CNE Newsletter - January 30, 2025

In the spirit of using the tools at our disposal responsibly, The following is an AI-generated summary of the "Pastor's comments" on the progress of the Evangelization Principal. It is lengthy, but very informative of the fruit we see in evangelization in our Families of Parishes. Enjoy!

The sources offer a variety of perspectives on how parishes are "living out" evangelization, revealing both successes and ongoing challenges. The overarching theme is a shift away from traditional models of outreach towards a more relational and intentional approach. This involves:

Prioritizing Adult Formation: Many parishes emphasize the importance of equipping adults with a deep understanding of their faith so they can become effective evangelizers in their daily lives. This includes offering a variety of adult faith formation opportunities like Bible studies, book groups, and retreats. [1, 2]

Strengthening Family Ministry: Recognizing the family as the "domestic church," parishes are creating ministries specifically designed to support families in their faith journey. This includes initiatives like marriage preparation programs, family faith formation events, and support groups for parents. [3, 4]

Empowering Youth and Young Adults: Parishes are investing in vibrant youth and young adult ministries that provide opportunities for spiritual growth, community building, and outreach. [5, 6]

Engaging in Missionary Discipleship: This involves equipping parishioners to share their faith through personal witness and action. Initiatives like training programs for Eucharistic ministers and lectors, participation in events like 40 Days for Life, and encouraging parishioners to invite friends and family to church events are all examples of missionary discipleship in action. [7-9]

Collaborating with Schools: Parishes are working to better integrate their schools into the broader mission of evangelization. This includes providing faith formation opportunities for teachers and staff, partnering with parents to support their children's faith development, and using school events as opportunities for outreach. [10, 11]

The sources also reveal challenges in implementing this vision for evangelization.

Staffing shortages and burnout plague many parishes, hindering their ability to effectively develop and implement new initiatives. [12, 13]
Financial constraints limit the resources available for outreach programs and staff support.
Resistance to change from parishioners accustomed to traditional models of parish life poses another obstacle.

Despite these challenges, the sources reveal a groundswell of enthusiasm and dedication to evangelization.

Lay parishioners are stepping up to lead and participate in new ministries. [14]
Parishes are experimenting with innovative approaches like "Family Mondays," which combines a free meal with adult formation and children's religious education. [13]
The emphasis on personal invitation and relationship building is leading to increased interest in the Catholic faith, as evidenced by growing OCIA programs and the number of non-Catholic students in parish schools. [15-18]

Ultimately, the sources suggest that parishes are embracing the call to evangelization in diverse and creative ways. While challenges remain, the commitment to sharing the faith and welcoming new members into the Church is evident.

Sean Ater
Director, Center for the New Evangelization
sater@catholicaoc.org

Parish Support Update

As the Parish Support Team continues to evaluate our resources, schedule, and efficacy in supporting parish evangelists, we have made the decision to SUSPEND all St. Joseph and Emmanuel Deanery Network Meetings. We thank all those who attended over the past semester. We have also decided to CANCEL Build the Fire Winter Workshops. We will seek to provide similar experiences and resources at the Family of Parishes level. Please remove these from your calendar!

For questions, email Shane Legg, Managing Director for Parish Evangelization, at slegg@catholicaoc.org.

National Marriage Week and World Marriage Day 2025
February 7-14, 2025

The USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth is pleased to announce the observances of National Marriage Week on February 7-14, 2025 and World Marriage Day on Sunday, February 9, 2025. The theme chosen for 2025 is "Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal. Pursue a Lasting Love!" During National Marriage Week, marriage & family evangelists are encouraged to focus on building a Culture of Life and Civilization of Love that begins with strengthening marriage. The "For Your Marriage" website offers recommended reading, podcasts, social media posts, and features a new series of Lectio Divina meditations for each day of National Marriage Week. Marriage ministry leaders at parishes might also consider hosting a Date Night event. Visit the USCCB website at https://www.foryourmarriage.org/celebrate-national-marriage-week/ to access resources in English and Spanish. Questions? Please reach out to Adriana Vasquez, the Managing Director of the Marriage & Family Evangelization Team at avasquez@catholicaoc.org

RSVP Now!

The Rite of Election of Catechumens (and the Calling of Candidates to Continuing Conversion) will be celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025.

Celebrations will take place at 2:00 p.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) at Immaculate Conception Church in Dayton, and 2:00 p.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter-in-Chains.

Families of Parishes may choose from any of the four liturgies for their group to attend, based on location, timing, or language; there will be no deanery-specific assignments.

Please RSVP by February 15 to ensure the names of catechumens and candidates are included on the website, as well as adequate seating for parish groups.

Register for OCIA Workshops

Join fellow initiation ministers for a day with Fr. Paul Turner – theologian, pastor, and author – focused on the OCIA and Christian initiation! We will be hosting this workshop in two locations:

March 25: St. John the Evangelist (West Chester), 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
March 26: St. John the Baptist (Tipp City), 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Topics include:

New National Statutes
New norms on sacramental record keeping
How to implement a year-round initiation process
Tips for more dynamic catechesis
Celebrating the rites of initiation
Initiation ministry in a Family of Parishes

For more info and to register for one of the two days, click the button below:

Quick Resources

Many of you are new to initiation ministry, so whenever I come across an introductory resource, I like to share that here as well. Here are two from Team Initiation:

Article: "How to Read a Rite: Order of Christian Initiation of Adults"
Video: "FAQs about Lent and Initiation Ministry"

Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help!

The Peace of Christ to you,

Nicholas Hardesty, Assoc. Dir. of Adult Evangelization & OCIA

nhardesty@catholicaoc.org

Missionary Disciples Institute
June 9 -13, 2025

MDI is a weeklong youth theological experience where youth will have the opportunity to live in a vibrant Catholic community of peers from around the country, all while being accompanied by a team of college students, learn directly from theology faculty, hear from keynote speakers, and take part in dynamic prayer experiences. The cost is $600, and scholarships are available to youth who are accepted into the institute. You can learn more on the MDI website or by watching this video to get a glimpse into the week!