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The Church: Community of the New Evangelization

 

What Is the New Evangelization?

Pope Francis waves to the crowds gathered for one of his weekly audiences.

Evangelization is the very essence of the Church. As baptized Catholics, we are all called to share Christ in our daily life. The New Evangelization is meant to aid all Catholics in seeing the world as an opportunity to bring people to Christ and to grow closer to Christ themselves. Order copies of this pamphlet.

The New Evangelization is realized through announcing the Good News to those who have never heard of Christ (called missio ad gentes, the mission to the nations), engaging in ongoing catechesis, and "re-proposing" the Gospel to those who, although baptized, have drifted away from the Church.

By deepening our relationship with Christ and experiencing his love, we renew our faith as disciples in a community of believers, grow in confidence in the truth of the Gospel, and then share our faith in Jesus Christ joyfully with others.

The Church and the New Evangelization

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is illuminated at sunrise. iStock photo.

Just as the pope is the source and foundation of unity for the Universal Church, so too is your bishop the source and foundation of unity for your diocese. Bishops "have as their first task 'to preach the Gospel of God to all men'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. [Washington, DC: Libreria Editrice Vaticana–USCCB, 2000], no. 888). However, they cannot fulfill this task alone! Together in union with the bishops, you are called to evangelize and bring others to Christ. This unity in the Body of Christ is why, at Sunday Mass, we profess, "I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church."

How Can You Witness to Your Faith in Your Diocese?

  • Pray and read Scripture daily.
  • Regularly celebrate the sacraments, especially in Sunday Mass each week (find your local parish at www.masstimes.org).
  • Trust in the Holy Spirit to give you the grace needed to witness and share your faith with others.
  • Pray for our Holy Father, bishops, priests, religious, and all those who serve the Church.
  • Attend diocese-wide faith formation events, like retreats and catechetical days.
  • Join in the celebration of diocese-wide liturgies, such as Marriage Sunday, Mass for Life, and the Rite of Election.
  • Regularly check your diocesan and parish website and social media.
  • Participate in direct service opportunities and legislative advocacy initiatives through your state Catholic Conference.
  • Support missionaries and missionary efforts.
  • Promote Catholic schools.
  • Remember the words of Peter: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope" (1 Pt 3:15).
  • For more information on the New Evangelization, see Disciples Called to Witness.

Prayer for the New Evangelization
To order prayer cards, visit  usccbpublishing.org or call toll-free 800-235-8722; English No. 7-387, Spanish No. 7-859.

life mattersFor "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? (Rom 10:13-15)

 

The document The Church: The Community of the New Evangelization was developed as a resource by the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was reviewed by the committee chairman, Bishop David L. Ricken, and has been authorized for publication by the undersigned.

Msgr. Ronny E. Jenkins, JCD
General Secretary, USCCB

Scripture excerpts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, rev. ed.© 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, copyright © 2000, Libreria Editrice Vaticana–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-60137-399-1
First printing, [month] 2013

Copyright © 2013, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.



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