Question #1 1.How would you describe the viability/stability of
your Parish? Is the attendance at you parish: Increasing? Or
Decreasing?
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If the numbers are decreasing, what is your biggest concern: 1.
Paying the Bills? 2. The lack of youth? 3. That there are so many
who do not have a loving relationship with God
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1. St. Gerard Majella 2. Christ the King 3. Resurection 1.Each
was desperate for answers to declining populations and support.
2.Within the past 10 years, each has seen growth in excess of 50%
in addition to financial surpluses without the use of professionals
fund raisers.
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There is hope All stats indicate that 1. Growth is possible
2.Growth is achievable 3.Growth is not dependent on Financial
Resources.
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The continuation of Christs mission here on earth. To be
Disciples.
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The Parishs role: To nurture the seed, the plant, and the soil,
to ensure a fruitful harvest.
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What do you feel will have the best chance of successful
evangelization in your parish? 1. Community Building (focus on
mission and vision) 2. Catechesis (focus on better understanding
the faith) 3. Engagement (focus on living the faith) (5
minutes)
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How are people transformed/evangelized in the faith? 1.
Believing that leads to belonging : (15% 20%) 1.RCIA 2.Catechesis:
Adult faith formation, Children's Catechesis, etc 3.Rites of
initiation (parental/familial involvement) 4.On Good Soil planting
the seed of faith.(parish retreats, workshops 5.Invite Sunday This
type of Evangelization works very well where there is already an
existing connection.
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How are people transformed/evangelized in the faith? 2.
Belonging that leads to believing : (40% - 70%) 1.It is about
changing the culture of the parish 2.It starts with
Welcoming/Hospitality 3.It may involve 1.non religious Church
sponsored events 2.Parish participation in the greater community.
3.Charity 4.It is about Getting out of the box. 1.Feeding the
hungry 2.Going to the people
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1. Catechetical 2. Strengths and Engagement 3. Invitation/Back
to Church Sunday 4. Outreach/Our of the Box/ Going
forth/Missionary
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Emphasis on Education and Formation; Teaching and Spreading the
Good News
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The Garden View The Seed = The Word of God The Soil = The
person being evangelized The Gardener = The Parish
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Primary Target Group = Adults Families & Children Friends
& Neighbours
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Goal: To make the person receptive to and thirsty for the
Word.
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The Procedure: Know the person(s) Plant the seed of faith in a
manner that is appropriate to the person(s). Ignite the fire Keep
the fire burning: Make sure there is a follow up.
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Especially suitable for persons searching for or open to a more
meaningful spirituality. Not suitable for persons who are not
receptive, or even adverse to spirituality and or religion.
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The Garden View: The Seed = The person/prospect The Soil = The
Good News The Gardener = The Parish
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The Focus is on the person: As a gift from God As gifted The
Goal: To assist the person in becoming everything that God created
them to be. Service that brings the person closer to God and
spirituality. Parish Responsibility: To Build Community A Faith
Community in which the person feels welcome, warm, wanted and a
sense of worth.
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Target groups: Best results with persons who have broken away
from or who are not involved with their faith. Not suggested for
smaller communities where everyone know each other.
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Single largest local-church invitational initiative. Based on
inviting someone you know to join you or come with you to church.
Started on 2004 by Michael Harvey
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The Garden View: The Seed = The person/prospect The Soil = A
warm and welcoming parish The Gardener = 1. The Parishioner &
The Faith community
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Essential Ingredient: Your parish needs to be a Faith filled
Community you want: 1.To Be At 2.To Brag about and to 3. Share with
Others.
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The Outreach Out of the Box Going Forth Missionary
Approach
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Evangelization Activities are directed towards persons and/or
places that are outside the walls of the church. What good is it,
my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have
works? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and
one of you says to the, Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,
and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of
that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:
14-21
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The Garden View: The Seed = The action of reaching out The Soil
= Living The Good News The Gardener = 1. The Parish Community The
garden is located outside of the Church.
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Possible Actions: Taking the Sunday service to them. Parish
visits to those who seldom attend. Service: Feeding the poor
Liturgies in hospital, nursing homes, etc Supporting local
charities. Creative use of social media
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All four approaches require Good Stewardship. Accepting Gods
gifts gratefully. Caring for them responsibly. Sharing them
generously. Returning the with increase to God.
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Special Emphasis on: Tradition Proudly Sharing the tradition of
your faith. Testimony Being a living and practising example of what
you are encouraging for others.
