Year of Evangelization Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Year of Evangelization? In the Year of Evangelization, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin is calling Catholics to celebrate, and refocus on, the Christian duty to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Throughout Church history Catholics have invited one and all to receive the Gospel’s promise of salvation from a fallen world—from sin and death. The Year of Evangelization continues this core Christian activity. It is a call to personal evangelization—to be true witnesses of the Word of God; it is a time for the Church of Providence to re-energize the faithful; it is a time to invite home those who have wandered from the Church—for whatever reason. It is a time to bring the Gospel message boldly into the public square.
What prompted the bishop to call this special Year of Evangelization? A recent study on Mass attendance made clear that the Diocese of Providence had a need to reach out to lapsed Catholics. Soon after the issuance of this report, an anonymous donor offered the diocese $200,000 to bring to Rhode Island a media campaign called CatholicsComeHome.org.
What is CatholicsComeHome.org? It is a group, based in Atlanta, GA, that has used the specialties of faith-filled advertising experts, scholars, clergy and everyday Catholics to develop televised advertisements that both celebrate Church history and tell the moving stores of returning Catholics; the commercials beautifully share the glory and peace found in fully entering into Communion with Christ and His Church. You can see versions of the commercials at the website www.CatholicsComeHome.org.
Have these commercials been used in other areas? Yes. CatholicsComeHome.org has been run already in two major dioceses: Phoenix and Corpus Christi. In Lent 2008, the Diocese of Phoenix launched a CatholicsComeHome.org (CCH) test campaign, which aired over 1,000 CCH television ads over the course of a few weeks, and directed viewers to its interactive website, and ultimately home to their local parish. As a result:
• 3.5 Million viewers in the greater Phoenix TV area saw the commercials during Lent 2008.
• Traffic to the Diocesan website increased nearly 20% during the campaign.
• Many parishes reported immediate increases in Mass attendance, amounting to 15,000 initial returnees.
• Pastors reported increased attendance at Lenten Communal Penance Services, and hundreds of confessions inspired by the commercials.
• Research showed that 90% of inactive Catholics drifted from faith due to social influences, not to doctrinal issues.
• 600 individuals emailed diocesan/parish representatives with doctrinal and/or personal inquiries. Of these, 240 referred in some way to the priest sex abuse scandal, 42 referred to marriage issues, 18 referred to personal issues of same-sex attraction and 12 referred in general to Church teaching on homosexuality.
• Nearly 1,000 people were involved in parish catechetical programs for Returning Catholics within 6 months of the commercials being aired. Adult Faith Formation programs aimed at sharing their faith with others reported a 20-30% increase in participation.
• The Diocese of Phoenix conducted a study 7 months after the campaign aired to verify the final results. Overall, the diocese reported an average parish Mass attendance increase of 12%, which amounts to as many as 92,000 inactive Catholics returning to the faith, as well as new converts joining the Church.
When will these commercials be seen in Providence? The commercials will run beginning Advent 2009 in mid-December and continue throughout Christmas and all of January. During this time, some 1,113 commercials will be aired on all major networks and Cox Cable, reaching over 98% of RI viewers about 26 times each. The advertisements will direct people to a web site for more information, and to resources and parishes within the Diocese of Providence.
Is there more to the Year of Evangelization that this advertising campaign? Absolutely. CatholicsComeHome.org is just the beginning. The diocese has been working with parishes, religious orders, lay experts, clergy, deacons, ecclesial groups and college professors to help parish communities prepare for returning Catholics in whatever way that is appropriate and doable for each parish. Moreover, the diocese will undertake its own initiatives and activities to engage the world by teaching and defending the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Plans are being drawn up now, and much will be announced over the coming year.
What are parishes being required to do? Parishes are not required to do anything in particular. But it is reasonable to hope that (however they can) parish families will heed the Gospel and strive to be a warm, welcoming and joyful home for ex-Catholics to come home to and new Catholics to find their home.
