THE SEVENTH PILLAR OF PARISH LIFE: Evangelization — Spreading Our Faith Far and Wide

For a clear and concise definition of evangelization, we only need to look to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which defines evangelization as “bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.”

Evangelization is the final pillar of Fr. Denzil’s Seven Pillars of Parish Life. Fr. Denzil believes any way we reach outside the walls of St. Patrick’s is considered evangelization, and we want to be doing all we can to spread the Catholic faith.

Deacon Juan Mijares and Deacon Ray Vann agree that evangelization doesn’t have to be complicated. One simple idea is to pray before meals at a restaurant and out in public.

“The Sign of the Cross is such an important and beautiful tool,” Deacon Ray says. “Don’t be afraid to show you are Catholic.”

Deacon Ray also reminds us of St. Francis of Assisi’s direction to “preach the Gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.” We need to show others our faith through our lives, whether we’re at home, school, or work.

Deacon Ray wears a large cross necklace to show his faith to all those he meets, and it has led him to many faith conversations through the years. He also performs police chaplaincy work. Although he’s serving all police, Catholic and non-Catholic, it’s another valuable way to share the faith.

Having made a Cursillo weekend in 1992, Deacon Juan is very involved in the Cursillistas. The group, which is for anyone who has experienced a Cursillo weekend, meets two Sundays per month after the Saturday 7 p.m. Mass. While the retreats have been paused during the pandemic, Deacon Juan encourages folks to consider attending a weekend retreat once they resume.

“This retreat could change your life,” Deacon Juan says.

Deacon Juan, too, works to bring Christ to all those he encounters at his day job. He believes this is the best way to evangelize.

“A lot of what people see is how we live our life,” he says. “We bring Christ out by the way we live our life.” Both Deacon Juan and Deacon Ray have spent their entire diaconate at St. Patrick’s — Deacon Juan has been a deacon for 23 years and Deacon Ray for 15 years. They are thankful for the traditions that Fr. Denzil has brought back, from the Las Posadas procession to incense at Mass.

“Las Posadas is a way to bring Christ to the streets and evangelize those who see us,” Deacon Juan says.

“Some of those traditional Mass practices are a great way to evangelize lifelong Catholics,” Deacon Ray says. “We all need some level of evangelization in our lives. There’s no better way to do this than the Mass.”

Deacon Juan Mijares and Deacon Ray Vann encourage parishioners to evangelize by ensuring they attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day. The La Voz Catolica radio program is another evangelization tool. The show airs on Sunday from 8:30 to 9 a.m. on Super Mix 101.9 FM.

Las Posadas commemorates the journey Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Fr. Juan says Las Posadas is a great way to evangelize as folks on the street seem the procession.