Evangelization & Discipleship
As missionary disciples we serve Christ in the world by serving others. Evangelization, powered by the Holy Spirit, must be made relevant and properly positioned within today's culture. Our mission to effectively proclaim the Good News must be informed by the need to grow in knowledge and understanding of all God’s people.
Creating and Supporting a Community That Leads Others to Discover, Follow, Worship and Share Jesus
"Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey."
Pope Francis, Evangeli Gaudium
Create and Support dynamic communities of discipleship by:
- Providing parishes with the resources and support necessary to develop programs that promote discipleship
- Enhancing the number and frequency of evangelization courses and discipleship seminars
- Developing programs that promote intercultural competencies for ordained and lay ministries
- Creating evangelization resources, courses and discipleship seminars for online and digital interaction
- Training laity and clergy to strengthen service to people who are hurting through healing ministries
- Enhancing the current chaplaincy program to minister to people in hospitals, long-term health care facilities and prisons
- Understanding the needs of and strengthening our rural parishes
Questions about discipleship and evangelization
We are each called, one by one, to become disciples of Jesus that share our faith with those who need it most. By sharing our faith with others we have the opportunity to change the lives of others as well as deepen our own connection to Jesus. This is exciting and is central to what our faith is about, leading all people to the Kingdom of God.
The evangelization plans are aimed at planning for the future of the Church by meeting people where they are at and walking with them as they journey closer to the love of God. For example, a few of the initiatives focus on additional outreach to engage diverse ethnic communities, further equipping and strengthening our rural parishes and expanding healing ministries throughout the Diocese. It is through these programs we will be able to make a bigger impact on the lives of more people in our communities.
As missionary disciples we serve Christ in the world by serving others. To fully serve those with joy of the Gospel, we must provide support for parishes to increase their outreach in our communities.