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EVANGELISATION is a priority mission for the Church, Pope Francis told a mass gathering of members of the Neocatechumenal Way, including about 500 Australians, to mark the 50th anniversary of the group’s arrival in Rome.
“It is easier to stay home,” Pope Francis told 150,000 people at the Tor Vergata university campus on the outskirts of Rome on May 5, but this “is not the way of Jesus”, who sends out his disciples with the word, “Go!”
“Go. The mission demands that we leave,” Pope Francis urged the rally.
“Go. A powerful call that resonates in every corner of Christian life; a clear invitation always to be outbound, pilgrims in the world in the search for the brother who still does not know the joy of God’s love.”
On stage with cardinals and bishops from around the world, Pope Francis described the charism of the Neocatechumenal Way as “a great gift from God for the Church of our time”.
Faithful from 135 countries were present, including the hundreds of cheering Australians, waving national flags and applauding the Pope’s message.
“The atmosphere at the meeting was wonderful – very relaxed and joyful,” Fr Anthony Trafford, one of the national “Responsibles” for the Neocatechumenal Way in Australia, said.
“We are very pleased at what the Pope said – it gives us great joy.”
The Neocatechumenal Way is a Catholic community founded in 1964 in Madrid by Spanish artist Kiko Argüello, dedicated to post and pre-baptismal formation of Christians, based on the Word of God, the Eucharist and the Christian community.
The “Way” engages families who through their witness and life serve to establish the presence of the Church in countries where the Church is absent or tiny, or to revive and strengthen the presence of Catholic communities in difficult and highly secularised areas.
About 40,000 parish-based communities have grown worldwide, and there are about 70 communities in 13 dioceses across Australia.
Among the Australian contingent in Rome were scores of young Catholics and families from every capital.
During the encounter, Pope Francis blessed and handed out crosses to the leaders of 34 new “missio ad gentes”, which are groups made up of families and a priest sent to live in various parts of the world to evangelise the local community through what they call an “itinerant church”.
He said when a missionary went out, he left with “only the baggage of trust” in the poor Jesus who did not have anywhere to lay His head.
“To go, you must be light. To proclaim, it is necessary to renounce,” the Pope told the mass gathering, stressing that a heart freed of attachments broadens and becomes available to God and to others.
One who renounced transitory things out of love, embraced the great treasure of freedom, he said.
Pope Francis also pointed out the important role and vocation of the family, which had in its “DNA” the ability to bring a family atmosphere into “so many desolate and unconcerned places”.
“Following the example of the Holy Family: in humility, simplicity, and praise … let yourselves be recognised as the friends of Jesus,” he said.
Neocatechumenal communities across Australia also gathered to celebrate the Pope’s address streamed live on the internet.
At Loganholme, south-east of Brisbane, a big-screen event hosted by parish priest Fr Rodrigo Tomala turned into a celebration for about 100 people in St Matthew’s Church hall.
“For me, my experience is that the Neocatechumenal experience has floated my boat, and so I am happy to be celebrating – because this is the way God used to give me hope, to experience salvation,” Fr Tomala said.
In the Loganholme crowd, Johanne Keys and her husband Richard joined the community in Melbourne’s St Luke’s parish of Lalor 40 years ago and have been a missionary family in Darwin and Brisbane.
“If somebody had said to me that we would be going on mission, I would have said that it was definitely not in my plan and certainly wouldn’t happen,” Mrs Keys said.
“But God’s done a history with me and I see everything that he’s done has been good.”
In living out the mission, Pope Francis also encouraged detachment from material things, which he said were only burdens keeping people from true freedom in Christ.
“Only a Church that renounces the world announces the Lord well,” he said. “Only a Church freed from power and money, free from triumphalism and clericalism, testifies in a credible way that Christ liberates man.”
The person who through love “learns to renounce the things that pass, embraces this great treasure: freedom”, he said.
Pope Francis praised the relevance of Neocatechumenal Way.
“Dear brothers and sisters, your charism is a great gift from God for the Church of our time. Let us thank the Lord for these fifty years,” he said.
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| Pilgrims on the way: Brisbane youths, members of Neocatechumenal communities, on pilgrimage in Italy before meeting Pope Francis in Rome. |
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| Papal gathering: Neocatechumenal Way catechist for Australia, Toto Piccolo, Maroubra parish priest Fr John Hayes and Brisbane doctor Alison Bignell. |
"Go!" One simple word that Pope Francis urges the brothers to do - Go! Go and announce to those who need to hear a word of encouragement. How? By sharing one's personal experience of God working in their life. We do not worry so much about what and how we will speak. Because Jesus said in Matthew 10:19-20 "...do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
ReplyDeleteDear Chelu Peskadot, Archbishop Byrnes had to suspend home evangelization of 2 x 2 NCW teams, because the lay people who do this might not have the qualification. Talking aboutthe Holy Scripture is a responsible task that require some level of knowledge of theology and biblical principles.
DeleteEven some seminarians in RMS did not measure up in biblical knowledge to be able to function in sustainable evangelization. RMS had to close because it was not sustainable for a small island like Guam.
So I ask you if you go out to announce the Word of Jesus to the pagans, then please at least know it correctly what our Lord proclaimed about the true living God to His followers during His earthly ministry.
Dear Anonymous at 1:20 pm,
DeleteThe catechists are very qualified. Do you know why? Because they have the approved Catechetical Directory to follow and a priest in the catechist team to guide them. They also have the approved statutes as to how the catechists are to be selected.
If Archbishop Byrnes is so concern about qualification, then he should suspend the majority of the CCD teachers in all the parishes since most of them are not even certified.
As for evangelized, that is so simple. Evangelization has nothing to do with teaching scripture or doctrines. The Pope tells EVERYONE to GO because in evangelization means to spread the goid news that God loves you and Christ rose from the dead.
Who certifies the CCD teachers. What qualifications do they have to obtain? I think your argument between a catechist and a CCD teacher is weak. Peace.
Delete@120pm
DeleteThe apostles were pretty ignorant themselves. So much so that St. Peter made mistakes repeatedly and St. Paul corrected him. AND he writes in one of his letters that what St. Paul says is hard to understand but invites to listen to it anyways. St Thomas aquinas says you don’t need to know much to be a saint. So many saints were simple people with sins and imperfections who just announced Christ.
The apostles announced that they were witnesses of the resurrection. Every Christian is called to do the same. If you call yourself a Christian then by definition you have a mandate to evangelize. If you do not do it then you are disobeying the last thing that Christ told Christians to do before he ascended. And if you put obstacles to people who do fulfill the mandate you are an enemy of Christ.
People who go 2x2 only announce the love of Christ by saying that they are witnesses of the resurrection in their lives. If you want to be like the scribes and Pharisees and put them in jail for it or shut them up, feel free to do it but don’t call yourself catholic or Christian. Call yourself what you are, an enemy of God. It has happened before. Indeed Christ said it would happen. “They will through you out of the synagogues and temples” persecution is proof that what the way does is from God. Every person called to be a saint is persecuted. Think of st. Therese’s of lisioux superior, st Alphonsus if liguori’s congregation, St. John of the cross’ religious brothers, Fr. Damien’s bishops, st. Elizabeth of the trinity’s Religious sisters, st. Charles Borromeo priests, padre Pio’s superiors, st. Bernadette’s mother superior, and the list goes on and on. I just picked these examples to show that the persecution comes from within the church not just from without.
Just careful you are not numbered amongst the persecutors.
NB
Dear 5EE445,
DeleteThe CCD teachers are volunteers and uncertified. The CCD teachers are also called catechists.
I am sorry Diana, but that is not what I said. I said lay people who have no formal education. The bishop wants you to be qualified by ecclesial exam, otherwise you lead your audience astray.
DeleteWhat does it mean if you have a book? It means nothing. You don't even know what is in the book, do you? Jesus has never announced the Good News from book. He knew it by heart. There is not even a directory approved. This is misleading information or myth. Vatican has never approved any directory. There is no authorized Vatican edition in circulation as far as anyone can say. I have my CCC that was authorized by Vatican theologians. What Vatican approved was not the directory but a dictionary that is a completely different thing.
Lay people who evangelize are not sustainable, because there are no pagans in Italy anymore or in Guam. There are only Christians who know more of the Bible than uneducated lay people. The bishop said what he said because he tested lay folks who claim to evangelize and they failed. Evangelization is a serious business that cannot be done in the spur of the moment. These people don't know that the Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus Christ and not sent gambling or lottery! Jesus Christ is neither gamble nor lottery, He is the assurance of salvation. That is why your lay people are not supposed to talk about the Bible publicly. Chamorro hymns and psalmody are subtle music, very beautiful to listen to and sing. You should sing it locally. Why don’t you do?
The same goes with RMS priests who are not truly priests but "presbyters". An NCW member told me. What does it mean? A presbyter only presides over the assembly but knows nothing how to evangelize. He is not authorized by the Holy See or the Holy Spirit to speak in the name of Jesus or in the name of the bishop.
It is different from charismatic renewal who follow charismatic Christianity by the book. That’s why lay folks should read the Bible first. What the pope says comes only afterwards, when you are already tested sustainable from biblical Scripture and Church literature.
Criminals are also persecuted.
Delete"The apostles announced that they were witnesses of the resurrection."
DeleteI am sorry to disappoint dear NB, but you cannot claim to see what the apostles have seen. Resurrection is a very sophisticated concept. We are the church, the body of Christ. This is the so-called Kingdom of the Father, at least Jesus Christ said that.
He said we all have a seat in the Kingdom of His Father, who is the head of the Holy Trinity God. Yes, nobody is left out, only those who chose to hate God and turn away from salvation by their own choice. These people are excommunicated or never even admitted to the Holy Catholic Mother Church. So we keep our house clean as it fits for a kingdom and for the the King, who is Jesus our Savior.
God resurrected the dead in us, in our very bodies, the Catholic Church that is led by the vicar of Christ, Pope Francis. Pope Francis says we are witnesses that it is truly the church of Jesus and nobody else. That is my witness for Him who is the only Savior, the way, the truth and the life. The body of Christ has a life in our bodies in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist which is in turn the consubtantiation itself! You cannot take communion without sincerely confessing and abandoning your sinfulness. Otherwise you are a soldier of the enemy. This is the holy mystery of resurrection in a nutshell.
So please, tell me that you are a witness of all this and I will appreciate your testimony.
Dear Anonymous at 3:49 pm,
DeleteWell, I am sorry, but CCD teachers are also lay people with no certification or formal education in theology. Archbishop Byrnes is simply targeting the NCW. Also, you were misinformed. The Holy See approved the Catechetical Directory, which it is used for its catechesis, and a priest is always present when the team gives the catechesis. The priest also prepares with the team before giving the catechesis.
Furthermore, what makes you think the NCW does not read scripture? Do you not know that every week the NCW has celebration of the word? The celebration of the word consist of reading and studying the Bible.
"Lay people who evangelize are not sustainable".
DeleteSo who sustains missionaries and families in mission who give their lives to evangelize? To uproot themselves from their home country and plant themselves in places they have never been before? To live and work in their new homeland for years?
God provides!
Matthew 6:31-34 "So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."
And as I quoted in my earlier comment:
Matthew 10:19-20 "...do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Do we need to be certified? Do we need to pass an exam?
Pope Francis said "Go!" Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
It’s funny how this anonymous says that we don’t know scripture. If you read his/her posts they are incoherent rantings without one biblical reference. Or one catechism reference.
DeleteInstead chelu, Diana,I, and many others, all quote from scripture and the catechism. Who is the ignorant party? Who is it that has no formation?
Anonymous @120, @349, @406,
I cannot answer what you wrote because it is incoherent drivel. the sentences are not just grammatically incoherent but also their topics are unclear unfocused and untrue. You do not explain catholic doctrine but the fantasies of your ignorance. You are in the worst possible position because you say you know but you don’t. And so no one can help you and no dialogue is possible. Like you really don’t know. Others on this blog that I’ve argued with at least had some idea but you really don’t.
And the tragedy is that you would rather that others be as ignorant about our faith as you than to receive light and understanding. Jesus answered people in your situation. Read what he told the Pharisees in the gospel of john chapter 9 at the very end of the chapter.
NB
The church on Guam is not equipped to prepare anyone for evangelization of the Good News. God is Alive! He Loves You!
DeleteAny training/workshop/certification/enrichment that is conducted by the chancery is focused only on Teaching Catholic Doctrine in a classroom setting for youth and adults who are in need of the sacraments later in life.
If the Archbishop were to require "catechists" of the NCW to participate in any course hosted by the chancery, it would not be applicable for the "NCW catechist". What the "NCW catechists" encounter in the 2x2s is of a totally different setting. Many times, broken marriages, addicts, non-christians, atheists, those on the verge of suicide are what is encountered on the other side of the home door. Not your average child whos dropped off for CCD or a teenager who is getting away from the house or an adult couple wanting to get married.
What is Catholic Doctrine, Scriptural familiarity, or even the Sacraments if the "believer" does not believe? How many of us have yet to receive the Good News?
I really dont care to bring this up but a classic example is what we have to come to hear about recently, "A "strong Catholic indoctrinated' family now battling it out in the divorce courts."
What went wrong there? What did they not receive?
The NCW Catechesis cannot be compared to CCD or a theology course. It is far simpler, The Good News.
God is Alive and He LOVES YOU!
This is all we want to spread and it is no surprise that there is so much resistance.
The irony that we debate EVANGELIZATION on the Feast of Pentecost.
Pas!
-Jokers Wild
No criminals are not PERsecuted, they are PROsecuted.
DeleteDavid Sablan, you should go out 2x2 and show that you are a Christian, not a hypocrite. What is big deal in knocking on the door and talking them about my God who loves me and loves you?! Don't you believe in the love of God? Now, I see the problem, Dave. You don't believe in a loving God, therefore you cannot even go out 2x2 to share the Good News of Jesus Christ of same love with the needy. You are a hopelessly egoistic, selfish man, David Sablan!
DeleteOkay, here is the Bible quote:
Delete7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance." Luke 3
1st: If you don't repent, you are not a Christian. Once you repent, you overcome original sin and sinful nature. If you don't repent, God will hold you accountable for not deserving His love. NCW does not know about repentance and keeps its followers in a state of sinfulness.
2nd: The wrath to come is the anger of God. He won't have mercy for the broods of vipers who do not repent. Either you cease being sinful by repentance or you won't experience the love of God.
33 You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? Matt 23
DeleteBrood of vipers cannot. There is a condition for being saved. There is a condition for the love of God. Very simple: repent! If you don't comply, you'll fall out.
21 For the Lord comes out from his place
to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;
the earth will disclose the blood shed on it,
and will no longer cover its slain. Isa 26
"They are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 Then he said ... 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.”
1st: Whoever wants to teach cannot be blind, because he will lead the other blind to the pit. This means without proper education a lay person cannot go out and proclaim Jesus. First, open your eyes from blindness before you want to lead.
2nd: Compliance with the Catholic faith comes from adherence to doctrines. Only the Catholic Church can interpret the Bible. You cannot source out evangelization for private business.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth. Ps 119
a priest once asked; how do we get rid of the pigeons at the church and social hall.
Deleteeasy Father I replied; send them to 1st Holy Communion and after that, we'll never see them again.
Father of course didn't like that Chamorro humor but that is in fact the reality of church volunteers who are designated "catehist".
they may know the curriculum but the parish priest is very generous with the spiritual qualifications to be a real catehist.
guess what!!! the pigeons are still there
1. Wrong. Your premise is wrong. You say: “once you repent you overcome original sin and sinful nature” wrong. That is heresy. You will never overcome your sinful nature. You can receive the spiritual nature of Christ who will act in you to do works of eternal life i.e. good fruits, but you cannot do good on your own. That is called pelagianism. I have already spoken about pelagianism here so I won’t repeat myself. However if you are interested the congregation for the faith has just published a letter speaking about the 2 big heresies that are in the Catholic Church today: neo-pelagianism and Gnosticism. Don’t accuse ncw of ignorance when you don’t know what you believe yourself.
Delete2. I’m not sure what you mean when you say evangelization cannot be farmed out. Who is farming out evengelation to whom? All Christians MUST evengelize. But just so that you understand that the church stands behind the missionary activities of the NCW know that pope paul VI, St. John paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis all made a point to meet the initiators of the NCW ti understand what the NCW is and what it does. And all the popes starting with jp2 to Francis have personally sent members of communities to other parts of the world to evangelize the world through the NCW by creating more communities who in turn will evangelization But you don’t recognize the authority of the pope right? You follow benavente-Rohr. Explain what the pope said on May 5 “dear brothers and sisters, your charisms is a great gift of God for the church...go and make disciples of all nation and fulfill the mandate of Christ.” You who pontificate about adherence to church doctrine, obey the pope.
Conclusion, don’t misinterpret the gospel to fit your agenda. The blood of vipers quote is directed to Pharisees who have no intention of converting or repenting as you call it, and do not want to change their lives. In other words, you are wrong and don’t want to admit it because your agenda doesn’t let you. Like the Pharisees you want to destroy the work of god: dont.
NB
Dear NB, I read your enlightening clarifications with delight. I knew that David Sablan or who he is was not right. He talks like with authority but he is very much not right! Now I understand that pelagianism is the problem. You explained it so clear! But they don't know what it is, this makes it even worse. Because this is a heresy saying that you can overcome being sinner who you are! Who would say you are not a sinner knowing the pelagian is heresy? It is wrong! You cannot do anything w/o Jesus that is why we badly need him in every moment of my life. It would be great if Sablan and CCOG would take this message to their heart and stop being such heretics already.
DeleteHere you go David Sablan.
DeleteDavid Sablan, Rosie Blas, Cecile Suda and Roland Selvidge will be on trial together.
The ex-members of the board were charged in a criminal complaint filed in July last year. They all face misdemeanor charges, with most levied against Sablan, who was chairman at the time of the alleged incidents.
https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2018/05/23/october-trial-ex-ghura-board-case-alleged-illegal-meetings/635339002/
Dear NB, I don't remember what was told about Pelaginism. The blind who is leading the blind into pit are unprepared teams that act without proper background and qualification. As Catholics we need to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ who is only worthy of your devotion. The coming wrath is the fury of the Father for those who don't repent.
DeleteWhen we eat the Bread of Holy Communion, we come to the Lord and never be hungry. He is living in our body cells as Jesus. When we repent with a contrite heart, and promise God to sin no more, we overcome sin by His power given in the Holy Sacrament.
Holy Communion assures that whatever we do, we don't do it without Jesus. We should not refuse the graces of our Lord in the Eucharist and deny the victory of Jesus over the sinful nature of the unbaptized. This is the Holy Communion.
The drama of Passion of our Savior is relived during Sunday mass assemblies. You see tears of weeping hearts repenting in face of divine love that is flowing from proper confession. You have to repent and call on His name in anguish and sorrow. He is consolation to mourning hearts of those suffering with the Lord.
Anonymous who rambles heresies is not David Sablan. This anonymous has no clue what he is talking about. Sablan is very aware of what he says and does.
DeleteI will not answer you anymore anonymous. I have now shown you how your belief if not catholic but heretical and provided references for you to go and learn about the faith. You dismiss these “I don’t remember what was told about Pelagianism.” Since you do not care about what the church really says and is, but instead prefer your religious delusions, I stop here and will cast no more pearls at you.
NB
Dear anonymous at @ 3:49 or Iam guessing who you are David Sablan how is your court case going why are you talking when you should just shut up
ReplyDeleteccg....Sablan....go out and proclaim GOSPEL....GO AND PROCLAIM MY WORD.
ReplyDeleteFrom today's Gospel for Pentecost, John 20:21-22 "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the holy Spirit...'"
ReplyDeleteOn this day, the birth of our Catholic Church, Jesus gives us his peace and Holy Spirit. With this, Jesus sends us.
Sends us to do what?
As Joker's Wild said to proclaim the "Good News! God is Alive and He LOVES YOU!"
And as J. Bautista said "go out and proclaim GOSPEL....GO AND PROCLAIM MY WORD."
People do not hear this enough that 'God loves you!' We do not hear this enough that out of God's love and mercy for us, God sent his son Jesus.
In Father Karl Vila's homily this Pentecost weekend, he said that at Christmas, God sent Jesus to be "with us". That at Easter, Jesus offered himself on the Cross and died "for us". And that at Pentecost, Jesus' Holy Spirit was sent to dwell "in us".
So mindful of God's love and mercy for us, and the gift of the Holy Spirit in us, we proclaim the Good News! God loves you!
Peace be with you!
The Church has used the gift of the tongue during Pentecost. Always proclaiming, talking, action, fixing the problems. Maybe it is time for the Church to listen more and embrace the gift of the ear that was also given by the Spirit during Pentecost.
DeleteAnonymousMay 19, 2018 at 3:49 PM. there is no pagan in Italy or Guam? Have you been to Italy lately??? Were young couples in the park publicly make out in public (Explicitly). Some suffers in the street (Drugs) despite the country has a deep Christian history. In Guam were many suffers, a couple months ago a 82 year old man in Chalan Pago shot himself with a double barrel shot gun. No Pagan in Italy and Guam?
ReplyDeleteYes baptist Christian (Catholic). But we still need a reminder that GOD exist through suffering. The uneducated, no authority cathechist brought me back to the Church! Revive my marriage from the brink of divorce. You don't know what this charism have done for me and my marriage.
If you believe the mechanical and systematic way Christianity that you believe. More power to you... For those who suffers, you cannot tell them to go to Church and everything is fix. For the one who goes to Church and worship, you need faith where you saw GOD who exist in your suffering.
Luis L. Carino - Espana