800 Years of Evangelizing through the Christmas Creche

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Terry and John

Vatican City (CNS) “On the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s first Nativity scene, the creche in St. Peter’s Square in 2023 will come from the Diocese of Rieti, Italy, where in Greccio this event took place… The scene still will be very simple: Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, some shepherds and figures representing a nobleman… and three Franciscan friars who… put a hay-filled manger, an ox and a donkey in a grotto where the local faithful could come to pray and to imagine the poverty and simplicity into which Jesus was born… The unveiling of the creche in the square is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 9. It will remain up through the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 7, 2024.” For more information go here 

While I was growing up, my family displayed a nativity scene near our Christmas tree and  opposite a miniature winter village. It was a warm and welcoming place for visitors; as well as, a place to share stories, and gifts. I often wondered how Jesus could be so humble, and yet fully divine. This is exactly what St. Francis of Assisi wanted the creche to portray. Since then, my wife, Therese, and I have embraced this practice and expanded our Nativity scene for ourselves and for our children. Now there are more trees, animals and a larger stable, that Mary and Joseph travel toward throughout Advent. We also sing and pray carols together in our home during Advent. To download free pages of Christ-centered Christmas carols visit here.

For 2 to 3 minute sample meditations about key images in Christ centered carols visit here   Any group that you belong to can sing a few carols, then share favorite lines from carols and their personal significance. For instructions  visit here.

Our excitement about St. Francis’ creche has also inspired us to create a seasonal evangelizing outreach to Catholics and the unchurched called, “Christmas Carol Festival: A New Way to Reach Inactive Catholics.” A guidebook is available for this process, which offers 1. an explanation of several months of community preparations. 2. Instructions for offering the centerpiece of the process –a gathering to sing Christ-centered carols, visit a simple crèche and share stories of faith, and finally 3. ways to offer visitors overlapping and ongoing invitations to embrace the Gospel of Jesus. For a brief description of the Festival visit here

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5 Marks of Missionary Evangelizing Saints

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Terry and John

The Saints are universal models of heroic virtue and cooperation with the Holy Spirit in the mission of evangelization. We too are challenged to embrace the following five marks of their missionary evangelizing lifestyles: passion for Jesus, humility, reliance on God’s grace, embracing hard work, and perseverance.

1. Passion for Jesus

“It is better for me to die in Christ Jesus than to reign over the ends of the earth.” (St. Ignatius of Antioch)

“Jesus is a fire in the very center of our souls ever burning. Yet, we are cold because we do not stay by it.” (St. Elizabeth Seton)

  1. Humility

“How many let themselves be deceived, for, even though their pride may reach the skies and their heads touch the clouds, in the end, they are as forgotten!” (St. Clare of Assisi)

“Humility must accompany all our actions, must be with us everywhere; for as soon as we glory in our good works they are of no further value to our advancement in virtue.” (St. Augustine of Hippo)

  1. Reliance on God’s Grace

“We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone.” (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini)

“Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow his grace to mold them accordingly.” (St. Ignatius Loyola)

  1. Welcome hard work

“We are at Jesus’ disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he wants you to proclaim His work in the street, if he wants you to clean the toilets all day, that’s all right, everything is all right. We must say, ‘I belong to you. You can do whatever you like.’ And this is our strength. This is the joy of the Lord.” (St. Teresa of Calcutta)

“Always try to have success in your work but remember God is often glorified in your failure.” (St. Mary MacKillop)

  1. Perseverance

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus… proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching… But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry. (St. Paul, 2 Timothy 4:1-

…The presentation of the Gospel message is not an optional contribution for the Church… It merits have the apostle consecrate to it all of one’s time and all one’s energies, and to sacrifice for it, if necessary, one’s own life.” (St. Paul VI, On Evangelization in the Modern World, 5, adapted)

For encouraging posts about the mission of Catholic evangelizing—See more quotes from the Saints, both canonized and living among us,  join us at “Holy Spirit Calling”

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New Help for People who Want to Share Faith

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Terry and John

A Facebook group called Keys to Reaching Inactive Catholics has been established. Contact John Boucher for a possible invitation.

Check out a recent course about Keys to Evangelizing. First go to Therese Boucher on YouTube. Second go to Spiritual: Workshop playlist. There are seven videos of a current zoom course to choose from.

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