The bishop serves as an evangelizer and chief catechist of the Diocese of Buffalo by addressing all aspects of evangelization and catechesis for adults, youth, and children. This includes fostering the distribution and implementation of foundational documents related to evangelization and catechesis, the development of guidelines for both, and especially the evaluation of catechetical materials for their conformity to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
In one sense, Catholic evangelization is nothing less than “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” (Paul VI, On Evangelization in the Modern World). In Go and Make Disciples: A National Strategy and Plan for Catholic Evangelization in the United States the U.S. Catholic Bishops have given direction to the work of evangelization through three essential goals:
Goal I: To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others. The Catholic parish sees the evangelization of its own people as one of its primary goals. A child may have said it best, "You can't give, what you ain't got." On Sunday, Catholics come to hear the Word and be renewed in our baptismal identity. In the Eucharist, we recall how God has been present in the dyings and risings of our week. At the table of the Lord, we are nourished for bearing Good News to our families, our work and our community. And because no one is fully converted, we are called as a community to continue the conversion of our lives - in mind, heart and will.
Goal II: To invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith. Christ is the source of our hope. Catholics know the Good News of salvation through a rich tradition of word, sacrament and the witness of saints and martyrs united across the continents and the centuries. In this, there is boundless cause for enthusiasm and no reason to be shy. All Catholics are capable of being messengers of Good News. Some of us are enthusiastic and explicit in sharing faith, though we freely admit to being unequal to the fullness of our profession. Others of us are less confident with verbal expressions of faith, while being no less compelling in our witness by example. Parish leaders know that sharing faith is not an act of proselytizing, but rather it is a free response, motivated by gratitude, to share the abundance of life that is ours in Christ. We know that in sharing our faith we grow in Christ.
Goal III: To foster gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good of our society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ. In the Latin Mass we said, "Ite missa est" (literally, "It is sent"). This reminds us that we are called to a mission in the world. We are co-workers in the vineyard as members of Christ's body. This work challenges the status quo - economic practices, cultural norms, media influences and political institutions. Catholics are committed to: the dignity of all people, a preference for the poor, the right to meaningful work for all, the common good, global solidarity and care for creation as constitutive to an authentic faith in Jesus Christ. The most compelling witness to the Gospel is offered by the lives of those who care for the suffering and by those who challenge the voices of discrimination, exploitation and complacency in our time. The Eucharist forms us into people of hope and action. Authentic Catholic faith is evident in acts of charity and justice.
This is what Catholics mean by sharing the Good News. For ideas on how to evangelize view the following:
Evangelization Resources
For more on evangelization, contact:
Kathleen B. Heffern, 716-847-5531
Dennis Mahaney, 716-847-8393
Diocese of Buffalo 795 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14203 Fax: 716-847-2206
View these other diocesan offices for particular resources in evangelization:
Catechumenate (RCIA)
Cultural Diversity
Disabilities
Family Life
Life-long Faith Formation
Parish Life
Pro-Life
Worship
Youth and Young Adult Ministry