Parishes plan to live-stream summit
The B.C. Catholic
A papal document calling the laity to evangelize is the driving force behind the New Evangelization Summit, now in its second year.
The Pontifical Council for the Laity issued a document called “Laity for the New Evangelization” in 2014. “This is not only an invitation to evangelize those who have not yet met, or are estranged from, Jesus Christ, but rather our calling and responsibility by virtue of our baptism,” said Vesna Jankovic, one of the local organizers.
“We know the crisis facing the Catholic Church, that many are leaving and not coming back,” said Jankovic. “But there is what I call another more silent crisis: those still within the fold who have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
The second annual summit, which will take place in Ottawa April 15-16, will be live-streamed to 29 host sites around North America, including St. Patrick’s Parish in Vancouver and St. James in Abbotsford.
“If we laypeople don’t respond to this urgent call, we will be faced with empty churches, or at best, pews consisting of baptized pagans,” said Jankovic. “The transmission of the Catholic faith is not just passing on an inherited religious identity, but is, rather, a lived relationship. This is a gift to be shared!”
Seven well-known personalities will speak during the event, including Sherry Weddell, Christopher West, Peter Kreeft, Angele Regnier, Father Raniero Cantalamessa, and Bishop Christian Riesbeck.
“It is a golden opportunity to join with more than 5,000 Catholics to be inspired, encouraged, and motivated,” added Jankovic. The event offers the chance to learn how to “go out and make disciples of all nations.”
Tickets are $30. More information is available at www.newevangelization.ca.
