Catholics need to become more comfortable with the word "evangelization," in the view of Rev. John Hurley, executive director of the Secretariat for Evangelization for the U.S. Catholic bishops.
When Catholics hear that word, they often think of Evangelicals and Pentecostals, he added, and imagine they must "go out and knock on doors."
The Paulist priest will help Catholics in the Albany Diocese become more comfortable with evangelization -- and how to do it -- when he serves as the keynote speaker at an in-service day for diocesan and parish leadership titled "Ministry through the Lens of Evangelization."
Catholic evangelization, he said, involves ongoing renewal of one's own faith; fostering a spirit of hospitality, especially towards those who are un-churched or who no longer practice their faith; and allowing faith to have its proper impact on the world through family life and the pursuit of justice and peace.
Catholics need not be concerned about going door to door as evangelists, Father Hurley said, because "the heart of evangelization is bringing people to Christ, and Catholics do that through the Church. The first door we need to knock on is the door to our own hearts."
As for parishes that want to evangelize, Father Hurley said that they "need to ask why are we doing what we are doing. That's essential."
It is easy, he said, for parishes to become bogged down with committees, meetings and commitments. While those are important, it must be clear to parishioners and parish staff why the parish exists in the first place.
Catholics also need to look at the role faith plays in their lives, and then become more comfortable with sharing their faith with their family and friends.
"We don't even talk about faith in our own homes," Father Hurley said, noting that it used to be common for Catholics to have a cross on display in their homes.
When a cross is visible in the home, he said, visitors can feel comfortable asking questions about religion.
(The in-service day, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, will be held March 21, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at St. Clare's Church in Colonie. Registration is required. Call 453-6630.)