Wanted: A New Evangelization

By Fr. Matthew Eickhoff Director,

Office for Evangelization Chairman,

Diocesan Evangelization Committee

The Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis serving the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently published a document entitled, Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization. A couple of paragraphs from the Preface can help us to put our current situation into proper context and perhaps lead us to ask ourselves how we might better work on bringing Christ’s peace to the world, one soul at a time, beginning with our own.

"How often do we fail to realize that we are called to be Christ’s witnesses to the world? Do we realize that our Baptism, Confirmation, and reception of the Eucharist bestow on us the grace we need to be disciples? Are we like the disciples staring at the sky rather than inviting those around us to experience Christ’s love and mercy through the Church? How often do we reach out to our missing brothers and sisters by inviting them to join us at Mass or by asking why they no longer feel welcomed at the Lord’s Table? The answers to these questions underlie the evangelizing mission of the Church, especially in the call of the New Evangelization."

"New Evangelization" is a term coined by Blessed Pope John Paul II to describe the need to re-evangelize and re-catechize Catholics who live in Christian cultures (like our own), an idea which challenges the customary notion that evangelization targets only pagan populations in far-away places. The aforementioned document elaborates upon this concept. "The New Evangelization seeks to invite modern man and culture into a relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church. The New Evangelization strives to engage our culture and to help us draw our inspiration from the Gospel. The New Evangelization calls all Catholics first to be evangelized and then in turn to evangelize. While it is directed to all people, the New Evangelization focuses specifically on those Christian communities that have Catholic roots but have "lost the living sense of the faith, or even no longer consider themselves members of the Church."

The document also illustrates the very personal nature of the desired encounter with Jesus. "The New Evangelization is a call to each person to deepen his or her own faith, have confidence in the Gospel, and possess a willingness to share the Gospel. It is a personal encounter with the person of Jesus, which brings peace and joy. The New Evangelization provides the lens through which people experience the Church and world around them. The new Evangelization invites people to experience God’s love and mercy through the sacraments, especially through the Eucharist and Penance and Reconciliation" (Part I).

Other sections describe the historical context and focus of the New Evangelization, a "culture of witness" and the key components of outreach programs. Besides its evident value for personal reflection, this document could be the focus of a valuable study series for parish groups, especially those focused on the work of evangelization.

Another helpful resource is the Diocesan Evangelization Conference to be held in Lincoln September 7-8, 2012. It will feature Ralph Martin, president of Renewal Ministries and appointee to the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization and Sr. Ann Shields, a noted author and speaker often heard on Catholic radio. Make plans now to attend this exciting event that is sure to inspire greater commitment to the New Evangelization in our homes, in our parishes and beyond.