Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Clay's Blog Start
Folks, this is the blog that we can use to pass information and to have discussions prior to our scheduled meetings. The purpose of this is to reduce the need for us to meet frequently and to allow us to pass information to all without the need to send and read so many emails. Please provide your thoughts relative to using this tool and if require assistance, give me a call...(985) 634-8805.
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For the next Evangelization Workshop on June 9th (or one after) it would be good to provide 5-10 min explanations for each routine/cyclic "Structured Evangelization Process": C&G, Evangelization Retreats, & LSS. It is important to explain the value of each process to both individuals and to the parish community.
ReplyDeleteAt this Evangelization Workshop, we can also give details on Church Community Builder software(we can even use a few of their videos). To demonstrate further its power and potential for our context we could provide a couple of hypothetical examples, one along the lines of the corporal works of mercy and another with the spiritual works of mercy. Then the small group discussions can generate new ideas for its use and/or propose new initiatives--along with questions to be answered.
A primarily corporal works of mercy scenario: Serenity House, a homeless shelter in Ponchatoula, on which board are at least two parishioners (both participated in our April 7th workshop, including Carl Herrick). Hooking up people, needs, & interests can range FROM volunteers to build new cottages on S.H.'s large campus (3 already for homeless families) TO donating useable household items to individuals transitioning out of S.H. into their own places TO providing tutoring in practical homemaker, parenting, & job-seeking skills. CCB is also useful for organizing aid for emergency influxes of displaced people (e.g., Katrina).
A primarily spiritual works of mercy scenario: How CCB can help us track + KEEP INVOLVE youth, parents, & sponsors who come into contact with us via baptism on through First Communion, EDGE, Life Teen, confirmation, and even marriage (Young Adult Ministry referrals!). Youth rallies, Evangelization training for peer outreach, annual D.C. M4L, organizing new music bands or skit/drama troupes, street caroling at Christmas (in multiple neighborhoods!), Spring Cleaning help for homebound elderly who also need help changing smoke alarm & other emergency batteries on an annual basis, the possibilities are endless ...
An addendum, actually: The other Serenity House board member at the April 7th workshop was Shelley Matus.
DeleteErrata: "KEEP INVOLVE" should read "KEEP INVOLVED".
I noted your recommendations and agree Father. I'll start pulling together some of the information for the Church Software and details of the events.
DeleteFr. David,
DeleteI must admit, and Ed can attest to this, that I was skeptical this program was going to be too much administration/formation and not enough applying. I am however encouraged but what I'm reading and hearing that we appear to be cognizant of developing a balanced approach.
As a member of St Vincent de Paul, there are new opportunities that we are exploring that will provide opportunities for corporal works of mercy. We're still in the exploratory phase but these will be new and exciting opprotunities for folks who maybe weren't as interested in the traditional home visits we make.
For a Fall 2013 Evangelization Workshop, we should consider having 2 or 3 individuals teach us relationship evangelization or spiritual accompaniment. Mike Fulmer would be a good candidate for this as well as Clay. It would be nice to have a woman share her methods and successes as well. Ideally, some of the speakers can connect some of their fruitful heart-to-hearts with threshold conversation questions from the book Forming Intentional Disciples (FID).
ReplyDeleteThere should be a workshop(s) just on the Kerygma, the 9 approaches to proclaiming the Kergyma (as found in FID), and how to construct your own testimony--long & short versions-- designed to elicit further curiosity.
From the C&G individual discernment interviews, I hope to gather a few individuals who may have the gift of intercessory prayer to form a Prayer Group (or two) that meets weekly. There are a some individuals that I know in the area who could provide useful teaching on the in and outs of intercessory prayer and running prayer groups (Dawnell Anders, Ethyl McClure, Dr. Sheryl Jones).
ReplyDeleteIf from this prayer group we have someone with administrative talent or charism, the prayer group could also assume responsibility for organizing the homebound elderly and sick in a prayer chain ministry for the parish. This would provide additional sense of purpose to their lives as well as meaningfulness for suffering that they can offer up for the rest of us. Feedback on prayer successes would give much joy and hope, would it not?
When the Church Community Builder (CCB) software is rolled out for the parish, it needs to have the pastor's support and be presented during announcement period at the end of all weekend Masses. It needs to be a tight, well-crafted presentation that entices people to want to cooperate with setting up the profiles. We need to be prepared to address: (1)privacy concerns and (2) what's in it for them, not just because there appears to be a parish bureaucracy hungry for personal data.
ReplyDeleteFor one thing, it can be pointed out that it is too easy to get left out or get lost in the crowd in any congregation/parish with more than 200 individuals. We want to be able to serve everyone better, meet more hopes & needs, learn & respond to emerging interests & concerns, not so easily drop the ball in following up with inquiries & requests, notice those who may be neglected, harness talents and energies waiting for somebody's encouragement & support, etc.
After the initial ~5 minute CCB intro one weekend, with the pastor's OK, have a series of brief video vignettes (also only 5' or so) to illustrate the power & dynamism of CCB during the Mass announcement period. Alternatively, people could be invited to come before or after Masses for the next several weeks for a 15'-20' video presentation set up in the chapel to educate them further on what CCB can do for us.
Tim Messenger has the wonderful idea that (afterwards) we can train a handful of willing volunteers to go from house to house of registered parishioners who, to the best of our knowledge, have no involvement other than maybe Mass attendance to get those profiles not already volunteered. The purpose is not to make them feel guilty but to let them know that we want get to know them as parishioners, how we can better nourish their spiritual needs (remember the #1 reason why people drop out of the Catholic Church!), and what passions they may have that we might encourage & support. [BTW, You can count me in for helping out with personal visitations on Sunday afternoons if we decide to do this and I'm still welcome around here after June 30!]
Under current consideration by the Evangelization Committee (EC) is the formation of 7 sub-committees that correspond to the 7 areas identified by one parish's pastoral council & evangelization committee in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as key areas that any discipleship, mission-oriented parish must address.
ReplyDeleteLet me propose for the E.C.'s consideration a smaller number of subcommittees that nonetheless cover the same 7 key elements. I believe that all the items on pp. 240-245 of FID can be re-sorted in a logical way into the following 4 categories:
1- Prayer & Worship (e.g.: music ministries, prayer groups, Eucharistic adoration, training of liturgical ministers incl. lectors)
2- Formation for Mission (e.g.: FID book studies, the Siena Institute's Called & Gifted process and its Making Disciples Seminar, reformulating all catechetical programs for effectiveness incl. RCIA and sacramental prep programs, retreats for outreach ministers, mornings of reflection for different professions & trades, mentorship programs, opportunities for parishioners to learn how to evangelize at home/school/workplace/marketplace, support for bishops' Fortnight for Freedom campaign on family, life, and religious freedom issues)
3- Outreach & Evangelization (e.g.: hospitality, welcome wagon, newcomer gatherings, monthly movie nights w/ primer questions & discussion afterwards, small community opportunities for curious/open/seeking to explore a lived relationship with Jesus Christ in a safe environment, Evangelization Retreats & Life in the Spirit Seminars, organized corporal works of mercy efforts incl. assistance for the un/underemployed of the parish & projects providing practical assistance to the elderly)
4- Mission & Resources (e.g.: coordination of evangelization strategy with parish finance council, parish pastoral council liaisons until no longer necessary, technological aids, communication & realization of the expectation that ALL ministries & organizations of the parish are evangelizing incl. the school, analysis & evaluation role always with an eye on the bishops' plan of evangelization & the Church's teaching*)
*this role is a new suggestion not mentioned in FID
Clay,
ReplyDeleteThere was clearly a lot of energy at the Sunday workshop. I commend you and Ed and anyone else involved in the planning. Was very organized and the we followed the agenda. Thanks for keeping us on time.
A couple of additional comments:
As we begin to develop the team and our strategy, are there active steps we can take to begin bringing the lapsed Catholics back to church. For example, can we conduct a pilot program to call on inactive registered parishoners. This would involve a 15 minute visit to the home with a personal appeal to return. We could monitor the pilot for success and then determine if we broaden the scope.
Finally, I found the attached article very inspiring and certainly relevant to what we're working on.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/10/17671252-it-was-a-sign-lapsed-catholics-lured-back-by-pope-francis?lite
Thanks for creating this. Tim Messenger
Thanks Tim and that is a great idea that is along the lines of the type of activities could initiate as part of our evangelization efforts...this would probably fall under the
Delete"outreach and evangelization subcommittee".
Tim has another great idea that we talked about at last Monday evening's book study. There is the discussion question that suggested that every parish ministry will need to be overhauled but listed as examples only sacramental prep and formation ministries. Tim immediately saw that it's not so easy to work in evangelical overtures so overtly in the case of social/charitable ministries. The St. Vincent de Paul Society--quite properly--does not want to even have the appearance of strings attached to recipients receiving material benefits. However, there is another model for the StVdP Society & other social/charitable ministries (we should expect be a huge blossoming of these as more parishioners become intentional disciples and embrace their spiritual gifts): After the applicants for goods & services have received their goods/services/checks, have a follow up visit where the minister not only asks how they are doing and if their needs are being met but also if we can be of any assistance to them in their spiritual needs. And this is where coordination (CCB software!) can be really valuable: So that the corporal works of mercy volunteers can stay focused on their primary calling they can introduce them to other companions on the journey specializing in spiritual works of mercy who will talk with them about the faith, invite & accompany them to retreats, and help integrate them into prayer and/or Bible study groups.
DeleteI heard a fantastic quote from Pope Francis on Catholic Radio (AM 690) last week I just wanted share: "Without evangelization, the Church becomes a babysitter and no longer a mother." This quote can be incorporated into future workshop presentations or be inserted by facilitators into FID book study discussions.
ReplyDeleteI saw an article in Christianity Today (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/may/who-volunteers-most.html?utm_source=ctdirect-html&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_term=9450870&utm_content=171143212&utm_campaign=2013) that reports the highest level of volunteerism comes from graduates of Protestant high schools. You would think it would be Catholic high schools since we emphasize social justice and charitable service more. I believe that the key difference is that conservative Protestant high schools have a significantly higher percentage of intentional disciples. There is no substitute for a personal walk with Jesus; that's where the fire comes from. And that's why the New Evangelization must include the spiritual renewal of our schools, beginning with the adults. Remember what St. Thomas Aquinas would say: "One cannot give (transmit) what one does not have."
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA comprehensive revision & update of my April 9, 2013 blog post on Committee/subcommittee structures is available upon request via email as a Word or PDF attachment. Its most valuable feature is that it incorporates all existing ministries and organizations of the parish plus names some for potential reactivation as well as proposals for new ministries for natural consideration. My email address is domingwui.xxi@gmail.com
ReplyDeletePROPOSED & PLANNED EVANGELIZATION & TRAINING EVENTS for 2013
ReplyDeleteEvangelization & Formation Committee Meetings—chaired by Ed Hanks. 2nd Tue of every month, 6:00 pm in the E-Building (i.e., the New Ministry Center)
Evangelization & Formation/Evangelization & Discipleship Workshops April 7 (Sun, 12:30-4:30 pm)
June 9 (Sun, 12:30-4:30 pm)
August?/September?
Called & Gifted Workshop #1
April 26 (Fri) 1st session 6:30 pm – 8:40 pm
April 27 (Sat) sessions 2-5 9:00 am – 4:40 pm
Life in the Spirit Seminar #1
May 19 (end w/ celebration of Sun 5:00 pm Pentecost Mass)
Life in the Spirit Seminar #2
Date TBA: May be in a daytime format spread out over several weeks, 1-2 hrs./session
Healing Ministry Training Seminar-Pt 1: Historical Perspective & Spiritual Warfare
[A.K.A.: 1a / “Pentecostalism & Catholic Tradition”
and 1b /“Essentials of Spiritual Warfare" ]
June 18 (Tue, 6:30-8:00 pm): 1a
June 19 (Wed, 6:30-8:00 pm): 1b
June 22 (Sat, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm): 1a & 1b
Healing Ministry Training Seminar-Pt 2: Prayer as Ministry, Inner Healing, & Procedural Issues
June 29 (Sat, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm) or June 30 (Sun, 1:30- 5:00 pm)
--> Est. Intercessory Prayer Ministry Groups:
o LAUDARE mobile intercessors (will normally pray wherever they are, as led by the Holy Spirit, but will accept requests through the parish; may occasionally or regularly gather as a group to pray, perhaps booking special times just for the group to help reinforce the chapel’s Eucharistic Adoration Ministry)
o BENEDICERE homebound intercessors or “Lay Cloisters” (to be offered individualized training, incl. a theology of redemptive suffering)
[Note of explanation for the names of the two prayer groups: The ribbon accompanying the Dominican shield bears the motto: “Laudare—Benedicere--Praedicare”, i.e., to Praise, to Bless & to Preach. The power of Dominican preaching (& teaching by extension), always for the sake of the salvation of souls, relies upon joyous offerings of praise to God & blessing for others through prayer … hence efficacious preaching/teaching must be preceded & continuously supported by copious praise & blessing (in prayer & action). It would be appropriate to call our evangelistic outreach home visitation ministry PRAEDICARE and for it to assume outreach not only for the unchurched & alienated (e.g., parishioners who have dropped out of sight) but also responsibility for providing in-home teaching on prayer & redemptive suffering plus other support for the BENEDICERE group. The two groups may also share success stories with each other (and LAUDARE) for mutual edification and for building up the faith & morale of the wider parish.]
Called & Gifted Workshop #2—live team from Colorado Springs, CO
Date TBA (coordinated with pastor’s availability as a participant)
Evangelization Retreats--team from Boise, ID [to hold AND train]
Date TBA
Our second Tuesday of the month meeting is coming up soon, May 13th. Before discussing the May 13th meeting, a few in the group have sensed the need for us to gather together in prayer. This Sunday afternoon following Baptisms (about 1:30) has been suggested. If you can make it, let’s meet at the Church and pray together for no more than a half hour. For those of you who have been identified with the Charism of Intercessory Prayer, please try and come.
ReplyDeleteAs for the meeting on May 13th, Clay (with the help of Denise and Fr. David) has compiled a good majority of the St. Joseph ministries under the committees identified during our last gathering: Worship, Outreach, Formation, and Mission and Resources (see Fr. David's post above). After working with the categories, Clay and I would like the team to consider adding a 5th category called Hospitality. Clay will have a PowerPoint to share Tuesday evening (which he may email out in advance). The goal Tuesday evening will be to review the PowerPoint and begin understanding how to develop vision and mission statements.
Obviously, we have to mold our efforts into Fr. McDuffie’s vision. Clay and I were scheduled to meet with him last week in regards to the CCB software; however, it did not work out. And so we are hoping to meet with him soon. I will keep you updated.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
-Ed