A Word on Evangelization

2nd  Sunday of Lent, March 16, 2025

Deacon Mike Meyer

A Word on Evangelization

“Building the Kingdom at Northwest V”

    These past few months have offered me the opportunity to assist at the weekend Masses at all the parishes of Northwest V family of parishes.  All of our parishes have beautiful churches with beautiful liturgies.  Each congregation consists of many families who demonstrate a vibrant faith which they generously share during their participation at mass.  I am so thankful to see so many people of every age participating fully in the sacramental life of the church.  We are truly blessed!

    Each parish has their own individual characteristics and charisms, yet all of them have so many attributes in common with each other.  All have faith-filled liturgical ministers and wonderful committed musicians and music leaders.  When the clergy and ministers look out at the congregations from the sanctuary we see young families in full participation.  All the parishes have many ministry opportunities for the faithful outside of Mass which are led by volunteers and staff.  We have so much to be thankful for!

    That being said, there still remain many people in our communities of faith that are not participating.  Most of us would agree that we ourselves need to grow in our relationship with Jesus and our understanding of our Catholic faith.  This Lent is a great time to make a commitment to share our Catholic faith with at least one other person in an effort to evangelize and build the kingdom of God as Jesus calls each one of us to do.  To share faith with them, to invite them to Mass with us, or to minister to them in a crisis that they are going through.  

    God may be calling us to help organize new ministry opportunities such as Bible studies, or adult faith formation experience.  Or, perhaps God is calling us to step out and go to a Catholic retreat.  Though we have so much, there are so many opportunities for spiritual growth and evangelization.  Lent is such a good time to prayerfully reflect on what we can do to help build the kingdom of God at Northwest V.