Evangelization is "bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself".  (Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan & Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States)

Refining and activating this mission of evangelization requires the commitment and unified efforts of all baptized Catholics within a parish.  Creating an evangelization parish on the local level should involve the following collaborative steps:

• Form a pastoral Evangelization Team / Study Group
   

• Team should represent a diverse cross section of the parish and include the pastor, representation from the professional staff, parish council, and others as needed.
   

• Criteria for team membership should include baptized Catholics who are active participants in the celebration of the Eucharist (grounded in Word & Sacrament).  A Team / Study Group consisting of 10-12 members will be more effective than larger groups.
   

• The following Post-Counciliar evangelization resources for Team / Study groups are suggested:
   
  - The Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity (Ad Gentes, Dec. 1965)
   
  - The Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People (Apostolicam Actuositatem, Nov. 1965)
   
  - On Evangelization in the Modern World (Evangelii Nuntiandi, Dec. 1975 Pope Paul VI)
   
  - The Church in America (Ecclesia in America, Jan. 1999 Pope John Paul II)
   
  - Go and Make Disciples, A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Nov. 1992)
   
  - Creating the Evangelizing Parish (F. DeSiano, CSP & K. Boyack, CSP, Paulist Press, New York, 1993)
   
  - Spreading the Holy Fire: A Plan and Study Guide for Catholics Evangelizing in the Archdiocese of Chicago (Archdiocesan Office for Evangelization, Archdiocese of Chicago, 2002)
   
  - For additional resources, click Evangelization Resource Marketplace
   

• Create a parish Vision for evangelization based on the parish mission statement that can be integrated into all facets of the parish, e.g., catechetical programs, ministries, commissions...
   

• Use above resources for assistance, then create a parish plan for evangelization that includes specific objectives and measurable implementation strategies.
   

• Implement the plan.
   

• Calendar a date to assess the plan looking for areas of successes and improvements.
   

• Readjust the plan and strategies as needed for future outreach.
   

 
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