Evangelization is the unifying purpose for parish life. It is the central priority and energizing core that insures faithfulness to the Gospel and guarantees vitality for the community. The Office of Parish Life provides workshops, retreats, consultation, formation and planning facilitation for evangelizing parishes.
Parish Study Day - Caritas in Veritate
April 28: at Christ the King Seminary. The topic, Caritas in Veritate and How Parishes Can Work for Justice will be keynoted by Bishop Howard Hubbard, Diocese of Albany and Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. This event is sponsored in collaboration with Christ the King Seminary and the Social Justice Collaborative. Download brochure for registration and information. For more information contact: Office of Parish Life, 847-5531 or respond by email here.
Parish Evangelization - Best Practices Workshops
(same topic in each location at no cost but we need to know how many to expect - Call 847-5531 or email response here)
April 12: Dunkirk - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 7-8:30pm, 145 E. Main St., 14063
April 13: Buffalo - Blessed Sacrament, 7-8:30pm, 1029 Delaware Ave. 14209
April 20: Elma – Annunciation Parish, 7-8:30pm, 7580 Clinton St., 14059
April 21: Batavia - Resurrection Parish, 7-8:30pm (St. Joseph Site) 303 E. Main St., 14020
April 22: Olean - St. Mary of the Angels, 7-8:30pm, 202 South Union St., 14760
April 26: Jamestown - Holy Apostles, 7-8:30pm, (St. John Site) 270 Newton Ave., 14701
April 27: Lockport - St. John the Baptist, 7-8:30pm, 168 Chestnut St., 14094
April 29: Hamburg - S.S. Peter and Paul, 7-8:30pm, 66 East Main St., 14075
Workshops
(Presentations can be customized or combined)
ABC's of Catholic Evangelization (for anyone interested in evangelization)
- What is Catholic evangelization? 
- What is the difference between evangelizing and proselytizing?
- How do we do it?
Parish Evangelization Teams (for pastoral council or the evangelization team)
- What is a parish “E-Team”?
- How do we do it?
- Who will help?
Becoming an Evangelizing Parish (for parish staff and pastoral council)
- Why Catholics Evangelize
- Proven Outreach Strategies
- Ways to Invite the Next Generation
- Welcoming at Points of Contact
- Growing an Engaged Church
Eucharist and Evangelization (for anyone in parish ministry)
- “Ite Missa Est” - starting with Mass
- The Process of Personal Conversion
- Growing in Faith by Giving it Away
Parish Leaders - Finding Them, Training Them, and Keeping Them (for all parish leaders)
- Clear Expectations
- EQUIP Parishioners
- Appropriate and Timely Formation
- A Responsive Support System
For More Evangelization Resources (in print and web)
Kathleen B. Heffern, 716-847-5531
Dennis Mahaney, 716-847-8393
Diocese of Buffalo 795 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14203 Fax: 716-847-2206
Click on these other valuable resources for vibrant parish life:
Catechumenate (RCIA)
Cultural Diversity
Catholic Charities - Service Corps
Disabilities
Family Life
Life-long Faith Formation
Parish Life
Pro-Life
Worship
Youth and Young Adult Ministry