May 5, 2024 - "Convergences"

During the interim phase of the Universal Synod, after it ended its first session In October 2023 and before the Universal Synod meets again in October 2024, the Archdiocese of Washington held five listening sessions in Lent with five specific communities:  Young Deaf Catholics, Young Black Catholics at Howard University’s Sr. Thea Bowman Catholic Campus Ministry Center, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, and the Archdiocesan Priest Council.
 
Three themes arose across the five listening sessions:  1) Evangelization and Welcome; 2) Leadership and Leadership Development, and 3) Social Justice and Inclusion.  Within each of these themes there are areas of convergence, matters for consideration, and proposals.
 
Below I am going to reprint the areas of convergence for the theme of Evangelization and Welcome.
 
• Convergences
o The evangelization of people as the mission of the Church must be the primary focus of all Church activities. Proclaiming the Gospel and drawing people closer to Christ must be the focus of all ministries.
 
o There is a need to focus on the kerygma [the joyful announcement that Jesus Christ is a living Person to be encountered, who through his death and resurrection has defeated sin and death]. Most participants indicated that while theology and catechesis are important, the most pressing need is helping people develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
 
o There was a strong desire for a renewed focus on families, especially helping parents be the primary educators of the faith for their children. It was noted that evangelization needs to start in the home with families.
 
o Participants noted that small faith groups and small Christian communities were key to promoting spirituality, formation, and accompaniment. Pastors who have small faith groups noted that these groups were very effective in promoting the kerygma.
 
o Welcome, invitation, and hospitality are key for people to feel like they belong in a parish. People expressed the importance of parish communities embodying a sense of welcome and hospitality.
 
o Clergy and laity noted the importance of significant life moments as moments of evangelization and mission. These life events are marriages, baptisms, First Communions, and funerals. If these sacramental moments are embodied with a sense of welcome, accompaniment, and kindness, they can be moments when people deepen their relationship with the Church and in some cases even return to the Church.
 
Next week we’ll look at Matters for Consideration and Proposals for the theme of Evangelization and Welcome.
 
Until then,
Fr. John