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What is "Go Make Disciples"?
This exciting diocesan intiative, focusing on evangelization, will shape our parishes for the future.
On Pentecost Sunday 2020, the Diocese of Madison officially began this initiative, "Go Make Disciples."
The basis for the initiative is individuals re-committing to growing in personal holiness. From there, parishioners are called and supported to invite those they know into a life-changing relationship with Jesus.
There are four parts to this intiative that build on each other:
1. Leadership Formation. Completed Easter 2021.
2. Seeking Holiness. Began Advent 2021.
3. Creating Parish Plans. Finalized Thanksgiving 2021.
4. Implementing the Parish Plan. By Thanksgiving 2022.
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Want to get involved?
If you have questions or want to be an active part of parish efforts, please connect with Laura Angle, the Coordinator of Evangelization and Parish Outreach, in the parish office at 608-831-6531.
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Seek Holiness
Goals and objectives as stated by the diocese
To equip the active and engaged members of our parishes for the work of missionary discipleship by:
1. Growing in holiness for the sake of being authentic witnesses of the transforming power of the Gospel by:
- Daily prayer
- Sunday Eucharist
- Monthly confession
- Friday penance
2. Acquiring the confidence and competence to speak to others about Jesus Christ through:
- Building authentic Christian relationships
- Sharing the story of the Gospel
- Giving testimony to the life-changing power of the Gospel
- Inviting others to encounter the person of Jesus Christ, especially in the Eucharist and the Mass
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St. Bernard's plans for Go Make DisciplesBelow are parish plans each quarter to help parishioners seek holiness and talk about Jesus.
Year-long initiatives:
Monthly staff formation and prayer
Weekly mass intentions
Monthly Hour with Jesus
Social media catechesis and connection -
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Q4 2021Disciple Maker Index (DMI) survey (10/14-11/22)
- To gauge parishioners' current discipleship
Sharing the Faith at Thanksgiving (11/18)- To equip us to draw loved ones to Christ
Return book group (12/9-1/27)- To dive into strategies for drawing loved ones back to Christ
Advent small group (12/1-12/22)- To increase fellowship and devotion during Advent
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Q1 2022Review DMI survey results
- To inform the parish's future direction in discipleship
Form Seven Sisters Apostolate- To support Fr. Brian in his leadership of the parish through prayer
Form Parish Life Commission- To coordinate and direct efforts in building community and outreach
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass small group (2/3-3/3)- To better appreciate the Mass and its Biblical roots
Life Is Messy book discussion (2/5)- To draw us together in community around a shared enrichment of faith
Taking Prayer Deeper mission night (3/1)- To teach us how to enhance our prayer
Lenten small groups (3/2-4/16)- To increase fellowship and devotion during Lent
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Q2 2022Reach More training group
- To equip us for our mission as baptized members of the Church
Outreach Workshop mission night (5/17)- To teach us how to share our faith
Teaching Mass- To enlighten us on the structure and symbols of the Mass
NextStep discipleship habits- To give us practical tools to deepen our spiritual life
Pentecost novena (5/27-6/4)- To ask the Holy Spirit to grace our community
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Q3 2022Witness talks
- To encourage each other through testimonies of faith
Reach More training group- To equip us for our mission as baptized members of the Church
NextStep discipleship habits- To give us practical tools to deepen our spiritual life
Family of Faith year 2- To draw families and youth deeper into the life of faith
...and more to come!
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How can you participate?
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Personal Steps
Work on growing in the holy habits:
- Pray at least 15 minutes every day
- Reclaim Sunday as the Lord's Day
- Receive the sacrament of confession at least monthly
- Practice mortification, especially on Fridays
Get involved:- Check the bulletin for upcoming opportunity details
- Reach out to Laura Angle to talk about what you are looking for or what you want to help with
Walk with those in your life:
- Encounter others where they are
- Give others a window into your faith
- Connect others with answers and resources
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Read Bishop Hying's Letters
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 and June 11 - Go Make Disciples Pastoral Letter
(was originally published in two parts)
May 21 - New evangelization initiative to be launched in the Diocese
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Frequently Asked Questions
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We are in our fourth year of partnership with the Evangelical Catholic 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.
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Is now actually a good time for evangelization?
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 helps us to fully consider and commit to presenting the Gospel with new expression, methods, and ardor in a way that we were previously unable!
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First, make a deeper commitment to seeking personal holiness. Prayerfully consider joining a parish Bible study group or video study. Groups meet for short "seasons", generally 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, offerings are in full compliance with the latest CDC recommendations and any county mandates so groups are doing their part in helping keep each other healthy.
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