The Beginnings of a New Evangelization Ministry In a Parish

“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age”. Matthew 28:18-20

Evangelization has always been a strong interest for Fr. Jeff.  In June 2026, he resigned as the Parochial Administrator of St. Mary’s of the Lake in Watkins Glen and St. Benedict’s in Odessa hoping to be able to spend more time on Evangelization and Pro-Life ministry.  As Parochial Vicar, at St. Louis he found a parish eager to begin new efforts for evangelization.  What follows here is a series of articles he wrote to share with parish leadership on what evangelization is and what an evangelization ministry seeks to offer.

These articles are written with St. Louis Church in Pittsford, NY in mind.  Therefore, some of the details may be parish specific.  You may need to modify details for your own parish but the general thoughts should still apply.

• Why Evangelize?
• Who Should We Evangelize?
• How Do Measure Success in Evangelization?
• What Stands in the Way of Evangelization?
• Methods of Invitation
• Meeting Them Where They Are At
• Whose Job is It?
• Possible Types of Gatherings
• Possible Topics for Content
• Prayer Services and Ways to Help
• When and Where
• Other Helpful Bible Verses

Here are two brochures we created and put out in church.

• What is Evangelization?
• How Can I Help Evangelize Others?

For Further Reading by Fr. Jeff:

• “What Sort of Church Should We Be?”
• “What Does It Mean To Have a Personal Relationship With Jesus?”
• “What Does it Mean to be Disciple?”
• “Talking About God”
• “Evangelization: A Call for All”
• “The Evangelizing Mass”
• “The Evangelizing Priest”
• “Evangelization: What Can You Do?”
• Videos
  • “Evangelization and Apologetics”
  • “Talking About God: Sharing Our Faith“
• My blog articles on Evangelization
• My blog articles on Apologetics

Rivers, Robert S., CSP, From Maintenance to Mission. New York: Paulist Press. 2005.

Bibliography

DeSiano, Frank, CSP, “American Culture and Catholic Parishes.” “Priest as Evangelizer Workshop,” Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association,” Instructor Rev. Frank DeSiano, CSP. March 2010.

DeSiano, Frank, CSP, “The Mass: Instrument of Evangelization,” The Priest, September 2009, Vol. 63 No. 9, pp. 79-86.

DeSiano, Frank, CSP and Kenneth Boyack, CSP, Creating the Evangelizing Parish. New York:Paulist Press. 1993.

Created 10/20/26