Evangelizing is topic of workshop

By KATE BLAIN- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

For Catholics, faith is often a private issue, says Kathy Poupart. But that attitude can keep Catholics from an important ministry they are called to: evangelization.

Ms. Poupart, director of the Good News Foundation in Utica, will speak on "Building Bridges" at a day of reflection April 17, sponsored by the Albany diocesan Evangelization Committee.

The Good News Foundation is a privately funded organization under the auspices of the Syracuse Diocese that allots funds to parishes and other groups for evangelistic programs. The foundation tries to "stir up enthusiasm," said Ms. Poupart, "so Catholics freely share their faith life with others."

Speaking out

At the "Building Bridges" day, Ms. Poupart will address both "Evangelization and Discouragement" and "Evangelization as a Communal Effort." The day will also include a liturgy celebrated by Rev. Frank Gilchrist and a soup lunch.

Aside from the privacy issue, Ms. Poupart said that Catholics also see bad role models of evangelists in the media explaining what evangelization means. She prefers to look to the U.S. bishops' document "Go and Make Disciples."

Catholics are called to evangelize, but not in the way that they may think, she said. "I think our culture has always focused on results," she explained. "You do need to have some kind of goal, but that can't be your driving force."

Instead, the director suggested people read the text that will form the basis for her talks: the 24th chapter of Luke's Gospel, where Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. "As soon as they realized who He was, they couldn't contain it -- they essentially had to evangelize," as must all Catholics, Ms. Poupart noted.

Difficulties

Making the decision to get involved in evangelization doesn't mean things will be easy, she said, adding that in the first letter of Peter, the Apostle speaks of being "ransomed from the futile ways."

"I like that concept," she stated. "Whenever we do work for God, there are obstacles we must overcome. [But] God has paid the price for us and will help us. Things that seem to be futile or hard are really laying groundwork."

In her talks, Ms. Poupart will discuss some of her foundation's evangelistic efforts, from a lectionary-based ministry called "Loaves and Fishes" to "Jubilee Concerts" that have gathered more than 100 musicians, singers and liturgical dancers. "We look at evangelization in a lot of different ways," she said.

The director hopes that anyone interested in evangelization will make an effort to attend "Building Bridges," since they may meet others struggling with the same issues.

"There's a sense of companionship, finding encouragement, challenge and prayer," she stated.

("Building Bridges: From Personal Conversion to Sharing the Good News of Jesus with Others" will be held April 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at St. Pius X parish center, Loudonville. A free-will offering will be taken during the liturgy. Call 453-6644 for information.)

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