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Rediscover:
Re-Engaging Catholics TowardFull Life in the Church
Belonging.Meaning.Strength.Freedom. Peace.
These are things everyone is looking for in life. And they can only be found in their fullness in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has just launched a pre-evangelization, evangelization and catechesis initiative, in coordination with parishes, Catholic schools and the many religious organizations in ministry in this local Church. Rediscover: is an invitation to find meaning and purpose in life, a sense of belonging, inner peace and strength and true freedom through the depth and beauty of our Catholic faith.The initiative begins during the universal "Year of Faith" (October 11, 2012-November 24, 2013) declared by Pope Benedict XVI. However, this initiative will continue beyond November 2013 and truly become part of who we are in this local Church. We are the local Church – which is made up of all the faithful in this archdiocese!
Let’s take a moment to define the terms pre-evangelization, evangelization, and catechesis.
Pre-evangelization is the identification of a need in our life – a need for help, a need for fulfillment, a need for meaning and purpose. It's preparation for evangelization.Pre-evangelization prepares a person to be receptive to the Gospel; it creates the possibility for an encounter with Christ. Rediscover: is designed as an invitation to Catholics who are searching, but may not know they can find what they seek in Christ and his Church– so pre-evangelization is an essential part of our efforts.
Evangelization is the process of personal transformation by means of one or several personal encounter(s) with Jesus Christ. The ultimate goal of everything we do at our parish is to make the name of Jesus Christ known and loved. Since the days of the early Christians, personal connection and invitation have been essential for conversion of hearts to Christ. Rediscover: relies on those already actively engaged in the faith to reach out to fellow Catholics who may have never known in their hearts the love of God and the difference this divine love would make in their lives. Even Catholics who know a lot about their faith, but do not know Jesus Christ personally, need to be evangelized.
Catechesisis simply teaching the truths of the Catholic faith. Evangelizationshould be
happening at the same time as thefaith is being taught. All of the truths of the Catholic faith shine with the light of Christ and find their source and summit in him.
So, how can you become involved in the catechesis and evangelization opportunities in this initiative?
1)Join a Rediscover: Catholic Book Club at our parish – groups are forming now. The first book we’ll read is Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly. We've been givenfree customized copies of this book to distribute to everyonewho attends ChristmasMasses this year. Remaining copies will be available (in the parish office or whatever location you decide)while supplies last. Contact (insert parish contact name, email and phone) if you would like to join – or help lead – a book club discussion group in our parish!
2)Attend the 2013 Rediscover: FaithSpeakersSeries,which begins in early February and runs through March 2013 at three local locations:
(List all three locations or just the one closest to your parish – whatever you believe is best)
Mondays in New Brighton: Saint John the Baptist, 835 2nd Avenue NW, all at 7:00 p.m.:
February 4– Rediscover: meaning – Finding God’s Purpose for My Life
February 18 –Rediscover: belonging – Living in Communion with God
March 4 –Rediscover: strength– Overcoming Life’s Challenges Through God’s Grace
March 18 –Rediscover: The Way– Keeping God at the Center of My Life
Tuesdays inEagan: Saint John Neumann, 4030 Pilot Knob Road, all at 7:00 p.m.:
February 5 – Rediscover: meaning – Finding God’s Purpose for My Life
February 19 –Rediscover: belonging – Living in Communion with God
March 5 – Rediscover: strength– Overcoming Life’s Challenges Through God’s Grace
March 12* –Rediscover: The Way– Keeping God at the Center of My Life
*Held on March 12 to avoid a conflict with the Chrism Mass on March 19
Thursdays in Edina: Our Lady of Grace, 5071 Eden Avenue, all at 7:00 p.m.:
February 7 – Rediscover: meaning – Finding God'sPurpose in my Life
February 21 – Rediscover: belonging– Living in Communion withGod
March 7 – Rediscover: strength–OvercomingLife's Challenges throughGod's Grace
March 21 – Rediscover: The Way– Keeping God at the Centerof My Life
Thanks to a generous donor, series attendees may receive a complementary CD or DVD of The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality by Matthew Kelly while supplies last.
You can simply show up at the talks – or if you would like to go with others from our parish, please contact(insert parish contact name, email and phone)to arrange for a carpool trip.
3)Come together with fellow Catholics for the2013 Rediscover: Catholic Celebrationwhich takes place onSaturday, October 13, 2013 atthe Saint Paul RiverCentre.Featured speakers include: Archbishop John Nienstedt, MatthewKelly, Father Robert Barron,Bishop Daniel Flores and JeffCavins!
4)Check out the new web site Rediscover-faith.org. Send an email with a link to the site to every Catholic you know. Every Catholic will find something of great value for their own faith and prayer life, especially those who have drifted away from the Church.
What is our parish already doing to evangelize and catechize? (Insert parish info here)
(Another suggestion: you may wish to offer an invitation to come to daily Mass once or more a week and offer your weekly schedule)
Resources
If you'd like to find out more, please visit the Rediscover: website at Rediscover-faith.org.
There will also be an app available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in early 2013!
If you would like to volunteer to support our parish’s Rediscover:efforts, please (insert parish contact name, email and phone).
Please join others from across this local Church in praying for the success of our efforts. Together, we can help our fellow Catholics rediscover the meaning, belonging, strength, freedom and peace that can only be found through Jesus Christ and his Church.
May you and yours be blessed this holy season!