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Integrated Evangelization
How to Facilitate the Encounter with Christ
By Msgr. Thomas J. Richter
In this booklet, Msgr. Thomas Richter (former Rector of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit) lays out his vision for evangelization, addressing questions like, “How do Catholic lay people, who love Christ and are already busy people, carry out their God-given mission to bring Christ and the faith to others without becoming busier?” Each lesson in the booklet continues from and builds on the previous one, with the hope of explaining evangelization in a practical and understandable manner.
If you would like copies of the booklet, please contact the Cathedral parish office at 701-223-1033.
"All the data from all the surveys show unequivocally that the knowledge, acceptance, adherence to and practice of the faith is declining. This decline has been rather steady for the last 50 years throughout our country and beyond. The most obvious and telling statistic is Mass attendance. By conservative numbers, over those 50 years Mass attendance by Catholics decreased from 60% attending Mass every Sunday to about 27%. If that trend continues, by 2065 only about 13% of Catholics would attend Mass. When 87 out of 100 Catholics are not practicing their faith, parish life and Catholic schools cannot be sustained in any meaningful or vibrant way.
This trend must change. It won’t and it can’t, unless lay Catholics who love Jesus in the sacraments, teachings and life of the Church intentionally and consciously choose to evangelize and bring Christ beyond the doors of the church. Evangelization is a sacred duty for all Catholics, not just priests and religious. Furthermore, bringing Christ and the Church beyond the confines of the parish, the monastery, and the convent into the public square is primarily the responsibility of the laity..."