26. The Soul
In this week's edition of The Soul, the focus turns to the foundational value of evangelisation. Sometimes misunderstood, and occasionally confused with proselytization, a clear understanding of evangelisation is vital for Catholic educators. After all, evangelisation is the primary mission of the Church and the commission of all the baptised.
Evangelisation is a term that simply means guiding others toward an encounter with Jesus by proclaiming or sharing the Good News. This desire to share Jesus with others comes from our own “renewed encounter with God’s love which blossoms into an enriching friendship… here we find the source and inspiration of all our efforts at evangelization” (Evangelli Gaudium, n.8).
We find the source of this at the end of Matthew’s Gospel as the great commission - “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20). Under this command, Catholic schools, being an extension of Catholic parishes, have a duty to evangelise and must seek opportunities to do so.
We need to constantly revisit the words of the Popes since Vatican II to review its meaning. For Pope Paul VI ‘witness’ is primary. St Pope John Paul II called for a ‘new’ evangelisation in the ways and methods we bring Jesus to others. Pope Francis asks us to ‘go out’ in our families, homes and towns as ‘missionary disciples’ because people are no longer coming to us. Our Bishops suggest ‘going out’ to meet students providing opportunities for learning through the sacraments, youth ministry, parish groups, music ministry and in the RCIA.
Evangelisation is an often misunderstood term. It is never about the conversion from other faiths. Indeed, Pope Francis gives us many clues of things to avoid when we use the term, especially regarding the differences between evangelisation and proselytization:
- “Evangelisation goes out to others and listens to them; proselytization excludes others and simply talks at them.
- Evangelisation is a proclamation of Jesus, allowing people to have an encounter with Christ; proselytization is proud and convinced that it has all the answers.
- Evangelisation trusts in the Holy Spirit as the true evangelist, as the one who makes converts; proselytization believes it's up to us, to the force of our arguments and persuasive power.” (source)
In addition, those evangelised are not to see themselves as a self-absorbed or special ‘in-group’. Our focus, according to Pope Francis is to be at the fringes, accompanying people towards Christ - families who are diverse; families who may feel alienated or are hurting; ’occasional’ Christians (in whom the Holy Spirit still moves with grace); the ‘new’ poor; the newly addicted; the new migrant or asylum seeker.
We are now called to evangelise in the middle of how things really are; not what we hope them to be, or how they once were.
Our staff are to be congratulated for the way they work, welcome and show compassion to students. What Catholic school staff do is an extension of their baptism as priest, prophet and king (CCC 783). If we take baptism seriously, we find that accompaniment is enmeshed within our sacred vocation. In this, the Parish acts as an animator of our vocation. We must make all efforts in the life of the parish community, and the sacraments that nourish us from it, to be authentic evangelisers guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Open the Eyes of My Heart is a well known worship hymn that guides listeners to an openness of awe and wonder that only God provides. This energetic version will bring a sense of joy into your prayer life.
- Experiences of pain and suffering can harden our openness to faith and can block us from experiencing God’s love. Elevation Worship's, Give me Faith shines a light on the fullness of God’s love.
- Sarah Hart is a contemporary Catholic worship singer/songwriter. Her deep faith and life experience inspire her songwriting while her signature blend of folk, pop and rock delights listeners of every age. Enjoy praying with Sarah's latest worship hymn, The House that Love is Building.
SHINE - Called to Greatness - The ninth annual SHINE Gathering of over 600 Youth Ministry students would have taken place last week were it not for the restrictions in place due to COVID-19.
In order to provide another opportunity for our students to encounter Jesus and connect with each other, a package of resources for implementing SHINE in schools has been sent to our Secondary SEACS leaders. This introductory video, featuring Ellen Hales (Youth Ministry Development Officer), outlines the program.
It’s not over until it’s over for everyone.
COVID-19 continues to impact parts of Australia, while around the world, millions of people are dealing with the impacts of the virus. Many of these communities were already facing poor sanitation, overcrowding and limited access to healthcare. How can you combat COVID-19 without access to adequate sanitation and healthcare?
Caritas Australia has joined churches and aid agencies for #EndCOVIDForAll, a pledge of support that will be taken to government to show our support for vulnerable communities, because it’s not over until it’s over for everyone.
For more information on #EndCOVIDForAll or to sign the pledge go to www.caritas.org.au/end-covid-for-all
- Going Deeper - The Lismore Diocese has a subscription to these weekly episodes for staff formation. Individual schools may choose to show the episodes at staff meetings, while individuals can follow the series using these login details:
- Website: https://www.
onecatholicteacher.com/login/ - Username : LismoreCSO
- PASSWORD: GoingDeeper@2020
- FORMED.org -Remember to register for access to all the great resources on FORMED. Simply navigate to formed.org, click ‘sign up’, register as ‘a parish or organisation’ and select your parish from the list.
- SEVEN DAYS OF CREATION REFLECTION/RETREAT - COLUMBAN MISSION - This retreat offers a prayerful way for believers preparing to celebrate 1st September as World Day of Prayer for Creation proclaimed jointly by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholome & Pope Francis from the Vatican and from the Phanar, 1 September 2017. This seven-day reflection reinforces the officially sanctioned ecumenical celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Creation.
Click the image above to submit your prayer intentions. Each week the prayer intentions are passed onto the Carmelite Sister's at the Carmelite Convent in Goonellabah.
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Proclaim Lismore Staff
All staff in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore receive The Soul by email. The link in these emails can be forwarded and shared with family and friends. Alternatively, use this form to subscribe as an additional reader to The Soul mailing list.