Evangelizing means 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. Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World)

Evangelization has both an inward and an outward direction. Inwardly it calls for our continued receiving of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our ongoing conversion both individually and as Church. It nurtures us, makes us grow, and renews us in holiness as God’s people. Outwardly evangelization addresses those who have not heard the Gospel or who, having heard it, have stopped practicing their faith, and those who seek the fullness of faith. It calls us to work for full communion among all who confess Jesus but do not yet realize the unity for which Christ prayed. Pope John Paul Il, in his encyclical on missionary activity, summed up the three objectives of mission: to proclaim the Gospel to all people; to help bring about the reconversion of those who have received the Gospel but live it only nominally; and to deepen the Gospel in the lives of believers. (USCCB)

Evangelization, then, has different implications depending on our relationship to Jesus and his Church. For those of us who practice and live our Catholic faith, it is a call to ongoing growth and renewed conversion. For those who have accepted it only in name, it is a call to re-evangelization. For those who have stopped practicing their faith, it is a call to reconciliation. For children, it is a call to be formed into disciples through the family’s faith life and religious education. For other Christians, it is an invitation to know the fullness of our message. For those who have no faith, it is a call to conversion to know Christ Jesus and thus experience a change to new life with Christ and his Church.

Faith formation involves the lifelong effort of forming people of all ages into witnesses to Christ, opening their hearts to the spiritual transformation given by the Holy Spirit, and sharing the Good News with others by word and action.

As a lifelong process of deepening our understanding of the catholic faith, the Diocese currently offers opportunities that allows children to learn and grow. These are the children’s faith formation which prepares our children and youth for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) wherein interested men and women can explore Catholicism, and make a decision to become a Catholic. The Diocese of Chalan Kanoa need to increase the participation of children and their families and young adults in evangelization and faith formation.