In July we jokingly spoke of sending St. Francis parishioners all around LaSalle County to spread the Gospel as compelled in Jesus’s directive “Go out into the world and spread the Good News” The Committee for Evangelization and Catechesis recognizes that we are not St. Paul or the apostles or modern day TV evangelists or Mormons. We are, however, under the same directive. We are probably called to be more like Mary and Martha, like Peter’s family, like Andrew’s cousins. We will fulfill our evangelistic duty by supporting those more outspoken. The apostles must have had people supporting them in their travels as they evangelized the world. To that end we wish to monetarily support those in position to actively evangelize in words or action. TWICE a year we will have a special collection whose monies will be given by St. Francis to support ministries showing Christian principles. The Ministry will be voted on yearly by YOU. TEAR OFF THE MINISTRY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE YOU VOTE TO RECEIVE 2016 SUPPORT AND PUT IT IN TODAY’S COLLECTION BASKET. The favored ministry will be announced next week.
The 1st special collection will be Nov.28/29.
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Fr. Mike’s African School _____________________
Ottawa Pads ___________________________
Illinois Valley Citizens for Life _________________________
Introductory invitation of the Committee
Hello, I’m John Emmert and I’m here to speak to you about our Parish’s new Ministry of Evangelization and Catechesis.
CATECHESIS is simply learning your faith. You learned catechism as a child. The committee is supposed to find ways for you to refresh what you learned from Sister Mary Agnes in grade school and deepen that knowledge.
Why? You may ask.
So you can effectively evangelize. EVANGELIZATION is spreading the Gospel. Jesus said “Go out into the world and spread the Good News” ……………………When was the last time you did that
Pope Francis and Bishop Jenky are challenging Catholics all over the world to be a part of spreading the message of the Gospel and the beauty of the Catholic faith. Paul was an evangelist. So were Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. So were all the apostles. By the way, most of them were martyred.
So how are we, here at St. Francis, in 21st century Ottawa, supposed to carry out Jesus’ command to evangelize?
Fr. Tony (Kassa) wants to pair you up(2×2) and send you all over LaSalle County, alla Jehovah Witnesses and the Mormons. If they can do it so can we. If you sign up for the committee you can control not only your partner but which areas of the county you will cover. Choose wisely and you might avoid martyrdom on the South Side.
OKAY,OKAY He doesn’t really want to send you door to door spreading the faith and become martyrs. I made that up to see if you were listening.
We do, however, have to find ways to help you in your call to evangelize. That is the purpose of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. Find ways to evangelize.
Please consider volunteering to be a part of this Committee for Evangelization and Catechesis! You can leave your name and contact info on the clip boards at the doors or call the rectory and leave the info with Suzy.
We need your input on HOW to increase your understanding of Catholicism and HOW we are to evangelize in 21st century Ottawa, IL. If the committee doesn’t come up with ideas we might have to revisit the door to door assignments idea of Fr. Tony(Kassa).
After all, Jesus didn’t say “Go into the world and spread the Good News” IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT.
Thank you.
If you are interested in working on this committee you can contact
John Emmert at jte53@yahoo.com or 815-434-2883