Evangelization has always been the mission of the Catholic Church. The call to evangelize first given to us by Christ requires that we proclaim the word of God using every means of communication. In the Church today using the media has become indispensable in bringing the Gospel message into the world through the internet, radio and television.
In 2009 Cardinal George collaborated with the Bishops in the Dioceses of Rockford and Joliet on an evangelization initiative using television advertisements. Catholics Come Home Chicago gave us 5 ½ weeks of ads in 3 languages, broadcast on 10 networks that invited Catholics who had drifted from the practice of the faith to come home.
As the events of Catholics Come Home Chicago came to an end, we asked parishes to complete a survey on the initiative. We received 440 surveys from Pastors and Parish Contact Persons with over 70% stating that the evangelization initiative was a benefit to their parish in several ways. Our efforts resulted in an increase in Mass attendance, more people participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a renewed sense of Catholic identity in active parishioners and affirmation for Parish Staffs who have focused on evangelization in their individual parishes. While we have experienced a period of growth in number and strength, we know that the continuation of this movement is the responsibility of every person in every parish.
This year 2010-2011 there will be NEW Catholics Come Home ads shown on TV from mid-December to Mid-January. Once again, the ads will become a catalyst for faith conversations and moments of evangelization in homes, schools, neighborhoods and places of business all around the Archdiocese. You can find out more about this evangelization effort and how you can participate by going to our website at www.CatholicsComeHomeCHICAGO.org.
Having You Seen Those Ads on TV?
During Advent and Christmas, the Archdiocese of Chicago has partnered with the Dioceses of Joliet and Rockford on an evangelization initiative called Catholics Come Home. This effort will use TV commercials that will air through January 2011 on most networks in English, Spanish and Polish.
If you are at Saint Mary Parish for the first time, we lovingly welcome you home. We have been praying for you. Please contact Saint Mary Parish Center at 847-864-0333 if you need to find healing, answers or support.
We encourage our parishioners to pray for those who have left the Church and invite them to join us at Saint Mary. Parishioners can open and print the brochures linked above to be used as an invitation for those who have drifted from the practice of the faith. We lovingly invite all those who have drifted away to come home, to find healing, answers and support. Please contact Saint Mary Parish Center at 847-864-0333 for more information.
Evangelization -
BUILD YOUR HOUSE ON ROCK Bulletin Article dated March 6, 2011
Catholics Come Home Chicago in the New Year
Moses and the evangelist Matthew lived thousands of years apart, yet their message to God’s people in today’s readings is remarkably the same: listen to the word of God, live by those words, and you’re on unshakable ground. These continue to be wise words for us almost 2,000 years later.
The two parts of that teaching are 1) reading the word of God and 2) allowing it to seep into everyday actions. This is how the words of Scripture become more than lines of text in an unopened book. If you haven’t read a Bible in a long time, try these simple suggestions:
Do check to see if you have a Catholic Bible and preferably the New American translation.
The readings proclaimed at Mass come from this translation and the words and phrasing will sound familiar to you.
Don’t start on page one of Genesis and expect to read the Bible page by page to the end of Revelations. This works for a novel, but the Bible is more like a library of books, each with their own story and purpose.
Do choose one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) as your first experience of reading a book of the Bible. As you know more about the life and teachings of Jesus the rest of the Bible will be more meaningful.
Don’t hurry! While one Gospel could be read easily in an evening, you’re looking for transformation rather than completion of an assignment.
Do read slowly and prayerfully, spending time with each verse. Consider spending a few minutes each day during the Season of Lent to read just one Gospel. As you read, pay attention to words or sentences that strike you as interesting or fill you with emotion, then close the book and sit in silence. This is God speaking to you.
We hope that their stories will encourage you, and will serve as your own personal invitation to come back to the Catholic Church. Jesus and your fellow Catholic brothers and sisters are waiting with open arms to welcome you home!
Catholics Come Home
