Bishop Bonnar reminds us that evangelization continues to be an urgent priority for each and everyone of us personally. 
"Evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation
and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself." 
- Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States

Live the Joy of the Gospel
​in the call of the Church

"A Joy Ever New, a Joy Which Is Shared"
In his apostolic exhortation, "The Joy of the Gospel," Pope Francis calls us to recognize, live, and share the Joy of the Gospel as a "Church which goes forth."
If you would like to buy a printed copy of "The Joy of the Gospel" (152 pages), please contact the Office of Faith Formation and Lay Ecclesial Ministry.  We have them in stock. Call 330-744-8451 x297.

​To borrow a copy from the Library, CLICK HERE or call 330-744-8451 x296, or email [email protected].
The Light of Faith 
Encyclical Letter Lumen Fidei of the Supreme Pontiff Francis to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful on Faith.
Living as Missionary Disciples: A Resource for Evangelization
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops' statement provides  principles and a roadmap that dioceses and parishes can apply to their efforts in evangelization and missionary discipleship.
Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States, USCCB, 2002.
Includes: 
A Vision of Catholic Evangelization
  • What Is Evangelization?
  • Why We Evangelize
  • How Evangelization Happens
  • Lead in the Spirit
Goals and Strategies
SYNOD 2021-2024
Pope Francis invites the whole Church: 
"By walking together, and together reflecting on the journey made, the Church will be able to learn from what it will experience which processes can help it to live communion, to achieve participation, to open itself to mission."

Online resources to help with
​parish evangelization efforts

Make all people feel welcome. 
"Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality." (Romans 12:13) 

"Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality." (Romans 12:13) 
​
​How to Invite & Welcome in God's Name: Parish Leader Kit
FREE downloadable e-resource from The Pastoral Center
"It's time to make parishes accessible to people of all abilities" 
​from US Catholic, July 24, 2020
​
MINISTERING FOR & WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
(A page on this website with plenty of resources for helping the parish be a welcoming place for people of all abilities.)

Comfort the sorrowing. 

"Turning to God in Times of Tragedy"
​from Loyola Press

​​"How parishes can comfort the sorrowful and care for the grieving"
from US Catholic, July 22, 2020.
​
MINISTERING AMIDST CRISIS
(A page on this website with plenty of resources for helping people in times of grief, crisis, or tragedy.) 

Get ideas for sharing the Good News.

Everyday Evangelization: E-Mail Series
Consider simple “Everyday Evangelization” ideas from Julianne Stanz. This series is for anyone who’s wondered, Where do I start with evangelization? From Loyola Press

Empower Disciples to Evangelize
Read Joe Paprocki’s encouragement for empowering disciples in this post drawing from his book, Preparing Hearts and Minds (now available in Spanish).  From Loyola Press​

The Process of Evangelization in the Pontifical Directory for Catechesis
From Julianne Stanz at Loyola Press: Key takeaways about our role in evangelization as outlined in the Directory for Catechesis. 
​
Three Keys of Discipleship as We Start with Jesus
Julianne Stanz outlines the role of denial, deliberation, and dedication in discipleship.

How Can I Be Kerygmatic?
Joe Paprocki shares several ideas for effectively proclaiming the Gospel in a way that consistently highlights and reinforces the core message of the Gospel.

Prayer of an Aging Disciple
Barbara Lee invites us to consider our continuing call to discipleship. We provide her "Prayer of an Aging Disciple" in three formats: printable mini-poster, coloring page, and group prayer version.

What Does Discipleship Look Like for Children?
Joe Paprocki considers the implications for children of seven keys of discipleship outlined by Julianne Stanz.

Sent to Evangelize Prayer Celebration
Schedule a prayer celebration to help young people reflect on their role in evangelization and accept their mission to evangelize.
Everyday Evangelization for the Easter Season
Julianne Stanz suggests simple ways Catholics can evangelize during the Easter season.

Each of Us Has a Story
Joe Paprocki encourages those who may feel unqualified to evangelize by reminding us that we all have a story to tell.

Reach out, re-engage, renew.

Visit "Evangelization Exchange" articles from Paulist Evangelization Ministries website HERE
"The mission of Paulist Evangelization Ministries is to develop effective methods for inviting people to believe in Jesus Christ as Catholics or to become active again in the Catholic faith, and to equip Catholics with the tools to further this invitation." 
Visit "Awaking Faith: Reconnecting with Your Catholic Faith" from Paulist Evangelization Ministries website HERE.
​"You can reach people who are not active in their faith through conversation and sharing."

Share faith in small groups.

Visit the North American Forum for Small Christian Communities to learn how small communities can renew and strengthen discipleship HERE. 
"The most important reason for gathering in small groups is to place God in a primary spot in their lives, make faith essential to their lives, hear the invitation of Jesus to change themselves, and transform the society around them. In other words to make disciples."
Get a pdf for "10 Guiding Principles of LRSS Small Group Discussion" from Little Rock Scripture Study HERE. 
Find LRSS "Tips for Online Bible Study" HERE.
And "Tips for Praying Lectio Divina on Zoom" HERE.
Find resources for why and how to recruit and facilitate small groups in the parish HERE. 
"As communities of faith, Small Groups create a deeper sense of community within a parish and can expand the activity of faith beyond parish walls and into people’s homes. Families who participate will also find renewed connection with one another. Often, in the process of putting on a Small Group program, parishes will find new ministers and leaders." - Paulist Evangelization Ministries

Communicate with people in many ways. 

Find Social Media Guidelines from the USCCB HERE. 
"​Communication is a means of expressing the missionary vocation of the entire Church; today the social networks are one way to experience this call to discover the beauty of faith, the beauty of encountering Christ. In the area of communications too, we need a Church capable of bringing warmth and of stirring hearts" (Pope Francis' Message for the 48th World Communications Day, 2014).
​
Find more ideas for Communications HERE. 

Call on Saint Joseph

"Joseph...teaches us that faith in God includes believing that he can work even through our fears, oiur frailties, and our weaknesses.  He teches us that amid the tempests of life, we must never be afraid to let the Lord steer our course." 
-Pope Francis 

Call on the Blessed Virgin Mary

"As we embark upon this exciting journey together, we entrust ourselves not only to Saint Joseph but also to the handmaid of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Evangelization. She is always there to intercede on our behald.  At that first miracle at Cana she said, 'Do whatever he tells you"' (John 2:5).  May God give us the grace through her intercession to embrace our particular role and do whatever Jesus tells us." 
- Bishop Bonnar, Pastoral Letter, February 19, 2021

Watch these online workshops and videos

Find the link to Loyola Press' Reclaiming the Fire presentation here:  ​HERE

Quote from "The Joy of the Gospel" meme created by Dr. Linda Miller
​for an adult faith formation course: 

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