New Internet Addresses at the Bishops' Conference...Effective July 1, 2001, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the US Catholic Conference will merge and become the US Conference of Catholic Bishops-USCCB. However, effective immediately you may want to begin changing your e-mail address for those listed at the NCCB/USCC. For instance...the website address for the Secretariat for Evangelization will be: www.usccb.org/evangelization and the Executive Director's address will be...jhurley@usccb.org. The old address will work for a time, however since both are able to be used now, you may want to change your contacts' addresses as you use them.

National Symposium on Hispanic Ministry and Its Future held in Colorado Springs... A Reflection by Rev. Ovidio Pecharromán, Ph.D., STL, Director of the Spanish Apostolate, Diocese of Arlington. A Group of 57 persons: theologians, teachers, presidents of institutions, pastoralists, diocesan directors, religious, priests, deacons, directors of NCCB offices and three bishops met on February 17/18, 2001 The purpose of the meeting was to review the past, analyze the present and offer some insights into the future of the Hispanic ministry to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs organized the event.

The points of reference of the Symposium were "Encuentro 2000, Many Faces in God's House" held in Los Angeles this past July, "Ecclesia in America" and the new evangelization spirit proclaimed by John Paul II.

The most frequently heard words during the symposium, whether in the presentations, in the small group meetings, or in private conversations were: education, pluralism; dialogue, woman, parish; leadership, structures, means-money; and diocesan institutes for pastoral formation.

The content and intention of these words signify transition, ability, leadership and dialogue with the structures and with the various cultural forms that make up and integrate the present Catholic Church in the US.

For the members of the Symposium, the fundamental position was clear: We evangelize from Christ, in Christ and for Christ. And all the cultural ways of evangelizing do the same: the Anglo way, the Hispanic way, the Asian way, the African American way, etc. All evangelize and extend the Kingdom in the name of the Lord, but from different angles and with diverse functions.

In this work of evangelization, common to all cultures, how can the Hispanic culture contribute to the evangelizing aspect of the Anglo culture and of the other cultures? The answer to this question was:

1. By helping the Anglo expression of the faith, as well as the other cultural expressions, to discover and see more clearly the truth of the Catholic Church in the US: the elements that form it and the idiosyncrasies of these elements.
   
2. By offering the precious aspect of the personal generosity and cultural openness that are common to the Hispanic Church. This aspect would help the Catholic Church in the US to be seen as welcoming with open arms the people of today's society.
   
3. The internal variety of the Hispanic culture eases the contact with many other cultures living together in the US with their various religious traditions, thus facilitating the way to evangelization in the reality of globalization.
   
4. By adding their warm and festive human and pastoral component to the administrative, technical and legal approach to the evangelization methods of the Anglo Catholic Church. This would also be very favorable to the cultural ways of the Asian and African American expressions in the Church.

• We included a detailed topical index to help visitors find titles faster and more easily.
  
  
• Each of the pages now has a list of related topics and related titles. Most of the related titles are links to other sections or documents in the NCCB/USCC website.
  
  
• Documents that are available online are linked to their online text site.

US Commission on Catholic Evangelization (USCCE) holds inaugural meeting in Buffalo, NY in April... The Evangelization Committee of the USCCE will meet in Buffalo, NY on April 28 & 29, 2001. Each of the 30 metropolitan provinces will have a representative participating. For 2001, Fr. Hurley in the Secretariat for Evangelization invited a diocesan evangelization designee to represent each province during 2001 to help jumpstart the committee. After 2001, diocesan evangelization designees in each province will elect their own representative. Sr. Lucy Clynes DW (Diocese of St. Augustine and Miami Province), Ms. Val Keller (Milwaukee Province) and Fr. Joe Kruszynski OFM Conv.(Chicago Province) will serve on the Executive Committee of the USCCE. The other two committees of the USCCE which are in the process of formation are the Multicultural Committee and the National Catholic Organization Committee. Check out the USCCE on the secretariat's website: www.usccb.org/evangelization

Jubilee Retreat 2000 for diocesan evangelization designates continues to reap benefits from the November, ‘2000 gathering that was held in the Diocese of St. Augustine, in Jacksonville, Florida. The diocesan designates indicate that the Retreat was significant for the following reasons: the opportunity for positive and affirming contact with others involved in evangelization ministries; the receiving and sharing of information about a range of evangelization programs and related efforts; powerful shared experiences of liturgy; a deep sense of fellowship and unity of purpose with the Bishops present and the other evangelization designates. It was overwhelmingly suggested that this type of gathering be repeated every two years. The USCCE Evangelization Committee will be discussing this at its April meeting in Buffalo and hopes to inform diocesan evangelization coordinators of the dates in 2002 as soon as possible. Check out the pictures in the "Photo Gallery" on the Secretariat's website: www.nccbuscc.org/evangelization.

Special Guest Visits Secretariat from the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia...Fr. John Hurley met with Mr. Geoff Gowdie, Executive Director of the Vicariate of Church Life and Mission at the USCCB on March 28th. Mr. Gowdie's vicariate is responsible for evangelization within the archdiocese. He is also responsible for coordinating preparations for Synod 2003-Setting Hearts on Fire-the challenge of following Jesus and transforming the world in the 21st century. Evangelization and multicultural initiatives are very much a part of the planning for this first synod in the archdiocese. If you wish more information on this synod preparation, you may contact Mr. Gowdie at: gowdieg@bne.catholic.net.au.

BCEV Committee Meeting Update...The next meeting of the BCEV will take place in Atlanta on June 13th.

Diocese of Harrisburg, PA...In April of 1999, through its Secretariat for Parish and Special Ministries, introduced the Landings program to representatives from 10 parishes in the Diocese. The meeting was facilitated by Pa;ulist Father Charles Brunick and Joan Horn, the national coordinator of the Landings program. As a result of this presentation, two parishes, the Cathedral parish in Harrisburg and St. AnnÆs parish in Lancaster set the process in motion. The efforts of the Landings teams from these parishes provided a spark that set off a definite interest in the rest of the Diocese.

In July one year later, the same diocesan office sponsored a second workshop, this time presented by Paulist Father Jac Campbell, the founder of the program and Joan Horn. One hundred and sixty people attended from 14 different parishes. There are now 15 parishes incorporating the Landings process into their outreach efforts.

This July, the diocese will sponsor a third workshop. Calls are already being received from parishes interested in Landings. The grassroots effort started in 1999 seems to be spreading due to word of mouth from those parishes experiencing success with the program. Reported by: Robert O'Donnell, Evangelization Consultant (rfodonnell@hotmail.com).

Archdiocese of Indianapolis, IN... is in the midst of a four month reflection process for archdiocesan agency employees to help them name how evangelization is an element of what they already do, and then to identify what God is calling them to do next. After an initial kickoff and prayer service, agencies have developed a variety of formats for doing their reflections. The results of these reflections will be shared in multi-media and print during a gathering and closing prayer on May 31. Reported by Fr. Joe Folzenlogen, SJ,Coordinator for Evangelization (evangelize@archindy.org).

Diocese of Lafayette, LA....has received a grant to work with integrating evangelization with the needs of the poor. Fr. Louis Arceneaux will be working in the office with me for two years beginning July 1, 2001. The title of our project will be "Listening to the Voices of the Poor". Our plan is to work with parishioners in poor parishes to create an atmosphere that will foster an experience of conversion and transformation and to train lay leaders (poor and affluent) for the ministry of evangelization, reaching out to the poor who are inactive, alienated, and unchurched. We plan to meet, talk, pray with the poor on their own turf in diners, shelters, low income complexes and service centers. We intend to collaborate with those involved in another new project in our Diocese, entitled "Campaign Against Poverty". Reported by Mrs. Gloria Clark, Director of Evangelization (glcark27@yahoo.com).

Archdiocese of Louisville...Catholic Connection: Over 5,000 people have been invited by Archbishop Thomas Kelly to reconnect with the Catholic faith as part of the diocesan-wide outreach to inactive Catholics called the Catholic Connection. Parishes are reporting a noticeable increase in attendance at Mass; the Tribunal, clergy and auditors have begun hundreds of petitions for nullity; and the Chancery is receiving calls from persons interested in joining the Catholic Church. These are just some of the results experienced at the outset of what will become an annual effort.

Accessible Construction is the name and focus of a new video produced by the Communications Center of the archdiocese. The video encourages practical consideration of persons with special needs, whether elderly or physically challenged, when beginning a building project. Reported by Mrs. Joan Cunningham, Director of Evangelization (JTC@archlou.org)

Diocese of Monterey...Mrs. Marina Ocampo, Coordinator of Migrant Ministry for the Diocese of Monterey, California, received the "Office for the Pastoral Care of Migrant and Refugees Distinguised Service Award for Migrant Ministries." She was presented with the award, February 21, 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland. Congratulations for her 15 years of Dedication to Migrant Ministry! Marina has worked long and hard for Evangelization within the Migrant community and well deserves the recognition! Reported by Sr. Lydia Schneider,I.M., Director of Catechetical Ministries (redes777@aol.com).

Diocese of Ogdensburg...Ogdensburg Diocesan Pentecost Event 2001-Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of Ogdensburg will lead the people of the diocese in a Candlelight Procession and Evening Prayer on June 3, 2001 at 4pm in the Lake Placid Olympic Center, Lake Placid, NY. The event is the climax of the diocese's three-year Disciples in Mission process in partnership with the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association. At the same time it is designed to launch a renewed effort throughout the diocese to advance the mission of evangelization in this new millennium. Reported by Sr. Mary Ellen Brett SSJ, Director of Evangelization (evangel-brett@dioogdensburg.org).

Archdiocese of Portland, OR... launched Disciples in Mission, an evangelization experience, on Ash Wednesday. Ninety-two parishes responded to the invitation , representing 95% of the Archdiocese's registered households. Sign up for the small group and family component exceed pastor's estimates by as much as 50%. The response from the Hispanic community was also beyond anyone's original estimates...The Archdiocese of Portland, in collaboration with the other dioceses in the Northwest will be hosting the 3rd biennial NW Regional Stewardship Conference, May 17 and 18, 2001. This year's conference will continue to emphasize the importance of evangelization as the beginning of stewardship. Bishop Michael Warfel, Chair of the Bishops' Committee on Evangelization will give the closing address. Also Paulist Father Kenneth Boyack, CSP, Executive Director of the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association will present an plenary session on evangelization. Over 350 NW Catholic leaders are expected to attend. Reported by Deacon Tom Gornick, Director of Evangelization (tgornick@archdpdx.org).

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, WV... Most Rev. Bernard W. Schmitt, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, recently wrote "You are Family and We Miss You - A Pastoral Letter to Those Catholics We Miss." It was recently published in our Lenten issue of "The Catholic Spirit" which reached to all registered Catholic households in the state of West Virginia. He also made a video of this pastoral letter, and it was aired on a local Wheeling television station. Catholics who want to return are responding by calling local parishes or the Diocesan Office for Evangelization, and several parishes are inspired to join other parishes with missionary outreach and ministry to inactive Catholics. Reported by Mr. Bryan Reising, Coordinator for Evangelization (breising@dwc.org).

NCCE Conference... The 17th National Council for Catholic Evangelization Conference will take place in Raleigh, NC on June 6-9, 2001. The conference will be an opportunity for ordained and lay evangelists to gather with diocesan and parish leaders in the ministry of evangelization. The theme of the conference is HOLY GROUND and will focus on the multicultural aspects of evangelization. A special effort has been made to address issues relating to small rural parishes. The pre-conference Proclamation Day event features acclaimed preacher Bishop Kenneth Untener. Other major presenters include Rev. Paul Minnihan, Rev. Dr. Giles Conwill, Seung Ai Yang, Ph.D., Sr. Rosa Maria Icaza, CCVI, Ph.D. from the Mexican American Cultural Center and Rev. John Hurley, CSP. For more information or to register go to www.catholicevangelization.org, or contact NCCE at 1-800-786-NCCE (6223) or director@catholicevangelization.org.

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

Schedule for NCCB Executive Director for Evangelization

April 24/25	Diocese of Owensboro, KY	Conference
April 27/28	Diocese of Steubenville, OH	Conference
April 28/29	US Commission on Catholic Evangelization	Buffalo, NY
April 29-May 3	NCCL in Buffalo	Conference & Keynote
May 16-20	Archdiocese of Portland	Stewardship Conf. & National Institute Meetings
June 6-9	NCCE in Raleigh, NC	Conference & Keynote
June 13	BCEV in Atlanta	Committee Meeting
June 14-15	NCCB/USCC in Atlanta	General Assembly