YEAR OF EVANGELIZATION

Listening programs help start conversation with former Catholics

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PROVIDENCE—A recent effort in the diocesan Year of Evangelization took place last week as Father Frank Sevola, OFM shared the Franciscan Listening Model, listening programs that provide an opportunity for conversation to help heal the wounds of Catholics who left the Church.

Father Sevola’s one-hour talk at St. Mary Church offered specific “how-to” models for running effective parish Listening Programs with clergy, deacons, and lay parish evangelization and welcoming teams from across the diocese.

Listening programs provide a series of forums to non-judgmentally listen to the stories and concerns of non-practicing Catholics; the program slowly builds into more opportunities for conversation and, eventually, one-on-one discussions with pastors or others that may help restore their relationship with the Church. An invitation to Mass is also part of each gathering.

“Most people have left the Church because they felt that they were no longer welcome,” said Father Sevola. “Listening is key to conversation. It is the most important thing. We all want to be listened to and when you are being open and listening, people are going to respond to that.”

Father Sevola, pastor of St. Mary Church, engaged attendees emphasizing that the Year of Evangelization is about welcoming people back and familiarizing others with the Catholic Church.

“It is a great opportunity for people who have left the Church,” he said. “Evangelization is a very important part of who we are.”

Fittingly, Father Sevola quoted the well-known evangelization words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.”

“I think that’s a great way to some up what evangelization is,” he explained. “It really is about spreading the Gospel to the people. It’s a way of life, not just something you do at Church.”

He added that the six-week series of TV commercials inviting inactive Catholics to return to the Church is a good start to the Year of Evangelization, but really just the beginning.

“The commercials may very well set them thinking about going to Church,” said Father Sevola. “When people get thinking they want to ask questions. They want to ask you questions. They are your family and friends and your neighbors. We need to be positive and we need to be welcoming.”

One of the most misunderstood aspects of the Church, Father Sevola shared during the discussion, is the sacrament of reconciliation.

“It is something we shy away from. It’s something we are afraid of,” Father Sevola said. “We don’t understand the sacrament of reconciliation. If we did we wouldn’t have to have a Catholics Come Home program. It is the heart of what the Come Home program is all about. We need to stop thinking of the Church as a disapproving parent and try to think of it as a community of people really try to do the best they can what they have been given.”

Dave Renner parishioner of St. Luke Church in Barrington said that he feels that evangelization is the mission of the Church.

“It’s truly our goal to be evangelists and to bring people back,” said Dave Renner. “It’s fun and we enjoy it. This is an opportunity we have been looking for, it’s structured and organized and supportive of the efforts of what we have been trying to do for years.”

Marilyn Renner said that she when she takes part in evangelization she feels like she is doing God’s will.

“We are involved in the Church,” said Marilyn Renner. “That’s what we feel we are called to do.”

Father Sevola expressed that Catholics have the responsibility to be inviting and to welcome individuals back home to the Church with open arms.

“You have a duty to make the people feel welcome,” said Father Sevola. “You’re here because you love the Church and you want the Catholics Come Home Program to be successful. Why they left is none of your business. Your job is to be a vehicle of welcoming. So open your heart to the call to be welcoming and open your doors as you all seem so willing to do and say welcome back.”

For more information on listening programs, email evangelizationcommittee@dioceseofprovidence.org