"The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who
encounter Jesus ... With Christ, joy is constantly born anew."
(Pope Francis, "Evangelii Gaudium")
I believe this. I know it to be true. I hope you do, too.
Do you sometimes wonder, though, why so many people, maybe even
beloved relatives or friends, can't seem to find that joy that comes
from knowing Jesus?
Do you worry that they may perhaps have never truly encountered Him?
Does it trouble you that 78 percent of the U.S. adult population -
the "nones" - say they were raised in a particular religious faith and
then left it behind, now having "none"? Are you shocked to learn that
48 percent of Catholics, now unaffiliated with the Church, ceased
practicing the faith before they were 18 years of age? (Pew Research
Center Report)
Facts like these cause me to pray at every Confirmation celebration
that the teens I am confirming will be at Mass the following weekend,
and every weekend after that. Sadly, I know that will not be the case,
despite the hard work of catechists and youth ministers, and often (but
not always) the good example of faithful Catholic parents.
Why is it that our evangelical Protestant brothers and sisters are so
zealous in inviting people (including plenty of Catholics) to encounter
Jesus anew and even to join their congregations, while so many of us
Catholics would never think of encouraging anyone to join the Church -
or return to it?
Is it hard for you to understand why all too many Catholics,
including some Catholic politicians, find it so apparently easy to turn
their backs on church teachings like the inviolable sacredness of human
life from conception to natural death, or the human rights of migrants
and refugees?
Questions and concerns like these are only a few of the reasons why a
delegation from our diocese will join more than 3,000 U.S. Catholics
(and 160 bishops, myself included) in Orlando July 1-4 for a gathering
unique in U.S. Catholic history - the Convocation of Catholic Leaders:
The Joy of the Gospel in America.
This exciting event was called for by the United States bishops
several years ago to assist us in living the vision of Pope Francis'
apostolic exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" in the United States. During
the four-day meeting, 160 bishops, delegations from 200 Catholic
organizations, and experts from various fields will join our heads,
hearts and prayer together to assess the challenges and opportunities or
our time and culture in light of the insistent call of recent popes
that we - every Catholic - would embrace our baptismal call to be and to
live as missionary disciples.
A unique dimension of this convocation is that every plenary event,
panel, liturgy and breakout event is bishop-led. Participants will
represent laity, clergy and consecrated women and men. Delegates will
reflect the cultural diversity of our Church with leaders present from
our Hispanic/Latino, Asian-American, Native American and Eskimo, and
African-American communities to name a few. In addition, the convocation
will include emerging young adult leaders aged 18-30, people with
disabilities, and folks from our home mission and extension dioceses.
There are two key outcomes for the Convocation of Catholic Leaders.
First, that leaders will be equipped and reenergized to share the Gospel
as missionary disciples, and, second, that they take away fresh
insights from participation in a strategic conversation about current
challenges and opportunities informed by new research, communications
strategies, and successful models.
The hope is that the convocation can assist participants in bringing
back - to their dioceses, parishes, movements, organizations, work and
ministries - tools, resources and renewed inspiration to apply and
advance "Evangelii Gaudium" and Pope Francis' dream of a "missionary
option" for all pastoral activities and ministries. The Holy Father has
called all in the Church to a "missionary conversion": "'Mere
administration' - can no longer be enough. Throughout the world, let us
be 'permanently in a state of mission.'" Thus, our convocation is framed
around these principles from the Holy Father.
Please keep our diocesan Convocation delegates and me in your prayers
as we participate in this unique and important gathering. It is my
sincere hope that this meeting will generate a strategic and ongoing
conversation that will lead to a reanimation of the Church in our own
diocese and across the United States as we seek to engage our culture
and bring the joy of the Gospel to all we encounter. Please consider
praying the following prayer, which was written for the 2017 Convocation
of Catholic Leaders:
O Holy Spirit, you who first enkindled in our hearts the joy of the
Gospel, renew that same joy in those who are preparing for the
Convocation of Catholic Leaders. Enflame the hearts of our bishops and
their diocesan delegations; leaders of national organizations and
movements; clergy, religious and laity; all who make this event
possible; and Catholic leaders across the United States. Move us to
welcome the word of life in the depths of our hearts and respond to the
call of missionary discipleship. O Holy Spirit, transform our hearts and
enable us to enter into the perfect communion that you share with the
Father and the Son. Mary, Star of the New Evangelization, pray for us.
Amen.
Thank you for your prayers. Know that I keep our diocesan family in
my daily prayers. I particularly pray that each of you will have a
restful and enjoyable summer season!