to speak up. They are inactive and disconnected Catholics, some who may be alienated from the church, but many more who just lost connection with the faith, and may even still consider themselves Catholics. They are people that we call seekers who have fundamental questions about the meaning of human life and who could discover the value of faith, if someone would just reach out to them in a sincere, credible, and appealing way. Still some are Catholics themselves who lack a sense of commitment or who are not centered in a spirituality of discipleship. Without forgetting the inactive Catholics and seekers, the New Evangelization seeks to inspire Catholics in a way that will bring their faith to life.
We will help you reach them
When PEM adopted its new name and logo in 2009, Fr. Frank DeSiano, CSP, observed how fitting the name and logo are for our mission. “Paulist lines us up with the lineage of outreach that goes back to Fr. Isaac Hecker, the founder of the Paulist Fathers. Evangelization makes clear the purpose of our office. Ministries points to the various ways we try to move evangelization forward, through small groups, parish missions, prison ministry, the Internet and video,” said Fr. DeSiano.
Paulist Evangelization Ministries chose the new logo to emphasize the dynamism of the Spirit which flows from God and the salvation of Jesus Christ.
Paulist Evangelization Ministries presently offers important programs for reaching inactive Catholics (Awakening Faith) and for welcoming inquirers about the Catholic faith (Seeking Christ). A comprehensive three-year parish renewal program, called Living the Eucharist (Vive la Eucaristia), helps Catholics reflect on the Mass and its connection to renewal and mission. Paulist Evangelization Ministries is also developing a 12-video Paulist Comprehensive Evangelization Training and a program to help parishes get started in evangelization ministry.
Presentations and consultations. Paulist Evangelization Ministries staff members give presentations throughout the United States and serve as consultants to dioceses and parishes seeking to carry out the evangelizing mission of Christ.
New resources. PNCEA continues to develop new resources and seek new ways to equip parishes and prepare the laity for evangelization, as well as to help Catholics grow in faith. |