Go and Find a Way to Evangelize

Posted on February 10, 2022 by the Bouchers

We thank God for our friend and brother in evangelizing, Fr. Chris Aridas (Nov. 12, 1947 – Feb. 2, 2022). He was truly “led by the Spirit and driven by God’s Word”. We all met in 1986, when John began working with Fr. Chris, and others, on a diocesan level, to offer spiritual renewal to Catholic believers. The result was a dynamic approach that combined Catholic theology, adult catechesis and “the best of the Charismatic Renewal.”

Over the next fourteen years, secondary strategies emerged as we were “led by the Spirit and driven by God’s word.”

  1. Reimagining ways to train leaders of existing groups in how to evangelize, through more deliberate invitations and faith sharing. Leaders were from parish-based groups like Little Rock Scripture Studies (LRSS), RENEW International groups, and charismatic prayer groups.
  2. Sharpening the focus of large group parish events, most notably healing masses and Ash Wednesday services that led into Lenten missions; as well as week-long, summer Bible Institutes; and dozens of ongoing diocesan workshops.
  3. Ecumenical efforts to evangelize. In 1990, we assisted 70 parishes in offering a Catholic follow up to a regional Billy Graham Crusade. This included basic training in evangelization for 500-600 people and an influx of 600 participants into LRSS groups as follow-up.
  4. Intentional, free-standing training in person-to-person evangelizing. This program was first presented to 10,000 people as “Bringing Christ to My Everyday World” at the North American Congress on the Holy Spirit and World Evangelism. Additional versions of this training were condensed into a one-day workshop on Catholic evangelization called, “Simple Ways Catholics Can Share Faith”. It was offered in dozens of parishes.

We share these strategies to inspire a life-long passion for “no-holes-barred” innovations that stretch us to respond to people’s spiritual needs. We encourage you and to find ways to bring the Gospel to life, using both diocesan and parish approaches.

Here are excerpts from some of Fr. Chris’ writings and emails that speak of his burning desire to be led by the Spirit, to evangelize, and to enkindle faith.

[From a 2015 parish letter] Since the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the Catholic strategy for building up the faithful has been childhood catechesis and sacramental initiation. Children’s classes and the Catholic school system were cutting-edge responses to the crisis of the Protestant Reformation. It was an extraordinary vision that worked for an extended period of time… Evidence today, however, suggests that what worked in the 17th century does not work in the 21st, now that most of our young adults become “unaffiliated” Catholics, who no longer find their way back to the Church, when they are ready to marry and have children. In fact, the number of marriages celebrated in the Church has decreased by 60% in the past 50 years, although the number of “Catholics” has increased by almost 17 million. Other sacraments have suffered as well.

So, now our goal for all of parish life is clear: proclaim the “Good News,” centered on the raising of Jesus from the dead. Tell everyone that God’s plan for new life includes all; invites all; and embraces all who are willing to follow the risen Lord as disciples [of all ages].

[from 2020 emails] Right now, my heart is being moved to intercessory prayer. It’s a natural spot since I have been taking my 96-year-old mother to doctor visits, the hospital and/or to a rehab unit…

Then later, I have pretty much been living at her condo, assisted by a full-time aide. Still, I am blessed to be with her during this time…

Since my mother’s death in May, I have been praying that I will be able to follow what the Lord wants me to do next, as I continue my service to Him. The Lord and I are in the process of discussing opportunities and timelines. Thus far, it appears that the Lord’s timeline is the one we’re going to work with for the time being. We’ll see how that pans out.

[Spring 2021] I have retired. But in the mornings, I still offer Daily Video Reflections for the people of Assumption Parish while we are all apart during the pandemic… And my heart is being increasingly moved to intercessory prayer. I spend most afternoons doing so. Now I have lots of time to follow the Spirit’s lead in praying for our church; which is in need of wisdom, courage, and new avenues for responding to the pastoral needs of its members. So, keep the prayers coming. I’m always willing to accept prayers at any time from anyone!

 

You may listen to A Sampling of Daily Reflections by Fr. Chris Aridas .

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EVANGELIZATION WORKOUT: Who Is God to You?

Posted on January 10, 2022 by the Bouchers

The first step in evangelizing is to move and be moved by God and by the spiritual needs of others. And our hope is also that both the person who shares the Good News about Jesus and the one who receives this life-giving message, are moved by the Holy Spirit. So “getting in shape” and “keeping fit” for the evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ and the Church means improving our ability to move through regular “working outs”! The goal is to stretch our capacity to reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus in everyday life. 

Who is God for You?

Beginning with a Baylor University Institute for Studies of Religion over 15 years ago, many of us were surprised to realize that American Catholics seem to have four different preferred images of who God is. Although we cannot change their preferred image(s), we need to understand their thoughts and the story of how they came to believe in them.

We always try listen in a non-judgmental way and without giving advice. At some point we might ask, “How is that image working for you?” If someone says, “I don’t believe in God?” Then we might ask, “Can you tell me about this God that you don’t believe in?” At some point in our conversation, we also hope to share who God is for us and how we came to believe this way.

“Who is God for YOU?” Individual Activity (5 min.)

Below are short descriptions of the major images of God that were surfaced in the Baylor University study. In silence, reflect on your preferred image of God, the one that usually arises have when you pray, study, worship, or speak to others about the Lord. Keep in mind that many of us slide from one image to another quite easily.

Circle the description of God that is closest to your image.

□          Authoritative God: highly involved in personal decision-making and world affairs—responsible for economic problems, earthquakes, tsunamis—sends down punishment to unfaithful people now and in the future.

□          Benevolent God: highly involved and active in our daily lives, but not in angry and wrathful ways—positive influence upon, and deeply engaged in, our world.

□          Critical God: does not interact directly with the world, but views it and us unfavorably. God’s displeasure with us will be felt in divine justice after we die.

□          Distant God: does not “do” things in the world nor hold any opinions about us or world events. God is a cosmic force that set the laws of nature in motion and walked away.

Share within a small parish/neighborhood group (3 or 4 people—10-20 min.)

  1. Each person explains which of these major images is “God for YOU.” Why did you choose that image(s)?
  2. Next go back over the four images and put the initials of three people from your everyday life next to what you would guess is their primary image of God. [if appropriate, ask them later.]
  3. Share about the similarities and differences that you and the people in your group have about the images of God.
  4. Why is it important to understand what people’s operative image of God is when we try to reach out to share faith, to evangelize, and to invite others to come back to Jesus and the Mass?

People-Homework: Share with a family member or friend

You can use this exercise to informally survey friends and family about their perceptions about God. An opening might be, “Can you help me with homework I have received from my parish?” Use questions 1 – 3, but skip #4 above.

Window illustration by Peter J Boucher

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An interview With an Evangelizing Catholic School Principal

Posted on November 19, 2021 by the Bouchers

Allan F. Wright recently offered an online workshop for the Diocese of Worcester and beyond entitled, “Help ‘Missing’ Catholics Come Home to Jesus & the Mass.” His spoke from his experiences as a father, as an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University (Orange, NJ) a Catholic academy principal, an author of 17 books, a TV commentator, and a radio host. Among his many works are: Jesus the Evangelist: A Gospel Guide to the New Evangelization, and The Bible’s Best Love Stories (Franciscan Media).

How did you become interested in Catholic evangelization? 

When I first made a commitment to Christ during my senior year of high school, and quickly developed a hunger and thirst for scripture. Some years later, I was involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which put even more flesh on the word “evangelization.” As an adult I also became involved in “Young Life,” an interdenominational youth outreach to the unchurched. That work was the best training for ministry that I’ve experience.

   How do you evangelize in your day-to-day life?

I am a principal of a Catholic School where we pray the rosary as a school each Monday, and sing praise and worship songs on Tuesdays. Then there’s Witness Wednesday where people share their encounters with Christ. Also, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday and Mass on Friday, are rooted in our Catholic Traditions. I see myself as a witness first and foremost and then as a catalyst for the Holy Spirit to operate within the students.

 How have pandemic restrictions affected Catholic parishes and schools? 

Anytime people are restricted from receiving the eucharist the faith will suffer. However, parishes have done remarkably well in my opinion, by switching to virtual masses and drive-through confessionals. But, even with these adjustments, some nominal Catholics have been further marginalized by lack of personal contact with other Catholics and the sacraments. So now we have an even greater opportunity to share the gospel in new and innovative ways.

  What will bring Catholics back to parishes and Masses?

Short answer, prayer. Longer answer, prayer to notice opportunities to share faith in God. Prayer to become more available and to strength our capacity for personal invitations to come back. Think of the years that Jesus spent with his disciples. Being willing to accompany people on their journey is important. If people “blow off” our invitation we do not dismiss them but continue to love them and witness to them through our care.

What is your next book about daily missionary evangelizing?

I’m finishing up a Catholic Youth Bible. It’s a regular Bible but there are 25 or so inserts dealing with the basics of the faith and issues that teens face, such as dealing with anger, depression, family relationships, and sharing the faith. Insert have headings like, “What does the Scripture say? Why does it matter to me? How can I live this ‘theme’ and be a better disciple? How can I encounter God in the midst of these issues?” My hope is that this approach will answer questions young people have as they connect the faith with daily life. I also hope they see that the Church’s approach to real life issues is reasonable.

 Who are the greatest influencers in your approach to evangelizing? 

The Young Life leader who reached out to me 40 years ago. His kindness, patience and acceptance of me and his willingness to share, “not only the Gospel, but his very life as well,” continues to impact me. That verbal witness is needed today, in an age where we are told to witness without words. Yes. Service is important, but there comes a time when words are very necessary!

(Find out more about Allan F. Wright at http://www.allanwright.org.)

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