Pictured here (left):
Supper at Emmaus tapestry. The Road to Emmaus story (Lk 24) is often referred to as the perfect story modeling evangelization.
This exciting diocesan intiative, focusing on evangelization, will shape our parishes for the future. The key to this is through individuals re-committing to growing in personal holiness through daily prayer, asceticism, frequent celebration of the Sacraments, and a renewed commitment to keeping the Sabbath holy.
There will be four parts to this intiative that build on each other:
1. Leadership Formation. Now through Easter 2021.
2. Seeking Holiness
3. Creating Parish Plans
4. Implementing the Parish Plan
If you are interested in specific information on each part, please check out the diocesan webpage.
In the coming months, you will hear much about this intiative through parish emails, the newsletter, within parish groups, through weekend homilies, and through diocesan publications.
On Pentecost Sunday 2020, the Diocese of Madison officially began its evangelization initiative, "Go Make Disciples."
Since then, Bishop Donald J. Hying has been writing about the initiative for the Madison Catholic Herald.
Here is a list of his articles:
Sept 16 - Why attending Mass is so important
Aug 13 - Building a monastery of the heart
July 30 - Pray the Liturgy of the Hours
July 16 - Keeping strong during difficult times
July 2 - Call to a whole new way of life
June 25 - The love of God compels us to evangelize
May 28 & June 11 - Go Make Disciples Pastoral Letter
(was originally published in two parts)
May 21 - New evangelization initiative to be launched in the Diocese
We have entered into our third year of partnership with the EC who serve as consultants to parish staff for designing, forming, and training parish adults ready and willing to commit to living the Gospel in a more intentional way. Our partnership will continue and compliment the diocesan initiative well as we strive to serve as a "school of formation" for individuals living out their baptismal call.
Pope Saint John Paul II called for a New Evangelization which would re-propose the Gospel to those who have heard it before but are currently not living in that manner. JP2 encouraged the church to seek and use a new expression, new methods, and to present the faith with new ardor. Perhaps the global pandemic will force us to fully consider and commit to presenting the Gospel with new expression, methods, and ardor in a way that we were previously unable!
If you like how this sounds or are even unsure yet intrigued, please prayerfully consider joining a parish Bible study group. Groups meet for short "seasons" in the Fall and during Lent. In Lent of 2020, many of our groups were able to pivot from in-person meetings to virtual meetings. Rest assured, there will be offerings in full compliance with the latest CDC recommendations and any county mandates so groups are doing their part in helping keep each other healthy.
Should you have any questions or ideas, please connect with Kevin Sullivan in the parish office (email or 608-829-5879). Kevin has served the parish in the faith formation of middle and high school students for the last eight years and will now work with adults in our efforts of discipleship and evangelization.
For Lent 2021, your Faith Formation team will be sending a weekly email newsletter (on Wednesdays) to those who opt-in. We are trying to craft this resource to be an aid for you and your family/household - whatever that may mean. Some of the parts may be perfect for those of you with school-aged children and other parts will be better suited for empty nesters! The main reason we are crafting this resource is twofold. First, it has been difficult to coordinate faith formation opportunities given the pandemic. Second, with our Diocesan Go Make Disciples initiative, one of the goals is for all Catholics to commit to living Sunday more intentionally. This resource is specifically geared towards families preparing well for Sunday Liturgy and resting with the Lord throughout the rest of the Sabbath. No two families will utilize this resource the same way. Pray about what parts will work well for your family or try something new so we can make little steps in faith during this Lenten Season! Contact Kevin S, Jenna, or Zoe with any questions or comments.