Question #1 1.How would you describe the viability/stability of your Parish? Is the attendance at you parish: Increasing? Or Decreasing?

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

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.

There is hope All stats indicate that 1. Growth is possible 2.Growth is achievable 3.Growth is not dependent on Financial Resources.

The continuation of Christ’s mission here on earth. To be Disciples.

The Parish’s role: To nurture the seed, the plant, and the soil, to ensure a fruitful harvest.

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)

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.

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

1. Catechetical 2. Strengths and Engagement 3. Invitation/Back to Church Sunday 4. Outreach/Our of the Box/ Going forth/Missionary

 Emphasis on Education and Formation; Teaching and Spreading the Good News

The Garden View The Seed = The Word of God The Soil = The person being evangelized The Gardener = The Parish

 Primary Target Group = Adults Families & Children Friends & Neighbours

Goal: To make the person receptive to and thirsty for the Word.

 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.

 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.

 The Garden View: The Seed = The person/prospect The Soil = The Good News The Gardener = The Parish

 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.

 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.

 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

 The Garden View: The Seed = The person/prospect The Soil = A warm and welcoming parish The Gardener = 1. The Parishioner & The Faith community

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.

The Outreach Out of the Box Going Forth Missionary Approach

 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

 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.

 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

All four approaches require Good Stewardship. Accepting God’s gifts gratefully. Caring for them responsibly. Sharing them generously. Returning the with increase to God.

 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.