We need to Share our Faith

I would like to continue with Pope Leo’s address to the Roman clergy on Feb. 19th. His last two points that I will quote highlight evangelization and young people. These are areas that all parishes must work on for obvious reasons. “To prioritize evangelization in all its many forms, we cannot think or act alone. In the past, the parish was more firmly tied to the territory, and all who lived there belonged to it; today, however, lifestyles and models have evolved from stability to mobility, and many people, not only because of work but also because of various experiences, live relationships beyond their territorial and cultural boundaries. 

The parish alone is not enough to initiate a process of evangelization capable of reaching those who cannot participate adequately.” “One last aspect I would like to emphasize: closeness to young people. Many of them, we know, It is therefore a matter of understanding and interpreting the profound existential unease that dwells within them, their confusion, their many difficulties, as well as the phenomena that affect them in the virtual world and the symptoms of a worrying aggressiveness, which sometimes leads to violence... we don’t have easy solutions that guarantee immediate results, but whenever possible, we can listen to young people, be present, welcome them, and share a little of their lives. 

At the same time, since these issues affect various aspects of life, we also seek, as a parish, to engage in dialogue and interaction with local institutions, schools, education and humanities specialists, and all those who are concerned about the destiny and future of our young people.” Sharing the faith and passing it onto the next generation is something that we can all agree needs to happen. Often the question is “what role am I going to play to make that happen?” What a great question to ask ourselves, each and every one of us. 

— Fr. John A. Potaczek