ExPRESS Newsletter - August + 2003
The Electronic Newsletter of
the USCCB Secretariat for Evangelization
North American Institute for Catholic Evangelization held in Portland, OR
The first North American Institute for Catholic Evangelization drew 450 to Portland, OR from July 9th to the 12th, 2003. With participants coming from nearly every level of national, diocesan, and parish leadership, and representing the myriad ministries of the Church, the Institute provided an opportunity for the participants to see their ministry through the lens of evangelization, the essential mission of the Church.
Conceived several years ago by Fr. John Hurley, CSP of the USCCB Secretariat for Evangelization and Deacon Thomas Gornick of the Office for Evangelization at the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, the Institute's sponsors included the Secretariat, the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, the Archdiocese of Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada, and the University of Portland, which also hosted the event on its beautiful campus overlooking the city.
The capacity attendance of 450 people proved that many people in the Church felt that this, indeed, is the time when America can hear the call to evangelize, the Gospel call to "Go, and make disciples." Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington, DC set the tone for the gathering through his keynote address on kindness as the primary tool of the Catholic evangelizer. Other presenters included Rev. Eric Law on North American Culture; Dr. Sue Blum Gerding and Fr. Frank Desiano on Breaking Open the Word of God; Michelle Miller and Fr. Brett Hoover on Young Adult Evangelization; Msgr. Ray East on Disciples in Action; Dr. Carole Eipers on Catechesis; Dr. Bob McCarty on Youth Evangelization; Fr. Ronald Rolheiser on Evangelizing Spirituality; Fr. Donald Senior on the Call to Mission; and Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski on Evangelization and the Media.
Two panels alternated in the task of responding to the presentations, and many were followed by table discussion so that participants could share experiences and reflect on the presentation they had just heard. One panel included Mrs. Carla Caldwell from the Office of Lay Ministry in the Archdiocese of Seattle, Mrs. M. Annette Turner from the Multicultural Ministry Office at the Archdiocese of Louisville, Rev. Ovidio Pecharroman of the Spanish Apostolate at the Diocese of Arlington, and Mme. Adele Bolduc from the Office for the Evangelization of the Peoples at the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The other panel featured Rev. David Tyson, the President of the University of Portland, and three experts from the USCCB: Sr. Amy Hoey from the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women, and Youth; Ron Cruz from the Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs; and Dr. Beverly Carroll from the Secretariat for African-American Catholics.
The participants clearly heard the Gospel call to "Go, and make disciples" and left Portland feeling energized and renewed in their evangelizing efforts. Evelyn Thibeaux of the Archdiocese of New Orleans writes that NAICE "was a wonderful and very effective blend of the inspirational and the practical it is pretty rare to get such a mix of perspectives from people who are at the highest levels of knowledge and influence." For more photographs from NACIE 2003, visit the photo galleries at
www.usccb.org/evangelization.
will be held February 4-7th, 2004 at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel in Louisville, KY. This third biennial Convocation will address the topic of "
Catholic Evangelization in an Ecumenical and Interreligious Society." We are very pleased to announce that the Convocation is being co-sponsored by the USCCB Bishops Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. Participation is reserved for Diocesan Evangelization Coordinators and USCCE members, with a special invitation being extended to any Diocesan Ecumenical Officer who accompanies their diocese's Evangelization Co-ordinator. Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Chairman of the BEIA, will give the keynote address. For more information, or for registration forms, visit
www.usccb.org/evangelization/convo04.htm.
The Bishops' Committee on Evangelization gathered in Portland, OR during NAICE 2003 and held a meeting on Friday, July 11th. They discussed the possibility of a future North American Institute for Catholic Evangelization, but delayed any decision pending evaluations and recommendations from the US Commission on Catholic Evangelization. The committee expects to make a decision at their February 2004 meeting in Louisville, KY during the 2004 Convocation.
The 10th anniversary edition of
Go and Make Disciples is now available on the secretariat website. It is currently available in English and Spanish. Vietnamese will soon be added on the website.
Two of the three committees of the USCCE met in Portland, OR during NAICE 2003, with twenty-five members in attendance, representing all three committees. During the meeting, the Commission split up into its constituent committees, and the Diocesan Evangelization Ministries Committee and the executive members of the Intercultural Ministries Committee met in separate sessions. The National Catholic Organizations committee was represented at the meeting by Ms. Carol Augustine of NCCL and had met in June.
Diocesan Evangelization Ministries Committee represented by Val Keller (Milwaukee), Fr. Joe Kruszynski (Chicago) and Sr. Lucy Clynes (St. Augustine) are a guiding force overseeing the upcoming third biennial convocation sponsored for diocesan evangelization coordinators. The Committee also coordinated the collaborative effort with Oregon Catholic Press, Disciples in Prayer, Cycle C now available from Oregon Catholic Press and USCCB Publishing.
Intercultural Ministries Committee is represented by Annette Turner (Louisville), Fr. Paul Ojibway (Tekakwitha Conference) and Peter Choe (National Korean Pastoral Center). The committee is currently made up of Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, African American, Native American and Hispanic members. The committee is exploring new members and is also exploring generational issues. This committee is responsible for the upcoming translation of Go and Make Disciples into Vietnamese for the secretariat website.
National Catholic Organizations Committee is represented by Carol Augustine (NCCL-Baltimore), Patrick Donovan (NFCYM-Wilmington) and Fr. Joe Hertel (NCDC-New York). This committee is currently made up of board representation from 23 national Catholic organizations. The committee met in June at the USCCB and Dr. Beverly Carroll of the USCCB Secretariat for African-American Catholics gave a presentation on the necessity for finding the unity of our mission in the diversity of our backgrounds.
Check out the USCCB on the website for members and minutes from each of the committee meetings. <www.usccb.org/evangelization>
"It is a singular delight for me to offer an encouraging word to all who will be steeped more deeply in the Word by spending time with Disciples in Prayer." From the foreward by Cardinal Roger Mahony
This exciting collaborative effort with the Oregon Catholic Press debuted at the September 2002 Convocation which marked the 10th Anniversary of Go and Make Disciples. Nineteen members of the U.S. Commission on Catholic Evangelization joined in the effort to write reflection questions on discipleship for the Sunday and special feats readings for Cycle C. Disciples in Prayer is an exciting resource that guides small study and prayer groups in their reflection on the Lectionary readings throughout the church year. Contains synopses of the Sunday readings, responsorial psalm texts, musical selections and suggestions and study group questions. Especially suited for personal reflection, liturgy teams, RCIA and small faith-sharing groups. It is also an excellent resource for parishes after completing diocesan and national renewal programs where small faith sharing groups play a key part. Disciples in Prayer and accompanying CD are available through the USCCB and OCP websites along with Go and Make Disciples. Father Hurley said, "I am grateful that a leading liturgical publisher joined the secretariat and the U.S. Commission on Catholic Evangelization in this collaborative initiative to provide a wonderful resource for all disciples to reflect on the Word and to sing God's praises."
Some 23 leaders from 15 arch/dioceses attended the seventh annual August Gathering, where 2003 was described as one of the most successful years ever for Disciples in Mission. All Disciples in Mission dioceses had an average of 59% of parishes participating in the evangelization experience. The August 8-10 weekend events provided diocesan leaders with guidance and enhanced knowledge toward evangelizing initiatives for dioceses and parishes. In "Evangelization, A Collaborative Mission," Rev. Robert Rivers, CSP, described the need for dioceses and parishes to create an environment of collaboration as essential, not optional. Rev. Clarence Williams, CPPS, discussed how to "better evangelize the populations we have today and spread the good news" in "Evangelization in a Pluricultural Church, Changing our Paradigms." In "Adult Faith Formation: Making Disciples for Mission," Sr. Maureen Shaughnessy, SC, shared how to nourish faith and fulfill the desire to grow in faith that many adult lay people feel. These annual gatherings are a highlight for both the PNCEA staff and participants. There is a renewed energy and commitment for the upcoming year and anticipation for next year's meeting, which is scheduled for August 13-15, 2004.
From the Newest Evangelization Offices Baton Rouge and Peoria:
Diocese of Baton Rouge In May of 1999, the Diocese of Baton Rouge began a formal process to develop a strategic plan for the diocese. The three year analysis revealed a focus on evangelization as the grounding force of all ministerial service and education in the Church. As a result, an Office for Evangelization was established this summer and charged with several initiatives, among which are as follows: 1) to implement the following set of goals recommended to achieve a comprehensive and effective evangelization progress in the Diocese of Baton Rouge: namely, invitation, renewal, reconciliation, and transformation; 2) to ensure that evangelization strategies are a prominent part of the work of diocesan departments and offices by networking with these groups; 3) to work with diocesan and parish leadership to cultivate an active core of Catholics to serve in their homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces. Reported by Sr. Priscilla Lemire, PLemire@diobr.org.
Diocese of Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky, CSC of Peoria re-activated the diocesan Office of Evangelization in July 2003. The office is planning for effective and Christ-centered Catholic evangelization in the diocese following the guidelines that come from Pope John Paul II's "Ecclesia in America," which describes his vision for a "new evangelization." This vision calls all the faithful to preach the Gospel through their words and deeds. The Diocese of Peoria's Office of Evangelization will focus on responding to the call of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II for a new evangelization, and to Go, and Make Disciples, A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States. The office will serve as a resource for all parish and diocesan personnel who wish to maximize the evangelizing potential of all their activities and ministries. Reported by Dcn. Gregory Luigi Serangeli, DcnSerangeli@cdop.org.
In Other Diocesan Evangelization News:
Archdiocese of Philadelphia A recent reorganization in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has placed a greater emphasis on evangelization. The Archdiocese's Secretariat for Catholic Life and Formation is becoming the Secretariat for Evangelization, and will bring within its scope the offices of Family Life, Faith Formation, and Evangelization. The new Secretariat for Evangelization will also include the Office of Black Catholics, the Office for Hispanic Catholics, the Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees, the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Respect Life Office, and the Office for Worship. Bernadette O'Connell, current Secretary for the Secretariat for Catholic Life and Formation will become the new Secretary for the Secretariat for Evangelization, and Dominic Lombardi, current director of the Office for the Formation of the Laity will become the new Director for Evangelization.
Archdiocese of Cincinnati The Archdiocese is coordinating several evangelization classes and seminars:
- Sharing our Faith: An Institute for Catholic Evangelization. The Institute offers formation in evangelization at the Atheneum of Ohio in Cincinnati (diocesan seminary) and the Transfiguration Center for Spiritual Renewal in Ludlow Falls, Ohio. The process consists of an orientation on Catholic Evangelization, 6 course offerings, and a one day retreat. First classes begin Sept 11, 2003 and run through March 27, 2004.
- Catholics Returning Home: Training Workshop with Sally Mews. Mrs. Mews will outline a "cheap, easy, and effective" way of forming parish teams to reach out to inactive Catholics. Her process was one of the 12 models offered in a Time to Listen, A Time to Heal. Saturday, October 11, 2003, 9:30 -3:30pm at St. Henry Parish, Dayton, Ohio.
- Christian Discipleship: The Strangest Way. 2003 Catechetical Leadership Conference with Fr. Robert Barron. The Catechetical Conference is an invitation to all parish staff, Pastors, DRE's, Pastoral Associates, Youth Ministers, to examine the unique, distinctive, embodied, densely-textured way of life that is Christianity. How do we follow this path within a secular, relativistic culture, during a time of institutional upheaval? How do we lead others along this different path? Reported by Curtis Kneblik, ckneblik@catholiccincinnati.org.
Diocese of Dallas A systematic approach to the evangelization process for the Church of Dallas began to take shape on March 20, 2002, with a presentation of
RENEW: Spiritual Renewal for the 21st Century to chancery leadership by representatives of RENEW International, Founder/President Msgr. Tom Kleissler and Assistant Director, Mr.Greg Kremer.
Having received enthusiastic support for the process from the chancery department heads, a listening session followed on May 30 for all diocesan priests and lay leaders. The group unanimously indicated their support for the diocese to adopt the RENEW process of evangelization. A diocesan timeline was then set up targeting October of 2003 to launch the first of six seasons of the RENEW process.
In June of 2002 a Diocesan Evangelization Coordinator for the RENEW process was named and a training schedule for chancery staff and participating parishes' leadership was put into motion with RENEW International staff facilitating English and Spanish training workshops in seven locations throughout the diocese.
Letters from the Bishop to all the pastors were sent in June and again in July inviting them to commit to be a part of RENEW. Fifty-five of the 66 diocesan parishes are presently committed to the RENEW initiative.
Reported by Lily Salvato, lsalvato@cathdal.org.
Diocese of Ogdensburg Prepares for the annual Diocesan Festival of Faith on September 19 - 20. The 2003 theme is "Evangelization: It's All in the Family". Keynote speaker is Fr. John Hurley, CSP the USCCB Executive Director, Secretariat for Evangelization.
Reported by Sr. Mary Ellen Brett, mbrett@dioogdensburg.org.
Archdiocese of Seattle The NAICE 2003 participants from the Archdiocese of Seattle are meeting in September to discuss the Institute and to examine more effective methods of evangelization on both the archdiocesan and parish levels. They hope to be able to share their results and conclusions with everyone in the next issue of
ExPress.
Reported by Carla Caldwell, Carlac@seattlearch.org.
Diocese of Trenton The Evangelization Ministry collaborated with the Small Christian Community Ministry of the Office of Parish Life to offer more than a dozen training workshops on evangelization and small Christian communities to over 600 participants in 2002-2003. In addition, the office hosted three meetings of the 50 member diocesan networking group, the Trenton Council for Catholic Evangelization (TCCE). Topics addressed were "Are We There Yet? Catholic Evangelization 10 Years After 'Go and Make Disciples,'" "Parish Evangelization Teams: Everything We Wish We Had Known," and "'Search and Rescue' for Inactive Catholics: What Really Works?"
Planned for 2003-2004: 1)
Communication Skills for Outreach and Evangelization in Parish Life: LAB I, 40 hour training program, September 10 to November 8, 2003. Speakers: Diocesan LAB I Team. 2)
Simple Ways Catholics Can Share Faith workshop, Sept. 20, Oct. 19, Nov. 15. Speaker: John J. Boucher, Director, Office of Parish Life, Evangelization Ministry, Diocese of Trenton. 3)
Getting a Grip on Your Group: Transformation Through Community, Sept. 27, 2003, Speaker: Barbara Darling, Founder of Buena Vista, St. James City, FL. 4)
The Ultimate Challenge in Evangelization: Reaching Out to Young Adults, Trenton Council for Catholic Evangelization (TCCE) meetings in collaboration with the Offices of Religious Education and Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Oct. 2 & 3 2003. Speaker: Dennis M. Corcoran, Director of Worship and Evangelization, Church of the Presentation, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 5)
Landings Team Training Workshop: Welcoming Returning Catholics, Oct. 25, 2003. Speakers: Diocesan Landings Team. 6)
Share Your Faith without Losing Your Head! Intensive Training for Parish Evangelization, nine session (45 hour) training course, monthly January 17 to November 6, 2004. Speaker/Leader: John J. Boucher, Director, Office of Parish Life, Evangelization Ministry.
Reported by John J. Boucher, jbouch@dioceseoftrenton.org.
| September 28-October 1 |
Archdiocese of Los Angeles |
The National Catholic Development
Conference (NCDC)--2003 Conference |
| November 8 |
Louisiana |
13th Annual Louisiana State
Evangelization Conference--
"Evangelization and Liturgy: Lead Us
and Feed Us, O Lord" |
| November 10-13 |
USCCB |
General Assembly of Bishops in
Washington, DC |
| November 13-16 |
Diocese of Galveston-Houston |
2003 National Catholic Youth
Conference and Youth Congress |
| February 20-22, 2004 |
Archdiocese of Los Angeles |
Los Angeles Religious Education
Congress |
For a more complete list of upcoming events, visit the Events section on the secretariat's
website: www.usccb.org/evangelization.
| September 6 & 13 |
Diocese of Erie |
Parish Ministries Conference |
| September 20 |
Diocese of Ogdensburg |
Festival of Faith |
| October 15-19 |
Archdiocese of Louisville |
African-American Catholic
Evangelization Conference |
| November 3 |
Archdiocese of Baltimore |
Catechetical Conference |
Secretariat for Evangelization
3211 Fourth Street, NE + Washington, DC 20017-1194
Telephone: 202-541-3012 + Fax: 202-541-3322
E-mail: evangelization@nccbuscc.org
www.usccb.org/evangelization
Rev. John E. Hurley, C.S.P.
Executive Director
Mr. Erik P. Stadnik
Administrative Secretary
Bishop Edward J. Slattery, Chairman
Bishop Edward K. Braxton
Bishop Robert W. Donnelly
Cardinal Adam Maida
Bishop Richard J. Malone
Bishop Joseph F. Naumann
Bishop Nicholas J. Samra