CNE Newsletter - July 30, 2026

In parish ministry, we often talk about being “on mission,” but what does this mean? To be on mission is to take responsibility for the Church’s reason for being, which is to evangelize and make disciples. We are equipped for this mission in Baptism, but this can still be challenging if we don’t have an imagination for mission and we’ve never seen it done before.

One of the best solutions for this is to surround yourself with disciples who are on mission, witness how they live their lives, and then discern how God is calling you to be on mission in your own way. You can also learn certain mission-oriented practices, such as praying with people, proclaiming the gospel, giving your witness testimony, and initiating faith conversations.

In partnership with St. Paul Street Evangelization, the Our Lady of Light Family of Parishes will be hosting a Regional Training in Dayton that will equip you to cultivate this imagination and develop these skills. All are welcome to attend, learn, witness, practice the techniques of being “on mission,” and discover if this is the something more that God has in store for you! See the announcement below for more information.

The Peace of Christ to you,
Nicholas Hardesty, Assoc. Dir. of Adult Evangelization & OCIA
nhardesty@catholicaoc.org

Witness Missionary
Discipleship in Action!

The Our Lady of Light Family of Parishes will be hosting St. Paul Street Evangelization on Aug. 28 & 29, 2026 for a Regional Training on missionary discipleship and their method of initiating faith conversations. There will also be “Come and See” events on Aug. 4 and Aug. 18 where you can learn more and ease into the principles and practices of the Regional Training.

To register, go to tinyurl.com/SPSEDayton. For more information, see the flyer at the button below:

All parish evangelists, marriage and family evangelists, marriage apostolate leaders, mentor couples, priests, deacons, and NFP instructors are invited to our annual Marriage & Family In-Service on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at St. Mary of the Assumption, Springboro, beginning with lunch at Noon followed by the program from 12:45 – 3:15 pm. This year’s topic is "Reconciliation with Christ and His Church: Convalidations." Our guest speaker will be Fr. Jacob DuMont, L.C. Resources and lunch will be provided, and the cost is $10 per person. Please register online

Safe Haven Sunday is a weekend set aside within the liturgical calendar by dioceses and parishes to directly address the societal harms of pornography. It is Inspired by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) formal statement, Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography.

Safe Haven Sunday is an archdiocesan-wide initiative on the weekend of August 10, near the Feast of St. Philomena, "Champion of Chastity". For more information, click the button

All married couples, family and friends are invited to the annual St. Gerard Mass of Hope for the Blessing of Children. Hosted by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, this free event provides an opportunity for prayerful support for married couples experiencing infertility or pregnancy loss. It includes Holy Mass on the feast day of St. Gerard Majella, the patron saint of expectant mothers, followed by a reception with fellowship, delicious hors d’oeuvres and resources. For more information contact Dcn. David Ulmer at dulmer@catholicaoc.org