Defining New Evangelization - New Evangelizers

There sure is a buzz about New Evanglization. Everyone seems to be talking about it, doing it, or talking about doing it.

And it has made me wonder: what, exactly, is the New Evangelization?

What I mean is, how do I make it apply to the people in my life who are just learning how to use their iPad, who don’t use the internet hourly as I do, who might not give a hoot about anything in the New Evangelization?

As I tooled around online looking for an answer, I came across this quote from Bishop Paul Etienne at CatholicLand!:

Fundamentally, the New Evangelization is a call to every believer to come to a deeper awareness of the personal relationship they are called to in the person of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, flowing from this vibrant relationship with Christ, each member of the Church is to find ways to speak of the significance of this relationship with Christ to others. Each of us are called to “proclaim the Good News” of Jesus Christ and the salvation He won for us to others. [emphasis mine; link to the full text]

I think this is a great way to consider the New Evangelization, especially as we perch on the edge of the Easter Triduum and the very heart of our faith.

It’s a two-part process, this New Evangelization business.

First, we need to become aware of the personal relationship WE have with the PERSON of Jesus Christ.

Then, once we’re aware of that, we have to share with the others in our life the ways and reasons that relationship’s important.

It’s a two-step dance, one that will make us grow in our own faith.

As we examine our relationship, we’ll be sharing it. As we share it, we’ll have to examine it again. As we repeat the process, we’re sure to grow closer to Jesus and grow in holiness.

That would be the goal of the New Evanglization!
Copyright © 2012, Sarah Reinhard

Sarah Reinhard

Sarah Reinhard continues to be shocked and delighted that her life as a grown-up involve horses, writing, and sparkly dress shoes. In her work in the New Evangelization as a Catholic wife, mom, writer, parish employee, and catechist, she’s learned a lot of lessons, had a lot of laughs, and consumed mass amounts of coffee. She’s online at SnoringScholar.com and CatholicMom.com, and is the author of a number of books.