To “evangelize” means to bring the love, purpose and meaning of God to someone’s existence. Now, some of us may say, “How can I do that? I don’t have the knowledge to speak eloquently about the Church and our faith?” Well, to be clear and to the point, St. Francis of Assisi said it best, “Speak often and sometimes use words!” Briefly, the way we live our faith in-and-through our daily lives is the best teaching tool.

This past week at one of the daily Masses, the gospel told us that God would give us what we need, by way of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim His Good News. We do not have to come up with the words, the catchy phrase, or the pithy soundbite. He will give us what we need, when we need it to do His Will. We just need a willing heart.

There are so many ways to evangelize: We can evangelize through homilies at Mass or in reflections on retreat: or in book clubs and Bible studies by proclaiming the Good News in everyday discussions. In addition, every time a volunteer makes sandwiches or a meal (or serves it at a shelter) we are “preaching the Good News.” Each time we come into a church, light a candle, or say a prayer, we are preaching to those who might witness that “act of faith.” When you become one-among-many and support the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal so that the hungry are fed, the ill are cared for or a child is given their immunization shots or a seminarian is trained as a priest, “you are preaching the Good News” by making Christ present to someone in need. Moreover, when you sing at Mass, lector, serve as a Eucharistic minister, an altar server or welcome the faithful to our parish; knitting a shawl for the grieving or in any other way evidence Christ to another—you are proclaiming Him who Was, Is and shall ever Be.

Another particular way to evangelize the Good News, which we need here in our parish, is to be a catechist in our faith formation program. The only real qualification is to love the faith and want to share (witness) it with others. Our parish provides the teaching discipline, we provide all the tools and the training and the support you will need…the only thing you need to bring is an open heart and willingness to pass on what you believe to another. If you would kindly pray over this role—being a catechist in our program—and then talk to me after Mass or call me, and/or speak with our Faith Formation director, Zach Wood at 658 1642, then we will illustrate to you the simplicity and joy of the program and the role of a catechist.

Thank you!