Resources (Office of Evangelization)

20 Archbishop May Drive St. Louis, MO 63119

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Resources

For Individuals

Missionary Discipleship is the work of the Church, but it begins with each individual and his or her relationship with Jesus.

Read Archbishop Carlson’s pastoral letter on evangelization
Join the evangelization team at your parish
Create an evangelization team at your parish, if one does not already exist
Work with your pastor to develop an evangelization plan at your parish
Learn the spheres of evangelization (Dynamic Catholics, practicing Catholics, non-practicing Catholics, non-Catholic Christians, non-Christians, atheists and unbelievers)
Attend evangelization events
Teach others about evangelization
Purchase Catholicism: The New Evangelization
Read the USCCB’s Go and Make Disciples
Listen to Lighthouse Catholic Media CDs on evangelization
Read the USCCB’s Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization
Invite friends and family members to come back to Mass or to become Catholic
Subscribe to the Archdiocese’s evangelization newsletter
Share your faith on social media: Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.
Fast and pray for missionaries
Sign up for the Archdiocese’s evangelization newsletter
Join the Legion of Mary

For Pastors/Parishes

If you haven’t already done so, order The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic for your parishioners
Include sections on evangelization in the Sunday bulletin
Add a section on evangelization to the parish website
Feature titles on evangelization in your Lighthouse Catholic Media kiosk
Instruct parishioners on God’s plan for the role of the laity
Assess RCIA outreach
Include a series of articles in the bulletin on Archbishop Carlson’s pastoral letter on evangelization
Consider starting an outreach to fallen-away Catholics
Consider forming an evangelization team
Consider starting door-to-door evangelization
Consider hosting an evangelization conference at your parish
Add an evangelization page to your parish website
Strive to increase the number of Dynamic Catholics in your parish
Create an evangelization plan for your parish
Assess your parish’s social media package

Dynamic Catholic Bulletin Blurbs

January 7th Blurb- Solemnity of the Epiphany

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Introducing the Year of Evangelization

2018 is dedicated to evangelization, the fourth sign of a dynamic Catholic! The Gospel today is certainly appropriate for our reflections on evangelization. The wise men journey from the East to pay homage to the King of the World. They then return to their homeland. Evangelization follows a similar process. We must give our Lord homage and worship and journey to see Him and know Him better. Only then, after we have spent time in prayer and worship, can we share the fruits of our prayer with others. Evangelization is simply sharing our experience of Jesus Christ with others and guiding them into relationship of joy with Him. During this year of evangelization, consider how often you share the Good News of Christ with others in simple ways and in more bold ways. archstl.org/dynamic

January 14th Blurb- 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Evangelization

How quick the first disciples were to follow Jesus! They immediately recognized Him as the Lamb of God and followed Him to where He was staying. How quickly do we go to the church or the chapel for Mass and prayer, to encounter the Lamb of God? In order for us to be effective evangelists, we must nourish our own spiritual life and know the One whom we are called to share with others. This week, take some time to nourish your spiritual life and focus on encountering the Lord anew so that you can share Him with conviction in your thoughts, words, and actions. archstl.org/dynamic

January 21st Blurb- 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Repentance

The message we hear from the Gospel reading today is one that we must hear again and again: repent and believe the good news. This is the constant task of the faithful Christian, to seek to grow in virtue and root out sinfulness. The authentic witness of a disciple who has truly repented of his sins can work wonders in the cause of evangelization. We love conversion stories of the saints and people we know in our own lives today. One who has repented and has chosen to live for Christ alone provides an extraordinary example for us who want to be better evangelists. archstl.org/dynamic

January 28th Blurb- 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Divine Authority

Jesus drives out the unclean spirit in the man in the synagogue in today’s Gospel. He thus reveals His authority as being fully divine and capable of subjecting evil spirits to His power. Similarly, the psalm reminds us that it is important for us to heed the powerful voice of the Lord and not to harden our hearts. When we feel moved by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News to another person or to do a kind act of charity, follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Seize the opportunities that you have each day to give witness to your faith in the Son of God. Use His Name to take authority in trying situations! archstl.org/dynamic

February 4th Blurb- 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Perseverance

One can sense from the readings today that a real need exists for the preaching of the Gospel. Jesus is so resolved to preach the Gospel to as many people as possible even though he certainly must have felt fatigue and the desire for more time in solitude as he prayed in the early hours of the morning. These readings teach us the blessing we have to proclaim the Gospel to others in word and deed. Seize the opportunities you have to speak of Jesus Christ to others! The time is always ripe to share the Good News. God can work through our simple “yes” to chances we have each day to bring Jesus Christ to the lives of others. archstl.org/dynamic

February 11th Blurb- 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Sharing our Testimony

Jesus heals the man with leprosy in the Gospel today. Even after instructing the man not to spread the report abroad, the man shares it freely. In our own lives, how difficult it is not to proclaim the wonderful things that God has done for us, both big and small! This is the essence of sharing our personal testimony: telling others how Jesus has transformed our lives and given us a fullness that we previously lacked. I invite you to consider the many opportunities you have to learn how to prepare and share your testimony, which is unique and not quite like that of anyone else. Look into Parish Missionary Disciples, our evangelization training for parishes, or contact us to visit your parish. We are happy to help! archstl.org/dynamic

February 18th Blurb- 1st Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Desert

Lent has officially begun. Into the desert we go. The desert is a place we find ourselves in at various points in life, sometimes intentionally and sometimes not. During Lent, we choose to enter the desert of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These practices impel us to rely more on God and to trust in His faithful love. We face many challenges in the desert and sometimes feel as if God is not with us, but entering prayerfully into penance and self-denial, we are able to be transformed and to grow in the ways we often find most necessary. How do we need to repent this season? How can we proclaim the saving message of the Gospel? archstl.org/dynamic

February 25th Blurb- 2nd Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Amazing Love

The readings today are so powerful and show the amazing love that God has for His Son Jesus as well as His people. God often tests our love to see if it is true and genuine. He tested Abraham in an extraordinarily startling manner, and He tests us in our lives to help us assess if we are truly loving Him with all that we are. God chastises those whom he loves and purifies us so that we are able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. In our work of evangelization, we should constantly pray for the grace to love God and others radically as the saints have. archstl.org/dynamic

March 4th Blurb- 3rd Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Cross

There is so much to reflect upon in the readings today. First, we can reflect on the Ten Commandments in the proper way and what their true nature is: they are guideposts to living in authentic freedom for goodness. They are not mere restrictions against fun as the world often tells us. Second, Paul reminds us that we must preach Christ crucified and never offer less than the truth about our faith to others. Christ’s Passion shows us that we too must endure suffering in order to enter into glory. Finally, the Gospel shows the righteous anger of Christ and foreshadows His Resurrection from the dead. We are called to walk the road to Calvary with Christ and enter into the mystery of His suffering. archstl.org/dynamic

March 11th Blurb- 4th Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Light and Darkness

Every single day of our lives, we have the freedom to make lots of choices. We can choose to share the love and truth of God in different situations, making the conscious decision to choose goodness and light. On the other hand, we can choose to reject God as the ancient Israelites did before going into exile. The lay faithful have the beautiful blessing of sanctifying the world. While priests and religious sanctify the Church, the lay faithful can sanctify the world in its increasing secularity. What does this mean for us? It means choosing prayer, silence, patience, compassion, and selfless love over unnecessary noise, anger, self-gratification, and individualism. Choose wisely in each situation and help lead people to encounter God through you. archstl.org/dynamic

March 18th Blurb- 5th Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Authentic Discipleship

Have you ever heard people say that the Christian life is easy and that we just need to be nice people? People who say such things are woefully ignorant. Jesus challenges us today in the Gospel and shows us that authentic discipleship is hard. However, He also teaches us that great fruit can be borne for the Kingdom of God when we choose to die to ourselves and suffer with purpose in this earthly life. We are called this Lent to make the journey all the way to Calvary with our Lord, for He tells us that where He is His disciples will also be. Let’s kick it up a notch as we near the end of Lent with more prayer, fasting, almsgiving, works of charity, and self-denial so that others may taste the love of God and know the salvation found in Jesus Christ, salvation bought at an infinite price. archstl.org/dynamic

March 25th Blurb- Palm Sunday

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Self-Emptying

We hear such powerful readings this Sunday. This is such a solemn time as we enter this sacred week. The readings remind us of the model our Lord Jesus Christ has given to us- one of patient, humble suffering. He willingly accepted death for the salvation of all. Led like a sheep to the slaughter, He did not revile those who killed Him but instead prayed for them. We too are called to empty ourselves in this final stage of Lent. What sins are we holding onto that others have committed? Are we seeking revenge or holding onto anger? Jesus shows us that we must empty ourselves of sin and hatred in order to enter into the glory God desires for us. This week, let us seek to offer up our hardships, forgive those who have hurt us, and love others selflessly as the Master did and continues to do. archstl.org/dynamic

April 1st Blurb- Easter Sunday

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Do You Believe in the Resurrection?

He is risen, alleluia, alleluia! This is the central belief of the Christian: Jesus Christ rose from the dead and conquered death so that we could spend eternal life with Him. Stop and think today. Do you believe in the Resurrection? If not, consider why not. Because of Christ’s Resurrection we can be people of hope and joy. In the first reading today, Peter repeatedly mentions how they were witnesses to the life and great works of Christ while he walked the earth. In the Acts of the Apostles, the early disciples are absolutely on fire with zeal for the truth that Christ has risen. Let’s get busy sharing that same message and living convicted lives of boldness, paying no attention to the attacks from the world. This is a truth worth dying for. May Jesus Christ be praised!

April 8th Blurb- 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Children of a Merciful God

The readings this week are so beautiful and simple. They remind us that we are children of almighty God and because of this shared patrimony, all we have we must be willing to share with others. All is gift. One of the best ways to love God and to make a return for His gifts is to evangelize through works of mercy, both spiritual and corporal. When we understand that we are begotten by God as His adopted sons and daughters, we conquer the world, as St. John tells us. When we remember our identity as children of God, we see Him in our brothers and sisters. We are impelled to bring the joy of the Gospel to our fellow men in service and charity. Today, we also remember the great mercy of God as revealed to St. Faustina. Let us always return to this infinite mercy our perfect Father offers to us and share it with those we meet, learning from our mistakes and sins and seeking to live as more obedient and loving children. archstl.org/dynamic

April 15th Blurb- 3rd Sunday of Easter

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Fulfillment and Joy

The readings today remind us that Christ fulfills all that was written about Him in the Law and the Prophets. The prophets foretold that the Christ would suffer and that He would rise again and be the King of all the nations. When we are evangelizing, we should keep this message in mind: Christianity is credible because the prophecies of the Scriptures are fulfilled. Christian faith is not blind but is totally reasonable. In addition, this fulfillment makes us “incredulous with joy” as we come to understand that Christ calls us to eternal life with Him. “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God,” said Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The next time you are bringing Christ to someone, remember that Christ fulfills and fills us with joy. archstl.org/dynamic

April 22nd Blurb- 4^th Sunday of Easter

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- The Greatness of Divine Love

Brothers and sisters, we are the children of God. Let that sink in… Consider the love a parent has for his or her child. Then, consider that God’s love is infinitely greater than that. God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Good Shepherd, the one who loves us so much as to lay down His life for us. In the context of evangelization, this provides us with much to ponder. If we are hesitant to evangelize, it can only be because we have not experienced God’s love or doubt His love. The one who has experienced this great love has no choice but to share it with others, zealously and joyfully witnessing to how God has worked in one’s life. archstl.org/dynamic

April 29th Blurb- 5^th Sunday of Easter

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- “Without Me You Can Do Nothing”

How comforting it is to know that our Church has survived the storms of the last 2,000 years. Nothing can ultimately defeat it. Jesus Himself told us so. The Holy Spirit is in charge and God continues to raise up saints in every generation who speak boldly in the name of Jesus to evangelize others. We can only speak boldly and evangelize, however, if we remain in our Lord, for without Him we can do nothing. Remaining in the Lord means spending frequent time in prayer and silence, going to Confession and Mass often, and seeking Him in the Scriptures. We are called top proclaim the name of Christ in word AND action so that we might bear fruit for the salvation of souls. archstl.org/dynamic

May 6th Blurb- 6^th Sunday of Easter

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! Loving Communion and Evangelization

God is a communion of persons, a communion of love. God invites us to share in this communion, calling us to form communities of love in our own lives. One of the most integral things we can do to evangelize is forming loving communities of joy. Do you want to evangelize more effectively? Form a community- at work, at your parish, among your friends. The fruit of this loving community, as Jesus tells us in the Gospel, is joy. A community, united in purpose and love, is one of joy, and this joy attracts others to seek what you possess. Therefore, let us seek to form loving communities of joy that lead people to Jesus Christ. archstl.org/dynamic

May 13th Blurb- The Ascension of the Lord

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Working with the Lord

All of our efforts of evangelization must be WITH the Lord, or else they will be futile. The Gospel today reminds us that after Jesus ascended into heaven, He remained with those who follow Him, working withthem and confirming their message of truth with accompanying signs. The same is true for us today. Jesus continues to bestow abundant graces on those who follow Him, pouring out manifold blessings from the Holy Spirit to individuals who are then able to speak words of comfort and healing to the distressed, pray for those in need, and counsel those who are lost. We are a people blessed with grace. It is time to use the gifts and graces we have been given to lead souls to the kingdom of heaven. Pray for the grace to know your God-given gifts today and to utilize them as God wills. archstl.org/dynamic

May 20th Blurb- Pentecost

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Filled with the Holy Spirit

In Baptism and Confirmation, as well as Holy Communion, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are poured out upon us so that we might build up the Church and lead others to faith in Jesus Christ. Today, take a moment to consider the many gifts that you have been given, especially spiritual gifts, and pray for the grace to understand how you can utilize them most effectively for the mission of your family, parish, and the Church as a whole. The Holy Spirit is powerful in our lives if we allow Him entry into our hearts. He is the Consoler, the Advocate, the Paraclete. The Holy Spirit, as the readings show us today, gives us joy and peace, a peace unlike any other the world can give. When we respond generously to grace and allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we will set hearts on fire, one person at a time, and be truly free. archstl.org/dynamic

May 27th Blurb- Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Make Disciples of all Nations

The Gospel for today is one of the most classic passages illuminating our call to be missionary disciples. It is often called the Great Commission and reminds us that we have been sent by God to proclaim the Good News of salvation to all people. The Christian life is a constant cycle of worship and being sent. We worship in the Mass and are sent out to share what and whom we have received in the Holy Eucharist. Then, we return again to this font of life in order to receive nourishment for the next time we are sent. We journey from communion to mission and back again. I invite you today to consider your daily life and what little ways you can make disciples of others. Perhaps it is extra prayer and silence in your life, joining or leading a Bible study, inviting a person to a parish event, or sharing what Jesus Christ has done in your life. There are many ways we can make more disciples for Christ. Be creative! archstl.org/dynamic

June 3rd Blurb- Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Transformed by the Real Presence of Christ

The readings today discuss the covenants that God makes with His people, the most important of which is that of the Holy Eucharist given to us by Jesus Christ. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave the apostles His very body, blood, soul, and divinity. He continues to offer the Eucharist to us so that we might be filled with His Real Presence. We have the blessing as Catholics to approach the throne of grace and to receive Jesus Christ Himself every day at Holy Mass. What a gift! As we journey through this summer, let us be transformed and become whom we receive in this great sacrament. As we celebrate this great solemnity today, let us be grateful for Christ’s perfect sacrifice offered for us and remember to share the truth of this great mystery with those we encounter. We must receive Communion frequently in order to be effective in our efforts of evangelization, spreading the truth, beauty, and goodness of our Catholic faith. archstl.org/dynamic

June 10th Blurb- 10^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! - We Must Not Divide

The readings are extraordinarily rich in their content as we return to Ordinary Time. We are reminded of how quick the devil can lead us to blame others for our sins, as Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. The Gospel shows that that which is divided cannot stand. It is the same for us as Catholics today. We must stand united in the truth and beauty of our faith and share that faith with others. Fewer things are more detrimental to our cause of evangelization than interior division within. We must put aside all quarreling, bitterness, envy, and hatred for one another and instead be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger in dealing with our brothers and sisters. Let that be our message for today: seek unity in the truth and do not fight your own brothers and sisters in Christ. When a non-Catholic sees Catholics arguing and fighting with other Catholics, why would that non-Catholic want to become Catholic? archstl.org/dynamic

June 17th Blurb- 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! - Are you Humble?

Are you humble? What a tough question to answer! When we look at our Catholic history and tradition, we see that all the great saints were humble people who understood just how weak and sinful they were. In response, they continued to rely on the grace of God to overcome their weaknesses and to make them a new creation, capable of spreading the love and joy of Christ to others. Think about St. Joseph, St. Francis of Assisi, or St. Teresa of Calcutta. Are they not some of the most humble people you could ever imagine? This humility we are called to involves understanding where sin remains in our lives and seeking to overcome it. It involves walking the journey of life with sinners and not becoming self-righteousness. It means that we must be quick to listen and slow to anger. How can you grow in humility to become a better witness for the Kingdom of God? archstl.org/dynamic

June 24^th Blurb - Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Chosen and Called

How beautiful the readings are today for this solemnity! They remind us that God knows us and loves us so deeply. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Even before we were born, He saw what our lives would be like. Just like the prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist, we are called to be servants of God who dedicate our lives to Him. Our Triune God must be the center of everything that we do, not just another item among the many on a checklist. Today, invite God to come into every dimension of your life, especially your family life. With this approach of consecration to God, making Him the focal point of our relationships, our work, and our leisure, we can bring others into a similar relationship with God and help them recognize their true identity as sons and daughters called to serve. Let us be like St. John the Baptist, who constantly sought to point others to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, during his short life. archstl.org/dynamic

July 1st Blurb – 13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – A God of Life

There is undoubtedly a culture of death around us in the realm of sexuality and interactions with our fellow human beings. Abortion claims more than 50 million lives each year. Human trafficking and pornography are extraordinarily lucrative industries. Acts of violence and terrorism are constantly seen in the news wherever we look. The good news is that our God is a God of life who is able to help us see these problems as radically opposed to His eternal designs. God desires families to flourish and parents to have many children when it is prudent. God calls spouses to be open to life and to cherish the dignity of all human life. God is able to heal those who have been broken by the culture of death and remind them of their beauty and splendor as creatures made in His image and likeness. From an evangelization perspective, seize opportunities to talk about God’s healing powers and the gift of life. With patience and charity, let us remind others that God desires His creatures to live in love and to preserve life at all times. archstl.org/dynamic

July 8^th Blurb- 14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Sufficient Grace for Evangelization

We are reminded in the First Reading that God sends us to rebellious and obstinate people sometimes in order to bring the Good News to them. When we seek to evangelize others, we might encounter coldness and even hatred. These trials and others remind us, as St. Paul does, that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage. Evangelization is the work of the Holy Spirit, and so we must remember that our job is to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, bringing the truth and the love of Jesus Christ to those who need it. It is not about boosting our own egos or seeing how many souls we can win by means of our own ingenuity. We must rely on God’s assistance and not be discouraged if we are met with confrontation and insults due to a lack of faith of the ones we meet. Even Jesus was amazed by the lack of faith of some people in His time and native place, as the Gospel of Mark mentions today. Be patient and trust in God’s grace. archstl.org/dynamic

July 15^th Blurb- 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Redemption by His Blood

On this 15^th Sunday in Ordinary time, the Lord beckons us to reflect on how blessed we are to receive redemption by His precious blood. St. Paul reminds the Ephesians that God has blessed us, chosen us, and adopted us so that we might become his beloved sons and daughters. Only with a deep awareness of this core identity we have can we then go out and share the love of Christ with others. Redeemed and forgiven, we can go out and preach repentance as the Apostles did in the Gospel reading today. When was the last time you preached repentance? It is a difficult thing to do in a hypersensitive world. Let that be our challenge for the week. Find someone you know and love and encourage them charitably to repent more fully as you strive to do the same. archstl.org/dynamic

July 22^nd Blurb- 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Moved with Pity

When was the last time you were “moved with pity”? I had the great pleasure of doing evangelization training with the teens of St. Joseph Cottleville Parish for their ChristPower Retreat a few weeks ago. We began the day with an assessment of our spiritual gifts. Many of them realized that they possess the spiritual gift of mercy, which leads us to be moved with compassion in the presence of a specific need and to desire to remedy the situation, or at least help the people involved in whatever way is possible. Jesus is the King of Mercy, the Good Shepherd who is always looking after EVERY member of His flock and yearning to help each person. While the readings today are often used to describe the role of priests and bishops in the Church, it is just as important to consider how the readings speak to parents as shepherds of their children. In what ways can you as a parent be a better shepherd, one who is vigilant in teaching the truth to your children and providing for their various needs? Parenting is a full-time job, but it is also a beautiful and rewarding one in the end. archstl.org/dynamic

July 29^th Blurb- 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Fed by God

The readings today drive the point home to us that God provides for all our needs. One of the most widespread problems we embrace in our culture is an excessive degree of self-reliance. There is nothing wrong with preparation and hard work, but there is also nothing wrong with asking for God to provide for us in our need. We pray that God would give us our daily bread every time we go to Mass. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel passage that He will provide for us abundantly when we ask Him. He knows the exact manner in which we need nourishment, both bodily and spiritual. This principle of trusting in God’s providence is central to our labors of evangelization, which are ultimately in the hand of God. We can certainly plant seeds and accompany others in the path of discipleship, but we cannot make someone convert to Catholicism or become a saint by our own personal effort. This week, consider how you are in need and ask for God’s help to sustain you. “May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you” (Ps 33:22). archstl.org/dynamic

August 5^th Blurb- 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Standing Out

One of the challenges we face in evangelization is connecting with the culture in order to penetrate it and refine it with Gospel values. Many people have fallen prey to the culture in this process and have forgotten their goal. As Christians, we should stand out, especially in the hyper-secularized culture in which we find ourselves in the Western world in 2018. It is important for us to consider where we have come from and where we are going as disciples of Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Ephesians that we must put away the old self and not live as the Gentiles do. We can certainly meet others on their terms, but we must avoid the trap of forgetting that our task is to help lead them away from a dull and sterile existence, consumed by evanescent pleasures. As baptized Christians, we are called to lead new and transformed lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s stand out! We do not need to be pompous or attention-seeking, but authentic Christians will be recognized as different in this world. archstl.org/dynamic

August 12^th Blurb- 19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Living Bread from Heaven

The readings are filled with beautiful truths this Sunday. We are reminded that we need the spiritual sustenance that only God can provide for us, just as He did for the first Christians. In our task of evangelization, the Eucharist is central for spurring us on to bring the Good News to others. John 6 is certainly a chapter of the Bible with which we must be very familiar. Jesus is the true bread from heaven, the One who is able to give us the food that will lead us to eternal life. Consider the importance of the Eucharist in your own spiritual journey and take a moment to think of ways that you can spend more time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Perhaps your parish has a Eucharistic adoration chapel or at least adoration time one day a week. Could you make it to a weekday Mass a few times a week to receive the nourishment you need to be more charitable to your spouse, children, siblings, and co-workers. Jesus gives us the life we need. Let’s be grateful for the great gift that is the Eucharist! archstl.org/dynamic

August 19^th Blurb- 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Giving Thanks Always and for Everything

The Gospel today is critical for our lives as Catholics, as it illuminates the truth of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Read John 6 again and again! However, since I touched on the first part of this passage last week, I want to focus on St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians today. In this letter, he provides us with a hallmark of the Christian life: rejoicing and giving thanks in all circumstances. We find ourselves in all types of situations during our earthly life. These include sick times and healthy times, sad times and cheerful times, times of defeat and times of victory. The crux of the matter is that we must always give thanks to God for whatever He sends our way. The apostles and early Christian martyrs rejoiced that they were found worthy to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ. They glorified Him in life and death. Similarly, we are called to be a people who do not despair or embrace a cynical perspective on life in the midst of trials. In our workplaces, our families, our neighborhoods, and all our endeavors, we are called to manifest the goodness of God and the truth that He uses us to accomplish His will in all things. Jesus, thank you for EVERYTHING. archstl.org/dynamic

August 26^th Blurb- 21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – We Will Serve the Lord

How rich the readings are today! The First Reading offers every family and household a guide for fullness of life, namely, serving the Lord. Remembering the wonderful things the Lord has done for us in our own lives provides the fuel we need to make a return to the Lord in service (cf. Psalm 116). It is a helpful exercise to take time each day to be grateful and call to mind all the gifts God has given to us, and these gifts include even suffering for the sake of others. Finally, Simon Peter’s question in the Gospel is striking and is a great reminder for us that only Jesus Christ has the words of eternal life. There is no one else to whom we can go for the fullness of life we desire deep within our hearts. This week, let us resolve to constantly call to mind all that God has done for us, express our gratitude to Him through acts of service and charity, and stay rooted in His infinite goodness that propels us to the fullness of life. archstl.org/dynamicDynamic Catholic Bulletin Blurbs

January 7th Blurb- Solemnity of the Epiphany

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Introducing the Year of Evangelization

January 14th Blurb- 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Evangelization

January 21st Blurb- 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Repentance

January 28th Blurb- 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Divine Authority

February 4th Blurb- 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Perseverance

February 11th Blurb- 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Sharing our Testimony

February 18th Blurb- 1st Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Desert

February 25th Blurb- 2nd Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Amazing Love

March 4th Blurb- 3rd Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Cross

March 11th Blurb- 4th Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Light and Darkness

March 18th Blurb- 5th Sunday of Lent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Authentic Discipleship

March 25th Blurb- Palm Sunday

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Self-Emptying

April 1st Blurb- Easter Sunday

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Do You Believe in the Resurrection?

April 8th Blurb- 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Children of a Merciful God

April 15th Blurb- 3rd Sunday of Easter

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Fulfillment and Joy

April 22nd Blurb- 4^th Sunday of Easter

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- The Greatness of Divine Love

April 29th Blurb- 5^th Sunday of Easter

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- “Without Me You Can Do Nothing”

May 6th Blurb- 6^th Sunday of Easter

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! Loving Communion and Evangelization

May 13th Blurb- The Ascension of the Lord

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Working with the Lord

May 20th Blurb- Pentecost

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Filled with the Holy Spirit

May 27th Blurb- Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Make Disciples of all Nations

June 3rd Blurb- Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Dynamic Catholic, Alive!- Transformed by the Real Presence of Christ

June 10th Blurb- 10^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! - We Must Not Divide

June 17th Blurb- 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! - Are you Humble?

June 24^th Blurb - Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Chosen and Called

July 1st Blurb – 13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – A God of Life

July 8^th Blurb- 14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Sufficient Grace for Evangelization

July 15^th Blurb- 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Redemption by His Blood

July 22^nd Blurb- 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Moved with Pity

July 29^th Blurb- 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Fed by God

August 5^th Blurb- 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Standing Out

August 12^th Blurb- 19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Living Bread from Heaven

August 19^th Blurb- 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Giving Thanks Always and for Everything

August 26^th Blurb- 21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – We Will Serve the Lord

September 2^nd Blurb- 22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Unstained by the World

The Psalm today teaches us to embrace goodness and to live justly, refraining from harsh words, slander, and taking advantage of others. The reading from the Letter of James defines what true religion is, claiming that it involves keeping oneself unstained by the world. This principle provides an excellent challenge for us today. Things we experience in this world that stain our attainment of a pure religion are gossip; excessive concern for material goods, social status, and the latest trends; excessive use of social media; unhealthy friendships, etc. As Christians, we are called to witness to the truth that our earthly lives point us to our ultimate lives in heaven with God; there is more than this life. Thank God! We must continue to detach from the worldly things that really just don’t matter. This week, ask yourself what things of the world stain your practice of your faith and lead you away from Jesus Christ? What things do you value more than God? When God is not our central and ultimate focus, we simply cannot evangelize as well as we should. Let’s clean up!

September 9^th Blurb- 23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – No Partiality

The Second Reading today from the Letter of James is a great guide for evangelization in our lives today. How often do we decide who is worthy of love and honor and who is not? How often do we ignore those who are poor, unattractive, or annoying? James calls us to show no partiality in our interactions with others but rather to remember that every person is a child of God and an heir to the kingdom of heaven. We are given plenty of opportunities in the course of a week’s time to reach out to those in need who might not be our friends or relatives. For the sake of evangelization, let us live our faith and show charity to all we meet. Perhaps some people we meet are terrible sinners, but that just means they have something in common with us. We are sinners and no better or more worthy of love than anyone else. Let’s seize the opportunities to love ALL types of people this week: at work, at school, and wherever else.

September 16^th Blurb- 24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Who Do You Say that I Am?

The Christian life is one that always passes through and finds meaning in the cross of Christ. Each day we encounter numerous challenges and crosses to bear with our jobs, home lives, and interactions with other people. Suffering is undoubtedly part of our human experience. When we experience this suffering in daily trials, we must remember the confession that Simon Peter makes to Jesus in the Gospel today: You are the Christ. Every thought, word, and action that we take should proclaim this truth. Jesus is the Christ. We are called to show Christ to each person we encounter and to be Christ for those who might not encounter Him in the Church or in their daily experiences. Who do you say that Christ is? What crosses are you bearing right now? Do you remember that Jesus Christ bore the ultimate cross and will help you carry your crosses in life? Keep persevering in patience and charity, working out your salvation with fear and trembling and showing your faith through your good works (cf. Philippians 2:12, James 2:18).

September 23rd Blurb- 25^thSunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Be the Just One

The readings today remind us, quite strikingly, that we are sinners. Some of us can become jealous and annoyed by the truly good and just people we encounter. God challenges us to be the just ones, especially in a broken and hurting world. We are called to turn away from gossip, from lying, from self-righteousness, from yielding to the desires of the flesh. Instead, Jesus Christ beckons us to be servants of others who embrace suffering and persecution when it comes. It is futile to fight over who is the greatest here in this life. We will become saints only when we choose to be just and live with integrity, even when others ridicule us for our good deeds. Let us turn to the Lord to uphold our lives, to make us genuinely holy, and to give us the grace to live with true wisdom. By our counter-cultural example, we can influence others, over time, to see the truth and the joy of the Gospel message.

September 30^th Blurb- 26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Whoever is not against Us is for Us

The current climate in which we find ourselves can be brutal at times. We hear plenty of anti-Catholic sentiment and generalizations about the sexual abuse scandals committed by priests and bishops in our country. However, there are also many good and faithful servants out there in our jobs and in our city. In my experience, God continues to surprise me with people I encounter each day who might not seem to be Christian at first but truly are devout and striving for holiness. One of our primary tasks as evangelists is to find common ground with those whom we encounter in our daily lives to form a foundation on which to build a relationship of trust. Before writing someone off because of their appearance, their words, or their actions, as John the Apostle, wanted to do in the Gospel, let us heed the words of Jesus and consider whether these people are truly “for Christ” or not. Let us prayerfully ponder why they might be presenting themselves in a particular way. Perhaps it is their background, their current status, their wealth or lack of it, their fears, etc. Often, we can be surprised to find strong and faithful Christians among us who are willing to continue to fight for the Church even when many others have left or rejected the Gospel message as outdated or oppressive. At all times open to the power of the Spirit and seek to meet and strengthen followers of Jesus Christ.

October 7^th Blurb- 27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Power of Marriage for Evangelization

Both the First Reading and the Gospel today illuminate the beauty of the Sacrament of Matrimony that God calls many people to in this life. Living the vocation of marriage well is central to evangelization. I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine who lives in New Hampshire. She and her husband have raised 7 children over the years and they are extremely devout Catholics. As we talked, we mentioned the simple but profound truth: the vocation of marriage lived out with selfless love for one’s spouse and children is a radiant testament to the love that Christ has for His Bride, the Church. How necessary it is for parents to foster discipleship and a knowledge of the faith in themselves and subsequently, to hand it on to their children. Today, many couples seem to feel a need to justify their vocation of marriage by forming a particular ministry or apostolate. If God has placed this desire on your heart, then certainly follow it, but it is NOT necessary for all. In this confused age in which we live, laying down your life for your spouse and children is a phenomenal witness to the love of God and can attract people to strive for holiness in their own lives and marriages. It is an excellent reminder of the need to strengthen spousal ties and family ties in order to provide essential moral teaching for your children and to prepare them to become saints.

October 14^th Blurb- 28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Detachment

One of the essential tasks of the Christian life is to detach from those things that prevent us from experiencing the totality of God’s love for us and presence to us. The saints have written extensively about detachment in their own lives. Prayer, fasting, and other mortifications are excellent ways to detach from things that impede our path to God. In the readings today, we see the value of refusing to let our desire for wealth, power, lands, physical beauty, and even other people hinder us from being holy as the Lord is holy. St. Peter mentions how the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus. What are you willing to leave behind for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Gospel? What are you unwilling to leave behind? Asking these questions cuts us to the core and is a great measuring device for assessing our spiritual progress or regress. Effective missionary disciples are detached from the world, seeking to direct their own lives toward greater intimacy with the Lord and consequently, directing others to a deeper knowledge and love of the Lord.

October 21^st Blurb- 29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! –Tested in Every Way

How blessed we are as Catholics to have such an extraordinary example of love and service in the person of Jesus Christ! The readings for this Sunday remind us just how selfless and loving our God is. Jesus was afflicted in every way, yet without sinning. He suffered the death of a criminal and bore all of our offenses and guilt. During His time on earth, He reminded us as disciples that we too would be tested and tried throughout our earthly pilgrimage and that we too would have to take up our cross daily to follow Him. A good question to ask ourselves this week is “Where are we seeking to be the greatest in our own lives?” Are we seeking self-aggrandizement in our work, our personal life, or our family life? Or are we instead embracing the cross of self-denial and willingly suffering afflictions so that others might experience authentic love and service? Acts of selfless love and uniting our sufferings to the cross of Christ are excellent ways of evangelizing others and showing them the essence of the Christian faith.

October 28^th Blurb- 30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

The Gospel today serves as a paradigm for our interior lives and our journey toward satisfying the deepest longings of our hearts. Of course Jesus knows that the blind man, Bartimaeus, desires to have sight given to him. However, Jesus asks the question to see just how strong the man’s desire is for this gift. Similarly, our Lord asks us in our prayer and in our daily lives what we desire and how much we desire it. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21).The question for us is: do we have a rich faith like Bartimaeus and expect the good gifts for which we ask? Are we desiring the RIGHT things, things that truly enrich our human experience and give us life to the full? Deep inside every human heart is a desire for the Infinite, an empty space that only God can fill. In our evangelical efforts of strengthening our own lives of faith and those of others, recall this desire frequently and remind others of this longing within that only God can fulfill. We will never be completely satisfied this side of heaven, but we can come close to it by telling the Lord Jesus our needs and asking for the things we truly need, things that will make us whole.

November 4^th Blurb- 31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Greatest Commandments

Today we hear the great “Shema” that our Jewish brothers and sisters hold so dearly.It is the message that God alone is the Lord and that we are to worship, love, and serve Him with all that we are.It is beautiful in this reading from Deuteronomy how Moses teaches so clearly that obeying the commandments and statues of the Lord is what keeps us free and enables us to live long lives (if not long here on earth, at least long and prosperous in heaven).Placing God at the center of our existence in all things is what gives us true freedom and joy, two experiences that can never be found apart from one another.People who are enslaved to sin are not joyful; those who are joyful are joyful because they have found their freedom in Jesus Christ.This week, let us prayerfully consider if we are truly free and joyful and what is preventing us from those experiences.How can we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength?

November 11^th Blurb- 32^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – “From our Poverty”

Two of the readings today speak of widows who were very obedient to the will of God. What are we to take away from these passages in light of evangelization? First, we learn that even in the most serious hardships we face in life, especially family, spousal, or financial hardships, we are called to remain faithful to God just as God is faithful to us. Second, we must continue being generous with our time, talent, and treasure and God will provide for us in His time and way. Third, we should be wholly authentic in our manner of discipleship. The Gospel clarifies that we are not to be pharisaical or haughty but meek and faithful to the Lord. We should not seek attention for our own sake but attention for the sake of Jesus Christ. Let us not forget to tell others-MANY others- about the wonders the Lord has done for us in our times of greatest need. God is faithful…forever.

November 18^th Blurb- 33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – “Those who Lead the Many to Justice”

Those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. This passage from the Book of Daniel reminds us of the beautiful opportunity we have to lead others along the path of justice, righteousness, and goodness in this life. In our recent evangelization trainings, some people have stated that they are afraid of offending people when they offer correction or call someone out on their sins. However, we can offer this correction with love and gentleness, out of a genuine concern for their spiritual health and well-being. As baptized Christians, we are adopted sons and daughters of God who are called to remind others of their dignity and value and the eternal life that awaits them with God in heaven. This passage from the Book of Daniel reminds us of the wonders that await us in heaven. It is a healthy practice to call to mind often the reality of death, judgment, heaven, and hell. In response to our thoughts on these matters, we must consider how we are walking toward heaven each day and leading others to the same destination through encouraging words, acts of charity, expressions of forgiveness and mercy, and fraternal correction rooted in love.

November 25^th Blurb- Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – King of the Universe…and our Hearts

Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe. There is no existing creature on this earth with more power than Him. Sometimes we look around the sad state of the world and forget this truth. The solemnity we celebrate today reminds us that God is supreme above all earthly rulers and that he has won the battle for us. He is the one to whom we must entrust ourselves and the one whom we find great joy in serving. There is a beautiful worship song, “King of my Heart,” that conveys the goodness of God and the need for us to take refuge in Him at all times, through every storm and trial that we face in this life. Our King has given us every good gift that we possess and He will continue to bless us all the days of our life. He will never let us down and takes up His residence in our hearts if we welcome Him into them. Let us challenge ourselves to embrace Jesus alone as our King and to show others that He is the one in whom we trust, the one in whom we find protection, the one in whom our life finds meaning and radiates beauty and goodness.

December 2^nd Blurb- 1^st Sunday of Advent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – “Be Vigilant at all Times”

This phrase from the Gospel is another instance of the Lord calling us to be prepared for His visitation of the world. He is talking about His Second Coming, but we can also consider our preparation for the celebration of His Incarnation and Nativity as we journey through the season of Advent. The gospel discusses how we are often tempted to be involved in earthly affairs and to be consumed by the anxieties of daily life. We certainly must take care of the mundane tasks each day and provide for our families and ourselves. However, we must also constantly watch for the daily revelations of God in our lives. Every moment can be a moment of grace, in which we recognize the presence of God in another person, situation, or activity. As we begin the holy season of Advent, let our prayer be centered on being in the world but not of it. Let us challenge ourselves to wait with eager expectation for the coming of the Lord in the midst of difficulties and trials. Let us take concrete steps each day to be ready when our Savior comes to us in the vulnerable form of a little child.

December 9^th Blurb- 2^nd Sunday of Advent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Joyous Anticipation

The readings today are imbued with a deep sense of expectancy and preparation for a joyous event.Advent is such a blessed time in the liturgical year, beckoning us to consider the joy that awaits us in the coming of Christ to the earth.As we journey to Bethlehem and adore the newborn King in a few weeks, let us consider the things in life that we wait for with eager expectation and the things for which we take time for serious preparation. Those things that we take the time to wait for are the ones that mean the most to us.What do you seek this Advent?What is the deepest longing or void that you want Jesus Christ to fill in your life?As we wait with zeal and joyous anticipation, let us always be ready to proclaim the reason for the joy that is within us during this sacred time in our year (1 Peter 3:15).Share the joy of the Gospel with a smile, an encouraging and consoling word, and an act of charity.

December 16^th Blurb- 3^rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – More Joy!

Happy Gaudete Sunday!How comforting and inspiring the First Reading from Zephaniah is: God rejoices over us and delights in us!When we understand and stand firm in the truth that our God rejoices in us, we are able to rejoice and shout for joy as well.Just because we are joyful in the Lord does not mean that everything is perfect in our life or that there are no hardships we must wrestle with daily.We will continue to face trials in this earthly life- sickness, loss, and pain- but the joy of the Lord and our joy in Him will sustain us in the long run.Our challenge for today and the rest of this week is to pray for an outpouring of joy in our lives and a deeper understanding of the joy God has because of us.When we are truly grateful for the gifts we have received in life and embrace our identity as adopted sons and daughters of God, loved completely by our Creator, we can experience authentic joy and share it with others so that they too might experience the Good News of salvation.

December 23^rd Blurb- 4^th Sunday of Advent

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – Visitation

We are almost there!Just two days before we celebrate the great birth of our Savior, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.In the Gospel, Mary visits her relative to share the joy she is experiencing as the mother of God.It is appropriate for us to consider those people in our own lives who could use a joyful message right now.Maybe it is a relative who is suffering a serious mental or physical illness.Maybe it is someone mourning the loss of a spouse, a child, or a relative. Maybe it is someone who is struggling to find work or who is having financial problems. Whatever person you determine God is calling you to console, embrace this great task.Christians are people who believe in a God-man who came to earth so that we might experience the fullness of joy and the fullness of life.We are not called to settle for mediocrity or to allow others to settle for it.Do not hesitate to share the joy with those people who need it most during this beautiful time of the year.Like Mary, we have surprising experiences that take us aback (albeit not bearing the Son of God), but let us press on with haste to bring others the Good News of salvation even in our own struggles.

December 30^th Blurb- Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – The Gospel of the Family

Happy Feast of the Holy Family!Today the Church encourages us to look to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for inspiration, guidance, and encouragement in living our family lives. The Holy Family was a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, and took great care of their Child so that He might advance in human knowledge and fulfill the vocation He had been given by God the Father.When we look to the Holy Family, we can see those virtues we can seek to foster as a family, including patience, forgiveness, and selflessness.This feast reminds us that parents have a great responsibility for the education of their children and are charged with the task of creating a home where tenderness, mercy, respect, fidelity, and love must be found.The home is the place where virtue is inculcated and vocations are nourished. Let us ask for the intercession of the Holy Family to inspire all of our families and to help us nurture Christian values so that others might see the beauty and goodness of our faith.