Evangelization aim of committee

With evangelization identified by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard as one of six key priorities to come out of the pastoral planning process, the Diocesan Evangelization Committee is perfectly positioned to provide assistance as parishes try to meet that need.

However, according to member Frances Johansson, the committee, which was formed in 1985, has been under-utilized.

"Parishes have no idea that we exist," said the parishioner of St. Henry's Church in Averill Park. "Because we have remained rather unobtrusive in our work and have not promoted ourselves, the Diocesan Evangelization Committee is virtually unknown."

What is it?

Rev. Martin Fisher, chairperson of the committee and pastor of St. Mary's parish in Glens Falls, defined evangelization as sharing the Gospel message in order to help people come to a personal relationship with Christ.

"Catholics have been doing evangelization all of their lives," he said. "They just didn't know they were doing it."

For example, he said, parents are evangelizing when they educate their children in the faith.

Misconceptions

Despite the fact that Catholics are evangelizers, many are still frightened by the notion, Father Fisher said. "People are afraid of the term," he said. "They equate it with Protestants or televangelists."

To help Catholics better understand evangelization, he advised them to "let go of preconceived ideas and look at it in a different way. Let go of the old concept of Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons knocking on the door."

Catholic evangelization has a different approach, which Father Fisher described as "subtle."

Goals for parishes

One of the goals of the committee is to help parishes establish their own evangelization committees so that a better understanding of evangelization develops among Catholics.

The Diocesan Evangelization Committee, explained Mrs. Johansson, can provide parishes with information on how to begin an evangelization program, as well as resources, strategies and speakers.

Each year, the committee sponsors an "evangelization school" where the process of evangelization is taught, she said. The steps taught include befriending others, faith development, sharing faith stories and sharing Christ's message. (This year's school will be held April 19 and 26.)

Done everywhere

Basically, the school helps Catholics integrate their faith life with their community life. "Evangelization can be done in the workplace, with the family and from the pulpit," she said.

Evangelization is also a part of the other ministries of the Church, Mrs. Johansson said. "We evangelize through outreach, hospitality and other groups, like ones for the separated and divorced," she said.

For that reason, the committee believes that it can spark new life into other parish ministries through its efforts. Parishes that take advantage of the speakers and resources the committee offers will be able to recognize the evangelization they are already doing and enhance it, Mrs. Johansson said.

(For more information on the Diocesan Evangelization Committee or its resources, write the Diocesan Evangelization Committee c/o The Pastoral Center, 40 North Main Ave, Albany, 12203; or call Frances Johansson at 674-2463.)

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