The National Catholic Register had a good article this week spotlighting four prominent Catholics involved in Evangelization and ways that all Catholics can more effectively take part in the New Evangelization.
The four that were spotlighted are Tom Peterson (CatholicsComeHome.org), Terry Barber (LighthouseCatholicMedia.org), Jesse Romero (JesseRomero.com), and Patrick Coffin (host of Catholic Answers Live).
Who would you add to the list of New Evangelizers who are effectively sharing the faith and motivating the others to do so?
Also interesting in the article was this quote from Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, who recently discussed Pope Benedict XVI’s “three laws” for evangelization: constant prayer, humility and a willingness to accept the cross.
“Renewed evangelization” of an increasingly secular world has been a theme of the Holy Father’s pontificate; he told the faithful on Sept. 18 that the Church needs “humble and generous workers who do not ask any other recompense than participating in the mission of Jesus and the Church.”
While some are called to be missionaries in foreign lands, for most of us, evangelization of inactive or non-Catholics begins in our own homes and communities. Four prominent Catholic evangelists have offered suggestions to Catholics on ways they can evangelize those closest to them.
Again, a great reminder that being a New Evangelizer doesn’t require us to sell all we have and move to a third world country to minister to the needy. Oftentimes, the spiritual needy are in our own homes.
Greg Willits
Greg Willits is a media creator, radio host, podcaster, Catholic New Media trailblazer, co-author of The Catholics Next Door: Adventures in Imperfect Living and author of The New Evangelization and You: Be Not Afraid (Servant, 2013). He is the founder of New Evangelizers and the former Chief Operations Officer of the Star Quest Production Network and spends his time between tech development and Catholic Media Leadership and Productions. Greg currently serves the Archdiocese of Denver as Director of Evangelization and Family Life Ministries. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married since 1995 and have four boys and a daughter.
8 responses to “Spotlight on New Evangelizers”
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Having seen Archbishop Dolan on 60 Minutes, I’d have to say that he is a prominent New Evangelizer himself. He has a way of projecting his Catholicism along with his love of life, baseball, food, and people, such that those listening may not realize that they are indeed being evangelized. Obviously his election as head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has given him an even broader and less Catholic audience with which to share his messages. I think that Archbishop Timothy Dolan should absolutely be among the list of New Evangelizers even though he isn’t new at the task – his position affords him that “newness”.
Very happy that Greg & Jennifer are starting this new website for New Evangelizers. Greg & Jennifer, SQPN, Sirius/XMs Catholic Channel, Catholic Apps, Busted Halo, and Word On Fire have inspired me to help evangelizing and I started a blog in 2011. Catholic New Media is growing to be a powerful medium for this ministry and pray it continues to ignite the faith in others. God Bless,
John Clem
Charlottesville, Virginia
http://www.calltoholiness.us
Interesting that Greg chose an energy bulb photo. Note that there will be a phase-out this year of incandescent light bulbs. But as a New Evangelizer, you can always say “Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.”
– Matthew 5:16
On 31 December 2011, I celebrated the incoming New Year by completing my very first all-cord rosary in time to take it with me to the New Year’s Eve vigil Mass. Fr. Gonzales was kind enough to bless the rosary. He told me he has a friend in Mount Vernon, Washington who has made about 200 of them to send to the troops. That’s also my goal. The first of these will be in black #36 cord with a brown plastic crucifix. The next set will be from #36 camophlage color cord. Please keep me in your prayers for continued success in making these rosaries. The video instructions, online, were very helpful while learning how to make the knots. Thanks for your help.
What a great new site! I believe we are all called to participate in the New Evangelization. We are all unique and will contribute in various ways. I started a blog last
year called “Catholic Frontier…Promise of the New Evangelization” and have had a wonderful response. As a returning Catholic myself, I’ve learned alot! I will put a link on my blog to this site. Thanks for creating it!
Hi Greg & Jennifer. Great website and I am praying for all these incredible ministries. I have written about New Evangelizers in my blog and hope it helps to give you some encouragement and thanks.
http://www.calltoholiness.us/?p=721
God Bless,
John Clem
Charlottesville, Virginia
My example of a great New Evangelizer is Fr. Roderick Vonhogen here in the Netherlands. He seems to be everywhere, both through traditional media and new. He’s become the face of the “new Catholic church” here, and it’s a joy to follow his activities.
Just a few of the ways you can follow him (in English) are:
http://roderickvonhogen.com/
http://thebreak.sqpn.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/fatherroderick
Fr. Roderick is also part of the Vatican’s push into social media. He was present when Pope Benedict sent his first tweet!
Glad to be “next door” to the Catholics Next Door now. I reposted Marty McFly post on facebook for my friends to see. I guess that is my first evangelization after joining your “team”.