SHARING OUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE

By Fr. Greg Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
(Presentation Given to St. Philip Benizi Parishioners on "Listening Day", January 26, 2008)

About a year ago, I began to reflect upon my years as Pastor here at St. Philip Benizi.  And I began to ask myself the question, “As Pastor, what have I done for the people of St. Philip Benizi?  Where have I led them?  Have I shared with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Have I truly “pastored” or shepherded them to know and experience the love of God?

Knowing that I cannot be Pastor here forever, I began to ask God, “What do YOU want me to do for the people of St. Philip Benizi?  Where do YOU want me to lead them?  How can I be YOUR instrument in bringing these wonderful people to a deeper understanding of YOUR love for them and their role, as baptized disciples, in bringing that message to other people who hunger to hear the “Good News” of the Gospel?

And then, in a variety of ways and through different sources, the word “evangelization” kept appearing and being heard in my life.  I wasn’t even sure what “evangelization” meant.  I came across a book entitled, From Maintenance to Mission by Fr. Robert Rivers.  It was all about Evangelization and revitalization in a parish community.  So, I began to read and “Google” and to gather information concerning the Catholic Church’s Mission of Evangelization and I discovered the Church’s definition.  And then I became thirsty for a deeper understanding of Evangelization.  Fr. Rivers’ book made references to a parish renewal program called “ENVISION”, and I searched for more information

I found the definition of “Evangelization” in the Encyclical “Evangelii Nuntiandi” (On Evangelization in the Modern World), written by Pope Paul VI in 1975.  This encyclical was the source of the “new evangelization” that Pope John Paul II promoted during his Pontificate.  It was then that I felt called to devote the next three years to help establish the identity of St. Philip Benizi in becoming an “Evangelizing parish”. 

I then prayed over the Parish Directory and asked the Holy Spirit to help me choose 40 members of the parish.  I asked them to come to our initial meeting, knowing that about half would be willing and able to spend these last 11 months preparing for today, Discernment Day, and Visioning Day.  And that is exactly what happened.

The simple Catholic definition of “evangelization” is: “bringing the Good News of Jesus into every situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.”

What it is then, is “The proclamation of salvation in Jesus Christ and the response of a person in faith, which are both works of the Spirit of God.”

Evangelization must always be directly connected to the Lord Jesus Christ. “There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the Kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, are not proclaimed.”

“Conversion is the change of our lives that comes about through the power of the Holy Spirit.  All who accept the Gospel undergo change as we continually put on the mind of Christ by rejecting sin and becoming more faithful disciples in the Church.”  “Unless we undergo conversion, we have not truly accepted the Gospel.”

In 1992, the Bishops of the United States published “A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States” entitled “Go Make Disciples”.

In this document, the Bishops of the United States used Pope Paul VI’s definition of “Evangelization” and they stated in their National Plan that: “The fruit of evangelization is ‘changed lives’ and a ‘changed world’…it is holiness and justice, spirituality and peace.”

In order for us (the people of St. Philip Benizi) to become an “Evangelizing Parish”, our acceptance of the Gospel does not only come from what we feel or what we know; it comes also from the way we serve others, especially the poorest, the most marginal, the most hurting, the most defenseless, the least loved.

Where are these people?  Where are the poor and the marginalized and the hurting and the defenseless and the least loved?  Where are they?  Look at the faces of the people sitting at your table……..look into their eyes.

“An evangelization that stays inside of us is not an evangelization into the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

Evangelization is about being a living witness to the salvific message of the Gospel.  Being an “Evangelizing Parish” is being a community that welcomes and teaches and forgives and feeds and is a beacon of HOPE to those who have none.

“Some might think of evangelization solely in terms of Jesus and our relationship with Him.  Yet our relationship with Jesus is found in our relationship with the community of Jesus………the Church.  The Bishops reminds us that, “The way to Christ is through the community in which He lives”.

I think you realize that the Community of St. Philip Benizi is not the same community it was 41 years ago.  It is not the same community it was 20 years ago.  It is not the same community it was 10 years ago.  It is not the same community it was a year ago.  The Community of St. Philip Benizi is not the same community it was last Sunday…because when just one new person comes to an evangelizing parish, that parish becomes a NEW Community.

As a Catholic Community, we MUST evangelize because Jesus commanded us to.  The Bishops remind us that we must evangelize because of the Commandment of Love.  We are to love every person, whatever his or her situation, language, physical, mental or social condition.

As an evangelizing parish, “we are to experience the love of Christ and to share it.”  The gifts God has given to us are not gifts for ourselves.

In this local Church of Atlanta, our families, parishes, associations, schools, hospitals, charitable works and institutions give powerful witness to the faith.  But do they share it?  Does their living faith lead to the conversions of minds and hearts to Jesus?  Does the fire of the Holy Spirit blaze in them?

We want to let our inactive brothers and sisters know that they always have a place in the Church and in this Parish…and that we are hurt by their absence…and so are they.

As an evangelizing Church, we want to show our regret for any misunderstanding or mistreatment on the part of the Church.  Every Catholic can be a minister of welcome, reconciliation and understanding to those who have stopped practicing the Faith.

The Bishops of the United States set three goals which form the foundation of their plan of evangelization.  Each of these three goals has a different focus but they are interrelated.

The First Goal is: To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.

This goal is to deepen the sense of Scripture and Sacrament in order that we will pray more fully and with greater understanding of Christ’s call to live as disciples at home, at work and in the community.  This goal also seeks a greater openness to physical, mental and cultural diversity among Catholics.

The Second Goal is: To invite all people in the Unites States, whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic Church.

This goal is to create a more welcoming attitude toward others in our parishes so that people feel at home and to effectively invite people to our Church both on a parish and a national level.

The Third Goal is: To foster gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of family, and the common good of our society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ.

This goal seeks to strengthen our everyday involvement with those in need, of reflecting on the workplace and media and encourage Catholic involvement in areas of public policy as a way of having greater impact on society’s values.

How does the St. Philip Benizi community reflect these goals?  What would our parish be like if everyone enthusiastically lived their faith and shared it with others?  How would our parish look if we all embraced the Mission of the Church of Evangelization?  What would our liturgies be like?   Hearing the Gospel of salvation, what would our relationship with others be like?  Being an “evangelizing parish”, how would we relate to other Catholics who are from another country or speak another language or lack proper documentation?  In promoting the gospel values in our society and recognizing the dignity of every human person, how would our parish relate to gay and lesbian Catholics, single parents, couples who are divorced and remarried outside the Church, those in our county who are in need of food?

These three goals are addressed to every Catholic and they cannot be accomplished without fervent prayer.  These goals must bear upon our everyday life…and the parish community is central to accomplishing them.

Our goal is to become an evangelizing parish.  In becoming one, the way that people relate to each other in love and care is paramount.  The Pastor sets the tone, calling everyone to this love and stressing the need to avoid cliques, manipulation and self-centered behavior…all of which undermine community life.

Hospitality is understood as acceptance…the action of welcoming each person, regardless of his or her color, language, culture or social class.  Every effort is made to help people feel as if they belong and have a place.

Without a doubt, authentic community life is our greatest evangelizing tool, since authentic community is one of the hungers of the human heart.

“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.”