How parishes are gearing up to reach out

Corpus Christi parish in Round Lake formed an evangelization team two years ago to reach not just inactive Catholics but also unchurched people because "evangelization is an important part of parish life," said Rev. Martin Fisher, pastor.

But, before the evangelization team could do its work, he added, the team members "needed to know what evangelization is all about."

To that end, they attended several informational sessions, viewed videos on the subject and attended a day-long retreat based on "Go and Make Disciples, A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the U.S.," published in 1993 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Parish calling

Armed with that background, the team began in 2003-'04 by surveying inactive parishioners by phone to find out how many weren't attending services regularly.

If a team member learned that someone was not actively involved, he or she was invited to an upcoming function, such as a Lenten activity or a parish workshop, Father Fisher said. Over the course of several months, two follow-up calls were made.

Currently, the evangelization team is working to establish a greeter's ministry, separate from the usher ministry. Twenty people have volunteered.

"We are hoping to put greeters at each Mass to welcome visitors and parishioners," the pastor explained. "The greeter will discern if the visitor should be additionally connected to the parish community or if it is just a one-time visit."

In the spring, visitor parking spots near the front door of the church will help greeters identify visitors when they arrive. Additionally, the parish plans on placing a road sign near Exit 10 of the Northway to guide newcomers to the parish.

Groundwork

Lorraine DeCuyper, parish life director at St. Joseph's Church in Cohoes, has laid some groundwork for evangelization by inviting a speaker to talk about it last fall.

He is scheduled to return for two more workshops to address such issues as sharing the Good News, how actions speak louder than words and how to cultivate evangelization skills.

"About 40 of our parishioners attended the first session," she said. "We wanted to let them know how important evangelization is within a parish community and how necessary it is out in the larger one."

Revitalization

Mrs. DeCuyper seeks such efforts as helping "to revitalize our parish. We have a number of young families that do not attend services. We are trying to interest those who are unchurched as well as those that are active.

"I am trying to get people to understand that by talking and acting in positive ways, we can awaken others [in the community] to do the same. Our parish attitude should be a positive, welcoming one.

"Evangelization really is building on the rich traditions that we already have by welcoming others into our community and nurturing those that are already here. This enhances the faith that is already in the tradition of our parish life."

(1/20/05)