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Diak and Amadeus,

I have no doubt that both of you are correct. I think more than national guidelines, as useful as they are, we need a heart transplant. Or more in keeping with our spirituality, we need to allow the heart of Christ that He gave us at baptism, to become the heart we live by.

I have marked the USCCB site and I'm familiar with Dragani's initiatives, and some Orthodox initiatives, as well as having a history of my own. Missions, as Paramor has pointed out, are good ideas.

I'm encouraged by Annunciation's initiatives as well as a couple of others I've heard about, but am troubled by our continued decline and the apathy I see over it.

Dan L

I hesitate to write this, but feel that I must. I do not want to be disrespectful to our legitimate Church authorities.

The USCCB evangelization office is a mixed bag, at best. I find most of their work is watered-down and ineffective. There is no focus on what I think should be the centerpiece of evangelization: bringing people to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, and having them grow in that encounter through a sacramental relationship with him.

For example, they have a conference in 2006 in Cincinnati. It is co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Xavier University. As a former Cincinnatian, trust me when I tell you that neither the Archdiocese nor Xavier have shown any ability to evangelize for the past 40 years. That diocese is in a shambles and people are leaving the Church there left and right. That university is home to total theological dissent. The theme of the conference is "Evangelizing God�s People
in a Culture of Diversity" - let me translate that: "we must be over-sensitive to other's beliefs and make sure, above all else, to not offend them". Not exactly the attitude of St. Paul - the model of evangelization.

I have a hard time believing that the USCCB "gets it" when it comes to evangelization at the grass-roots level when I see the type of things they are producing.

A better model to look toward is an order such as the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (the order Fr. Benedict Groeshel belongs to). They have a number of evangelization initiatives they are involved in, and they have produced much good fruit, especially among the under-30 crowd. I think the reason is that they do not water-down our Faith, and they challenge people to consider deepening their relationship with Christ through the Church.

Francis,

Thanks for the heads up. Perhaps evangelism is best taken out of the hands of bishops and left to the Professionals...in this case devout believers who rub shoulders with everyday people are the professionals. Priests and bishops can help but they are better as supporters not leaders.

The title for the next conference leaves me cold. Words which have no or little Christian content or even intent is all I see. It's as if we should beg forgiveness of the world for our Christian faith. Not bloody likely.

Dan L

Our parish sent out teams of two to visit every registered parishioner. The purpose was to take a census and offer services: the sacraments for those who wanted to receive them. You might be surprised at how many persons from Catholic families have not received the sacraments of initiation and sacramental marriage.

Paul

Dear Paul:

This, in essence, is what the "New Evangelization" launched by the Holy Father at the turn of the 3rd millenium means: we have to look inward to re-evangelize ourselves, a "re-conversion" of sort, and then set our sights outward and bring the gospel to the entire world.

Your parish is on the mark! More power to you!

Amado

Dan:

Paromer's (Paul) method is excellent! Yet, I believe we are alienating the families that do come to Divine Liturgy by not providing education.

Paul just mentioned how suprising it was to find individuals that have not received the sacraments of initiation and sacramental marriage. I think we would all be suprised at the families presently attending that don't know the basics of our faith.

We need to teach the basics to the people, now! Then in a short time bring in others who have fallen away and educate them.

Again, we would be suprised at the results of a "pop-quiz"!

Our Bishops have the authority to demand education and evangelization of their pastors, yet it appears they do not want to stress them into being accountable.

Smar

I second this wonderful idea! We did this at a parish I attended as well. It was very successful, and we too were surprised at how many registered families had members who had not received the sacraments of initiation. It was a wonderful opportunity to invite them personally to the parish, as well as put a human "face" on the Church.

I agree, Dan. It takes metanoia, starting with one individual at a time. I guess my circuitous point was that the RCs manage to have growth, and perhaps there are lessons to be learned there. The continued decline in the Metropolia of both faithful and priestly vocations will be disastrous if not overturned.

Perhaps first as Greek Catholics we have to look at our own families. Are we united in faith on the family level? If the family isn't in order, the home should probably be the first place of evangelization.

It is a very complicated problem. Part of the problem is demographics. Your own church is an example of what can be done by closing parishes, consolidating and realigning. This is not a pleasant process, but with longer-term planning and vision, the end results can be very satisfactory.

The St. Irenaeus Society page, http://www.stirenaeus.net was set up as a seed for a larger Greek Catholic effort in evangelism by some students of St. Paul University in Canada.

Smar,

I would suspect that you are right. I also suspect that the method of sending parishioners out two by two is one of the few ways that we will be able to reach such families. I've been around the parish long enough to begin to be surprised at some of the people who bring their children for Baptism. Thank God they do, but I simply don't recognize several of them. Many don't seem to be new converts. They chant the prayers without a book, but where are they on Sunday morning? It's hard to teach people who don't show up.

This two by two idea seems to hold much promise.

Dan L

Smar,

I looked all over the place for anyone with Duct tape this Sunday and no one could be found. I even called out your name until Father gave me a dirty look but NO Smargiassi. I guess Father doesn't like it when someone calls out during the Cherubic hymn.

Anyway, where were you?

Dan L

Dan:

I saw you sitting directly across from Father Kachuba. And, yes I had a roll of silver duct tape in hand. Tim Woods pointed you out while you were in the buffet line.

I thought I'd catch you after the Akathist, however you must have left.

Smar

Smar,

I had him in my grasp. You should have rushed over with tape in hand. Father did give me a tip on Catechesis which I will utilize this fall. I couldn't stay for the Akathist. We had some pressing business.

Dan L

Dan:

Tonight I was told that Father Kachuba is not only our director of education, but a theologian. So, you were talking to the most knowledgeable person in the eparchy. Also, when I spoke with him I didn't use or need the duct tape.

I now fully understand what the three ambassadors from Valdimirs court experienced at Hagia Sophia in Constantinople in about the year 988, "heaven on earth". That was the most beautiful Divine Liturgy that I have ever experienced.

Again, thanks for the hospitality of Abraham!

Smar

Smar,

I humbly submit that you are exactly correct. I do not deserve such beauty but God has given it to us every Sunday. Are you from St. Athanasius?

Dan L

Dan,

Have you seen the following site? It's really, really good and useful:

Handbook on Orthodox Mission Growth [johningg.home.mindspring.com]

Anthony