Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Illinois Elected as 12th President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the First African-American to Hold the Position.
Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory is the seventh Bishop of Belleville, Illinois. Born December 7, 1947, in Chicago, Bishop Gregory is the son of Wilton (Sr.) And Ethel Duncan Gregory.

Bishop Gregory was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 9, 1973. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago on October 31, 1983, and was ordained on December 13, 1983. Prior to his episcopal ordination, he had served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glenview, a member of the faculty at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, and a Master of Ceremonies to Cardinals John Cody and Joseph Bernardin. Bishop Gregory was appointed the seventh Bishop of Belleville on December 29, 1993, and installed on February 10, 1994.

Bishop Gregory has written extensively on Church issues, including pastoral statements on the death penalty and euthanasia/physician-assisted suicide. He has published numerous articles on the subject of liturgy, particularly in the African-American community, and currently writes regular columns for the diocesan newspaper, The Messenger, and its youth-oriented counterpoint, The Junior Messenger.

Bishop Gregory's responsibilities in the Diocese of Belleville and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, along with many outside requests for his presence as a speaker or retreat director, keep him extremely active. When he is not engaged in his official ministry, Bishop Gregory enjoys travel, music, racquetball and golf.


Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, Elected Chairman-elect of the Committee on Evangelization by General Assembly of Bishops at Their November Meeting.
Edward James Slattery was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 11, 1940 and graduated St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts degree and later a Masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest on April 26, 1966 for the Archdiocese of Chicago by the late John Cardinal Cody. Father Slattery was assigned as Associate Pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in South Holland, Illinois, where he served from 1966 to 1971. During this time, he obtained a Master's degree from Loyola University. In 1971, he began his service with the Catholic Church Extension Society, a funding agency for the American home missions, with headquarters in Chicago. He was Vice-President from 1971-76 and President from 1976 until 1994. While working at Extension, Father Slattery was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in 1973. This was an inner-city Hispanic parish on the south side of Chicago. He was named pastor of St. Rose of Lima in 1976 and remained in that position until 1989. Late in 1993, Father Slattery was notified that Pope John Paul II had chosen to name him a bishop. In Rome, on January 6, 1994 the Holy Father ordained thirteen men as bishops; one of the thirteen was an American. It was Edward J. Slattery, third bishop of Tulsa. Among those present for his ordination as a bishop was his mother, Winifred. He was installed as third bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa at Holy Family Cathedral on January 12, 1994. Bishop Slattery is the former chairman of the USCCB Committee on Home Missions. He will serve as chairman-elect on the USCCB Committee on Evangelization until November 2002, when he will become chairman, succeeding Bishop Michael Warfel, who has been chairman since November, 1999. (Photo and biography courtesy of the Diocese of Tulsa, www.tulsadiocese.org )


'The Hour of Africa Has Come' Bishops Declare
In the face of daunting challenges like armed conflict, grinding poverty, and the spread of deadly disease, the nation's Catholic bishops called for hope and greater solidarity with the Church and the peoples of Africa at their November General Assembly.

Members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops unanimously approved a broad statement titled A Call to Solidarity With Africa.

"We write in hope, recognizing the history, strength, spirituality, courage, and capacity of the Church and peoples of Africa," the statement begins. "We write with concern, witnessing the proliferation of armed conflict, a deterioration in health care and education infrastructures, the weakening of social and community structures, and an increasing spread of disease and other threats to the lives of our African brothers and sisters. Our concern is that Africa's hope and future could be destroyed by indifference and inaction in Africa and around the world."

The United States government, in particular, is singled out for strong words, saying that "our nation's lack of serious attention to the needs of Africa is a scandal." Instead, they call on the U.S. government, and all citizens, to a greater level of concern and engagement on behalf of Africa.

"As Americans, we acknowledge the singular position enjoyed by the United States as one of the wealthiest nations on earth, but privilege cannot be divorced from responsibility," the bishops state. "We cannot satisfy our moral obligations to the world's poor by allowing only a few crumbs from the table of material abundance to fall upon the nations and peoples of sub-Saharan Africa. We are called to a much greater commitment of resources and energy."

In particular, the statement enumerates five areas in which the bishops urge the United States and the international community to become more actively engaged: poverty, debt, and development; health care; education; trade; peacemaking. Visit the USCCB website for the full statement: www.usccb.org


News from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Secretariat &Committee on Evangelization
Disciples In Prayer due to be published by the Fall of 2002...A collaborative project between Oregon Catholic Press and the Secretariat for Evangelization, Disciples In Prayer will provide another means of implementing Go and Make Disciples as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in November, 2002. Ongoing prayerful reflection on the Word of God is essential to the life of a disciple. This new resource for discipleship is designed for small faith sharing groups and will follow a Liturgy of the Word format, reflecting on the Sundays and special feasts throughout the year. Each page designed for a Sunday or special feast will also contain three questions based on the goals of Go and Make Disciples, A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States. How does the Word inspire/challenge me, how does it inspire/challenge me to reach out in my community of faith and invite others to share in discipleship, and how does the Word inspire/challenge me to reach out beyond my community of faith in witness? Nineteen members of the Evangelization Ministries Committee of the US Commission on Catholic Evangelization are assisting the secretariat in drafting questions. These members represent their respective metropolitan provinces on the committee. Music will also play a key role in the project. Music references will be given on each page based on the focus of the day's Word. A companion CD is being developed as a companion for Disciples In Prayer which will celebrate the diversity of ethnic musical expressions. This new and exciting project is an excellent tool for parishes that dismiss the Catechumens/Elect for ongoing reflection on the Word. It will also be an excellent resource for parishes that finish renewal programs such as Landings, Disciples in Mission and Renew. The Secretariat and OCP look forward to updating you on Disciples In Prayer and its companion CD.


US Commission on Catholic Evangelization (USCCE)
Commission members take on speaking engagements for the Secretariat. With a growing need for speakers who nurture evangelization as "the" agenda for the Church, Fr. Hurley extended an invitation for members of the USCCE Evangelization Ministries Committee to assist him in positively responding to the many requests which come into the secretariat. Fr. Hurley wishes to express gratitude to Mrs. Joan Cunningham from the Archdiocese of Louisville, who gave three days of workshops (Introduction to Evangelization, Reaching Out to Inactive Catholics and Creating a Welcoming Parish) for the Diocese of Rapid City in October...Sr. Ellen Cavanaugh from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be a representative at a planning meeting for a future Pennsylvania conference on evangelization in January...and, Fr. Joseph Folzenlogen from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, who will give two workshops for clergy and lay leaders for the Diocese of Alexandria in April, 2002.

Executive Committee Bishop Michael Warfel presided over the first USCCE Executive Committee meeting in September, 2001. He thanked the eight members who were present for their work and remarked about how much has been accomplished in only nine months since the Bishops Committee on Evangelization formed the USCCE. The Executive Committee is recommending to the BCEV at its March 2002 meeting that there be some changes made to the USCCE guidelines. It is recommending that province representatives to the Evangelization Ministries Committee be appointed on an annual basis rather than be elected in the province. This will provide greater continuity from one year to the next. It is also being recommended that the Multicultural Ministries Committee's name be changed to Intercultural Ministries, and that representatives be appointed on an annual basis. The Executive Committee will further recommend that representatives need not be from metropolitan provinces. The National Catholic Organizations Committee will have its second meeting on January 7th at the USCCB. Twenty organizations have designated a board member to be on this committee. The committee has grown from six to twenty in six months since its first meeting. For more information, committee minutes, and the work of the committees, visit the USCCE on the website: <www.usccb.org/evangelization>

A Symposium on Leadership for Ministry with Catholic Men was held at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center, December 4-7, 2001. It was co-sponsored by the USCCB Committees on Marriage and Family Life, and Evangelization. Committee chairmen, Bishop Anthony O'Connell (MFL) and Bishop Michael Warfel (E) represented the committees along with other members, Bishop Carl Moeddel (MFL) and Bishop Gabino Zavala (E). A previous gathering was sponsored by the same two committees in 1998. Speakers included Bishop Moeddel on the Future Hope of Catholic Men's Ministries; Fr. Lawrence Boadt CSP on the Major Building Blocks in Scripture for Men's Spirituality; Dr. James Healy on Men in Marriage and Family Life; Bishop Zavala on Men with Other Men, Building an Inclusive Ministry; Mr. James Nolan on Catholic Men as Disciples in the Workplace; and Bishop Warfel on Catholic Men Transforming the World. One of the outcomes of the 1998 gathering was a group of men's leaders forming a National Resource Center for Catholic Men. Mr. Kevin Lynch and Mr. Maurice Blumberg, along with some of their colleagues, gave a wonderful presentation of current projects and future directions. The fifty-one leaders gathered represented men's groups in various stages. Some present were asked by their bishops to attend to find out what is happening in the rest of the country, while others appreciated the input and the opportunity for networking.


2002 Convocation for Diocesan Evangelization Coordinators is planned for September 13-17, 2002 at San Damiano Retreat Center outside Oakland, CA. The last such gathering was held in November during the Great Jubilee year, and attendees recommended that such a gathering be held every two years. Fr. Paul Minnihan from the Diocese of Oakland, a member of the US Commission on Catholic Evangelization, is coordinating the local effort with diocesan evangelization coordinators from the Metropolitan Province of San Francisco. The schedule, speakers and registration form are on the secretariat website and only those diocesan coordinators who do not use e-mail will receive a mailing. ALL DIOCESAN EVANGELIZATION COORDINATORS ARE ASKED TO VISIT CONVOCATION 2002 ON THE SECRETARIAT WEBSITE: <WWW.USCCB.ORG/EVANGELIZATION>

2003 North American Institute on Catholic Evangelization (NAICE) for leaders in a variety of ministries in the Church will be held July 9-13, 2003. Join Cardinal McCarrick (Keynoter), Bishop Wilton Gregory (USCCB President), Eric Law, Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, Carole Eipers, Robert McCarty, Ronald Rolheiser, Donald Senior, Robert Vitillo and others for four days to reflect on evangelization as "the" agenda for the Church. Mark your calendar... For a schedule and a list of speakers, panelists and other related information, check out 2003 NAICE on the secretariat website: <www.usccb.org/evangelization>

Resources from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops

USCCB PUBLISHING ANNOUNCES + Welcoming the "Stranger" in Our Parishes + Resources for Building Unity in Diversity Several very helpful resources are now available to assist and facilitate a celebration of the richness of diversity in the Church across the US. Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity, A Statement by the USCCB, is available in English and Spanish. Called to Welcome the Stranger Among Us, which highlights the themes in the bishops' pastoral, is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Haitian Creole and Brazilian Portuguese. Welcoming the Stranger: A Prayer for Hospitality, is available in packets of 50. A Welcoming the Stranger Among Us Kit is also available, which contains the above documents and items. For additional information and to read the full text of the Bishops' statement on line, visit www.usccb.org/mrs/welcome.htm. To order any items call USCCB Publishing at 800-235-8722 or visit the website at www.usccb.org/publishing.


Diocesan Evangelization News from Around the USA

Diocese of Albany... The Diocese has recently released a series of pamphlets on evangelization. This series of booklets will serve to deepen our understanding of what it means to be an "evangelizing Church." These booklets are meant to help us reflect and act upon the words of Pope Paul VI, who said "Evangelization is the essential mission of the Church" (On Evangelization in the Modern World). Each booklet is designed to focus on a particular ministry in light of the three goals the bishops presented in Go and Make Disciples. The booklets are produced by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. For more information, please contact Jeanne Schrempf at jeanne.schrempf@rcda.org. Reported by Jeanne Schrempf, <jeanne.schrempf@rcda.org >

Diocese of Alexandria... The Diocese of Alexandria is in the process of establishing evangelization committees on the parish level, asking each pastor to designate a Parish Evangelization Coordinator. After all are in place, the Diocese is planning a training session with these coordinators. Reported by Rev. Craig Scott, < frcscott@aol.com >

Diocese of Dubuque... Archdiocesan Adult Faith Formation Committee members, in pairs, attended the spring 2001 deanery councils in the Archdiocese to present the adult faith formation pastoral, Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, to parish leaders and clergy. In fall 2001, the members again attended the deanery councils to receive feedback from three questions given at the last meeting. Those questions were: What is needed in my parish to implement the adult faith formation pastoral? What is the first step our parish needs to take to implement the adult faith formation pastoral? What are the challenges in my parishes in implementing the pastoral? Responses were tabulated, and will aid the committee in implementing the directions needed to work with parishes for implementation of the pastoral. On November 5, 2001, the Offices of Adult Faith Formation and Lay Formation sponsored a talk by Dr. Jane Regan on the adult faith formation pastoral. Over 260 clergy, parish staff, and parish leaders attended the day-long workshop, and 75 attended the evening session for parishioners. Jane spoke about how evangelization and catechesis are linked in adult faith formation. On December 1 and 2, 2001, the Office of Adult Faith Formation will be sponsoring workshops in nine sites throughout the Archdiocese. The workshops will focus on Keeping Alive Small Faith-Sharing Groups in Parishes, and will be presented by Sr. Louis Alff of New Jersey. Reported by Sr. Marci Blum, OSF, < dbqcaf@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us >

Diocese of Fargo... This past year, under Bishop James Sullivan, the Diocese began a new ministry called the Young Disciples Teams. There were several reasons: 1) the shortage of women religious in the Diocese 2) the limited number of young adults in the state of North Dakota 3) the need for Catholic vacation Bible schools. The Young Disciples Teams put on week-long camps for elementary students in each parish. The camp focused on telling the story of Salvation through music, lessons, and activities. The camp also included teaching the students to take time out for prayer on a daily basis. Mass, confession, and the rosary were also part of every camp day. In the evenings, the teams focused on other activities, including playing bingo at nursing homes, adult discussion nights, teen nights, and horseback riding. Prior to leading the camps, each of the team members completed an extensive written application, two interviews, and a two-week training period that focused on spiritual life, explanation of the ministry of catechesis, doctrinal instruction, the Salvation Story, methodology, team life, and the practical aspects of leading the camps. These camps have met with great success, and have been highly praised by pastors, parents, and the students themselves. In response to the success of the program, the Diocese is looking to do it again. They are seeking young people between the ages of 18 and 30, but are open to anyone who has a strong desire to witness to elementary age students, and is available for ten weeks this summer, from May 15 to July 30. Any interested party should contact the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis. Also, anyone wishing to provide financial sponsorship should contact the office as well. At the very least, the Diocese asks that you pray for the success of this new ministry. For more information, please contact Stella Jeffrey or Mary Hanbury at 701 235-6429, ext. 14, or email sjeffrey@fargodiocese.org or mhanbury@fargodiocese.org. Reported by Stella Jeffrey, < sjeffrey@fargodiocese.org >

Diocese of Galveston-Houston... Based on previous successes, the Evangelization Commission of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston has decided to proceed with Landings training for additional parishes within the Diocese. The Diocese had 8 parishes undergo the training last January. The next Landings training will be February 1-2, 2002, with Fr. Jac Campbell, CSP, and Joan Horn. Also, the Diocese is entering its third year of Disciples in Mission, and is looking toward planning a Pentecost celebration. They would be interested in hearing ideas from anyone who has completed or is currently participating in the program. In other news, the evangelization designates of the Province of San Antonio met at the Texas Catholic Conference in late September, and elected Sr. Digna Vela of the Diocese of Victoria to be their new representative to the USCCE. Reported by Dr. Bill Cork, <bcork@diogh.org>

Archdiocese of Indianapolis... The Archdiocese published its annual evangelization supplement in the November 2 issue of its newspaper. The cover article by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, OSB, is on the theme "Discipleship as a Lifelong Mission." There are a number of reflections by Disciples in Mission parish coordinators on their experience of getting started, examples of other evangelization activities around the Archdiocese, and reports on national resource groups, all accompanied by full-color photographs. If you would like a copy, contact Fr. Joe Folzenlogen, SJ, at evangelize@archindy.org pr 800 382-9836, ext. 1489. Reported by Rev. Joe Folzenlogen, SJ, < evangelize@archindy.org>

Diocese of Juneau... The (one man) Evangelization Office has been busy lately traveling throughout Southeast Alaska as the Diocese of Juneau begins implementing RENEW 2000. So far it has meant several flights on Alaska Airlines, three flights on bush planes (the Diocesan airline, a vintage Cessna 182 flown by Fr. Mike Schwarte) and a round trip on the local float plane to Prince of Wales Island from Ketchikan. The bumpy rides have been compensated for by the wonderful vistas of mountain tops freshly covered with snow and glaciers gleaming as if they had been freshly cleaned. The key for this part of the world is in working with small Christian communities through RENEW 2000, for literally, that is who we are. In Thorne Bay we presented the process to over 50 % of the mssion- all of 6 people. There have been cancelled flights due to high winds and a narrow escape back to Juneau as a snow flurry closed in on the little arm of the Inside Passage that our float plane uses as a runway as we left Prince of Wales Island. So far, half the Diocese has been covered with the northern half to come in the immediate future- weather permitting. Reported by Michael O. Price, <moprice@gci.net>

Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana... The 11th Annual Louisiana State Evangelization Conference was recently held in Baton Rouge on November 3. The theme for the conference was "Catholic Evangelization, Louisiana Style." Msgr. Douglas A. Doussan, pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, was the keynote speaker. As Louisiana is often noted for its Southern hospitality, much of Msgr. Doussan's presentation focused on the importance of parishes becoming warm, welcoming communities, stressing the importance of relationships, hospitality, the homily, and hymns. Approximately 350 people representing six different dioceses attended the event. Thirteen simultaneous workshops were offered, and the conference was enjoyed by all. Reported by Gloria Clark, <gclark27@yahoo.com>

Diocese of Lansing... In December of 1999, as part of our response to the call for a new evangelization and as a gateway into the new millennium, Bishop Carl Mengeling of the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, launched Faith Magazine, a monthly magazine whose sole purpose is to inspire and encourage connection between and among the people of our diocese and the Church (their local parishes, and the larger diocesan Church). The basic means of doing this is by telling the stories of faith in Christ Jesus alive and well in the people of our own diocese. We are not primarily catechetical in nature, but rather inspirational. Jesus used stories of faith to enliven and enrich the people of his time; we seek to do the same in our own. I happen to serve as Faith Magazine's current editor in chief.

Faith is produced monthly (10 issues per year, double issues in the summer) and is sent to over 80,000 households within our diocese--Catholics both active and inactive. Subscriptions also carry us to a number of households outside the diocese to many parts of the country. At this year's Catholic Press Association convention, we were the proud recipients of six national awards. I suppose part of this sounds like tooting our own horn, and I suppose it is. Although I have a vested interest in the magazine, I am also a pastor and with our parish council we have begun to realize the potential for this tool. So far as I know, we are the only diocesan magazine in publication in the United States. Reported by Fr. Dwight Ezop, <dezop@aol.com>

Diocese of Ogdensburg... On October 27th, the Ogdensburg Diocesan Office of Evangelization hosted Lorene Hanley Duquin, "Come Home" Coordinator for the Diocese of Buffalo. Lorene and team members Dick Duquin and Barbara Wyse explored ways of reaching out to people who have left the practice of their faith. Time was spent assisting parish teams to discern the call to participate in a parish "Come Home" team. Future meetings were set for the volunteers to brainstorm the best ways to promote the program and to reach out to inactive Catholics in their respective deaneries. Reported by Sr. Mary Ellen Brett, CSJ, <mbrett@dioogdensburg.org

Diocese of Owensboro... The Diocese has just made the decision to twin with the Mandeville, Jamaica Diocese. The planning efforts have just begun, and will be the responsibility of the Office for Lay Ministry and Outreach (Evangelization). Efforts to assist parishes in parish renewal through the KOINONIA Retreats have continued to be effective. The retreat leads the participants into small, faith-sharing Christian communities with a commitment to mission. Preparations are also underway for a Simeon and Anna Retreat to focus on the appreciation and blessing of the giftedness of age, and the challenge to share the wisdom gained in passing on the faith. Reported by Sr. Pat Froning, OSF, <pat@cpc.brescia.edu>

Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon... In September, the Archdiocese of Portland hosted two Landings Training sessions for over one hundred leaders. Fifteen parishes will begin to pilot the outreach to returning Catholics. Also in September, the Department of Evangelization and the Disciples in Mission leadership team presented Archbishop John Vlazny with their first year report. The Archbishop in turn presented the recommendations to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, cabinet, and vicariates for further study and implementation. In October, the Archdiocese launched its second year of training for Disciples in Mission. Over 600 parish leaders from 92 parishes continue to grow in their understanding of evangelization. The Archdiocese hopes to have over 20,000 small group participants during Lent 2002. In January 2002, the Archdiocese will host Frank Mercadante, director of Cultivation Ministries and author of Growing Teen Disciples: Strategies for Really Effective Youth Ministry, for two workshops on evangelization. The two sessions will offer our faith community strategies and ideas on ways to make evangelization the way of life in the parish. Reported by Deacon Tom Gornick, <tgornick@archpdx.org>

Diocese of Pueblo... This year, the Diocese of Pueblo will be initiating the Public Discipleship Program. Public Discipleship is a two-year program in which small faith-sharing groups meet for prayer, study, strategy, encouragement, and accountability. Each member of the small group chooses a "vehicle for action" to work for the changes needed to bring about greater justice locally or more broadly in society. The Diocese of Pueblo is among a handful of dioceses in the nation that has started this program, called "Public Discipleship: Living the Faith in the Modern World." The program was developed by Roundtable, the National Association of Catholic Social Action Directors. The organization is staffed by the National Pastoral Life Center in New York. The effort is coordinated in the Diocese of Pueblo through the Offices of Social Justices and Formation. Reported by Sr. Laetitia Slusser, < lslusser@dioceseofpueblo.com >

Diocese of Raleigh... Stewardship directors in the Atlanta Province are putting on a Province-wide stewardship training on Saturday, April 27th in Columbia, SC. They are inviting all Evangelization Directors from the Province to the meeting. Dr. Terry Jackson, Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Raleigh, will present a workshop entitled "Stewardship and Evangelization: Two Sides of the Same Coin." Reported by Dr. Terry Jackson, <jackson@raldioc.org>

Diocese of Rockford... At the request of Bishop Thomas G. Doran and the Diocesan Pastoral Council, a Diocesan Evangelization Commission was recently established to assist parishes in understanding and promoting evangelization in all areas of parish life, in sharing resources regarding evangelization, and in providing ongoing catechesis with respect to evangelization. The first major endeavor of this commission is to sponsor an Evangelization Convocation on November 17, 2001 for representatives from every parish of the Diocese. Speakers, including Bishop Doran, will address the nature and purpose of evangelization and the essential characteristics of an evangelizing parish. The day will also include an opportunity for the parish representatives to meet in deanery groupings to establish times and location for forum-type gatherings so they can continue to meet bi-monthly "to affirm, encourage, educate, and support parish efforts in evangelization." Reported by John McGrath, <minform@aol.com>

Diocese of Savannah... The Diocese of Savannah is currently assembling a team to undertake the implementation of Disciples in Mission, under the direction of Mrs. Margot Truett and Fr. Tim McKeown. For more information, contact Ann Pinckney at reledsav@ail.com. Reported by Ann Pinckney, < reledsav@aol.com>

Diocese of Victoria... The Diocese of Victoria is beginning its second year of Disciples in Mission. Twelve new parishes and missions have joined the program, which brings the number of participating parishes and mission to 48. This means that 70% of the parishes and missions in the Diocese of Victoria are now participating in Disciples in Mission. Reported by Sr. Digna Vela, <dvela@victoriadiocese.org>

Diocese of Worcester... Catholic publishers have sent the diocesan Office for Evangelization more than 3,000 pieces of reading material, including books, to give to prisoners. The office is also seeking donations of new or used Catholic magazines and paperback books from individuals. Jean B. Peterson, Associate Director of Evangelization, said she got the idea of collecting Catholic reading material by helping with a Residents Encounter Christ weekend at Worcester County Jail and House of Corrections in Boylston last February. Peterson saw the spiritual hunger of the inmates, and spoke with the Catholic chaplain. He noticed from his visits with inmates, during which he gives them the Eucharist, prays with them, and gives them Bibles, that they often request reading material. He suggested to Jean that she might begin saving old magazines so that they could be given out to inmates. Jean soon decided to write directly to publishers to collect reading material. As of July, the Office of Evangelization had received 397 books, 100 magazines, 2,782 booklets, 203 pamphlets, and 100 "Our Daily Bread" meditations. Jean has been thrilled by the display of generosity. "The response has been phenomenal." Reported by Jean Peterson, <jpeterson@worcesterdiocese.org>


Upcoming National & International Church Events
2002 - 2003

Jan. 5, 2002	Diocese of Charleston	Diocesan Conference on "Go and Make Disciples"
Jan. 30-Feb. 3	Caracas, Venezuela	Planning Meeting for the Continental Gathering On Catechesis and the New Evangelization
Feb. 13-17	Archdiocese of Los Angeles	Religious Education Congress
Feb. 22-23	Archdiocese of Denver	Catechetical Conference

For a more complete list of upcoming events, visit the Events section on the secretariat's website: www.usccb.org/evangelization.

Email us at evangelization@usccb.org
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