Our vision and mission as the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis is first and foremost committed to promoting and implementing the vision of the "new evangelization" and those specific elements and pastoral initiatives which brings its realization in the lives of individuals and parish communities.
The blueprint for this "new evangelization" has been laid out for us by Pope John Paul II in collaboration with the entire body of Bishops of America in the document titled: Ecclesia in America: On the Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ: The Way of Conversion, Communion and solidarity in America. Thus the starting-point of such a program of evangelization is in fact an authentic, personal and holistic encounter with the Living Jesus Christ present and active in His Church (EA 3).
Our Secretariat, made up of the regional offices of Evangelization and catechesis, Office of Marriage and Family Life, Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry, the Office of Special Religious Education for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and the Respect Life Office are striving within the specific parameters of their own ministries to place "the crucified and risen Christ at the center of their pastoral concerns and evangelizing activities" (EA 67).
We realize collectively that "everything planned in the Church of Denver must have Christ and his Gospel as its starting-point" (EA 67). Therefore it is our compelling pastoral motivation that all ministries must begin and end with the speaking and witnessing of Jesus Christ, the human face of God and the divine face of man. It is this primary proclamation that truly makes an impact on people, awakens and transforms hearts, in a word, converts" (EA 67).
This makes clear for us the need for an "evangelizing catechesis" to be promoted and implement in the Archdiocese of Denver. This "evangelizing catechesis" is founded on the definition given by our Holy Father taken from Pope Paul VI which eloquently defines that the "vital core of 'new evangelization' must be a clear and unequivocal proclamation of the person of Jesus Christ, that is, the preaching of his name, his teaching, his life, his promises and the Kingdom which he has gained for us by his Paschal Mystery" (EA 66).
This bold and invitational proclamation certainly has specific and demanding ramifications for both those who evangelize and catechize as ambassadors of the Church and for those who see and hear the living Jesus through their witness and words. Thus our overriding vision and mission in the formation of catechists and in all evangelizing and catechetical activities is that "Christ, the Incarnate Word and Son of Go ... is taught - everything else is taught with reference to him - and it is Christ alone who teaches - anyone else teaches to the extent that he is Christ's spokesman, enabling Christ to teach with his lips….Every catechist should be able to apply to oneself the mysterious words of Jesus: 'My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me'" (CCC 427; CT 6; Jn 7:16).
Something needs to be said about our "dedication to the services parishes and catechists" "our desire for mutual respect, collaboration and support" for each ones ministry and in our united support and pursuit to implement Archdiocesan wide the vision and desires of Archbishop Chaput.
Mr.
Marco Roman, secretary for Evangelization and Catechesis
Lauretta
Proulx, executive secretary
303-715-3144