POST SACRAMENT

EVANGELIZATION FURTHER NOURISHING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST

WHAT’S OUR CHALLENGE?WE SEEM TO BE GOOD AT PREPARING OUR PEOPLE FOR THE SACRAMENTS, BUT WHAT HAPPENS

THE DAYS AFTER THE SACRAMENT?

WHY DO SO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN MAKE THEIR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION—AND SELDOM THEIR SECOND, THIRD, ETC.?

HOW IS IT THAT MANY OF OUR YOUTH ARE CONFIRMED, BUT WE DON’T SEE MOST OF THEM AGAIN?

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE SO MANY MARRIAGES, BUT DON’T KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THOSE COUPLES AND NOURISH THEM?

WHY DO SO MANY OF OUR RCIA NEW CATHOLICS DRIFT AWAY FROM THE CHURCH SO QUICKLY?

HOW DID WE GET TO THIS DISCONNECT?SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, WE GRADUALLY MOVED AWAY FROM THE CHURCH OF THE ACTS OF

THE APOSTLES WHERE FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY NOURISHED AND SHARED THE FAITH

AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR, THE CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (CCD) WAS ESTABLISHED

IN AN AMAZING REVERSAL, WE WENT FROM FAMILIES HANDING ON THE FAITH TO THEIR CHILDREN, TO PARENTS DROPPING THEIR CHILDREN OFF AT THE PARISH—WHERE OTHERS INSTRUCTED THEM

THEN, THE PARENTS PICKED THEM UP AND TOOK THEM HOME—WITHOUT ANY FAITH INTERACTION BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN

THUS, A GREAT FAITH SHARING CHASM HAS BEEN CREATED BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN

SOME TRENDS AS WE MOVE FORWARDPOPE FRANCIS IS LEADING THE WAY: “THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL”!!!

WHOLE FAMILY CATECHESIS BY BILL HUEBSCH

THE REBUILT PARISH BY FR. MICHAEL WHITE AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATE THOMAS CORCORAN; SEE WWW.REBUILTPARISH.COM

TOOLS FOR REBUILDING: 75 PRACTICAL WAYS TO REBUILD A PARISH

HUEBSCH, WHITE, AND CORCORAN ARE HERE AT CONGRESS 2014

SUNDAY LITURGIES WHICH CALL, INSPIRE, NOURISH AND SEND US FORTH AS DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES

MY OBSERVATIONS THE ENTIRE PARISH COMMUNITY MUST BE SHARING FAITH—POPE FRANCIS

MAXIMUM PARISH FORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORT IS SPENT ON PREPARING OUR PEOPLE FOR RECEIVING THE SACRAMENTS

BUT MOST OF THE TIME, ONCE THE SACRAMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED, WE OFFER NOTHING FURTHER FOR THE RECIPIENTS OF THE SACRAMENTS

RATHER, WE START OVER PREPARING A NEW GROUP OF RECIPIENTS FOR THE SAME SACRAMENTS

BUT, WHY DON’T WE PURSUE POST-SACRAMENT EVANGELIZATION?

NOT A PROBLEM OF NEGLECT; I JUST DON’T THINK WE HAVE UNDERSTOOD FULLY THE POTENTIAL OF POST-SACRAMENT EVANGELIZATION

POPE FRANCIS SHOWING US THE WAYoPOPE FRANCIS IS POINTING US AND LEADING US TO JESUS, TO A PERSONAL

ENCOUNTER AND RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS—THE CORE ELEMENT OF PREPARING FOR THE SACRAMENTS

oBUT POPE FRANCIS IS ALSO SHOWING US THAT OUR FRIENDSHIP & DISCIPLESHIP WITH JESUS IS AN ON-GOING WORK THAT REQUIRES DAILY RENEWAL IN OUR LIVES

oFRANCIS IS EMPHASIZING LOVE, MERCY, UNDERSTANDING, AND PERSONAL OUTREACH TO OTHERS AS THE WITNESS OF JESUS IN THE GOSPELS ILLUSTRATES SO DEEPLY

oEACH OF THE SACRAMENTS EMPOWERS US TO LIVE OUT THIS DYNAMIC LIFE IN JESUS

POPE FRANCIS [CONTINUED] o“THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL” IS A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALL OF US!!

o“AN EVANGELIZING COMMUNITY KNOWS THAT THE LORD HAS TAKEN THE INITIATIVE, HE HAS LOVED US FIRST (CF, 1 JN. 4:19), AND THEREFORE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, BOLDLY TAKE THE INITIATIVE, GO OUT TO OTHERS, SEEK THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN AWAY, STAND AT THE CROSSROADS AND WELCOME THE OUTCAST.” [24]

o“LET US TRY A LITTLE HARDER TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND TO BECOME INVOLVED. JESUS WASHED THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES. THE LORD GETS INVOLVED AND HE INVOLVES HIS OWN, AS HE KNEELS TO WASH THEIR FEET….AN EVANGELIZING COMMUNITY GETS INVOLVED BY WORD AND DEED IN PEOPLE’S DAILY LIVES; IT BRIDGES DISTANCES, IT IS WILLING TO ABASE ITSELF IF NECESSARY, AND IT EMBRACES HUMAN LIFE, TOUCHING THE SUFFERING FLESH OF CHRIST IN OTHERS. [24]

o“EVANGELIZERS THUS TAKE ON THE ‘SMELL OF THE SHEEP’ AND THE SHEEP ARE WILLING TO HEAR THEIR VOICE.” [24]

POPE FRANCIS [CONTINUED]

o“AN EVANGELIZING COMMUNITY IS ALSO SUPPORTIVE, STAND BY PEOPLE AT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT OR LENGTHY THIS MAY PROVE TO BE. IT IS FAMILIAR WITH PATIENT EXPECTATION AND APOSTOLIC ENDURANCE.” [24]

LET’S APPLY A NEW APPROACH!LET’S FORM AND TRAIN OUR CATECHETICAL TEAMS INTO TWO GROUPS: ONE FOR

FORMATION & PREPARATION, AND ONE FOR POST-SACRAMENT EVANGELIZATION

THESE NEW TEAMS MUST WORK FULLY IN HARMONY WITH EACH OTHER, NOT APART

THE NEW APPROACH DOES NOT ACCEPT EXCUSES: “DON’T BOTHER, THEY WON’T COME BACK;” “OUR PEOPLE AREN’T INTERESTED IN THE DAYS AFTER THE SACRAMENTS;” “THE KIDS ARE TOO BUSY TO CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED”

WE MUST CREATE INTENTIONAL DISCIPLES OF JESUS, AND INTENTIONAL FAITH FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES

LET’S BE REALLY CREATIVE WITH NEW STRATEGIES!

SIX SACRAMENTAL ENCOUNTERS THAT OFFER GREAT PROMISE

BAPTISM

FIRST EUCHARIST

CONFIRMATION

MARRIAGE

ANOINTING & CATHOLIC FUNERALS

RCIA

BAPTISM & THE DAYS/YEARS THAT FOLLOW

OUR PRE-BAPTISM EFFORTS COULD INCLUDE SESSIONS ON ASKING PARENTS & GODPARENTS TO SHARE WHAT THEY VALUE ABOUT THEIR CATHOLIC FAITH, AND WHAT DO THEY WANT TO PASS ON TO THEIR CHILDREN; MAYBE HAVE THEM WRITE THESE DOWN FOR LATER REFLECTION

WHY NOT USE TEAMS OF NEW PARENTS TO VISIT THE HOMES OF THOSE PREPARING FOR A BAPTISM? FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK WITH THEM, ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS, OFFER PARENTING SUGGESTIONS FOR RAISING CATHOLIC FAMILIES, SHARING PRAYER WITH THEM IN THEIR HOMES

GET EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR PARENTS & GODPARENTS; ADD THESE TO REGULAR PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

HAVE THE PARISH SEND A CONGRATULATORY LETTER RIGHT AFTER BAPTISM, OFFERING INFORMATION ON SUNDAY EUCHARIST AND OTHER FAITH FORMATION

BAPTISM [CONTINUED]

GIVE REALLY NICE BAPTISM CANDLES AT THE LITURGY; BE SURE TO NOTE THE DATE OF THE BAPTISM ON THE BOX

ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO CELEBRATE THE “SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAYS” OF THEIR CHILDREN EACH YEAR, LIGHTING THE CANDLE YEAR AFTER YEAR [FORGET THE GIFTS!!]

INVITE THE PARENTS OF THE NEWLY BAPTIZED TO NEXT SUNDAY’S MASS WHERE THEY WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY

WHERE FEASIBLE, MAYBE HAVE INFANT BAPTISMS DURING A SUNDAY MASS NOW AND THEN

BAPTISM [CONTINUED]WHO IS GOING TO DO ALL OF THESE TASKS: EMAILS, LETTERS, ETC.?

A GREAT CHRISTIAN SERVICE TASK FOR THOSE PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION, AND FOR THOSE AFTER CONFIRMATION—THEY ARE SO QUICK AT SOCIAL MEDIA!

HAVE A PARISHIONER TAKE PARISH PHOTOS, AS WELL AS FAMILY MEMBERS

FEATURE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED ON THE PARISH WEBSITE & FACEBOOK PAGE; ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO VISIT THOSE SITES & SEE THEIR CHILDREN FEATURED

OTHER IDEAS????

FIRST EUCHARIST

FOCUS NEEDS TO SHIFT FROM THE ACTUAL FIRST COMMUNION TO THE PREPARATION & POST SACRAMENT

PARTNER FAMILIES WITH OTHER FAMILIES PREPARING FOR FIRST EUCHARIST; MAYBE BY NEIGHBORHOOD OR FRIENDS—HAVE THEM GATHER IN HOMES NOW AND THEN

SMALL RETREATS FOR PARENTS & CANDIDATES

SOME PARISHES HAND OUT “GO BAGS” TO THESE FAMILIES: CONTAIN HANDOUTS [‘UPDATE’ IS ONE], A SIGN OR SYMBOL OF FAITH TO COLOR AND HANG UP IN THE HOME, OTHER ITEMS

ASK PARENTS TO ARTICULATE WHY THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE FIRST EUCHARIST

EUCHARIST [CONTINUED]

ASK PARENTS TO DISCUSS HOW THEY PLAN ON 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, ETC., COMMUNION WITH THEIR CHILDREN

CREATE A CERTIFICATE PLEDGING THIS FAMILY TO BECOME A EUCHARISTIC FAMILY, GOING TO MASS & COMMUNION REGULARLY—HAVE THEM POST IT IN THE HOME

DISCOVER EARLY ON ANY OBSTACLES PREVENTING THE PARENTS FROM RECEIVING COMMUNION; USE ALL RESOURCES TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS BEFORE FIRST EUCHARIST

A GOOD SESSION FOR PARENTS: UNDERSTANDING THIS SACRAMENT FROM THE SCRIPTURAL & TRADITIONAL POINT OF VIEW

EUCHARIST [CONTINUED]A POSSIBLE RETREAT, OR AN AGAPE, WITH FAITH SIGN & SYMBOL ACTIVITIES

FOR CHILDREN & PARENTS; GOOD ITEMS TO PUT ON THE WALLS OF THE CHILDREN’S ROOMS

ACTIVITIES TO CONNECT PARENTS WITH THEIR PARISH, HELPFUL TO THEIR CONTINUING INVOLVEMENT

AFTER FIRST EUCHARIST, POST PHOTOS ON PARISH WEBSITE, FACEBOOK

SEND A CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO THE FAMILY WITH INFORMATION ON PARISH EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

SEND AN EMAIL AND REGULAR EMAIL NEWS & INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARISH

EUCHARIST [CONTINUED]

GODPARENTS FOR FIRST EUCHARIST ANOTHER WAY TO GET ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE CHILD & FAMILY TO CONTINUE SUNDAY MASS TOGETHER

HAVING PARENTS MEET & KNOW OTHER PARENTS, HAVING THEM FEEL AT HOME AND WELCOME IN THE PARISH—ALL KEYS TO FURTHER EUCHARISTIC INVOLVEMENT

SEND ANNIVERSARY LETTERS TO FIRST COMMUNICANTS

INVOLVE CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES & YOUTH GROUP MEMBERS IN ALL OF THESE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS

OTHER IDEAS????

CONFIRMATIONESSENTIAL TO INTRODUCE FAITH SHARING INTO THE PROCESS

6TH, 7TH, 8TH GRADE FAITH ACTIVITIES MUST BE EXCITING & INVITING FOR THIS AGE GROUP

CRITICAL THAT GODPARENTS BE CHOSEN CAREFULLY—THEY ARE TO BE STEWARDS & SHEPHERDS OF THE CANDIDATES; NOT A “REWARD” FOR AUNT SUSIE OR TIO JUAN

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE AN ORIENTATION & CRITERIA BEFORE SELECTING GODPARENTS

CANDIDATE GATHERINGS NEED AGE-APPROPRIATE FAITH SHARING ACTIVITIES

CANDIDATES NEED TO JOURNEY THROUGH A GOSPEL TOGETHER, SUCH AS LUKE

CONFIRMATION [CONTINUED]

CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROJECTS NEED TO BE LINKED TO JESUS & GOSPELS, WITH CANDIDATES CHALLENGED TO SEE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN JESUS & REACHING OUT TO OTHERS

SELECT CHRISTIAN SERVICE PROJECTS THAT CAN BE CONTINUED AFTER CONFIRMATION

INVITE PREVIOUSLY CONFIRMED YOUTH TO SERVE AS SPONSORS FOR NEW CANDIDATES

ESSENTIAL TO HAVE PEER MENTORS & GUIDES FOR THE CANDIDATES

PROMOTE POST-CONFIRMATION OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME PEER MENTORS, TEACHERS, MUSIC MINISTERS, YOUTH CLUB LEADERS

CONFIRMATION [CONTINUED]

HAVE CANDIDATES “APPLY” FOR POST-CONFIRMATION LEADERSHIP ROLES—CREATE A SENSE OF IMPORTANCE & LEADERSHIP

DEVELOP EXCITING & CHALLENGING YOUTH TEEN GROUPS WITH CONFIRMANDI AS LEADERS

PARISHES NEED SOUND YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS TO CONTINUE INVOLVING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

SCHEDULE A ONE-MONTH CONFIRMATION ANNIVERSARY MASS & PIZZA EVENT

HAVE CONFIRMATION TEAM SEND CONGRATULATORY TEXTS & EMAILS TO CONFIRMANDI

CONFIRMATION [CONTINUED]

ENCOURAGE CONFIRMANDI TO CREATE AN EXCITING FACEBOOK PAGE OF THEIR OWN CONFIRMATION: WHY THEY ENTERED THE PROGRAM, HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM, RETREAT SHARINGS, INVITING THEIR FRIENDS TO SIGN UP IF NOT CONFIRMED; PODCAST OF THEIR OWN JOURNEY

PARISH SHOULD TAKE PHOTOS OF THE YOUTH ACTUALLY BEING ANOINTED, NOT PHOTOS AFTER THE CONFIRMATION MASS

PARISH WEBSITE SHOULD FEATURE SOME PHOTOS OF THE RECENT CONFIRMATION, NAMES OF ALL WHO WERE CONFIRMED

HAVE PARENTS WRITE PERSONAL NOTES TO THEIR CHILDREN ON CONFIRMATION RETREATS

CONFIRMATION [CONTINUED]

OTHER IDEAS????

MATRIMONYoOUR NEWLY MARRIED COUPLES ARE THE VERY ONES WHO WILL BE HAVING CHILDREN AND

BE SEEKING THE SACRAMENTS FOR THEM IN THE FUTURE

oTHEY ARE AN ESSENTIAL GROUP FOR US TO MAINTAIN CONTACT AFTER THEIR WEDDING

oWE HAVE THE “MARRIAGE INVENTORY” AND “ENGAGED ENCOUNTER” SESSIONS FOR OUR COUPLES

oEVEN BETTER: HAVE YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES MEET WITH THESE COUPLES TO HELP PLAN THEIR MARRIAGE LITURGY, ANSWER QUESTIONS, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO ATTEND MASS TOGETHER

oACTUAL ROLE MODEL YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES ARE SO VALUABLE IN THIS PROCESS

MATRIMONY [CONTINUED]

oWHILE INVOLVING THE PRIEST & MARRIAGE COORDINATOR ARE IMPORTANT, IT’S MORE POWERFUL AND LASTING TO INVOLVE OTHER YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES IN THE PROCESS EARLY

oESTABLISH “COUPLES FOR CHRIST” IN YOUR PARISH: AS COUPLES ARE MARRIED IN THE PARISH, BEGIN A POST-MATRIMONY PROGRAM WITH RECENTLY MARRIED COUPLES

oMONTHLY MEETINGS WITH THE COUPLES IN CHARGE OF THE SESSIONS CAN WORK MIRACLES FOR THEM:

MEET AT 4:00 PM SUNDAYS

ROTATE COUPLES IN CHARGE EACH MONTH

MATRIMONY [CONTINUED] COUPLES SHARE HOW JESUS CHRIST IS WORKING IN THEIR LIVES & MARRIAGE

COUPLES DISCUSS THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIPS & THE GRACES OF THE SACRAMENT

CHALLENGES DISCUSSED, PRAYER & SUPPORT GIVEN & RECEIVED

COUPLES SHARE POT LUCK SUPPER TOGETHER

THESE COUPLES SERVE AS COUPLE MENTORS TO THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED

EVENTUALLY, THESE COUPLES WILL HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN READY FOR EARLY CATECHESIS

ONCE THE GROUP BECOMES TOO LARGE, TIME TO CREATE ANOTHER GROUP

CONSIDER OFFERING AN ANNUAL SUMMER RETREAT WEEKEND FOR THEM IN THE PARISH

ANOINTING OF THE SICK/BEREAVEMENT

PARISH BEREAVEMENT TEAM MEMBERS COULD BEGIN DURING THOSE FINAL DAYS OF HOSPICE CARE

TEAM MEMBERS CAN PRAY WITH THE FAMILY BEFORE DEATH

AFTER DEATH, TEAM MEMBERS CAN HELP THE FAMILY PLAN MEANINGFUL FUNERAL LITURGIES

VIGIL SERVICE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED FOR THE FAMILIES THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FUNERAL

VIGIL LITURGY IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR EULOGIES, NOT THE FUNERAL MASS

HAVE FAMILY INVOLVED IN CHOOSING THE SCRIPTURES, MUSIC, GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

RECOMMEND THE FAMILY HAVE A SIMPLE RECEPTION AFTER THE FUNERAL/COMMITTAL

ANOINTING/BEREAVEMENT [CONTINUED]END OF YEAR EVENTS FOR ALL DECEASED IN PREVIOUS YEAR:

• MAKE A LARGE SIGN FOR ALL SOULS DAY WITH NAMES OF ALL DECEASED IN PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS

• PRINT UP SMALL CARDS WITH ALL OF THESE NAMES

• MAIL COPIES TO ALL FAMILIES WITH DECEASED MEMBERS IN PREVIOUS YEAR

• FEATURE A BOOK OF LIFE WITH ALL BURIED FROM THE PARISH IN PREVIOUS YEAR

• CONSIDER A NEW YEAR’S EVE MASS AT 7:00 PM FOR ALL DECEASED; INVITE FAMILIES TO ATTEND, LIGHT A CANDLE FOR EACH DECEASED PERSON

OTHER IDEAS????

RCIAMOST PARISHES HAVE VERY GOOD RCIA PROGRAMS & TEAMS

GREAT EFFORTS TAKEN TO JOURNEY WITH CATECHUMENS DURING THE PROCESS

HOWEVER, POST-EASTER VIGIL OFTEN PRODUCES A SERIOUS LETDOWN FOR NEW CATHOLICS

FEW PARISHES OFFER A SERIOUS MYSTAGOGIA FOR NEW CATHOLICS

PARISHES NEED TWO TEAMS: CATECHUMEN TEAM, POST-BAPTISM TEAM

INVOLVEMENT IN THE LIFE OF THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY & PARISH NEEDS TO BEGIN PRIOR TO BAPTISM

RCIA [CONTINUED]GATHER NEWLY BAPTIZED AS A GROUP ONCE A MONTH

INVOLVE MEMBERS IN BIBLE STUDY, CHRISTIAN SERVICE, VARIOUS MINISTRIES

INVOLVE THE SPONSORS IN HELPING THE NEWLY BAPTIZED TO BECOME IMMERSED IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH & PARISH

CELEBRATE NEW CATHOLICS ON PENTECOST

BRING NEW CATHOLICS TO ONE OR TWO RCIA SESSIONS THE FOLLOWING FALL

LET NEW CATHOLICS SERVE AS ROLE MODELS FOR NEW CATECHUMENS

RCIA [CONTINUED]

OTHER IDEAS????