catholic schools: centers of the new evangelization
DESCRIPTION
My presentation from the 2014 National Catholic Educational Association Convention and Expo: For fifty years the Church has exhorted the faithful to engage in a “new evangelization.” The call to be missionaries is especially relevant for Catholic schools where young people are formed as disciples of Christ. This presentation for Catholic school teachers and administrators helps focus their work in the context of the New Evangelization. Participants will gain an understanding of the New Evangelization and learn steps for integrating it into the classroom and school community.TRANSCRIPT
Catholic Schools: Centers of the New EvangelizationJonathan F. Sullivan
NCEA Convention and Expo | April 22, 2014
NCEA 2014
Opening PrayerThrough Christ our lord.
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!Unto Christ, our heav'nly King, Alleluia!Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!
But the pain which He endured, Alleluia!Our salvation has procured, Alleluia!Now above the sky He's king, Alleluia!Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia! Praise Him, all you heav'nly host, Alleluia!Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!
Words: 14th Century Bohemian Latin carol. Stanzas 1-3 translated in John Arnold's Compleat Psalmist, 1749.Stanza 4 Charles Wesley, 1740, alt. Music: 'Easter Hymn' from Lyra Davidica, 1708. Setting: composite found in "Church Praise: with tunes", 1885.copyright: public domain.
Jonathan F. Sullivan
Director of Catechetical Services, Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Evangelization Committee member, National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
Blogger
Married, father of six
Who is in the room?
Teachers
Parish Catechetical Leaders
Pastors
Principals
Diocesan Staff
Interested Others
Outline
1. Opening Activity
2. What is the New Evangelization?
3. Affirmative Orthodoxy and the New Evangelization
4. Strategies for Catholic Schools
5. Q&A
6. Suggested Resources
What does “New Evangelization” mean to you?
What is the New Evangelization?No, it’s not like New Coke.
What is the New Evangelization?
Vatican Council II
Paul VI
Bl. John Paul II
Benedict XVI Synod on New
Evangelization
Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization
Francis
Jesus Christ
Leading people to Chr is t
What is a disciple?
1. Living, growing relationship with God
2. Excited Christian activists
3. Knowledgeable about the faith, Sacred Scripture, etc.
4. Know and use their charisms
5. Know their vocation and actively live it
6. Engage in fellowship with other disciples
With this in mind, what percentage of the people in your school or parish are intentional disciples?
Affirmative OrthodoxyPutting first things first.
Affirmative Orthodoxy
Term coined by John L. Allen in 2008
“[A] tenacious defense of the core elements of classic Catholic doctrine, but presented in a relentlessly positive key.”
Image by arimorre / FlickrCC
Affirmative Orthodoxy
“Christianity, Catholicism, isn’t a collection of prohibitions: it’s a positive option. It’s very important that we look at it again because this idea has almost completely disappeared today. We’ve heard so much about what is not allowed that now it’s time to say: we have a positive idea to offer.”
- Pope Benedict XVI, 2006
Affirmative Orthodoxy
Not about soft-peddling “difficult teachings”
Emphasis on the positive, affirmation
Joy as charism of New Evangelization
How does your experience of catechesis in your school or parish reflect a spirit of Affirmative Orthodoxy?
Strategies for Catholic SchoolsBecause we’re evangelizing one way or another.
New Evangelization and the Four-Fold Purpose of Catholic EducationCatholic schools provide an atmosphere in which… The New Evangelization…
The Gospel is proclaimed Emphasizes the kerygma, the basic proclamation of the Gospel
Community in Christ is experienced
Invites young people to be a part of a community of disciples
Service to our sisters and brothers is the norm
Recognizes that service, especially to the least, is an integral part of discipleship
Thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated
Focuses on the person of Jesus Christ, to whom we owe worship as Lord
1. Relentless Focus on the Person of Jesus Christ
• Use the Name
• Tell the Story
2. Hire for Evangelization
• Seven Qualities of a New Evangelist
• Evangelization in the Job Description
• Evangelization in Performance Evaluation
Image by SpDuchamp / FlickrCC
3. Invitation to Discipleship
• Priority of Discipleship
• Within the Cultural Context
• High Standards
• Life-Long Process
4. Utilize New Media
• Go to Where the People Are
• Keep it Christocentric
• It’s About Relationships
For Reflection
Is your school or parish committed to and engaged in the New Evangelization?
If so, how?
If not, what is one step you could take to begin?
Q&AThe only stupid question is the unasked one.
ResourcesHere’s where you go next.
Resources
#CatholicEdChat
- weekly Twitter chat, Saturdays 9a-10a (ET)
Resources
Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus by Sherry Weddell (OSV, 2012)
Resources
Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization (USCCB, 2012)
Resources
Fr. Robert Barron’s Word on Fire Video Commentary
For notes and linksgo to www.JonathanFSullivan.com
Thank you!
NCEA 2014