An Excerpt from the U.S. Bishops’ Statement on Africa
“We want to say a word of hope and encouragement to you, the family of God in Africa ... Christ our hope is alive; [you] shall live!” These words from the African bishops’ 1994 Message of the Synod reveal the hope and courage of the Catholic Church and the peoples of Africa as they confront daunting challenges and persistent obstacles. This message of hope inspires the Church in Africa to persevere in its struggle to make visible the fullness of life (Jn 10:10) promised to every human person. It demands from the international community- and the Catholic Church in the United States in particular- a meaningful response.

The urgency of our attention to the Church and the peoples of Africa is prompted by two conflicting convictions: hope and concern. We write in hope, recognizing the history, strength, spirituality, courage, and capacity of the Church and peoples of Africa. We write with deep 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 fear is that Africa’s hopes could be destroyed by indifference and inaction in Africa and around the world. For these reasons, we raise our voices and echo the pleas made by the Holy See at the U.N. millennium summit, “that Africa be given special attention, and that efforts be made which are really capable of meeting its needs.” For copies of the complete Bishops’ Statement on Africa, go to www.usccb.org/publishing. USCCB publication #5-464


An excerpt from the U.S. Bishops’ Statement on Asia and the Pacific
Pope John Paul II begins his apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Asia by saying, “The Church in Asia sings the praises of the ‘God of salvation’ (Ps 68:20) for choosing to initiate his saving plan on Asian soil ... In ‘the fullness of time’ (Gal 4:4), he sent his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ the Savior, who took flesh as an Asian!” He points out that “because Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose from the dead in the Holy Land, that small portion of Western Asia became a land of hope and promise for all mankind.”

Many may be surprised to learn that Jesus was born in Asia. The Asian Synod of Bishops, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service commonly describe the continent of Asia as comprising Western Asia (or the Middle East), Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. This description is broader than the commonly held understanding of Asia as comprising South, Southeast, and East Asia.

The History of the Church in Asia is as old as the Church Herself... This profound history of mission and journey of faith is the inspiration and joy of the Asian and Pacific Catholic communities who have migrated to the United States. The precious gift of the Catholic faith is manifest in a splendid variety by reasons of origin, historical and cultural development, and diverse spiritual and liturgical traditions. Yet all are united in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ through Christian witness and solidarity. For copies of the complete Bishops’ Statement on Asia and the Pacific, go to www.usccb.org/publishing. USCCB Publication #5-449.


Pope Sees Internet as New Forum for Evangelization In his message for World Communications Day 2002, John Paul II urges the Church to use the Internet with "realism and confidence, armed with the Gospel of Christ, the Prince of Peace."

"The Internet causes billions of images to appear on millions of computer monitors around the planet," the Pontiff notes in the document. "From this galaxy of sight and sound will the face of Christ emerge and the voice of Christ be heard?"

"For it is only when his face is seen and his voice heard that the world will know the glad tidings of our redemption," the Pope adds. "This is the purpose of evangelization. And this is what will make the Internet a genuinely human space, for if there is no room for Christ, there is no room for man."

The document was released today, in advance of World Communications Day 2002, which will be celebrated universally on May 12. It is the only commemorative day instituted by the Second Vatican Council. This year, John Paul II has chosen the motto "Internet: A New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel."

On this World Communications Day, "I dare to summon the whole Church bravely to cross this new threshold, to put out into the deep of the Net, so that now as in the past the great engagement of the Gospel and culture may show to the world "the glory of God on the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)," the Holy
Father writes.

"In these troubled times," he asks, "how can we ensure that this wondrous instrument first conceived in the context of military operations can now serve the cause of peace? Can it favor that culture of dialogue,
participation, solidarity, and reconciliation without which peace cannot flourish?"

"The Church believes it can; and to ensure that this is what will happen she is determined to enter this new forum, armed with the Gospel of Christ, the Prince of Peace," the Holy Father responds. Vatican City, Jan. 22, 2002(Zenit.org)

Thea News... A New Newsletter sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Thea News is a publication of the Thea Bowman Legacy Office. The premier issue of Thea News was published in March and is also available on the web at www.fspa.org. If you have not received a copy you can send your name and address to theanews@fspa.org. There is no charge for the newsletter; however, donations are accepted. While attending the last NBCC regional conference in Memphis, Fr. John Hurley, CSP, who serves as the Executive Director of the Secretariat for Evangelization, had the honor of presiding at a Mass celebrated at Sister Thea’s grave. “Thea lit up the Church in the United States! With dignity, eloquence, talent, she lived, sang, spoke, and used her powerful voice to integrate black Catholics fully into the universal Church. Her voice is singing still in schools, education and health programs, and housing projects named in her honor. We hope to contribute to letting Thea’s voice soar.” Sr. Charlene Smith, FSPA-Coordinator, Thea Bowman Legacy.


NEWS FROM THE US CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
Secretariat &Committee on Evangelization

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) Designed for national, diocesan and parochial leaders in a variety of ministries in the Church, NAICE will be held July 9-13, 2003 at the University of Portland (Oregon). Join Cardinal McCarrick (Keynoter), Bishop Wilton Gregory (USCCB President), Beverly Carroll, Ronaldo Cruz, Susan Blum Gerding, Rev. Frank DeSiano CSP, Carole Eipers, Archbishop Adam Exner, Amy Hoey RSM, Brett Hoover CSP, Rev. Eric Law, Robert McCarty, Michelle Miller, Rev. Ovidio Pecharroman, Rev. Ronald Rolheiser OMI, Rev. Donald Senior CP, Sr. Maureen Shaughnessy SC, Francesca Thompson OSF, Annette Turner, Rev. David Tyson CSC, Archbishop John Vlazny, Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski MHSH. Celebrate your ministry through the lens of evangelization. NAICE is being sponsored by the USCCB Secretariat for Evangelization and its US Commission on Catholic Evangelization, the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, the University of Portland, and the Metropolitan Province of Vancouver, British Columbia. Mark your calendar... For a schedule, fliers, and a list of speakers, panelists, and other related information, check out 2003 NAICE on the secretariat website: <www.usccb.org/evangelization/naice.htm>

US Commission on Catholic Evangelization (USCCE)
Bishop Michael Warfel presided over the March USCCE Executive Committee meeting in Washington, DC and introduced the new chairman-elect, Bishop Edward Slattery. Bishop Slattery welcomed the opportunity to meet with the executive committee prior to the BCEV meeting. Bishop Warfel also welcomed Fr. Paul Ojibway, an Executive Member of the Intercultural Ministries Committee. Fr. Paul will serve with Ms. Annette Turner and Fr. Ovidio Pecharroman. He expressed his thanks on behalf of the BCEV for the executive committee’s leadership with the USCCE. Updates were given on the joint project with Oregon Catholic Press in developing a small faith sharing booklet for Cycle B which focuses on the goals of Go and Make Disciples which should be ready in September; Convocation 2002 continues to develop and the planning team is preparing to welcome diocesan evangelization coordinators and members of the USCCE to San Damiano Retreat Center in September; the North American Institute is progressing well and speakers are being finalized and publicity should begin in early Spring… The proposed revisions for the USCCE guidelines were reviewed and unanimously recommended to the BCEV. Highlights are: members of the USCCE will be appointed annually and the Multicultural Ministries Committee’s name was changed to Intercultural Ministries Committee with the beginning focus being on baptism. The Diocesan Evangelization Ministries Committee will be meeting on September 13th at San Damiano preceding Convocation 2002; the National Catholic Organizations Committee was excited to have nineteen organizations participating at its January meeting and is looking forward to its May 15th meeting; and the Intercultural Ministries Committee will be scheduling its meeting in the next couple of months. The Executive Committee will further recommend that representatives need not be from metropolitan provinces. The National Catholic Organizations Committee held 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>

March Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization was held at St. Paul’s College in Washington, DC on March 11th following the executive committee meeting of the USCCE. Bishop Michael Warfel, joined by Bishops Martino, Schott, and Zurek, welcomed Bishop Edward Slattery as chairman-elect. Bishop Slattery will become chairman in November, 2002. Paulist President and consultant, Fr. Frank DeSiano led the BCEV and consultants through a reflection on Proclaiming Jesus Christ in a Pluralist World. Updates were given on: small Christian community initiatives, the December men’s ministries leadership symposium, preparations for diocesan evangelization coordinators’ Convocation 2002 and the 2002 North American Institute on Catholic Evangelization. The secretariat is collaborating with the Committee on Catechesis in planning an invitation-only Continental Gathering on the New Evangelization and its implications on catechetical ministry in America. The Continental Gathering will take place from February 27-March 2, 2003 in Miami. Sr. Maureen Shaughnessy, SC, USCCB Assistant Secretary for Catechesis and Adult Faith Formation welcomed feedback from the BCEV in response to the “first” draft of the National Directory for Catechesis. Fr. Hurley updated members on the progress for the 10th anniversary “commemorative edition” of Go and Make Disciples. This Spanish/English edition will be available in September, 2002 and has a commemorative introduction by Cardinal Francis George. Updates were also given by executive members of the USCCE on their meeting which preceded the BCEV meeting. The USCCE Executive members proposed the amendments to their guidelines and in one motion all recommendations were approved. If you would like more information on any of the above, you can contact Fr. Hurley at jhurley@usccb.org. The next meeting will take place on September 16th during Convocation 2002.

DIOCESAN EVANGELIZATION NEWS FROM AROUND THE USA

Diocese of Albany ... The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Albany was happy to sponsor “Ministry Through the Lens of Evangelization” with Rev. John Hurley, CSP on March 21, 2002. This in-service was presented for diocesan and pastoral leadership on the themes of nurturing discipleship, the national study of the implementation of the RCIA, and reconciliation.

Sr. Phyllis Lemire, RJM will give a major address entitled “Styles of Evangelization: How Do I Communicate the Gospel Message of Love?” at the 29th annual Spring Enrichment Program May 13-16, 2002 at the College of St. Rose in Albany. Sister Phyllis will build on the conference theme, “Love Beyond All Telling” with an additional workshop on “Evangelization and Catechesis: The Telling of Love.” Reported by Jeanne Schrempf, <jeanne.schrempf@rcda.org>

Diocese of Austin ... The Evangelization Commission has published a directory of evangelization activities going on throughout the diocese. The intention is to give pastors and other ministers the information they need to obtain help for their new evangelization efforts. It also jogs ministers’ imaginations about approaches and possibilities. The directory includes a brief description of each organization, plus that organization’s contact person. In addition to those focusing on direct evangelization, it also includes organizations that an evangelizer typically needs to know about in order to minister to people’s needs. The next step will be to publish a revised/expanded edition in English and Spanish ... The Evangelization Commission is also hosting a twice-a-year gathering for all the organizations included in the directory. This gives the evangelizers and support workers an opportunity to meet one another and hear directly from one another about the most recent efforts, successes, and understandings ... The Dominican Preaching Team serves the diocese by initial evangelization in rural areas, in both Spanish and English. This is especially important for faith communities just beginning, and for people who have felt out of touch with the Church. This team is directly responsible to Bishop Aymond ... A “Welcome Home” project was recently started by the Bishop. It includes pulpit announcements to invite practicing Catholics to consider inactive Catholic relatives or friends who may be interested in returning to the active practice of the Faith. Each response is followed up with a letter and video from the Bishop’s Office inviting the inactive Catholic to return. Meanwhile, parishes have developed “Landings” teams to be ready to welcome back those who wish to come ... Various programs for parish renewal or for small faith community development continue to spread in the diocese. At this time of tremendous population growth in central Texas, the diocese is preparing a strategic plan to respond to the needs of the Catholics in our diocese. This includes attention to small communities of Catholics who have not been participating in parish Sunday liturgy on a regular basis. Reported by Anna Huth, < anna-huth@austindiocese.org >

Diocese of Beaumont ... The diocese is in the process of beginning RENEW 2000, with the intention of having the program start this coming fall during the Advent season. We have also just started a nine session Adult Confirmation Program to reach out to those adults who were baptized and received First Eucharist but not Confirmation. Bishop Guillory will confirm them at a special Mass on Pentecost. Reported by Dr. Lorraine DeLuca, <ldeluca@dioceseofbmt.org>

Diocese of Duluth ... The diocese hosted a National Evangelization Team out of Minneapolis, MN during a three-week period from January 9-31. They ministered to about 600 youth, ranging in age from seventh to twelfth grade, from 16 different parishes. The diocese has also been giving Teens Encounter Christ weekends. These weekends evangelize and catechize through an emphasis on the Paschal Mystery. During the weekend of January 25-27, 16 college-age young adults attended and were very inspired. From February 16-18, another 59 high school-age youth attended and had a very blessed session. There are weekends scheduled for April, June, October, and December. For adults, the diocese offers Koinonia weekends, which are parish-based and modeled after the TEC experience. One weekend in January saw 26 adults participating, while another in March hosted 22. The Koinonia weekend helps to build community, and helps adults to be reinvigorated in their faith. Koinonia retreats are offered to all parishes and are scheduled accordingly. Reported by Janice Kilgore, <jkilgore@dioceseduluth.org>

Diocese of Juneau ... Evangelization in the Southeast (of Alaska!) takes on many meanings as the Office for Evangelization gets involved in many different levels of interaction with the community. The big news in the neighborhood was the Ordination and Installation of the new Orthodox Bishop of Alaska. Representatives from all three Alaskan dioceses were present for the three hour service at the Cathedral of Michael the Archangel in Sitka for the elevation of Bishop Nikolai. I witnessed one of the most inspiring tools for evangelization ever experienced as the group of Orthodox priests, bishops, deacons, et al waited for the arrival of Theodosius, Primate of America. As he walked into the terminal the entire group greeted him with chanting as he was greeted individually by his fellow bishops. The entire terminal came to a stop as the event unfolded. At that moment, everyone in the terminal knew and understood who the Orthodox Church in America is, both institutionally and on a personal level.

For ourselves, the preparation of our first season of RENEW 2000 continue with the establishment of our parish core communities. The establishment of a strong lay-led community is new to some parishes and old hat to others, so there is always a disparity in the progress being made. This is what makes it all so very interesting... Reported by Michael Price, <moprice@gci.net>

Diocese of La Crosse ... The Diocese of La Crosse is planning a diocese-wide convocation on evangelization entitled, “Convocation 2002: Starting Afresh in the Reign of God.” The convocation will take place on Tuesday, September 24 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The keynote speaker for the event will be Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo of the Diocese of Sioux City. Bishop Raymond L. Burke of La Crosse will be the main celebrant and homilist during liturgy. Other speakers for the convocation include: Dr. James Healy, PhD, Director of the Center for Family Ministry for the Diocese of Joliet, presenting “Marriage: Back to Back, Face to Face, and Shoulder to Shoulder;” Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP, Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Boston, presenting “Catechists Navigating Popular Culture;” Earl Modary, Associate Professor at Viterbo University in La Crosse, presenting “Collaboration of Laity and Clergy for the New Evangelization;” Dr. Robert J. McCarty, Executive Director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, presenting “Youth Ministry Can Happen in Your Parish,” Rev. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Director of the Office for Spiritual Direction for the Archdiocese of New York presenting “Where is God Leading His People at the Beginning of the Third Millennium?”; Sister Georgia Christensen, FSPA, Director of Evaluation and Assessment at Viterbo University, presenting “Receiving the Giftedness of Cultural Diversity;” Jeannie Hanneman, founder of Elizabeth Ministry International, presenting “Inviting Young Families into the Life of the Parish;” and Brian Singer-Towns of St. Mary’s Press, presenting “Fostering Biblical Literacy in Catholic Teens.” There will be more than 80 workshops to choose from, covering all areas of Catholic life and ministry. For more information, call (608) 788-7700, or log on to the diocesan website, www.dioceseoflacrosse.com. Reported by Virginia Halbur, <vhalbur@dioceseoflacrosse.com>

Diocese of Ogdensburg ... “Come Home,” a program to enrich parish family life, is being held for friends and loved ones who have left the practice of the Catholic faith. Series of sessions began in Jefferson Deanery on February 25th. Throughout the “Disciples in Mission” process, the parishioners requested assistance in helping people return to the Catholic Church. Reported by Sr. Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ <mbrett@dioogdensburg.org>

Archdiocese of Philadelphia ... The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has published a booklet, entitled “Communicating Christ in the 21st Century.” This booklet describes the various evangelization efforts undertaken by the Archdiocese. These include various programs and initiatives, as well as a list of events and occasions that will provide additional opportunities for parishes can add an evangelization emphasis to a number of different activities. Information on this booklet is available on the Secretariat’s website, www.usccb.org/evangelization. For more information, contact the Archdiocesan Office of the Vicar for Renewal and Evangelization, 215 587-0500. Reported by John J. Tague

Archdiocese of Portland ... On Friday, March 16th, the Department of Evangelization began releasing detailed demographic information to parishes participating in Disciples in Mission. The reports, prepared for each parish, have been distributed to Pastors, chairs of parish and administration councils, and the coordinator of Disciples in Mission.

Disciples in Mission, now in its second year, begins to focus the parish on outreach to Catholics who have wandered away, those seeking a faith community, and those who have not heard the Gospel. For many years the business, commercial, and government sectors of our communities have used information tools to better understand the people they serve. Most recently Christian churches have started to use the same information to better interpret the signs of the times for ministry to their neighborhoods. By example, on Thursday, November 26, 2001, over 200 Christian Churches sent representatives to a day-long seminar that included strategies to use census and other data to do outreach. Deacon Thomas Gornick, Director of the Department of Evangelization, attended the conference. “The information can bring a new energy, experience and focus to parish planning,” says Deacon Gornick.

The Department of Evangelization is now bringing this same kind of information to each of our parishes involved in Disciples in Mission. The data is being provided by Tactican Corporation. The firm gathers and reports information from the U.S. Census and other nationally recognized data collection instruments to profile a geographic area.

The parish reports will include comparison information from the 1990 and 2000 census. In addition the report will include a MOSAIC report. These reports developed by Experian, Inc. are based on the premise that people tend to gravitate towards communities with other people of similar backgrounds, interests and means. The parish information creates a profile for areas around the parish from one half mile up to five miles for non-urban parishes.

During the Easter season, Disciples in Mission parishes will gather for their second parish reflection day. The Archdiocese hopes the demographic information will enrich their discussion and assist in setting priorities for the next year. Pope Paul VI wrote in Evangelization in the Modern World, “The Church would feel guilty before the Lord if she did not utilize these powerful means that human skill is daily rendering more perfect.” Reported by Deacon Tom Gornick, <tgornick@archdpdx.org>

Diocese of Raleigh ... As a follow up to the Disciples in Mission experience, the Raleigh Diocese did extensive marketing to encourage parishioners to join a Lectionary-based small group for Lent. Recommended small group resources and promotional material can be found at www.raldioc.org/evangelization. The Atlanta Province is holding its first Stewardship Conference in Columbia, S.C. on April 27th. I will be giving a workshop on “Stewardship and Evangelization: Two Sides of the Same Coin.” The Diocese of Raleigh is in the final stages of publishing a manual that challenges all parishes to become stewardship parishes so they can better do the work of evangelization. The proposed title is “Stewardship and Evangelization: A Disciple’s Response.” Reported by Dr. Terry Jackson, <jackson@raldioc.org>

Diocese of Rockville Centre... The Office of Laity and Family has started a new program intended to bring evangelization to newly married couples. The program, entitled “Springtime for Newlyweds,” consists of a small gathering of couples married one to five years at a local restaurant for two hour sessions. The program is designed to allow young couples to socialize and network with one another, and to provide support for each other in dealing with the issues newly-married couples often face. The office is working on a database for newlyweds, which is still in process. The goal is to have newlyweds fill out a card at the wedding rehearsal which includes their contact information. This card would be sent to the diocese, and the diocese would notify the local parish. At that point, the parish will send a letter of welcome to the new couple in the area. It is hoped that this program will spread to other dioceses, so that the program can be expanded and continue as couples move to different areas, allowing the outreach to continue as couples cross diocesan lines. The office is also working on an interfaith marriage preparation for June 1 and 2. Reported by Sr. Ann Horn, OP, < annhorn@drvc.org >

Diocese of Salina ... The Diocese of Salina will be beginning the first phase of Disciples in Mission in August 2002, with the training of the Diocesan Coordinators in Washington, DC. Reported by Arvilla Juenemann <dioplan@ruraltel.net>

Diocese of Spokane ... The Diocese of Spokane annual Catholic Conference this year is scheduled for October 19th, with evangelization as its theme. Fr. John Hurley of the Secretariat for Evangelization will be giving the keynote. The diocese is considering the “Disciples in Mission” program and will make a decision by July 1. Reported by Betty Newstrom, <bnewstrom@dioceseofspokane.org>

Diocese of St. Petersburg ... The diocese has just concluded RENEW 2000, the three year diocesan process of spiritual renewal and evangelization. What an awesome experience this has been for our people, our parishes, and for me! In December, Bishop Lynch changed the name of the RENEW 2000 Office to the Office for Small Christian Communities and Evangelization. We have just started our first Alpha Course in a Catholic parish in the diocese, and it is really fulfilling a need! Excitement over this process is growing. In February, our Diocesan Leadership Team for Disciples in Mission began informing parishes of the opportunity to expand their evangelization efforts through the Disciples in Mission process. So many people were introduced to “Go and Make Disciples” through RENEW 2000, and desire to learn and experience more! We hosted Carrie Kemp on April 6, and she presented a workshop to support and help implement intentional ministry to inactive Catholics in our parishes. In June, we plan to host a Small Christian Community Institute in coordination with RENEW International, for the ongoing formation of small community leaders and parish core community members. For three years, Bishop Lynch has offered Pastoral Center employees the opportunity to meet in small communities for half an hour each week. We read the Sunday Scriptures and use Refreshed by the Word for reflection and faith sharing. This really adds to the spiritual development of our employees and aids us in working collaboratively! Reported by Diane Kledzik, <dmk@dosp.org>

Diocese of Tyler ... Bishop Corrada has produced a video entitled “Come Walk with Jesus,” to be used for evangelization and outreach. In it he speaks to the great blessing of knowing Jesus and walking with him each day. It is hoped that an enthusiastic, positive Christian message will help open hearts and minds to the love of Jesus. In the Bible Belt, it is important for us to be getting out the message of our Christian faith, not just focusing on our Catholic tradition. Reported by Rev. Gavin Vaverek, <gnv@stmaryslgv.org>

Diocese of Venice ... The diocese is currently focused on the promotion of faith-based small group communities. Several parishes are already active in this regard and have been very successful, including St. Katharine Drexel in Cape Coral, St. Charles in Port Charlotte, and St. Peter in Naples. Several others are currently involved in the formation process. Reported by Terry Reilly, <treilly@dioceseofvenice.org>

Diocese of Victoria ... Disciples in Mission is doing very well in its second year in the diocese. All parishes and missions, with the exception of eight, took part in Disciples in Mission this Lent. Participation has far exceeded all expectations! People are beginning to understand what evangelization and being a disciple of Jesus is all about. Reported by Sr. Digna Vela <dvela@victoriadiocese.org>

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston ... Since being inaugurated in the fall of 2000, over 750 Catholics have participated in Koinonia, the lay ministry formation process for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Although most of the participants have taken courses for their own adult enrichment, there are a significant number who are in the lay ministry and catechist certification tracks. The co-directors of the process are Barbara Sutton, director for parish care and empowerment, and Bryan Reising, director for evangelization. Koinonia is a Greek word known in the Church as “a community centered in Christ.” This process will help equip the laity for the roles they obtain from baptism. With these roles they share with Christ, they will also share and work more collaboratively with clergy and religious in their faith communities, and will share with people of other faith traditions to help transform the world community. Reported by Bryan Reising, <breising@dwc.org>

Diocese of Wichita ... We in the Diocese of Wichita recently prepared small group materials for use during the first five weeks of Lent. Connected with preparation for our upcoming Synod, they address themes from Ecclesia in America and connect with the Sunday readings. The English versions have been completed, and the process has begun to translate them into Vietnamese and Spanish. The working titles for the weeks are “Called to Be Holy;” “For the Sake of the Gospel;” “Stewardship, Mercy, Hospitality, and Welcome;” “Evangelizing Culture;” and “In the Service of Life.” Reported by Rhonda Lohkamp, <lohkampr@cdowk.org>

Upcoming National & International Church Events 2002 - 2003

National Council for Catholic Evangelization-NCCE is sponsoring its 18th national conference “Bring the Good News into Every Human Situation.” It will be held June 6-8, 2002 in St. Louis, MO. For more information check out the NCCE website: www.catholicevangelization.org

National Council for Catholic Hispanic Ministry-NCCHM is sponsoring a Spanish retreat for the laity and religious, July 12-20, 2002, at Bethany Retreat House in Highland Mills, New York. . This retreat is being prepared by Father Jeff, Sister Stella Herrera, RJM and Sr. Yliana Hernandez, PBVM for the Spanish-speaking. For more information contact Armando Contreras at NCCHM1@aol.com or Sr. Stella Herrera at stellah2@aol.com

Email us at evangelization@usccb.org
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