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 Greetings!
Thank you for reading the Evangelization Exchange!
We have some things for your reflection in this month’s edition. Feel free to use them in your ministries.
Fr. Bill Edens continues reporting on his outreach to Young Adults…a two-year project he did in Portland, OR. You can see his sense of adventure and outreach…an example for us in our very frequent caution. When we look at the actual involvement of young people in church across the board boldness is what is called for. Also, don’t forget to order 20s/30s Ministry: A Guide For Parishes – it will give you clear direction for thinking about, and starting, this vital ministry.
There are just a few weeks left in the Year of Mercy. In this issue, we explore some of the “civic” directions that mercy can take in our society. Mercy, as a way of creating initiatives that change the lives of people, has a distinct role in the way we relate to each other as modern people in society-from social media, to our attitude toward prisoners. We need to think about, and communicate, mercy’s power in daily life.
Also we have information on several upcoming webinars you can register for, a presentation I gave in Grand Rapids, and some interesting data from the folks over at the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
Blessings as we celebrate the feast of All Saints…our common place in the Kingdom of God,<
Fr. Frank |
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Young Adult Evangelization & Ministry
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By Fr. Bill Edens, CSP
To be a missionary among young adults in Portland, I joined them doing what they love to do: hanging out – drinking craft beers, singing in open microphone pubs, listening to homegrown Portland music, and dancing in live music venues. I would always wear my Roman collar so people would realize that the church is reaching out to them. Though not an expert dancer, I always go to the dance floor and let loose a few dance moves. People are amazed, and happy, to see this vintage white man enjoy himself by moving his body to the beat of the music. These moves just prime the pump, so I can learn the local dancing by observation and practice.
The secret I have found is to try to dance without embarrassment. Learning to dance is like learning a new language or a new ministerial skill. You have to be willing to make mistakes. You get better by learning from others, and by practicing. Inevitably people would ask “are you a real priest?” or, laughing, would say “Will you hear my confession?” And often that would lead to a conversation about Jesus Christ.
So, what have I learned about young adults in Portland? They are largely unchurched. They may believe in Jesus and talk about Scripture and prayer, but they are wary about joining a religious group. They struggle with college debt, with finding a job, with finding a place to live, and with relationships. Some are seeking admittance to grad school. They are competent in the pop culture, and can talk endlessly about movies, video games, YouTube videos, the lives of actors, and they track how the church is perceived. They have so many opportunities through Social Networking that it becomes distracting.
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Previous Essays in this series
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The Spiritual Works of Mercy –
Civic Mercy
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By Fr. Frank DeSiano, CSP
The Year of Mercy is just about ready to conclude. In Church circles, it has had quite an impact as we have considered our ministries and attitudes from the perspective of the merciful Christ. Pope Francis continues to lead the way, spelling out what Mercy looks like. He’s used words like “accompaniment,” and “loving gaze” to frame the issue. Mercy puts people first. It puts them and their burdens before it looks at catechisms and laws. Of course, the principles and values endure. But the particular context of people precedes that, and it frames the way those principles apply to the lives of people.
One way I think of the “Mercy-shift” is this: using the stance of discipleship to build bridges with people rather than to judge and exclude them. We church professionals only have to reflect on what goes through our minds when someone comes to the rectory to get a “certificate” so that she or he can be a godparent. We often see barriers much more readily than we see possibilities.
Mercy, however, also has to apply to situations beyond the Church. And perhaps we need some reflection on what mercy can contribute to our fractured American life. In an interview recently, Pope Francis referred to countries where candidates are named that no one seems crazy about; “Perhaps the society is too politicized?” he suggested – knowing full well that we are way too politicized in the United States and have experienced gridlock in our government systems for way too many years.
Let me offer some reflections on mercy in our civic life.
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Previous Essays in this Series
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Click Here to see all the essays in our series on the Spiritual Works of Mercy and Evangelization.
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Best practices to Implement Living the Eucharist,
a Transformative Lenten Ministry That Gets Results!
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Tomorrow, October 19, 2016, 3:00 (ET)
“Living the Eucharist was one of the best experiences of my life,” wrote one parishioner from West Hampstead, NY.
Over 1,000 parishes in 93 dioceses in the US have used this dynamic Lenten ministry. The webinar provides an overview of Living the Eucharist and 10 best practices to equip your parish to implement this ministry successfully and with confidence in Lent 2017.
Presenter: Rev. Kenneth Boyack, CSP.
Register Here |
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The Living the Eucharist Daily Devotionals App:
a New Way to Ignite Your Spiritual Growth
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November 2, 2016, 3:00 (ET)
“Great app! So well designed and passages well written,” wrote one parishioner. Another said, “Thank you for creating this tremendous resource. I will be sure to tell others!”
The Living the Eucharist app is designed to provide life-changing encounters with Christ. Register for the webinar today to:
- Discover how the Learn Lectio Divina video on the app can transform the Sunday Mass experience of parishioners.
- Learn the ways in which the daily devotionals on the app can ignite spiritual growth during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas, Lent, and Easter.
- Find out how the Living the Eucharist app enables parishioners to become more intentional disciples of Jesus and let the light of Christ shine brightly in their lives.
Presenter: Rev. Kenneth Boyack, CSP.
Register Here |
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