QUOTE: "Proclamation, witness, teaching, sacraments, love of neighbor: all of these aspects are the means by which the one Gospel is transmitted and they constitute the essential elements of evangelization itself. " (General Directory for Catechesis, #46)


QUOTE: "The percentage of Americans who say they feel the need in their lives to experience spiritual growth has surged twenty-four points in just four years--from 58% in 1994 to 82% in 1998. The percentage that says they have thought a lot about ‘the basic meaning and value of their lives' has swelled eleven points–from 58% in 1985 to 69% today. Clearly, much is stirring in the spiritual life of the populace as we move into a new century." (Surveying the Religious Landscape by George Gallup, Jr. and D. Michael Lindsay. Morehouse Publishing: Harrisburg, PA.,1999.)


News ...from the BCEV...

The Pastoral Commission of the German Bishops' Conference visited the NCCB in April and was hosted by the Office for Evangelization. Ten bishops, including the Cardinal Archbishop of Berlin and five staff visited the conference to hear about the US experience of the RCIA. Father John Hurley of the BCEV was joined by Sr. Ann Rehrauer, OSF from the Secretariat for Liturgy, Bro. Jeff Gros, FSC from the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Sr. Maureen Shaughnessy, SC from the Department of Education and Ms. Siobhan Verbeek from the Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices. Under the coordination of the Office for Evangelization these five staff members are completing a three year study on the implementation of the RCIA in the United States. The staff were also happy to welcome as guests Mr. James Schellman and Sr. Sheila O'Dea, RSM of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. With simultaneous translation this meeting provided a wonderful exchange of both the experience of the Church and the RCIA in both the United States and Germany. The night before the meeting, the Geman delegation were welcomed to the conference by NCCB President, Bishop Joseph Fiorenza and General Secretary, Msgr. Dennis Schnurr. All were very happy to welcome the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo.

The Retreat 2000 is being sponsored by the BCEV and is designed for Diocesan Evangelization Coordinators. Over 54 participants are currently registered and more are still coming in. If you are a diocesan coordinator and have not received a brochure, please contact Iris Brown at the BCEV, <evangelization@nccbuscc.org>

The BCEV recently held its meeting in Washington, DC at the NCCB. Bishop Michael Warfel of Juneau, AK, the new chairman welcomed those gathered to the first meeting. The committee reviewed some of the current projects which it welcomed from the previous committee. Bishop Warfel, put before some suggestions for the new committee. One suggestion is the formation of a National Advisory Committee on Evangelization (NACEV). This committee could represent various ethnic, regional, generational and national Catholic organization members and serve as an advisory committee to the BCEV. The committee will put together some ideas and report back to the BCEV at its next meeting in November during Retreat 2000 in Jacksonville, FL.


News from Around the Country...The Archdiocese of Chicago has a new publication SPARK. This is a publication of the Office for Evanelization. If you would like to have a copy of their latest newsletter, you can contact Fr. Joseph Kruszynski in the office at <oaugustone@aol.com> Congratulations, Fr. Joe.

Alpha for Catholics...Many people have been inquiring about Alpha. Fr. Hurley in the BCEV office recently met with Mr. Dave Nodar who is also Director for ChristLife Catholic Evangelization Services in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore is very supportive of this program and there is much more listed under organizations within the website of the BCEV, <www.nccbuscc.org/evangelization>. Fr. Hurley will keep diocesan coordinators informed of upcoming conferences with Alpha for Catholics.

Celebrate Jesus 2000 ...comes to Saint Louis All around us, the Lord is doing some exciting work...in our homes, in our churches, and around the world. This June 22-25, one of the most exciting events in Christian history will take place in St. Louis, MO. On the banks of the Mississippi River - once called by Spanish explorers the "River of the Holy Spirit" - Christians from every denomination and fellowship will gather to celebrate the 2000th anniversary of Christ's birth.

I hope you will join me for three exciting days of inspiring talks, vibrant music, and spirit-filled ministry as we give witness that Jesus Christ is alive today in the power of the Holy Spirit. Don't miss out on this historic event! With spirit-filled Catholics and Protestants coming together for a weekend of joyful celebration, it will be North America's most significant assembly of Christians in the year 2000!

To register, or for more information visit www.celebratejesus2000.com or call Walter Matthews
Director, National Service Committee at 1-877-255-4463.

"Faithful Citizenship, Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium...This statement on Political Responsibility by the Administrative Board of the US Catholic Bishops gives great impetus to Goal 3 of Go and Make Disciples, A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States. Transforming the society in which we live is integral not only in our citizenship but also to our call to evangelize. Packets for parish use and consciousness raising is available from the USCC, publication number 5-361. These packets can be ordered by calling 800-235-8722.

R E M I N D E R...E N C U E N T R O 2 0 0 0 is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, July 6-9, 2000. This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the "Many Faces of God's People." For more information check out the website: www.encuentro2000.org. This is the National Catholic Celebration of the Jubilee Year. Over 1000 are registered as of this week with over two months to go. Check out the website if you are not yet registered!


Church's Challenge in Internet: E-vangelization
Conclusions of Assisi Congress

ASSISI, MAR 12 (ZENIT.org).- "Gospel and Cyberspace; Internet and proclamation of the Christian message": these were the binomials that focused the attention of a study seminar, organized by the Media Commission of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), held in Assisi from March 8-11. The purpose of the meeting was to understand the new communications scene and its impact on the Church. There were over 400 participants from various dioceses and Catholic associations involved in presenting the Church's message on the 'Net.

"E-vangelization" During the opening session, Bishop Ennio Antonelli, CEI secretary general, used the image of the fishing net, evangelical metaphor par excellence, to remind his audience that the new media can serve to "catch" men for God. In addition to "e-commerce" and "e-business," there are new possibilities for "e-vangelization."

Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, director of the University of Dayton's Institute for Pastoral Initiatives, was among the participants. She addressed the present concern of many Bishops: "Can we control the use of the word 'Catholic' on Internet?" Her answer was a categorical no. "Cyberspace has no confines or authorities to whom one can appeal."

"In the past, the Church always carried out a role of primary importance in the formation of culture in all parts of the world. Today, however, as opposed to the past, the new virtual culture is expanding more rapidly than the Church's reaction." Therefore, "we can choose between being guardians of the Word in the battle against the devils of cyberspace or transform ourselves into architects and sculptors of the new culture coming into being," Sister Zukowski explained.

Derrick de Kerckhove, successor of Marshall McLuhan at the University of Toronto, gave a video-conference to the congress. Like his predecessor, he cultivates a passion for spirituality. According to this professor, arrival on the Internet is "an extraordinary occasion for the one who works with souls. It is important to know how to create virtual communities, support and welcome groups for those entering the 'Net. With Internet, the proclamation and pastoral communication can be rejuvenated, especially in virtue of the great capacity of interaction proper to the means. But let us not forget that once a new media is introduced in the Church, together with obvious advantages, negative effects are felt. Suffice it to think of the relation between diffusion by the press and the Reformation. These are physiological consequences; what is important, however, is not to be frightened," Kerchhove concluded.

According to Kerckhove, the presence of Christians on Internet is decisive. "If the Christian message was missing on the net, an apocalyptic future would open, a scene like 'Blade Runner.' But this is not the only aspect in question. Just as the Jesuits took the Gospel together with the alphabet to the Indians, through its institutions the Church could instruct the marginalized in the language and use of the new media." ZE00031204


Art is Privileged Instrument of Evangelization
Church Must Encourage New Forms of Artistic Expression

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31 (ZENIT.org).- Art can effectively communicate "the history of the covenant between God and man and the richness of the revealed message," John Paul II said this morning, when he received the participants of the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church.

Art and Evangelization
The sessions of the meeting, which are focusing on "The Cultural Patrimony of the Church and the New Evangelization," began yesterday morning and will end on Saturday. In greeting the Pope on behalf of the participants, Archbishop Francesco Marchisano, president of the Commission, explained that one can see how the Church used multiple artistic expressions as a formidable instrument for evangelization over the 20 centuries of Christianity's history.

"Your Holiness has mentioned to me on several occasions how, when you were Archbishop of Krakow, you were able to establish dialogue with those who had 'distanced' themselves from the Church precisely with the comprehensible and acceptable universal language of cultural goods," recalled the Archbishop.

John Paul II replied, "Indeed, in their multiple expressions, cultural goods constitute an instrument which can in no way be disregarded in the mission of evangelization and of human development proper to the Church. Christian art especially, a particularly significant cultural good, continues to offer a singular service by communicating with extraordinary efficacy, through the beauty of sensible forms, the history of the covenant between God and man and the richness of the revealed message."

The Holy Father then made several recommendations to the Commission's members. Above all, he asked that the historical and artistic patrimony born in the service of the liturgy not lose any of its eloquence. Moreover, he believes that it is necessary to promote the culture of the juridical protection of this patrimony given to the different ecclesial realities and civil organizations, working in a spirit of collaboration with the different government institutions, and establishing contacts with those responsible for managing cultural goods, and with the artists of the different expressive forms. He further acknowledged that it is also necessary to promote a dialogue with associations dedicated to the conservation and appreciation of the cultural goods, as well as with charitable groups.

In particular, the Holy Father recommended that the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church promote, among all those involved in this area, love for the Church so that each one may make of his work a precious contribution to the evangelizing mission." ZE0003310


Schedule of NCCB Director of Evangelization

May 2-4, 2000	Diocese of Little Rock
May 5-10, 2000	National Conference for Catechetical Leadership - Houston
May 19, 2000	Meeting with Director of Evangelization for Canada in Ottawa
June 11-18, 2000	Bishops' meeting in Milwaukee, WI and workshops

ExPRESS is now added to the BCEV Website under "Newsletter"...Check this site for other information and upcoming events across the United States

Email us at evangelization@usccb.org
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