My Visible Signs

© 2004, All Rights Reserved. Introduction

Office for Evangelization
Archdiocese of Chicago to Catholic
155 E. Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60611 Evangelizing
312.751.5353
www.goingforth.org Workshop
TRANSFORM SOCIETY BY THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL EVERY CATHOLIC IS AN EVANGELIZER!
That is our call by Baptism. At the end of Matthew's Gospel, as Jesus was
There are a number of ways that you can learn more about acting as a way to transform leaving earth, He told his disciples and us:
society according to the Gospel. Here are just a few.
Make sure to visit www.goingforth.org for more information and resources: All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
Archdiocese of Chicago of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
Amate House Catholic Charities commanded you. And behold, I am with you always until the end of the age.
Family Ministries Housing (Matthew 28:18-20)
Office for Peace and Justice Campaign for Human Development
Catholic Relief Services Social Justice Advocacy Each of us is called to become a disciple of Jesus through the Church.
Office for Racial Justice We become disciples through following and trusting in Jesus, obeying His
commandments. We make disciples by sharing and witnessing to our relationship
Service with God. Becoming a disciple and making disciples is a life-long process.
Catholic Charities Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation
Greater Chicago Food Depository Interfaith House Consider what Jesus said:
Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly Mercy Hospital - Volunteer
Port Ministries Prison Ministry I give you a new commandment, love one another. As I have loved you, so you
also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
Family if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)
Resources for Parents Handing on the Faith
Family Spirituality Feasts and Seasons Our love for God, ourselves and each other gives witness to God and invites
Family and Media others to join our Church as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Political Rights
Catholic Conference of Illinois WHAT THE CHURCH SAYS ABOUT EVANGELIZING

Media The Second Vatican Council and recent Popes have all affirmed that the Catholic
Your Family and Cyberspace Family Guide for Using Media Church's primary mission is to evangelize.
Pauline Books and Media Renewing the Mind of the Media Movie
Reviews The Jesus Film All disciples of Christ are obliged to spread the faith to the best of their ability.
Luke Films (The Decree on the Church,Vatican II, #17)

Let everyone be aware that the primary and most important contribution they can
Catholic Arts and Culture
make to the spread of the faith is to lead a profound Christian life."
Catholic Information Network
(Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity, Vatican II, #36)

Radio For the Church, evangelizing means bringing the Good News into all strata of
Archdiocese on the Radio Catholic On the Air humanity, and through its influence, transforming humanity from within and
Ave Maria Catholic Radio EWTN making it new."
(Evangelization in the Modern World, Pope Paul VI, 1975)
Peace and Justice
The Busy Christian's Guide to Catholic Social Teaching
20 1
GO & MAKE DISCIPLES – A NATIONAL PLAN & STRATEGY EVERYDAY EVANGELIZING
FOR CATHOLICS EVANGELIZING IN THE UNITED STATES • Be generous with compliments, especially to those who appear to be
In 1992, the U.S. Bishops issued a document with three goals: down today.

Goal I: To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, • Send a sympathy or get-well card to neighbors or friends assuring them of
in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others. your prayers.

Goal II: To invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or • Share a smile and a personal greeting with a stranger. Try to see Christ in
cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ everyone you encounter each day. Ask friends and family to pray for your
so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic Faith.
special intentions.

Goal III: To foster Gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the • Share an unanswered prayer with a friend or family member.
human person, the importance of the family, and the common good
of our society so that our nation may continue to be transformed by
Remember to give thanks for what you have received.
the saving power of Jesus Christ.
• Tell someone about a good book or tape to help them grow in their faith.

• Be an example to family or friends on how to a believer acts and speaks.

SPREADING THE HOLY FIRE • Forgive someone who has wronged you. Ask for forgiveness from
In 2002, the Archdiocese published Spreading the Holy Fire: A Plan for Catholics someone you have wronged.
Evangelizing in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
• Move to the center of the church pews, theater seat, etc. which invites
Spreading the Holy Fire mirrors the three goals of Go and Make Disciples that every others to join you and provides an opportunity for conversation.
Catholics is called to carry out:
• Do not judge others. Do not speak unkindly of others. Always look for
Believe Encourage all Catholics to experience conversion to a deeper the good in others and point this out when they are being hostile.
holiness and a greater love of God.
• Serve your parish as a Eucharistic minister, lector, choir member, etc.
Share Welcome and invite others to learn about and share in the
Catholic Faith and encounter Jesus Christ in the sacraments. • Allow your faith to carry over into your work by insisting on fair prices,
good products and fair treatment for customers and employees alike.
Transform Change society with the power of the Gospel.
• Share your personal faith story of how God has worked in your life with
a friend or family member.

• Treat everyone you meet with dignity. No matter what they look like,
how they try your patience, or how they speak, they are part of the Body
of Christ.
2 19
EVERYDAY E V A N G E L I Z I N G
• Invite someone who has been away from the Church for a while to
attend Mass with you.
• Offer to help your neighbor even when it's not convenient.Take time in
your life for those who are suffering or in need. Remember, people are
more important than tasks.
• When you see God working in your life, point it out to others. We are
all enriched by the personal witness of others.
• Talk to friends about the good experiences you have had with the Church.
• Invite friends to social functions of your parish.
• Give money or food to a person in need. Remember that when you
reach out to the poor, you are reaching out like Christ himself did.
• Witness your faith with your own family and friends by gently stating,
I believe...
• Warmly greet others at Mass whom you do not know. Sometimes
members of our community fall away from the Church because they
feel alienated from others in the congregation.
• Tactfully change the direction of the conversation at home or school
when things take an uncharitable or gossipy turn.
• Continue to comfort a grieving friend or neighbor well afer a funeral.
The process of dealing with a loss takes a long time. Offer to accompany
the person who is grieving to social activities or make yourself available
just to talk.
• Volunteer your time for visiting shut-ins, elderly, prisoners, etc.
Share your favorite story in the Bible with them during your visit.
18
WHAT ARE SOME ASPECTS OF CATHOLIC EVANGELIZATION?
Catholic evangelization is led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the primary agent
of evangelization and moves us toward spiritual transformation as individual disciples
and as a Church. The Holy Spirit is at work in the evangelizer and in the heart of the
person who is being evangelized.
Catholic evangelization is rooted in Jesus Christ and His Church. There is a
profound link between Christ, the Church, and evangelization. We cannot claim to love,
listen to, and belong to Christ without the Church.
Catholic evangelization is directed toward the Kingdom of God. Sharing one's faith
is a way to facilitate the fulfillment of God's will "on earth as it is in heaven." The evan-
gelizing Catholic fully accepts this activity as part of what it means to be a disciple of
Jesus Christ.
Catholic evangelization involves sharing in the Eucharist. The ultimate proclamation
of God's Word is carried out in the Eucharist, the source and the summit of our salva-
tion. Catholics who evangelize share in the Eucharist to grow in their faith and also invite
other Catholics to do so.
Catholic evangelization calls people to a lifelong journey to God. Far from being a
once-for-all experience, evangelization is believed by Catholics to be a continuous
process of conversion. The best of evangelizers allow themselves to be converted and
evangelized again and again and in that way grow in holiness.
Catholic evangelization invites all church members to be stewards of faith. Clergy,
religious, and laity are called to use their time, talent, and treasure to spread the Good
News —to become a living sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.
Catholic evangelization directs the mission of all Church endeavors. Every ministry,
project, and effort can and should be evangelizing in its vision, scope, and activity.
Catholic evangelization offers a clear priority in all times and seasons. In the midst
of great confusion about what priorities must be served in order to fulfill the highest
good, the duty to evangelize takes precedence.
Catholic evangelization is optimistic and realistic. The Catholic vision sees the world
as basically good but wounded by sin. Our efforts to transform this world are measured,
pragmatic, and consistent and wedded to an appreciation of the time and effort it takes
to change the real world.
Catholic evangelization is rooted in everyday life. Evangelizing and being evangelized
take place in the midst of ordinary human situations where God encounters His people
in the mundane and in the ordinary. Evangelizing encounters are woven into the life of
every family. The Catholic also finds opportunities in and among the larger network of
human associations —with friends and neighbors, within the workplace and in business
affairs, in technology and the culture, in the business office and civic association, and
through the media as well as the Church.
3
WHAT DOES EVANGELIZING LOOK LIKE:
YOUR PERSONAL VISIBLE SIGNS
Profess My Love to God Each Day
O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul,
"Come Holy Spirt,
fill my heart because you are all good and worthy of my love. I love my neighbor as
myself for love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon
with the fire of your love." of all whom I have injured.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green
pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He guides
COMMIT BELIEVE
me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
How do I plan What do I do to grow
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no
to evangelize? in my relationship evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You
with God? prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my
head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I
shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
SHARE TRANSFORM
How do I share How does my life
my Catholic faith bring about a Ordinary Ways to Share Your Faith with Others (Everyday Evangelizing)
with others? loving and just We offer these suggestions as a Catholic approach to sharing your faith
with family and friends:
society?
• Say I will pray for you to a friend who has shared some personal
concern or difficulty.

• Respond Thank God when someone shares a success story with you.

• Make the sign of the cross as you pray before a meal in a restaurant.

I give you a new commandment - love one another as I have • Display a religious article in your room. Wear a cross on a chain or
loved you. This is how all will know that you are my disciples; other religious article. You might be surprised how many times this will
if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) start a conversation about your faith.

4 17
 WHAT VISIBLE SIGNS DOES MY LIFE SHOW?
Pray to the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit of God, take me as your disciple. Guide me, illuminate me,
sanctify me. Bind my hands that they may do no evil, cover my eyes that
they may see it no more, and sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell
If Jesus asked you
to give your heart to Him today, what would it look like?
within me. Be my guard and be my guide. Wherever you lead me, I will
go; whatever you forbid me, I will renounce; whatever you command me,
in your strength, I will do. So lead me to the fullness of your truth. Amen.
COMMIT BELIEVE
Read Scripture Daily
Choose a passage from Scripture – perhaps the daily Mass readings or
part of a Biblical book you are exploring. Sit quietly and read it slowly.
Meditate by asking yourself to explore the following questions:
What is the Scripture saying about the ancient times in which it was written?
What is the Scripture saying to the world today?
What is the Scripture saying to the Church and my parish?
What is the Scripture saying to me in my daily life?
SHARE TRANSFORM

Examine My Conscience Daily

Take a few moments every day at a regular time (perhaps on lunch break
or before going to bed) and examine your actions for the day by asking
yourself the following questions:

How have I deepened my relationship with God today? How have I

weakened that relationship by my actions or non-actions?

How have I furthered my relationship with my family, my friends, my close

associates or my confreres? How have I weakened that relationship by my
actions or non-actions?
How have I furthered the Kingdom of God through my behavior this day?
Have I obscured the Kingdom by my actions?
How have I served others? How can I serve them better?
On the heart above, fill in the ways that you commit, share, believe
and transform now.
It was not you that chose Me, but I who chose you and appointed you to
go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in
My name, He may give you. This I command you: love one another.
(John 15:16-17)

16 5
PERSONAL OBJECTIVE ONE: COMMITMENT

Commit
As a Catholic, I
will recommit myself to
Jesus Christ as a disciple, by embracing
evangelization as my personal mission.

This part of the Personal Mandate is the first step: we recommit ourselves to our
Baptismal vows to love and serve God.

Strategies
• Accept God's invitation to personal conversion, to know and love Jesus as
Lord and Savior.
• Pray daily for the grace and power of the Holy Spirit to be more of a disciple
of Jesus Christ by growing in faith, hope, and love.
• Pray daily for the spread of the Gospel and for all of the disciples of Jesus,
especially the Church's official ministers and our Cardinal Archbishop.
• Develop a mindset of "being sent" to share the Good News with everyone.
• Write a personal mission statement in light of evangelization and discipleship.
• Renew your Baptismal Promises on a regular basis (daily if possible) as a sign
of your commitment to discipleship and evangelization.
• Take a personal inventory on a regular basis (daily) by examining your
conscience, your intentions, and your actions.
• Create a daily plan to evangelize by being "intentional" in what you say and do.
• Witness to the Gospel and to Jesus Christ by living as a faithful, practicing
Catholic.
• Support the Church by exercising Gospel stewardship of personal time, talent,
and treasure.

Visible Signs

• I have a sense of personal mission and of "being sent."

• I am volunteering for church programs, ministries, and outreach.
• My witness of being Catholic is noticed at home, in the parish, and in
the neighborhood.
6
GO FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD
AND ONE ANOTHER EXERCISE: PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT

Renew Your Baptismal Vows The first step in evangelizing is making a commitment to evangelize. See yourself
I reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God's children. as a disciple who believes, shares and transforms. Take a few moments to write
I reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin. your own mission statement:
I reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I am a believer in Jesus Christ because…(How has the Lord become present in
my life?)
I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, our Lord, who was born of
the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the
dead and is now seated with the Father.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion
of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.

I show how I follow Jesus through…

Light Your Taper from the Easter Candle

Blessing

Evangelization Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of all people with the fire of Your Love.
I share my faith through…
May all accept Your invitation to know and love Jesus as Lord and Savior
Fill this Archdiocese with people who welcome and invite others to share in the
Catholic faith.

Fill our Cardinal, our bishops and priests, deacons and lay ministers with wisdom
and courage to live and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Fill all parish and agency staff with Your power to evangelize those whom they As a servant of Christ, I serve others through…
serve.
Fill all consecrated men and women and all lay people with the grace to become
and make disciples of Jesus through prayer, work, and daily living.
May the holy fire of Your love transform our society according to the Gospel.
Come Holy Spirit! With the Father and the Son, You are worshiped and glorified I commit myself to great discipleship through…
forever and ever. Amen.

14 7
PERSONAL OBJECTIVE TWO : BELIEVE EXERCISE: ADDING FUEL TO THE HOLY FIRE

Commit Believe

As a Catholic, I
will respond to God's grace
to grow in personal holiness by Name at least one personal action
deepening my personal relationship with Jesus and you can take on a consistent basis
His Church.
Strategies to bring about transformation
• Actively participate in the Sunday Eucharist on a regular basis.
in the following areas:
• Try to share in the Eucharist more often than Sunday.
• Cultivate a daily practice of personal prayer and conversation with God.
• Actively celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a part of your spiritual life.
Kindling Action
• Encourage family members to participate in celebrating the Sacramental Life
of the Church, especially the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Family
• Develop a deeper appreciation for the Sacred Scriptures by reading and
reflecting upon them on a regular basis, especially the readings of the liturgical day. Parish

• Participate in faith-sharing prayer and other spiritual formation events like

Neighborhood
retreats, parish missions, days of reflection, and the like.
• Join in a small faith-sharing group or small Christian community to share Community
prayer, faith, and Scripture.
Workplace
• Study and reflect upon the rich heritage and teachings of the Catholic Church
as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church or other such
Education/School
documents and share them with others.
• Develop a daily, personal spiritual regimen; e.g., morning and evening prayers, Politics
prayer before meals, examination of conscience, Scripture reading, personal
devotions, Mass, etc. Arts/Entertainment

Visible Signs
Social Justice
• I actively and regularly participate in the celebration of the sacramental life of
the Church, especially the Holy Eucharist. Use of the media

• I am enthusiastic about being Catholic. Other

• I am alive with an informed faith, a vibrant hope for the coming of God's
Reign, and a joyful love of God. I experience/witness to God's presence. 13
PERSONAL OBJECTIVE FOUR: TRANSFORM
Commit Believe
As a Catholic, I will participate in the
transformation of society and culture by living
Share Transform
and proclaiming the Gospel of Life.
Strategies
• Develop a deeper gratitude and practice of sacrificial love in families to mirror
the love of Christ and strengthen the domestic church.
• Seek out opportunities to witness to Christ through social programs and
church-sponsored outreach ministries.
• Exercise political rights in accord with Gospel and Catholic values by voting,
campaigning, and becoming involved in the political process to shape a political
environment based on Gospel values of respect for the dignity of the human
person.
• Discern and practice the wise use of those contemporary media which affirm
human life and Gospel values, including reading materials and viewing
programs that are in accord with Catholic values and beliefs.
• Develop an appreciation of the arts and their messages in order to hear the
signs of the times and discern the Holy Spirit's voice calling for transformation.
• Develop and practice a spirituality of work so that all employers and
employees are transformed by just labor relationships.
• Practice faith by witnessing to the Gospel in all areas of your daily life including
family, neighborhood, workplace, politics, the arts, the sciences, media, and
other areas.
• Work in your neighborhood, parish, and home to foster cultural diversity
and racial justice.
• Be involved in parish and local service groups in your neighborhood which
serve the needs of the neighborhood.
• Study and reflect upon the social teachings of the Church.
Visible Signs
• I am involved in putting into practice the social teachings of the Church.
• I am transformed in my personal life as I am affected by the power of the Gospel.
• I have transforming relations at home, work, neighborhood, and parish.
12
EXERCISE: MY PERSONAL "BELIEVE" INVENTORY
Mark down each statement with A (always); O (often); S (sometimes); R (rarely)
or N (never.)
___I actively participate in the Sunday Eucharist on a regular basis.
___I try to share in the Eucharist more often than Sunday.
___I cultivate a daily practice of personal prayer and conversation with God.
___I actively celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a part of your spiritual life.
___I encourage family members to participate in celebrating the Sacramental Life
of the Church, especially the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
___I develop a deeper appreciation for the Sacred Scriptures by reading and
reflecting upon them on a regular basis, especially the readings of the
liturgical day.
___I participate in faith-sharing prayer and other spiritual formation events like
retreats, parish missions, days of reflection, and the like.
___I join in a small faith-sharing group or small Christian community to share
prayer, faith, and Scripture.
___I study and reflect upon the rich heritage and teachings of the Catholic Church
as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church or other such
documents and share them with others.
___I have a daily, personal spiritual regimen; e.g., morning and evening prayers,
prayer before meals, examination of conscience, Scripture reading, personal
devotions, Mass, etc.
Visible Signs
___I actively and regularly participate in the celebration of the sacramental life of
the Church, especially the Holy Eucharist.
___I am enthusiastic about being Catholic.
___I am alive with an informed faith, a vibrant hope for the coming of God's
Reign, and a joyful love of God.
9
PERSONAL OBJECTIVE THREE: SHARE EXERCISE: THE POWER OF PERSONAL WITNESS

Commit Believe As a Catholic, I will reach out to share the Each one of us has become a disciple of Jesus because someone shared his

Share Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone or her faith with us. Identify one person who has touched your life with God's
presence. Write down the answers to these questions and share the answers
and especially newcomers, inactive Catholics, the with your small group.
marginalized, and the unchurched.
Who has touched my life with their example of faith?
Strategies
• Become a sharing person who freely witnesses to the Catholic Faith and
recount personal experiences openly with others.
• Invite a new parishioner, neighbor, or friend to dinner or a social event to
build a friendship based on Christ's love.
• Visit a new parishioner or neighbor in his or her home to build community
and communion. What is his/her relationship to me?
• Become a minister of care and bring Holy Communion to the homebound
and hospitalized.
• Practice hospitality in the parish, in the neighborhood, in the workplace by
listening, encouraging, affirming, and celebrating others.
• Develop a welcoming atmosphere at home by being present for family meals
and other family celebrations and special occasions.
Why did they reach out to me to touch my life?
• Celebrate the diversity and faith of people from different ethnic and cultural
backgrounds by sharing stories and entering into conversation and dialogue.
• Reach out and welcome Catholics who have become inactive in the practice of
their faith by listening to their stories and inviting them, when ready, to return
to active participation in the Church.
• Know the outreach ministries of the parish and invite fellow parishioners,
friends and family members to enroll in outreach sessions.
Whose life can I touch through my faith? How would I do that?
• Witness the Gospel to the unchurched and to those who have never heard of
Christ and His Church by word and deed so that they may come to know of
God's love for them.
Visible Signs
• I invite inactive Catholics to return to the practice of their faith.
• I express a joyful spirit of hospitality.
• I live out the paradigm shift of the Second Vatican Council by being focused
on outreach to all and not just to practicing Catholics.
10 11