the new evangelization in college councils...discipleship is the way •the overall goal of the...
TRANSCRIPT
The New Evangelization in College Councils
50th College Councils Conference
October 2-4, 2015
Introductions
• Matthew DePaula, IPGK
– Louisiana State University Council 15064
– E-Mail: [email protected]
• Riley Bauer, Grand Knight
– Southeast Missouri State University 15294
– E-Mail: [email protected]
What is the New Evangelization?
• The renewed call to Catholics to spread the Gospel.
– Who? All People: non-Catholics AND Catholics!
– What? Evangelizing
– Where? Everywhere
– How? Become Evangelized; deepen your faith!
First Task of the Church
• St. John Paul II: recognize that “there must be no lessening of the impetus to preach the Gospel” to those who are far from Christ, “because this is the first task of the Church”.
• “Today missionary activity still represents the greatest challenge for the Church” and “the missionary task must remain foremost”.
Discipleship is the Way
• The overall goal of the Church is to facilitate its member’s goal
– reaching heaven – sanctification (aim high!!!)
• The way in which this is done is through discipleship
• Charity, Unity, Fraternity
Getting Out of the Council
• St. John Paul II: Calls the Knights of Columbus the “strong right arm of the Church”.
• “Why are his arms not reaching? Why are his hands not healing? Why is His love not showing them there is a way” –We are the Body (Casting Crowns)
Charity: Actions Speaking Louder
• Direct service allows others to see our Catholic beliefs in action!
• Engaging others is the beginning of evangelization: planting seeds.
– Being THE example of the faith
– Living LIKE Christ
Unity: A Faith Undivided
• Remember:
– God’s grace is bound to the sacraments
– God’s grace is not bound by the sacraments
• By spreading our faith, we promote a united faith with Christ as the source and summit
Unity: A Faith Undivided
• Genuinely work with your Campus Ministry
• Never forget the main purpose of your council: Helping young men grow!
• Support other ministries and council programs!
• Catholic Schools: Find on-campus organization to tag-team some events
• Participate in various religious events
• Talks, rosaries, daily Mass
• RETREATS!!
Fraternity: Together Finding God
• Holding each other accountable to the faith and its teachings:
– How can we help spread the faith if we don’t know it enough ourselves?
– KNOW the general life of Jesus; this is our GOOD NEWS
Fraternity: Together Finding God
• Engaging this principle outside our council creates/finds an important structure: a bridge of trust
– Simply engaging others where they are at
– Engage a person; begin simply by getting to know him, then engage the story of Jesus’ life
Example Activities (Besides Service)
• Bar Outreach (for those of age)
• Bible Study
• Social Nights
• Campus Walks/Free Speech Zone Talks
• Tailgates
• Vocations Discernment Nights
• Host prayer services
Lay Persons: Called from Within
• While some of us are seminarians, we are all still lay persons
• And as such are called to sanctify “from within the world” (CCC 929)
• The New Evangelization gives us tools
The Secret
The best form of spreading the word is by word of mouth.
Remembering that God and Christ initiate the conversation.
Extra Reading Materials
• Forming Intentional Disciples – Sherry A. Weddell
• “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”) -Pope Francis
• A newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other!!!
