Catholic Evangelization

Bix · #1 Apr 18, '12, 10:07 pm

Coming from a Protesant background, I need help understanding this - how do Catholics evangelize? Yes, I'm Catholic, but the majority of my life was Baptist. I suppose most of this has to do with - what do y'all do for those interested in the time between Easter - September RCIA. ( I don't really onsider that outreach as the interested party has to initiate the contact, but it is evangelization) How do your parishes help those interested in Catholicism and keep them interested or give support during this five month wait period?

Thanks~

Semper Zelare · #2 Apr 19, '12, 12:34 am

Well, Catholics evangelize in all sorts of ways. Recently a lot of lay Catholics have taken to the web to promote their views on the internet. Personally, it was mainly thanks to Catholics on blogs, youtube and forums that I became at least somewhat catechized about the teachings of the Church.

Other than that there is generally speaking a lot of emphasis placed on service. Trying to reflect Christ through your actions, whether you're helping the homeless or working with your co-workers. The big saying is "preach the Gospel daily, and when necessary, use words".

There's not really a lot of street preaching; although Catholics definitely can do this. It may not be common in America, but I saw a youtube video in the Philippines of a group of lay-Catholics who street preached on a weekly basis.

Another specific form of Evangelism might be participating in public prayer rallies (which are often held at abortion clinics). It's a good place for a lot of sometimes anti-Catholic Christians to realize that Catholics are on the same page as them... at least in terms of abortion.

In general, I would say that it depends on the parish. A parish can have tons of groups and programs for evangelism outside of RCIA. I've heard people on these forums talk about a group (forget the name) in which Catholics go door to door. A more common way to go would be to look for a Catholic Bible Study, or find a group of people willing to start one... and see if any non-Catholics are interested.

And yes, you're right. RCIA is perhaps the GO TO place for getting people of all stripes to learn about the Catholic Church. But, outside of that, just read your parish bulletin. Or just stay tuned to threads on this sub-forum

But... as far as I know, there's no real limits on what you can do for evangelism. As long as you can get some parishoners on board (and possibly the priest depending on the situation) you're good to go

SuscipeMeDomine · #3 Apr 19, '12, 7:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bix

Coming from a Protesant background, I need help understanding this - how do Catholics evangelize? Yes, I'm Catholic, but the majority of my life was Baptist. I suppose most of this has to do with - what do y'all do for those interested in the time between Easter - September RCIA.

A good RCIA program has something in place immediately. This may be the formal inquiry program, it may be meetings with members of the RCIA team, it may be some kind of ongoing contact with the RCIA director, or it could be something else that they have come up with. An inquirer shouldn't simply be told "come back in September and we'll talk with you then."

Unfortunately, too many RCIA programs are run on a school-year calendar. If I told people to come back in several months, I'm afraid they would simply disappear.

PeterJohn · #4 Apr 19, '12, 8:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bix

Coming from a Protesant background, I need help understanding this - how do Catholics evangelize? Yes, I'm Catholic, but the majority of my life was Baptist. I suppose most of this has to do with - what do y'all do for those interested in the time between Easter - September RCIA. ( I don't really onsider that outreach as the interested party has to initiate the contact, but it is evangelization) How do your parishes help those interested in Catholicism and keep them interested or give support during this five month wait period?

Thanks~

Like the others have said in the words of St Francis, "Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." but I might add, that this is not a quote used to sympathise with those who don't want to talk about the bible. Just before the gospel is read, every Sunday, we pray " the Lord be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart". The Fellow Catholics I speak with, tend to overlook that this is prayed by them every Sunday. But as is said in the gospel of Matthew, 21:22, "And in all things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."

DJK100 · #5 Apr 30, '12, 2:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bix

Coming from a Protesant background, I need help understanding this - how do Catholics evangelize? Yes, I'm Catholic, but the majority of my life was Baptist. I suppose most of this has to do with - what do y'all do for those interested in the time between Easter - September RCIA. ( I don't really onsider that outreach as the interested party has to initiate the contact, but it is evangelization) How do your parishes help those interested in Catholicism and keep them interested or give support during this five month wait period?

Thanks~

Hi Bix,

I tend to agree with you that Catholics do not evengelize enough. I am trying to start something at my Parish but I first want to make sure that the Parish has a strond understanding of our faith. I will admit I don't really know the first thing about "taking it out to the streets" so to speak so I figure I would just be reading a lot of How to books and going from there. I think that there is no real right way to evangelize as long as you remain true to the teachings of the Church. However, I think that it would be awesome at your Parish if you would take some of your Protestant evengelization enthusiasm and techniques to your Catholic Parish you might be able to start a lot of really good things.

rushrules98 · #6 May 8, '12, 7:26 pm

I would advise studying and learning your Catholic faith so you can be prepared to answer questions about it and give Biblical references. Listen to Catholic Apologists like John Martignoni, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, & Scott Hahn.
I talk to Protestants at work, on the Internet, and my own brother who is Baptist.
And through study of the Bible, reading good Catholic books or researching good websites, I'm prepared to evangelize anyone.
Look at books by John Salza. I buy multiple copies of his "Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith" and give them to Catholics as well as nonCatholics.
See also www.scripturecatholic.com.

Duffle · #7 May 9, '12, 6:52 am

That's a great question! Pope Benedict XVI is certainly strongly emphasizing evangelization these days. There is a brand new document out from the the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Evangelization. It's a great document in my opinion.

There are some good parish-based programs out there for evangelization. These serve as good tools. Most importantly, however, as I understand it is that every baptized Catholic is called to share the Good News in the situation of the secular world in which we find ourselves. We nurture ongoing growth in our relationship with and knowledge of God, and then we can help our coworkers, family members, friends, neighbors, fellow parishioners, etc. to have an encounter with Christ and grow deeper in their faith.

There's a book that I really like on Catholic evangelization. It's written by Fr. C. John McClosky.

Does your (arch)diocese have evangelization information on their website?