Pre-Evangelization

Addressing Pre-evangelization and Evangelization in our parishes, families, schools, and ministries must be part of our evangelization process. Many are not ready to hear the Kerygma for a multitude of reasons. This is why Pre-evangelization is important. The influence of peers and secular society, false impressions of the Church, recent scandals, a person’s own woundedness, spiritual and emotional maturity, formation, and religious background, can be obstacles to a person’s journey in faith and barriers to evangelization.  The below are some methods of pre-evangelization:  

• Four Prayer Forms: Lectio Divina, Imaginative, Intercessory, and Visio Divina. (https://biloxidiocese.org/prayer-forms)
• Alpha: is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run around the globe, and everyone is welcome.  (https://alphausa.org/)
• Awakening Faith: is a small group process that helps inactive Catholics return to the Church. The group meets once a week for six weeks of conversation and socializing. The meetings foster reflection, prayer, and honest sharing in a setting of hospitality and acceptance. (https://pemdc.org/programs/awakening-faith/)
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation for seekers and inquirers who are non-baptized adults that desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church. Parishioners are often encouraged to attend to have a deeper understanding of our Faith. All are welcome! (contact Office of Faith Formation or your local parish)
• Arise: is a weekend retreat meant for anyone wanting to learn more about the Catholic Faith. Arise is sponsored by the Cursillo Movement of South Mississippi. Arise is  primarily for these groups of persons who would like to receive additional information, about the Catholic Faith in a short period of time (one weekend):
  • Non-Catholic spouses of practicing Catholics
  • Catholics who have been away from the Church for a while
  • Those without a current church/religion who are "searching" for a new or more meaningful Faith experience
  • Those taking instruction in the Catholic Faith (https://www.biloxicursillo.org/index.php/events/arise)

• The 99: “is an evangelization video-based parish mission designed to spark a renewal with your parish walls and beyond.”   ( https://ascensionpress.com/collections/the-99)
• Cursillo: The Cursillo Movement begins with a three-day retreat. Throughout the weekend the participants pray together, attend daily mass and have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  By the end of the weekend, candidates have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and a better understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit.  Candidates are called continue to the weekend experience when returning to routines and to spread the Word of God.  ( https://www.biloxicursillo.org/)
• ACTS: An ACTS weekend is designed to help the retreatants enter into a new or deeper relationship with our Lord and fellow parishioners.  The retreat facilitates the attainment of a new or deeper relationship with the Lord through: Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. (https://www.actsmissions.org/bring-acts-to-my-parish/)
• Christ Life: Covers all areas of evangelization, from pre-evangelization to active discipleship. Three part process equips Catholics for the essential work of evangelization: Discovering Christ, Following Christ, Sharing Christ. “Our ministry partners with parishes, priests, clergy, religious and lay leaders who are seeking to answer the Church’s call for the New Evangelization through a proven method of parish evangelization and outreach.” (https://christlife.org/)

• Diocese of Biloxi Discipleship Formation Intensive A small group of Catholic leaders that meet once a week to learn to pray, to be formed, and held accountable to growing in their pastoral skills as missionary disciples. Also prepares oneself to go out and witness. (contact Office of Evangelization)
• Ananias Training:  Ananias training is a 17-hour process structured in five sessions, designed to form parishioners with no previous training in "the art of spiritual accompaniment." The training will use Scripture reflections, video, and facilitated discussions to form "Ananias Companions.” The goal of Ananias Training is to form a people equipped to accompany one another within the Church, as well as to those in the world, within the context of one's own charisms and personal vocation. (contact Office of Evangelization)
• Divine Renovation: In addition to the Divine Renovation book series, Divine Renovation USA provides parishes across the United States with hands-on support in their journey from maintenance to mission. “We provide parishes with resources and a community of pastors and lay leaders all driven by that same desire to bring people to Jesus Christ.” (https://divinerenovation.org/usa)

• Called & Gifted: This encounter is designed to help Christians discern their personal charisms or spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to all Christians to represent Christ and to be a channel of God's goodness for people.  Whether extraordinary or ordinary, all charisms should be exercised in the service of God.  This process helps you discover where you are gifted in order to develop your gifts and discover ways to grow these gifts in service to others. (contact Office of Evangelization)

• Discipleship Quads: are groups of four people who journey together as disciples through weekly gatherings of fellowship, ongoing conversion, and learning. This 12-month path of accompaniment fosters growth through prayer, accountability, and authentic relationships. (https://steubenvilleconferences.com/discipleship-quads/) – Most Holy Trinity Parish, Pass Christian, and St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Ocean Springs, are both using this program.)

Existing and Emerging: 

• New Wine
• Permanent Diaconate Program
• Vocation Days
• Catholic Charities of South Mississippi
• de l’Epee Ministry to the Deaf and Disabled Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Prison Ministry
• Ananias Discipleship Companions and Disciple Makers
• SEARCH Team Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Religious Education Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Fellowship of Catholic University Students
• Personal Faith Formation Guides and Discipleship Companions
• Catechist Discipleship Companions for Faith Formation Programs
• Family to Family Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• RCIA Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Youth Ministry Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Discipleship Quads
• St. Vincent de Paul Ministry Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Knights of Columbus Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Knights of Peter Claver Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• All parish organizations and Ministries Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers

• Parish Leadership Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Catholic School Leadership Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Priesthood and Religious Vocation Ananias Companions
• Marriage and Family Life Ananias Companions
• Pro Life Family Ananias Companions
• Retreat Leadership Team Ananias Companions (Alpha, Search, Arise, Cursillo, ACTS, etc.)

• Small Group Leaders Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Baptism Preparation Ananias Family Companions
• Confirmation Preparation Ananias Companions
• Individual Student to Student Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Grief Team Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Addiction Support Group Sponsors and Ananias Companions and Disciple Makers
• Renew
• Missionary Field Work Ananias Companions