Parish Festival BandEvangelization is a standing committee on the Pastoral Council. The Committee represents, encourages, supports, and assists all those who work toward the goals listed in the mission statement in one way or another.

The mission of the Evangelization Committee is to provide resources, programs, and activities that will empower the people at St Michael’s to:

  • Grow in our own faith
  • Live in imitation of Christ and follow the Holy Mother Church’s guidance
  • Share our faith with others
  • Transform our society with the values of Christ

This mission can only be carried out through fervent prayer, by the grace of God, and the help of the Holy Spirit.

 

CONTACTS

David James, Elected Pastoral Council Representative (2014–2015)
Ted Burkhardt, Pastoral Assistant, Adult Faith Formation
Dc. Harbey Santiago, Divorce Recovery Ministry
Tony DeMattia, Kairos – Prison Ministry

 

MINUTES

Evangelization Committee Report January 2018
Evangelization Committee Retreat Planning Minutes January 22 2018
Evangelization Committee Report March 2018
Evangelization Committee Report April 2018 
Evangelization_Committee_Report May 2018
Evangelization_Committee_Report June 2018
Evangelization Committee Report October 2020

ACTIVITIES

TO GROW IN OUR OWN FAITH

Before reaching out to others, we need to know our own faith and know not only about Christ, but know Christ in a personal way. We also need to nurture our faith on a regular basis. Bible studies, small groups faith sharing, faith formation for adults are activities that help us sustain and develop our faith.

TO LIVE IN IMITATION OF CHRIST AND FOLLOW HOLY MOTHER CHURCH’S GUIDANCE

Etymologically, “religion” means “to bind together”. As baptized Christians we enter into a sacred and binding covenant with God Himself. We make a commitment to live and behave according to God’s precepts. Communal family activities, support groups, retreats with life-application themes, age-related focus groups, home-schooling support, single groups, Pre-Cana, Marriage builders and Retrouvaille help to sustain the individual, couples and families to live as disciples of Christ and faithful Catholics in the setting of their everyday life.

TO SHARE OUR FAITH WITH OTHERS

We evangelize by the way we are, and by the way we act: at home, at work, alone or with people. Secure in our identity as Christians, we are missionaries, ambassadors, and behave as sons and daughters of the King of Heaven.  With enthusiasm and joy, we invite fallen-away Catholics to come home.  RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a program specially designed for our friends and family of other faiths.  Some of our members participate in Kairos, prison ministry, and share the good news with the inmates.  St. Michael’s library has resources, books, CDs, DVDs on apologetics. The Newsletter reaches all registered parishioners, even those who do not attend Sunday mass to let them know about the various parish events and activities. The Liturgical Ministry also has a role in reaching out to those new members of our Parish.

TO TRANSFORM OUR SOCIETY WITH THE VALUES OF CHRIST

We are called to bring the good news to the market place and the public square.  The Christian is yeast in the dough of culture, salt of the earth, light to be held high. Respect for Life promotes the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and supports Pregnancy Centers in Howard County by organizing the baby bottle pocket change drive. The Youth participate in the March for Life in Washington DC. Catholics believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. We organize ourselves to oppose policies that are contrary to our faith. We inform the faithful on the issues, and share links to connect to groups at the regional or national levels like the Maryland Catholic Conference. This advocacy network gives updates on public policy issues and provides pre-drafted e-mails to send to lawmakers and other public officials on key issues, such as the Conscience protections in Health Care. The Conscience Cause on Facebook is for those who are on the social network circle. EWTN keeps you current on issues concerning Religious Liberty. Catholics Called to Witness inspires Catholics to live their faith in the public arena.