www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization New Ways to Get Out the "WORD"

Father Anthony,
Happy 1755th birthday!!! If you really are St. Anthony of the Desert as your picture shows

I think that the little booklets like Catholic Answers uses are really good. Their Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth booklet is packed full of Scripture and quotes from the Fathers. It is easy to read and not too long or too short. As a guy who does print ads, I can't imagine that they'd be too expensive. Especially if they are bought in bulk. I've heard that many covert Evangelizers leave them in public restrooms so they'll be picked up and read. So even shy guys (and gals) can do their part.

I ask again what is going to make a person even to be open to receiving THE WORD? There are many voices out there who seem to offer more and who ask much less of their adherents. How can the true faith in its entirety be made attractive again? There are plenty of ways to get the message out, and all of them good. The key is to make our Faith known to be the True Faith. Many will see actual Saints and dismiss the fact that they are Saints because "the world" sees all religions as good as each other. If someone is a good Christian, great! A "I'm not religious, I'm spiritual," person will just see it as "one of the many paths up the mountain."

Dr Eric,

No, I am not Saint Anthony the Great, and far from a saint, but a sinner.

I believe that our esteemed administrator answers that question. Weh ave to live the life of the gospel in its fullness 24/7. Then they will know us as the song tells us, "They will know we are Christians by our love".

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

LOL, Dr. Eric! I see your "point" (ouch!) and accept your apology.

If one is a good acupuncturist (of which I consider myself the best in the region!) he can put a needle in without the patient even knowing that it happened since the needles are usually one quarter or one fifth of a millimeter and not made for cutting like a hypodermic needle, they are filliform and sharpened by lasers.

Back on topic, what about good ol' fashioned word of mouth. The big movie studios usually only run commercials until the movie opens, then they rely on word of mouth to sell the movie from then on.

Why not encourage our people to talk about the Divine Liturgy and their conversion stories and spritual experiences. Even better, it's free. It could and should be co-ordinated with whatever media campaign is going on. If the media is about theosis then have the people talk about theosis, or if it's about icons, have them talk about the power of icons, etc, etc, etc...

What say you forum?

This post truly has some good ideas, but one not mentioned yet, is the media--the daily paper. Up here in Anchorage, Alaska, on occasion(with permission of the pastor), I have put in various announcements of upcoming Simple, Solemn, or days of obligation, to the Anchorage Daily News--Religion page--comes out on Saturdays. It is free, and gets out too many. Of course, its an annoucement of a special Divine Liturgy, however, with the Byzantine Catholic church that is mentioned, there are many who still wonder if we are Catholic. If only one person responds and comes to the liturgy, that that is one person who GOT THE WORD. Maybe that one person will mention that they went to a different kind of Catholic church, and others may have the curiosity and come. If the notice WAS NOT PUT IN THE PAPER, then that ONE PERSON, would not have known.
Just a thought for you to ponder on. John