Catholic Evangelization Solutions 
August 2003
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We recently experienced a phenomenon that quickly became known as a “rolling blackout.” A power outage of unprecedented proportion wreaked havoc in the Northeastern U.S. and parts of Canada. Millions of people were stranded without electricity, an essential element that brings order and comfort to the chaos of life. Without power, we were paralyzed, unable to move freely from destination to destination. Airplanes, trains and subways, traffic lights, air conditioning – all became useless without a power source to drive them.
Those who do not know Jesus Christ live in a “rolling blackout” each and every day. People are held captive by the chaos of life. God the Father is a stranger. The power to live in grace and to love unconditionally is unattainable because the Holy Spirit is hidden behind a veil of tears, fear, unbelief, and ignorance. This a time of great need. Millions need to know there is hope.
You who believe in Christ; you who know the love of a forgiving Father; you who dwell in the power of the Holy Spirit, YOU are the ones our God has chosen to be His heart, His hands, His voice to all who dwell in darkness. Jesus said, “YOU are the LIGHT of the world! A city set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14-15) Let the light of Christ shine brighter and reach out to your friends and family who live in darkness.
Your Brother in Jesus,
Dave Nodar
BUILDING EVANGELIZING EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITIES
"Primary proclamation is addressed to non-believers and those living in religious indifference. Its functions are to proclaim the Gospel and call to conversion." General Directory of Catechesis GDC, 61
Many of us frequently assume, incorrectly that if a person has been baptized then he or she already has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, we can present catechetical teaching. The reality, however, is that catechesis only makes sense and will be of interest to them if the person has become a disciple of Jesus. It is like building the first and second floors of the house, before the foundation has been established or has been previously laid.
"Abandonment of self to Jesus Christ arouses in believers a desire to know him more profoundly and to identify with him. Catechesis initiates them in knowledge of faith and apprenticeship in Christian life." GDC,56
Carole Eipers, a respected catechist and speaker at the North American Institute for Catholic Evangelization held last month in Portland, Oregon, sums up a key point that must be addressed if we are to sustain vitality of faith in our parishes. “To have good catechesis you need good evangelization and to have good evangelization you need good catechesis.”
The two go hand in hand. In fact, the Church teaches that they are part of the same process.
Put first things first. Lay the foundation first and then you can put up the first floor. We have frequently heard participants nearing the completion of the Alpha course say with enthusiasm and real hunger, ”What's next?” Having personally encountered the heart of the Gospel and God's love and forgiveness, some respond by asking Jesus to be the center of their lives. Grace received or renewed, stirs the desire to grow as Jesus' disciples.
"The missionary mandate of Jesus to evangelize has various aspects, all of which, however, are closely connected with each other: "proclaim" (Mark 16:15),
"make disciples and teach", "be my witnesses", "baptize", "do this in memory of me,"
(Luke 22:19), " love one another" (John 15:12). Proclamation, witness, teaching, sacraments, love of neighbor: all of these aspects are the means by which the one Gospel is transmitted and they constitute the essential elements of evangelization itself." GDC, 46
In addition to RCIA, and adult education programs, we need to provide regular ongoing ways for people (parishioners, and those outside of our parish) to hear the primary proclamation of the Gospel.
Catechesis, "distinct from the primary proclamation of the Gospel" promotes and matures initial conversion, educates the convert in the faith and incorporates him into the Christian
community."
GDC, 61
Parishes must consider how to help create and sustain evangelization doorways into the life of Christ that are the heart and mission of the parish. These first steps in primary proclamation evangelization are critical to the whole process.
“For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:11
Upcoming Events
Please pray and plan to join us if you are in the area!
North American Institute for Catholic Evangelization – Rich Cronin, Dianne Martin and Dave Nodar traveled to Portland, Oregon for the first NAICE as sponsors and attendees. Over 450 Catholics, including 19 Bishops, from around North America gathered to reflect on ministry through “the lens of evangelization.” This was a very encouraging time to network and to hear some inspirational teaching.
Witness + Word Seminar, Thursdays,Sept.25-Nov.20. ChristLIfe Center, Franciscan Friary, Ellicott City,MD – After presenting the first course this summer, we are excited to present this seminar again, with the hope that we will video produce it in early 2004. Please pray for funding to complete this project!
Alpha Conference for Catholics, Columbia, MD October 2nd & 3rd – Bring your team for this fantastic training event. It will renew and refresh you vision for evangelization and offer practical tools to utilize in your Alpha Course. Whether you are new to the Alpha Course or an “old pro,” this is the conference for you! To register or for more information, please call Mary at 410-531-7701 or 1-888-498-8474.
Alpha Conference for Catholics, St Michael's Parish, Olympia,WA, October 23 &24 – Contact Kathleen Wright at 360-754-4667 for more information and to register.
Witness + Welcome: Building An Evangelizing Eucharistic Community – This foundational event is essential to help your parish capture the Church’s vision for her essential mission and to pave the way for implementing a process of evangelization. Designed for everyone involved with parish ministry and leadership, including pastors, DRE’s, and the laity. Contact us today to schedule a seminar in your parish!
Please Pray...
+ For all those who have never encountered the love of God through Christ
+ For more Catholics to be empowered to witness to their faith.
+ For Witness + Word evangelization training course
+ For funding needed to reproduce Life in Christ video series, Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap.
Who We Are
ChristLife: Catholic Evangelization Solutions is an apostolate of the Archdiocese of Baltimore that is responding to Jesus' call to, "Go and make disciples of all nations," and to the Church's call to a new evangelization
"It appears that there are only a few Catholic ministries actually developing the means for Catholics to respond to the urgent call for a new evangelization and mission to the nations, and so I am especially grateful for this service."
William Cardinal Keeler
Archbishop of Baltimore
What We Do
ChristLife provides vision, training, and resources needed for dioceses, parishes and ministries to do the work of evangelization. We also sponsor leaders forums so that through association we are all better able to respond to the call to a new evangelization and mission to the nations.
Host a ChristLife training event in your diocese or parish!
Contact us for more information.
Call toll free 1 888-498- 8474
info@christlife.org
12290-A Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD, 21042, USA
ChristLife is a tax-exempt ministry dedicated to equipping Catholics for the work of evangelization.
To continue in this work, we depend entirely on the donations of fellow Christians like you.
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Copyright (c) 2003 ChristLife Catholic Evangelization Solutions
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