October 24, 2014
My earlier letters (posted on the parish website: stfrancisholland.org) briefly introduced the idea of “evangelization” and “stewardship.” This week I want to dig deeper.
Evangelization. What does this mean for St. Francis de Sales Parish?
- Evangelization begins with each of us. First of all, evangelization challenges us to deepen our prayer life, grow in our faith, and respond with grateful hearts to the gifts God gives us. Evangelization challenges us to bring our faith to every part of our lives, everyday—not just at a weekend liturgy. In short, evangelization calls us to be disciples, just as the earliest followers of Jesus were. Evangelization begins when we strengthen our relationship with God.
- Evangelization also calls us to share our faith with others. That’s what the earliest disciples did, and we are challenged to do this as well. “Does this mean I need to preach on a street corner?” Not at all; this part of evangelization stretches us to act on our faith and respond to Jesus’ message, “Go and make disciples of all nations!” As we strengthen our prayer life and deepen our faith, we make our faith come to life in all we do; our lives change. When the Romans saw how the early Christians lived, they were amazed “See how those Christians love one another!” Those early Christians shared their faith and joy in their lives everyday--that’s evangelization.
The Church which goes forth is a community of missionary disciples who…are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, He has loved us first, and therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads, and welcome the outcast. Such a community has an endless desire to show mercy, the fruit of its own experience of the power of the Father’s infinite mercy. Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel
Stewardship. Stewardship is an outgrowth of our evangelization. In last weekend’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that everything and everyone—even Caesar—belongs to God. When we deepen our prayer life and respond in gratitude to God’s gifts, we joyfully and generously share our talent, time, and treasure. Gratitude is the basis not only of stewardship and evangelization but of our attitude toward God as well.
Coordinator of Evangelization and Stewardship. I am excited about hiring a Coordinator of Evangelization and Stewardship (I wrote about this position in my third letter—the letter and the job description are posted at stfrancisholland.org). The coordinator will work with me, the pastoral and finance councils, and the stewardship committee to manage and organize our efforts in evangelization and stewardship. These efforts will renew and reinvigorate the parish we love.
Like Paul in our second reading last weekend, I can say
We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please keep me and our parish in your prayers as we respond to the call to evangelization and stewardship.
Fr. Charlie
- Log in to post comments