A letter from Father Charlie on Evangelization - PART TWO

 

October 12, 2014

In last Sunday’s gospel (Mt 21:33-43), we heard Jesus tell the parable of the landowner whose vineyard tenants treated him with profound disdain despite offering them great wealth. The tenants even killed the landowner’s son. Jesus used this parable to warn his audience—and us—that the Kingdom of God is given only to those who respond to God’s love with love. 

We Catholics are called to share that love with others.  What Jesus told his disciples two thousand years ago, he tells to us as well: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).  We are all called to be what Pope Francis calls “missionary disciples,” disciples who go out and make other disciples.  This is the task of the “New Evangelization,” to spread the word to those who haven’t heard it and also those who have grown tired of it.  In a world that has gone incredibly wrong, that task, the New Evangelization, has reached a crisis stage. It calls us, as stewards of the great faith revealed to us, to literally “spread the word”.

Pope Francis has spoken relentlessly of the requirement for 21st Century Catholics: to take up the cause of evangelization with a passion and verve shown by 1st Century Christians.

How can we bring this missionary zeal to Holland-Zeeland?  How can we, for example, properly address the yearnings and keep alive the spirit of God’s love among the growing number of Hope College students who profess our faith and call St. Francis de Sales their home?

Over the last few months, I have become convinced that these missions: evangelization stewardship and attention to campus ministry are as important to growing our faith life as anything we do today.  They are key components, in my view, to reaching our ultimate destiny, joining the company of Jesus Christ.

For that reason, I have been consulting with a special stewardship task force of dedicated parishioners for the past few months to determine the gospel path forward.  In the coming weeks, we will be sharing the goals of this initiative.  I ask for your prayers and support as we, the parish of St. Francis de Sales, undertake this important work.                                                                          

Father Charlie