Strengthening Catholic evangelization resources and ministry programs throughout the Diocese of Green Bay.
OUR GOAL FOR THIS CASE ELEMENT: $3,590,000

As missionary disciples we serve Christ in the world by serving others.

For the Diocese of Green Bay to fully serve those with the joy of the Gospel, we must provide the support necessary for parishes to develop programs that promote discipleship and increase the number and frequency of evangelization and discipleship seminars. We will broaden local capabilities essential to creating 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 ministers
• Enhancing culturally specific outreach, faith formation and social engagement programs for diverse faith communities
• Providing financial support for Diocesan Hispanic and Latino outreach programs

Strengthening the Spirit of Encounter: $950,000

Evangelization, powered by the Holy Spirit, must be made relevant and properly positioned within a culture driven by technology. Many of those who need to encounter the healing, teaching and loving presence of Jesus Christ have a deep digital presence spending much of their time online, communicating and sharing their life experiences through social media.

If we wish to lead others to the Kingdom of God, we must be dynamically present in the places where people communicate. The Diocese will develop evangelization resources, courses and discipleship seminars that may be readily adapted for online consumption and interaction.

If we are truly to go and meet people where they are to bring them the joy of the Gospel, we must form disciples in our diocese who can go to the literal and the digital streets within our communities to reach the lost with the saving love of Jesus. In order to do this, the Diocese will create a digital ministry and outreach program staffed with personnel who will develop a sustainable plan and implement a myriad of programs for sharing the Gospel with those who are highly engaged in the digital world.

Enhancing Our Capacity to Heal: $640,000

The call and desire to heal the broken, lost and hurt echoes loudly throughout the history of our faith and in the communities today within our sixteen-county Diocese. We need to train laity and clergy to strengthen our service to those who are hurting and wounded.

The Diocese will identify people to be trained and receive ongoing formation to provide programs in support of Diocesan healing ministries. These volunteers will be resourced to serve within their regions in conjunction with Diocesan spiritual directors, apostolates and catechetical leaders to free those in distress so they may fully respond to God’s call
to discipleship.

The Gospel messages of faith and joy are most needed in places where people are alone, suffering and without hope. The Diocese will enhance the capacities and capabilities of the current chaplaincy program so they may effectively minister to those in hospitals, long-term health care facilities and prisons.

Strengthening Our Rural Parishes: $500,000

Rural parishes in the Diocese face a unique set of challenges. Pastors and pastoral leaders are often stretched thin while poverty, unemployment and an exodus of young people to urban areas may deplete our rural communities of spiritual vitality. Yet, our rural parishes play an essential role in the social, economic and spiritual development of the communities where they are located.

Understanding that rural living represents a way of life worthy of promotion and protection – a way of life that is naturally conducive to authentic spiritual and moral formation – grants will be made available to rural parishes that:

• Promote innovative programs and linkages between existing community resources and agencies
• Engage young people both inside and outside the parish in faith formation and social programs
• Provide ongoing adult faith formation, leadership and social development

Promoting the Inclusion and Participation of All God’s People: $500,000

The Diocese has experienced a significant demographic shift as Hispanics, Asians, Africans and many other ethnic communities are growing. Today, 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. Therefore, we must develop appropriate attitudes and skills so we may effectively engage the diverse communities making up our Diocese.

Knowledge, attitudes and skills in intercultural and interracial relations are indispensable requirements for engaging in the Church’s evangelizing mission.
The funds secured for this purpose will be used to:

• Develop programs that promote intercultural competencies for ordained and lay ministers within multicultural parishes
• Enhance culturally specific outreach, faith formation and social engagement programs for diverse faith communities
• Provide financial support for Diocesan Hispanic and multi-cultural outreach programs

Equipping Leadership: $1,000,000

Effective leadership, at all levels in the Diocese, is essential for maintaining operational effectiveness, inspiring programmatic innovation and ultimately leading people to discover and follow Jesus. The leadership mission team in the Diocese will provide for the growth of all leaders at the local and Diocesan levels, in both spiritual maturity and organizational efficiency. This team will identify, train and inspire leaders who will, in turn, form others with missionary zeal that will lead all people to the Kingdom of God.

Specifically, the leadership mission team will:

• Develop comprehensive assessment programs and methodologies to determine the unmet needs within our parishes and other mission fields
• Develop leadership processes to enhance the ability of current leaders within parishes and ministries so they may better serve their communities, ministries and the people of God
• Develop and build engagement opportunities to identify and guide those who are not yet leaders in their faith communities
• Develop a network of support for current leaders within the Diocese so they may form others and lead more people to the Kingdom of God