BECOME
A COMMITTED DISCIPLE OF JESUS SIGN UP FOR A SMALL
GROUP TODAY- IT'S NOT TOO LATE!
Disciples in Mission small groups are being formed.
If you missed the sign-up opportunity the past
weeks – don’t despair; you can still
join a group by calling the Small Group Coordinator,
Meg Claxton, 843-1869.
DISCIPLES IN MISSION FAMILY
MINISTRY
Family Activity Booklets will be distributed to
all families who have students attending the school
or SMRE during the week of February 15. If you
have not received a booklet and would like to
participate in this ministry, please call Bob
or Danette Siertle at 578-8493.
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In
1992 the U.S. Bishop’s approved a pastoral
statement, “Go and Make Disciples”
to energize and direct U.S. Catholics in their
efforts toward evangelization. Pope John Paul
II has also sounded the call for Catholics throughout
the world take on a missionary spirit. The very
mission the disciples received from Jesus was
to evangelize all people, “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. And behold, I
am with you always, until the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20)
Beginning
in 1993 Paulist National Catholic Evangelization
Association has been involved in developing a
process that helps dioceses, parishes and ultimately
individuals know and understand what is meant
by evangelization. Through the process called
Disciples in Mission dioceses and parishes discover
ways to implement the goals set forth by the bishops
in Go and Make Disciples. Those goals are:
-
“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.
-
“To
invite all people in the United States, whatever
their social or cultural background, to hear
the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so
they may come to join us in the fullness of
the Catholic faith.”
-
“To
foster gospel values in our society, promoting
the dignity of the human person, the importance
of the family, and the common good of our
society, so that our nation may continue to
be transformed by the saving power of Jesus
Christ.”
Since
2000 the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has been
training diocesan and parish teams to implement
the process of Disciples in Mission. In 2001 St.
Lawrence formed a leadership team to facilitate
the process. Disciples in Mission is a three-year
process for the parish and is particularly highlighted
during the season of Lent. Lent 2002 was our first
“season” of Disciples in Mission.
During Lent we focus our prayer, the Sunday homilies,
bulletin inserts and other activities on evangelization.
The
main activity of Disciples in Mission is the forming
of small faith-sharing groups to study the Sunday
Scripture readings and prayerfully reflect on
the teachings. Small group participants then apply
those teachings to their daily lives. In the Disciples
in Mission small groups parishioners share their
own stories and insights of their faith in Jesus.
As part of the weekly discussions they are encouraged
and urged to find ways share their faith within
their families and with those they meet everyday.
On
the parish level, through the energy developed
in the small groups St. Lawrence is looking at
ways to invite others to share our Catholic faith,
to provide a welcoming environment and to enliven
our mission to bring all people to Jesus. |
Loving
God, you called us each by name and gave your only
Son to redeem us. In your faithfulness, you sent
the Holy Spirit to complete the mission of Jesus
among us. Open our hearts to Jesus. Give us the
courage to speak his name to those who are close
to us and the generosity to share his love with
those who are far away.
We pray that every person throughout the world be
invited to know and love Jesus as Savior and Redeemer.
May they come to know his all-surpassing love. May
that love transform every element of our society.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
St. Paul the Apostle, pray for us. |
