Summer 2012 [pdf] - The Mill Hill Missionaries

Opening the Doorof FaithHowcan I share myHow faith? How can Ican I be a ‘Evangelise’?‘missionary’? How can Ispread the GospelPope Benedict has announced a ‘Year ofFaith’, to begin on 11th October 2012(the anniversary of the opening of theSecond Vatican Council), and to endon the Feast of Christ the King on 24thNovember 2013. This year gives us theopportunity to deepen our Faith, tounderstand it better, and to see how wecan be better witnesses of Faith in ourworld.Each of us has a Mission“Each of us has a mission, each of usis called to change the world, to workfor a culture of life, a culture forged bylove and respect for the dignity of eachhuman person. As our Lord tells us, ourlight must shine in the sight of all, sothat seeing our good works, they maygive praise to our heavenly Father.[to the many young people present]...only Jesus knows what ‘definite service’he has in mind for you. Be open to hisvoice resounding in the depths of yourheart: even now his heart is speakingto your heart....Ask our Lord what hehas in mind for you! Ask him for thegenerosity to say ‘yes!’ Do not be afraidto give yourself totally to Jesus. He willgive you the grace you need to fulfilyour vocation.”Pope Benedict at the Hyde Park Vigil,September 2010.Reaching Out: Five ways to reachout in faith:• Conviction: seek to know Jesus as theWay, the Truth, and the Life• Community: be an active member ofa believing community• Witness: your way of living speakslouder than words• Teaching: be more informed aboutthe Gospel message and the Church’steaching• Sacraments: make regular use of theseprecious means of God’s graceCardinal Timothy Dolan’sSeven-point Evangelization Plan:• Keep the quest for God alive: even thosewho resist have an innate longing forthe divine.• “Be not afraid”: be confident withoutbeing triumphalist; let God do the work• The New Evangelization is primarilyabout presenting a Person, whose nameis Jesus.• Yet, Jesus is the Truth, henceevangelization is linked to catechesis.• An evangelist must be a person of joy –someone who smiles.• The New Evangelization is about love– the love of God make concrete inservice.• Martyrdom: there are people sufferingpersecution for their faith; theyencourage us to be brave witnesses.14 15