Recently three members of St. Joseph’s fledgling Evangelization Committee--Roger Gorst, Julie Polum, and Terry Stenz--attended a conference on evangelization, sponsored by WDREF (Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Foundation) at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center in Marathon, WI.  Many youth ministers and directors of religious education from around the state were in attendance, but evangelization is not the sole province of "professional" Catholics.  Our objective was to learn more about the topic of evangelization in order to put it into practice by anyone in any profession right here in our own parish community.

Many people cringe when they hear the word evangelization.  For some it brings to mind images of glossy TV preachers who want to sell you a place in Heaven.  Others may recall well-intentioned, Protestant friends who ask, "Have you been saved?"  I used to wonder, if everyone they encountered said yes, would they consider themselves absolved of all responsibility toward their fellow man?  And what if someone said no?  Did anyone really suppose that a person’s life would be magically transformed by simply stating that "Jesus Christ is now my Lord and Savior"?

Evangelization is more than just preaching the faith.  It is sharing it, living it, and inviting others to do so with you in the hope of transforming all society with Gospel values.  For those who choose to live a life in Christ, evangelization is really not an option.  Rather, preaching the Gospel becomes an imperative.  As St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:16: "...an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!"

Fr. Marty Pable, Capuchin priest and presenter of the conference, states that true evangelization begins with an appreciation of your own faith and trying to deepen it.  As Catholics, we are able to draw upon a rich heritage in the practice of our faith--the Mass, the sacraments, and various forms of prayer such as Eucharistic adoration, the rosary, etc. As a cradle Catholic myself, I understand how easy it is to take such things for granted.  Practiced faithfully and with sincerity, each of these forms of prayer can be a tool to deepen our relationship with God and with other members of the Body of Christ.  If we do not understand how or why one should embrace these practices, we could read up on the subject or speak with someone who has an understanding of it.  It may be that you will end up with more questions, but the quest for Truth is part of a journey in faith.

Faith is not just what you believe; it’s something to be exercised.  Discover your unique contribution to the Body of Christ by getting involved in your church.  Each of us has a unique contribution to make and no one can take your place in that Body.  You don’t have to do great things to make a difference.  Even the smallest acts, when done with the love of God in your heart, become a prayer.  Introduce yourself to someone you do not know.  Smile.  Turn off the television for an hour.  Read the Bible.  Ask questions.  Pray.  Open your heart to others and to God.

Look for Christ in everyone and be Christ to everyone.

Neither is your faith meant to be privately hoarded nor sheltered from examination.  It is meant to be shared and held up for questioning so that each of us can better understand why we believe what we believe and perhaps make adjustments in our thinking. Listen to others.  Seek.  Grow.  Your journey in faith can inspire others to better know, love and serve Christ--and, therefore, to better know, love and serve each other.  We are called to be a community in Christ.  That requires us to bolster each other in the search for Truth, to shore up each other’s weaknesses and to celebrate each other’s strengths.

God’s love for each of us is, quite frankly, unimaginable.  Because of His love for you, every circumstance and detail of your life, as well as every person that you meet, is presented as an opportunity for you to further respond to His call.  Even those relationships and circumstances which may be painful and unpleasant can be a spur to spiritual growth and further dependence upon Him, if you so decide.  You are continually invited to a life of greater meaning, healing and connection within the context of your relationship with God.  Because He respects your freedom, He will never force Himself on you.  The ultimate choice is yours.

Will it be gratitude or resentment?  Love or fear?  Life or death?

You decide.

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