www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization What are essential elements in Evangelization?

I'm happy for the Priest who is building his buildings etc.

Do his parishioners know the catechism? Or are they like the rest of Americsn Catholics who vote for Pro Abortion candidates like Kathleen Sebelius (who says she is Cstholic).

Whst is Cstholic? Eastern Catholic orthodoxy? Orthodoxy? if you don't prsctice it.

From what I've seen of most Catholic schools - it's a prestige thing and most of the graduates leave the school with very little fsith - make that catholic univerities also.

Interesting point, in light of this morning mass's reflection: Christian is, as Christian does.

This is an insightful article on people leaving the Church, giving valuable advice regarding evangelization direction. The statistics are from the NY diocese, but its indicative of our society as a whole.
Reasons for leaving the Church [cny.org]

The statistics are stated; the solutions are subject to much prayer and fasting.

Fr Deacon Paul

What drew me from Protestantism to Eastern Christianity was the authenticity of our witness. The temple was proper. Incense was used. Sermons are challenging both emotionally and intellectually. The Eucharist is respected and offered. Of course, it helped that I have graduate degrees in Patristic studies. Still, despite the fact that integrity doesn't count for much with many people, feelings having replaced it, I still think this is the most vital part of our Church and must not be thrown away. If we have lost it we need to reclaim it.

There's always a lot of discussion about evangelization as it pertains to acquiring new members. But too often little thought is given to how to keep the members a parish already has. And in some cases, no thought at all as to what to do when a member leaves. Christ left the 99 and went in search of the lost sheep. In my experience, the clergy don't seem to care, but say, "So be it."

Sophia means "wisdom." Indeed there is much wisdom in your post.
The subject is touched upon in the article; quoting Cardinal Dolan from the article:

But I wonder if another group is most somber of all: this is the big percent that tell us they left the Church not so much because of any particular beef with Catholicism, or because they found another congregation more tantalizing, but because they do not see the need for any religion at all!

These are the ones who claim that they believe but could care less about belonging. They’re “spiritual” but not religious, they tell us.

Some of them detest “organized religion.” Others tolerate it, as long as it makes no mark on public life. Then another group shrugs and could care less.

Scholars a lot smarter than I’ll ever be are asking if this is perilous—obviously for the Church—but also for America.

Because at the heart of the noble American project is a recognition that religion is essential for a virtuous democracy and the promotion of the common good.

At our meeting in Atlanta last month, we bishops spent a lot of time on religious freedom, here at home and internationally.

The President of the Catholic University of America, himself a constitutional lawyer and former dean of the law school at Boston College, Mr. John Garvey, got us thinking when he observed that the real threat to religious liberty in America was not so much from Republicans or Democrats, as much as from a developing sentiment in American life that religion itself is silly, unnecessary, superstitious, a waste of time, boring. If one could care less about religion, Mr. Garvey concluded, well, one can hardly be expected to defend the freedom to exercise it.

And, if that’s the case, look out: Because, not only will the Church be hurt, but so will our country. He has obviously been reading the same statistics I have!