The St. John and St. Paul Collaborative will be formally launched in the summer of 2015. Following is a recently asked question and answer about the new Collaborative:
QUESTION 11: If evangelization is a critical component of the Parish Collaborative Process, what does it mean to be an
evangelizing parish?
Evangelization (reaching out to our brothers and sisters and drawing them more fully to Jesus Christ) is a component of the parish Collaborative Process because evangelization and collaboration are two ways to enable the mission of Christ and the Catholic Church to grow stronger. To make our Catholic community stronger, we need to find ways to welcome our brothers and sisters back to active practice of the faith. Evangelizing parishes exercise what is called “radical hospitality.” They are always mindful of the lost. They pay careful attention to what they look like to people coming through the door for the first time. They make excellent and bold use of social media. They are committed to forming disciples, who in turn form other disciples. They have a strong focus on adult religious experiences, and adult faith formation, especially in small groups. We all know Catholics in Wellesley and elsewhere who have drifted away from the Catholic Church. To make our Catholic community stronger, we need to find ways to welcome our brothers and sisters back to active practice of the faith.
More information can be found on the St. John’s web site (St. John – St. Paul Collaborative News) and on the Archdiocese of Boston Pastoral Planning website (www.disciplesinmission.com)
The Inter Parish Collaborative Team welcomes your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments to: stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com
