The Xavier Mission team, named after St. Francis Xavier, is a new evangelization initiative serving middle and high school youth in our diocese.
Tag: evangelization
Looking at today’s Church in the diocese
Currently, every vicariate in the diocese is meeting with me to give an update on the Go Make Disciples initiative in the parishes.
The fourth movement of the kerygma
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The essence of evangelization is the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!
In these past weeks, we have reflected on the fundamental components of the kerygma, the basic “elevator speech” that every Catholic should be able to share with both competence and confidence.
Why are you Catholic? How have you experienced God? What does faith in Jesus accomplish?
In an increasingly secular culture, fewer people grasp the meaning and purpose of Christian faith. How imperative that we be willing to give the reason for our hope.Go Make Disciples Pastoral Letter
Click on the link below to read the full text of Bishop Donald J. Hying’s pastoral letter on the Go Make Disciples evangelization initiative.
Living ideals in Declaration of Independence
Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, also known as the Fourth of July.
Bishop Hying launches bold new Evangelization Initiative
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| Bishop Donald J. Hying exposes the Blessed Sacrament at St. Christopher Church in Verona. Fr. William Van Wagner, parochial vicar, kneels during an Evening of Prayer held on the Feast of Pentecost. (Catholic Herald photo/Mary C. Uhler) |
VERONA — On Pentecost, Bishop Donald J. Hying launched “Go Make Disciples,” a new Evangelization Initiative in the Diocese of Madison.
On that day, the bishop led an Evening of Prayer at St. Christopher Parish in Verona. The evening included Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, music, a talk by the bishop, praying of the Rosary, and Benediction. Confession was also available.
The theme for this “Encounter Night” was, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Susan Swanke and James Carrano sang for the evening, with Carrano playing the piano and Emily Mansfield playing the violin. Ryan Zakrzewski provided video for the livestreaming of the service.
The birth of the Church
After he exposed the Blessed Sacrament, Bishop Hying talked about the first Pentecost, the birth of the Church. After Jesus ascended into heaven, he told the apostles he would send the Holy Spirit, said the bishop.
The apostles were huddled together with Mary in the upper room. “The apostles weren’t sure what to do. They weren’t united,” said the bishop.
After the Holy Spirit came in wind and fire, the apostles went out to proclaim the Good News, noted Bishop Hying. “Once the apostles experience the Holy Spirit, they’re not afraid. God is with them.”
The love of God compels us to evangelize
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Note: Bishop Donald J. Hying is serializing his Pastoral Letter on the new Evangelization Initiative being launched in the Diocese of Madison. This is the third part of that letter. For the complete letter, go to the Diocese of Madison and Catholic Herald websites.
As I have considered this effort of evangelization, I return often to the story of Pentecost. It is a portion of our story that is perfect for this effort, and also the starting point for my entire ministry as a bishop.
Diocese launches ‘Go Make Disciples’
MADISON — The Diocese of Madison, under the leadership of Bishop Donald J. Hying, is launching a bold new initiative called “Go Make Disciples” in order to renew our commitment to the mission of evangelization.
One part of this initiative includes the addition of two new regular pages in the Catholic Herald, one dedicated to evangelization and another to catechesis (see Pages 10 and 11).
Go make disciples
The last words Jesus spoke to his apostles before leaving this earth to ascend into heaven were to go out into the whole world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).
Mission to evangelize world is more urgent
Note: Bishop Donald J. Hying is serializing his Pastoral Letter on the new Evangelization Initiative being launched in the Diocese of Madison. This is the first part of that letter.
Jesus Christ died for you. For you, the person receiving these words, God — the Eternal Creator — became a human being, entered into the messiness of humanity, lived, worked, loved, and prayed with those around him, and at the end of a young life, was unjustly condemned, cruelly tortured, and died as a criminal on a cross.
He did it for you.
Stop, even just for a second, and actually consider that.
You’ve likely heard it before — maybe even a hundred or a thousand times — but reconsider it; try to internalize it anew.
New evangelization initiative to be launched in the Diocese of Madison
One of the Missal prayers in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary expresses a beautiful aspiration: “In our mortal flesh may we show forth the life of Jesus.” This simple hope expresses succinctly the nature and purpose of evangelization.