Posted on 04/17/2012 4:23:59 PM PDT by eastsider
As the Church throughout the world prepares for the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, led by Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, has issued a 31-page statement entitled Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization.
The New Evangelization seeks to invite modern man and culture into a relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church, the document states. The New Evangelization strives to engage our culture and to help us draw our inspiration from the Gospel. The New Evangelization calls all Catholics first to be evangelized and then in turn to evangelize. While it is directed to all people, the New Evangelization focuses specifically on those Christian communities that have Catholic roots but have lost a living sense of the faith, or even no longer consider themselves members of the Church.
The documents five parts are devoted to the current cultural context, the historical context of the New Evangelization, the focus of the New Evangelization, a culture of witness, and key components of outreach programs.
The New Evangelization invites people to experience Gods love and mercy through the sacraments, especially through the Eucharist and Penance and Reconciliation, the document states.
Father Cantalamessa's 3rd Advent Sermon: "The First Evangelization of the American Continent"
Father Cantalamessa's 2nd Advent Sermon: "The Second Wave of Evangelization" (For History Buffs)
Father Cantalamessa's 1st Advent Sermon:"The First Wave of Evangelization" [Cath/Ortho Caucus]
Vatican considering dialogue with non-believers in Chicago and DC
From sinner to saved, from Cameroon to Zagreb; Two Men Talk of Hope
Court: Evangelism is free speech [Dearborn, Michigan]
The Need of Zeal
New Missionary Age: New Year Calls Catholics to the New Evangelization
Retrieving the Strays
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Its Time to Obey Christ and His Command that We Evangelize
New Evangelization: Faith Clips featured on EWTN
Obedience vs. Conscience (Help Lapsed Catholics Return to Christ and His Church) [Caucus]
Magazine: Growing Trend--Evangelicals Crossing the Tiber to Catholicism
Young Evangelicals Crossing The Tiber
[ECUMENICAL] Evangelicals Crossing the Tiber to Catholicism
Benedict XVI Creates Council for New Evangelization -- Will Be Dedicated to Secularized Christian Countries
A Tri-Lingual Catholic Blitz: An Interview with Carlos Caso-Rosendi [JW now Catholic evangelizer]
Evangelize? Sorry, But Im Catholic!
Ive never seen Catholics evangelize!
Evangelization: In with the 'new,' while maintaining the old
Priests and laity both responsible for evangelization, asserts Spanish bishop
They Know Im Catholic, Right?
Why Evangelize?
Pope Benedict creates 'new evangelization' Curial Department: headed by Pro-Abort
A Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization to be Formed? Bring it On!
Pope expected to create new dicastery to re-evangelize Europe, US
Report Says Pope to Launch 'Pontifical Council for New Evangelization'
Archbishop Gomez urges laity to evangelize 'de-Christianized' American culture
Pope invites Christians to join in 'new, intense evangelization'
Coming Home Network: a Catholic apostolate for converts
New Catholic radio station launches channel of evangelization in Phoenix
A New Missionary Age: The Year that was and the Year that will be are a Prelude.
Mary is the star that guides us to holiness, says Holy Father during Angelus [Catholic Caucus]
Pope Benedict to Visit London: Is the Rebirth of a Christian Europe Underway?
Catholics are coming home
Cardinal George's Plan to Evangelize America
Jews protest Catholic document on evangelization
Singapore prime minister: Evangelization threatens nations stability
Catholic Word of the Day: CONGREGATION FOR THE EVANGELIZATION OF PEOPLES, 06-29-09
Go! Rebuild My Church! [Catholic Caucus]
Ordinations End Shanghai Diocese's Celebration of 400 Years of Evangelization
(Catholic Caucus) Pontiff Says Word of God Is Church's Priority
[Oregon] Rosary Bowl focuses on links between prayer, evangelization
Editorial: The Pew report is an invitation to New Evangelization
Do not be afraid [of evangelization] Catholic Caucus
Catholic Schools Must Commit to the "New Evangelization", Australian Bishops Exhort
Denver Archbishop, Catholic young adults take faith to downtown streets
Mels Passion, the New Evangelization and You
Catholics plan 'Passion' evangelism
The Heart of an Apostle If you want to make converts, begin by converting your own heart
Catholic Caucus: 12 Painless Ways to Evangelize
Announcing New Life -- Christians are called to be not only defenders of life but also restorers
Pope Benedict Warns Americans:
Get Active or Lose Your
Freedoms
Dear Friend.
We rapidly approaching a new election, and much hangs in the balance.
The Church is under assault in America, with the government intruding more and more, passing laws and policies that violate the Catholic faith and the basic principles of morality. Whether the issue is abortion, homosexual marriage, religious freedom, or a host of other issues, the forces that oppose the Church are on the attack.
Even Pope Benedict Is Alarmed
Word of how bad things are getting in America has even caused the pope himself to become gravely concerned. Recently, Pope Benedict told the U.S. bishops:
It is imperative that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Churchs public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres. The seriousness of these threats needs to be clearly appreciated at every level of ecclesial life.
Pope Benedict noted that one right is being targeted in a new and frightening way:
Of particular concern are certain attempts being made to limit that most cherished of American freedoms; the freedom of religion. Many of you have pointed out that concerted efforts have been made to deny the right of conscientious objection, on the part of Catholic individuals and institutions, with regard to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices. Others have spoken to me of a worrying tendency to reduce religious freedom to mere freedom of worship without guarantees of respect for freedom of conscience.
The situation is alarming, but Pope Benedict pointed out the solution to the bishops.
Yet it isnt something that the bishops can do by themselves. They cant even do it with the help of their priests. The task is so great that it must involve Catholics at every level of the Church in America, including ordinary church-going men and women like you and me. Pope Benedict explained:
Here once more we see the need for an engaged, articulate, and well-formed Catholic laity . . . with the courage to counter a reductive secularism which would de-legitimize the Churchs participation in public debate about the issues which are determining the future of American society. The preparation of committed lay leaders and the presentation of a convincing articulation of the Christian vision of man and society remain a primary task of the Church in your country.
Pope Benedict has told us what we need to do, and it isnt rocket science. We need to mobilize the lay Catholics of America to stand up and fight, to engage the democratic process and to use their voices and their votes in determining the future of American society.
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