THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM: Helping Share the Good News of the Gospel with Our Parish

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). By calling us to make disciples of all nations, He is calling us to lives of evangelization, sharing the Good News of the Gospel with all those around us.

This is precisely what the Evangelization Team — or E-Team — here at St. Leo’s strives to do. The Evangelization Team consists of a volunteer group that works with the parish staff to plan opportunities for the evangelization of the parish community.

“The E-Team has had a great impact on St. Leo’s in that there are always opportunities available to the parish to help them learn more about Catholicism and their faith,” says Kathy Boroff. “In addition, the E-Team provides help to the parish staff in implementing these faithgrowing opportunities.”

Fr. Don felt that there was a greater need for evangelization at the parish, so the E-Team was started in 2015. The group presents opportunities that help parishioners in the faith community enrich their faith lives and spiritual practices. They also offer opportunities to learn more about Catholicism.

“The E-Team is important to the parish as it keeps track of all of the groups that meet, plans classes offered to the parish that center around video series and book studies, and helps plan and implement faith opportunities during Lent and Advent,” Kathy says.

Some of the activities and events that are held throughout the year include various Bible study opportunities; a small group that goes out on the streets to evangelize; retreats; a Lenten Parish Night; an Advent Parish Night; the presentation of various video series from Ascension Press, FORMED, and other outlets; and, currently, a group that gathers to watch the series The Chosen.

These planned events are open to anyone who would like to participate. They are advertised in the bulletin, from the pulpit, on posters in the church, on the myParish App, and on the parish website. Parishioners should watch for information and updates about the events at these locations.

The E-Team meets at St. Leo’s on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. The team has a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. Members are asked to serve a three-year term when they join. The E-Team is open to anyone interested in developing and helping offer opportunities for the parish community.

“Continuing to grow my faith and knowledge of Catholicism is important to me, and I love sharing this passion with the E-Team members,” Kathy says. “I enjoy being part of the E- Team and looking for educational opportunities to offer to our parishioners.”

If you have any questions or would like to join the Evangelization Team here at St. Leo’s, please contact Kathy Boroff at 308-227-6295 or kiboroff@gmail.com.

(Front row, from left) Kathy Boroff, Ann Goetz, and Jodi Stauffer; (back row, from left) Fr. Donald Buhrman, Veronica Barney, Pete Haase, Rita Hemmer and Dennis Harb (Not pictured: Beats Nabity).