Final Report Promulgated by Bishop Raica
September 8, 2016
Nativity of Mary
Dear Priests and Pastoral Administrators:
Peace be with you!
With this letter I am happy to present “Empowering the Faithful in Evangelization.” Evangelization is one of the three priority areas, together with Communication and Faith Formation, that were individuated through our Mutually Shared Vision process so that we may truly become a beacon “Shining Christ’s Light, Sunrise to Sunset.”
This rich and concise document is the fruit of many hours of prayer, study and discussion by the evangelization team tasked with working on the goal: “At least 50 parishes will have no less than one team participating in an ongoing training process for empowering the faithful in evangelization.” While much of this information was presented to you this past June at our overnighter; this letter represents my formal acceptance and approval of the team’s work.
I express my gratitude to the members of the team for their dedication in compiling for us this important instrument in the area of evangelization; particularly, the information regarding the formation of evangelization teams and an in-depth review of five different evangelization processes.
It is my sincere hope and prayer that this document may be useful for the evangelization of our parishes and communities, helping all to encounter Christ. To further assist you, I have appointed Wayne Winter, diocesan director of the Secretariat for Faith Development, to continue to carry this work forward. He will be happy to help you in whatever way he can as you continue to develop your evangelization efforts.
May our Blessed Mother teach us to lovingly contemplate her Son and to make Him loved by all.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Steven J Raica
Bishop of Gaylord
