Office of Parish Life

Evangelization

• Christmas Carol Festival

• Evangelization Workout

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• Vibrant Parish Life Newsletter

• Evangelization Resources

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• SCC Resource Manual

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Resources for Faith Sharing Communities 2008 - Evangelization Resources

Evangelization is of paramount importance to our Catholic Christian life. In Matthew's Gospel (28:19) we are commanded to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…" Paul VI's 1975 Apostolic Exhortation On Evangelization in the Modern World – Evangelii Nuntiandi (available in a downloadable version on the web under either title) – surely, one of the finest Papal documents ever written, invites us to appropriate, live and proclaim the great and joyous message of salvation. Evangelization becomes the essential mission of the Church and its members, including those belonging to SCC faith-sharing groups as well as bible studies. All ministries should begin and end with this mind and heart. The environment of the SCC and faith-sharing and bible study/sharing groups is ideally suited for evangelization through faith-sharing as well as invitation and action.

The publications below span a broad spectrum of topics, some of which will be of great usefulness to deepen an awareness of the content and practice of evangelization in SCCs. Go and Make Disciples (see below) is a good starting point and easily lends itself to faith-sharing. For learning and doing, Fr. Tom Forrest, CSsR's Move It Out!: Sharing the Mission of Christ with Zeal is outstanding and can be obtained through The Word Among Us by calling 800-775-9673 or by visiting their website at www.wau.org.

John Boucher, Director of the Office of Parish Life in the Diocese of Trenton has kindly granted permission to include his bibliography in this Resource Manual for Faith Sharing. More of his resources are available on the diocesan website in the Office of Evangelization.

700. Barna, George. Evangelism That Works: How to Reach the Changing Generations with the Unchanging Gospel. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1995. (800) 446-7735, www.gospellight.com. Learn from evangelical and Pentecostal churches aboutwhat works to reach and evangelize 20'/30's adults.

701. Because We Are Disciples. Video. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1993. (800) 235-8722, www.usccb.org. Video to accompany US Catholic Bishops' pastoral on evangelization, Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States. In order for the Church to grow, evangelization as an ongoing process must occur.

702. Bennett, Rose. Evangelization in the Catholic School. National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, 3021 Fourth St., NE, Washington, DC 20017-1102. www.nccl.org. Email: nccl@nccl.org. The Catholic school provides a unique and powerful opportunity for evangelization. This booklet outlines ways that everyone in the Catholic school can be more evangelizing.

704. Bennett, Rose. Evangelization in the Parish Catechetical Program. National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, 3021 Fourth St., NE, Washington, DC 20017-1102. www.nccl.org. Email: nccl@nccl.org. Evangelization is all about the loving relationship between God and us. This booklet outlines ways that catechetical programs in our parishes can be more evangelizing.

705. Blum, Susan W. The Ministry of Evangelization. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1988, (800) 858-5450, www.litpress.org, E-mail: sales@litpress.org. Everyday person's guide on Catholic evangelization as called for in "On Evangelization in the Modern World," by Pope Paul VI.
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706. Blum-Gerding, Susan and Frank DeSiano. Lay Ministers, Lay Disciples: Evangelizing Power in the Parish. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1999. Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ 07430, (800) 218-1903, www.paulistpress.com, E-mail: info@paulistpress.com. Describes how to develop the potential and power of evangelization in all parish ministries. How can we make each ministry that we are already doing more evangelistic?

707. Blum-Gerding, Susan, Ed. D. Heart to Heart Evangelization: Building Bridges Between Proclamation and Justice. Bluffton, SC: Jeremiah Press, Inc., 1996-97. Isaiah Missions, Inc., 404 Abbeyridge Ct., Ocoee, FL 34761, (888) 472-4241, E-mail: ismission@aol.com. Workbook and facilitator's guide for parish-based, one-to-one evangelization training.

708. Boucher, John J. Following Jesus: A Disciple's Guide to Discerning God's Will. Pecos, NM: Dove Publications, 1995. How to more clearly hear God speaking through the people and events in your life, with down-to-earth guidance about how to make decisions according to God's Will.

709. Boucher, Therese. Evangelizing Unchurched Children: A Pocketbook for Catechists. San Jose, CA: Resource Publications, 2000. Resources Publications, Inc., 160 East Virginia St, #290, San Jose, CA 95112-5848. (888) 273-7782, www.rpinet.com or www.christkey.com. Practical ways to reach out to evangelize unchurched children and their inactive Catholic families through faith stories, Scripture, drama, sacraments, and symbols exploring implications of the Church's General Directory for Catechesis.

710. Boucher, Therese. The New Life in the Spirit Seminars Team Manual: Catholic Edition 2000. Locust Grove, VA: CHARISCENTER USA, 2000. CHARISCENTER, 5487 Germana Hwy, P.O. Box 628, Locust Grove, VA 22508-0628. (800) 338-2445, www.nsc-chariscenter.org or www.christkey.com, E-mail: tmfboucher@comcast.net. This 2000 revision offers a Catholic understanding of the Sacraments of Initiation, the Creed, Gospel discipleship and the experience of new life in the Holy Spirit, with insights from evangelization, catechesis, and adult faith formation.

711. Boucher, Therese. Making Friends With the Saints. Boston, MA: Daughters of St. Paul, 1990. 50 St. Paul Ave., Boston, MA, 02130, (800) 376-9121, www.pauline.org or www.christkey.com. E-mail: pauline@netrover.com. Inactive Catholics are often open to the faith stories of the Saints who have touched their lives in some way. Deepening their relationships with these friends of Jesus often leads them back to Christ and the Church.

712. Boucher, Therese and John. Christmas Carol Festival: A New Way to Reach Inactive Catholics! Princeton, NJ: www.Christkey.com, 2007. Web site: www.xmascarols07.homestead.com, e-mail: tmfboucher@comcast.net. Religious Christmas Carols are a powerful proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ! The goal of this project is to help unchurched, inactive or marginal Catholics connect with our common Christian heritage, with the Church, and with Jesus Christ in the weeks before and after Christmas. Resources include a 68 page Christmas Carol Festival Guidebook training CD, blog, and online video resources!

713. Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 1997. OSV, 200 Noll Plaza, Huntington, IN 46750. (800) 348-2440, www.osv.com, E-mail: osvbooks@osv.com. Many important sections on what and why of Catholic evangelization. Look under "Evangelization," "Missions," "Gospel," "Jesus," and "Holy Spirit."

714. Catholics Reaching Out. Washington, DC: PNCEA, 2005. Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association. 3031 Fourth St., NE, Washington, DC 20017. (202) 832-5022, www.pncea.org, E-mail: pncea@pncea.org. Invitational approach to reaching out to inactive and marginal Catholics. Tools provided for all active Catholics to do this—with resource kit that includes invitations, Parishioner Guide, Parish Manual, and display posters.

715. Christian Hospitality: A Handbook for Parishes. Evangelization Ministry, Archdiocese of Louisville, 1200 South Shelby St., Louisville, KY 40203-2600, (502) 636-0296, Hospitality is more than waiting for people to come to Church; it is as important as a way that we bring Church to the people. Handbook contains sample parish models and programs.

716. DeSiano, Frank, CSP. The Evangelizing Catholic: a Practical Handbook for Reaching Out. [English and Spanish]. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1998, (800) 218-1903, www.paulistpress.com, E-mail: info@paulistpress.com. Attempts to unite personal and institutional aspects of parish evangelization. Excellent resource especially on parish evangelization teams and home visiting.

717. DeSiano, Frank, CSP and Kenneth Boyack, CSP. Creating the Evangelizing Parish. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1993, (800) 218-1903, www.paulistpress.com, E-mail: info@paulistpress.com. Basics and beyond of what a parish can do to move forward in evangelization.

718. DeSiano, Frank, CSP and Kenneth Boyack, CSP. Discovering My Experience of God: Awareness and Witness. [English and Spanish]. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1992, (800) 218-1903, www.paulistpress.com, E-mail: info@paulistpress.com. Leads participants through a process of reflection on our experience of God in our lives in order to share our faith stories with others in evangelization.

719. Forrest, Tom, C.S.S.R. Move It Out! Sharing the Mission of Chist with Zeal. The Word Among Us, 2002. www.wordamongus.org. Identifies clearly and passionately the Christians' baptismal call, privilege and joy to proclaim the Good News that Jesus is the greatest gift anyone can receive or give.

720. General Directory for Catechesis. Washington, D.C.: USCC Publishing, 1998. United States Catholic Conference, 3211 Fourth St., NE, Washington, D.C. 20017-1194. (800) 235-8722, www.usccb.org. Places catechesis in the Church as an essential moment in the total process of evangelization. Calls for all teachers in the church to do "evangelizing catechesis."

721. Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States -- Text, Study Guide, and Implementation Process. Blum-Gerding, Susan W., Ed. D. South Holland, IL: NCCE, 1993. Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association, 3031 Fourth St., NE, Washington, DC 20017, (202) 832-5022, www.pncea.org, E-mail: pncea@pncea.org. Includes process to assess, plan and implement parish evangelization.

722. Hater, Robert J. Catholic Evangelization: the Heart of Ministry. Dubuque, Iowa: Harcourt Religion Publishers, 2001. www.amazon.com. This book presents a clear explanation of the Gospel message and ideas about how to share this message with others.

723. Horan, Michael P. Catechesis as an Evangelizing Moment: Singular Challenge to a Maturing Church. Washington, DC: National Catholic Educational Association, 1999. NCEA Publications Office, 1077 30th St., NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20007-3852. (202) 337-6232, Fax: (202) 333-6706, www.ncea.org, E-mail: pubs@ncea.org. Helps Catholic parishes and schools to engage in evangelizing catechesis.

724. John Paul II, Pope. Mission of the Redeemer. Boston, MA: Daughters of St. Paul, 1990. 50 St. Paul Ave., Boston, MA, 02130, (800) 376-9121, www.pauline.org. E-mail: pauline@netrover.com. Pope John Paul II's call for "new Catholic evangelization" worldwide.

725. Gittins, Anthony J. Encountering Jesus: How People Come to Faith and Discover Discipleship. Liguori, MO: Liguori Publications, 2002. www.liguori.com. Recounts the experiences of 16 men and women from the New Testament - both insiders and outsiders - whose lives are changed by an encounter with Jesus.

726. Martin, George. Reading Scripture as the Word of God: Practical Approaches and Atttitudes. Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1998. www.americancatholic.org. Explains in a simple, clear, uncomplicated, and un-defensive way how the Bible came to be and how we can hear what God is saying through it.

727. National Directory for Catechesis. Washington, D.C.: USCC Publishing, 2005. United States Catholic Conference, 3211 Fourth St., NE, Washington, D.C. 20017-1194. (800) 235-8722, www.usccb.org. USA companion to the General Catechetical Directory that places catechesis within the Church's mission of evangelization, calling for all teachers in the church to do "evangelizing catechesis."

728. Pable, Martin W., OFM Cap. Reclaim the Fire: A Parish Guide to Evangelization. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2002. P.O. Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556, www.avemariapress.com. Shows scriptural grounds for evangelization and historical roots of Catholic evangelization. Explores how every parish can spread the gospel message with enthusiasm.

729. Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association. 3031 Fourth St., NE, Washington, DC 20017. (202) 832-5022, www.pncea.org, E-mail: pncea@pncea.org. Paulist Fathers Office for Evangelization -- evangelization resources, training institutes and projects like "Evangelization Exchange" e-newsletter, "Disciples in Mission," "Take Another Look," "ENVISION," "From Maintenance to Mission" online evangelization training institute, etc.

730. Paul VI, Pope. On Evangelization in the Modern World. Boston, MA: Daughters of St. Paul, 1975. 50 St. Paul Ave., Boston, MA, 02130, (800) 376-9121, www.pauline.org, E-mail: pauline@netrover.com. Papal call for Catholic evangelization worldwide as aim and implementation of Vatican Council II.

731. Rivers, Robert S., CSP. From Maintenance to Mission: Evangelization and the Revitalization of the Parish. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2005. (800) 218-1903, www.paulistpress.com, E-mail: info@paulistpress.com. Proposes that evangelization holds the key to the future renewal of the Church and offers concrete ways to move parishes from maintenance to mission.

732. Samra, Cal and Rose, Ed. The Joyful Noiseletter. Fellowship of Merry Christians, P.O. Box 895, Portage, MI 49081-0895. (800) 877-2757. www.joyfulnoiseletter.com. E-mail: JoyfulNZ@aol.com. Newsletter of Christians whose modest aim is to recapture the spirit of joy, humor, unity and healing power of the early Christians. They try to be merry more than twice a year. Joy-filled Christians are 1000 times more evangelizing than dismal ones.

733. Sullivan, Joseph T. How to Share Your Faith with Others: A Good News Guidebook. Liguori, MO: Liguori Publications, 2000. www.liguori.org, E-mail: bookstore@liguori.org. Beginning with the basics and progressing to more difficult topics (including "Evangelization and Ecumenism" and "Mary and the Saints"), provides in-depth answers to the tough questions Catholics face. Practical suggestions to make us more faithful and effective witnesses.

734. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Washington, D.C.: USCC Publishing, 2006. United States Catholic Conference, 3211 Fourth St., NE, Washington, D.C. 20017-1194. (800) 235-8722, www.usccb.org. Adaptation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to the culture and situation of our faith in the United States today. Each chapter includes: a story of faith, Catholic teaching on the topic, questions for discussion, doctrinal statements, materials for meditation and prayer.