I love the idea of taking part in evangelization. The Saintly missionaries have always intrigued me. As I learned about the concept of the New Evangelization, I easily followed that Christendom has ended in many parts of the world–including mine–and materialism, secularism, and modernism has dominated the culture. I felt like I needed to do my part. However, my role in the New Evangelization quite frankly confused me.
I am a Catholic wife and mother. How do I fit into this idea of the New Evangelization? What am I called to do during this time in the history of the Catholic Church?
In the first part of this article I will focus on the importance of evangelization, as well as false ideas that have infiltrated the Church in the past couple generations.
A False Ecumenism in the Church
Although the idea of evangelization has always been near and dear to my heart, I do think it is important to recognize the objective real importance of it. Right now in the Church there is a huge movement toward a false ecumenism. While martyrs have given their lives in the past to spread Catholicism to every nation, the relativistic idea of simply letting every “be” is certainly very prominent.
Who are we to judge as long as someone is living a decent life and not hurting anyone? Or at least not directly hurting us? Is it our responsibility to step in and care about their souls?
The answer should be an obvious: Yes! The Catholic Church at large needs to always be set apart from all other religions, as well as Christian denominations. Our doctrine must be defended tooth and nail. Observing our catechisms, we can plainly see that we simply must accept that we as Catholics must be willing to shed our blood for the belief that the One, True Church is the Catholic Church. Christ desires that everyone–yes, everyone–should be faithful to the Catholic Church. Nothing less will do.
Lukewarm Catholicism and the Fewness of the Saved
After acknowledging that evangelization is indeed an important task and cannot be demoted in the Church, I turn to the idea of lukewarm Catholicism. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard women say: I just can’t imagine God sending anyone to hell. Apparently even meaning themselves.
God does not desire anyone to go to hell; however, God allows us to choose to be separated from His Will and eternal salvation. The idea that this choice will be simple throughout our lives and, especially at our time of death, is utterly naive.
We are constantly sinning, whether it be venial or mortal. The closer we to are to God, the more we are able to recognize our sinful nature, thus repenting and making more acts of penance and reparation. Claiming that our sins and sinful nature are simply covered by His Mercy–and there is no or little to no need for acts of penance, reparation, or repentance is simply not a Catholic belief.
In short, our salvation and the salvation of our family is not certain. In fact, we know by the Tradition of the Church and through Saintly theologians, doctors of the Church, and Fathers of the Church that, indeed, very few will be saved!
Faulty Ideas of Evangelization in Parish Programs
When implementing the idea of the New Evangelization, there are reoccurring problems, namely reinforcing a false ecumenism and the idea that all Catholics will be saved (mentioned above), as well as recognizing a false role of the laity at large.
Many parishes decide to implement programs such as Alpha in order to evangelize. This program is not a Catholic program, but instead teaches a charismatic Protestantism and distorted Gospel. Even the Catholic version, Alpha for Catholics, simply is not a high-quality or proficient program to teach about the Faith and its objective Truths. This program is only one example claiming to have a positive role in the New Evangelization, but in fact are furthering the idea of a false ecumenism.
Another issue with such programs is that it de-emphasizes the idea that our greatest way to evangelize is through becoming Saints and offering our sacrifices and sufferings with Christ on the cross. This entire idea seems to be utterly fading, not a coincidence that this concept would diminish with the implementation of the new liturgy and new Sacraments. Instead, priests seem to assert the idea that because we are Catholic (lukewarm or not) we are “good to go” and our sole responsibility is to help others become Catholic, as well. However, first and foremost our confessional lines should be much longer before our love can possibly overflow to those around us.
I now come to my final point that will lead into my Part 2 of this topic of our role as mothers in the New Evangelization. These programs, as well as new “jobs” in our parishes, such as paid positions in a parish and roles in the liturgy, serve as a detriment to the New Evangelization. Not only do they not serve a furthering of evangelization, but are indeed detrimental in regards to the mother’s role in the New Evangelization.
These programs bring mothers out of their homes. They do not help families better catechize their children. At times they even expose the entire family to false teachings and ideas, in regards to a false ecumenism, a Catholic lukewarmness, and protestant influence. Furthermore, mothers feel like they are not “doing their part” or “being a good Catholic” if she decides to devote her time and attention to her children rather than taking time away to reach out to others.
The Goal of the New Evangelization
The New Evangelization was brought about in the Church because of an increase of the secularization of culture and and lukewarm Catholics. Catholics and Non-Catholics need to know the fullness of the Gospel. So how do we, as traditional Catholic mothers, spread the fullness of the Gospel message to others?
Check out Part 2!
