THE SCHOOL OF Evangelization is opening the doors to a new group of Catholics as the Diocese of Orange’s program prepares to celebrate its first group of graduates. More than 40 participants will officially complete the program this December after learning practical skills to share the Gospel in everyday life.
“It has been a very inspiring journey,” Martha Arenas, manager of The School of Evangelization, shared with Orange County Catholic. “They initially came in and they were a little shy. But they found ways to
communicate with one another, and that’s been really beautiful to watch. They have become so much more open. They want to invite other people. They’ve had such a great experience.”
One grateful participant in the program is Albert Garcia. After beginning the school in June, Garcia believes the experience has deepened his faith in more ways than one.
“It’s given me a purpose to go out and evangelize,” he shared in a testimonial obtained by Orange County Catholic. “It’s given me the tools to bring more prayer life, bring more evangelization to the different works in our ministries. It’s just been a great experience.”
The School of Evangelization emphasizes the importance of personal discipleship and equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to evangelize with confidence and compassion.
Fr. Steve Correz of St. Mary’s parish shared, “For our Church to have intentional disciples to be her witnesses, we need to be intentional with the learning of our Catholic faith in an active way rather than passively absorbing it (The School provides this active learning).”
Participants begin the program with a Kerygma Encounter Retreat. They are also asked to read “Forming Intentional Disciples” by Sherry Weddell and portions of “Evangelii Gaudium” by Pope Francis before embarking on 10 weekly sessions.
In the classes, participants will learn a variety of skills centered on parish leadership and evangelization strategies. After completing the program, the goal is for participants to share their knowledge with the local churches they attend. Bishop Kevin Vann has previously expressed his wish for all parishes to have evangelization teams outside of the catechetical setting.
“I learned a lot more about myself, especially what my gifts are, where I lack, how I can improve myself,” participant Jennifer Nguyen shared. “I feel like I’m much closer to our Lord. I’ve been going to Mass more, and I’m going to Confession more than I’ve ever done in my entire life. I feel energized.”
Arenas is looking forward to welcoming a brand-new group of participants to the program in early 2025, with help from Deacon Steve Greco (Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation), Katie Dawson (Director of Parish Evangelization and Faith Formation) and Luis A. Chavez (Associate Director of Parish Evangelization and Faith Formation).
Deacon Steve is happy to see this first cohort completing the School of Evangelization’s course.
“I’ve been excited about the potential of the School of Evangelization from the beginning,” he said. “We keep talking about evangelization — but there’s often a disconnect between the ‘want to and the how to’ and this effort is equipping parishioners for the ‘how to’ and it’s having a positive impact.”
Although students in the initial group were nominated by their pastors, the next cohort can simply fill out a candidate profile online where they will share a little bit about their faith journey as well as their goals and intentions for the school. Laypeople, parish leaders, ministry staff and anyone passionate about spreading the Good News or deepening their relationship with God are welcome to apply.
“People who go to church once a week but have a curiosity about how to be more involved are encouraged to apply,” Arenas shared. “It could be intimidating for them to approach the parish office because perhaps they feel they don’t have enough training. They don’t have enough knowledge, and they are afraid to try to get more involved because they don’t feel they have a good foundation. This will provide the foundation to lose that fear.”
At the end of the program, Arenas hopes participants ages 18 and older will have a “bag of tools” that will help them contribute to their parishes.
“The School is a suitable aid instrument for Catholic formation in our diocese for the many pastoral challenges we are currently facing in our parishes,” said Fr. Sergio Ramos of St. Justin Martyr parish.
For Eden Preciado, participating in the school has had a profound impact on his faith. As a result, he encourages anyone curious about the program to apply.
“I would recommend this as supercharging your faith,” he said. “It’s a way for you to take it to the next level, to pick up useful tricks that have been tried before like having structured prayer life, daily Mass attendance.”
“The most impactful part of this school has been the structured prayer life,” Preciado continued. “Sticking to that structure really helps you get on with the day and having the right focus.”
Before graduating from the program in December, student Blanca Grajeda can’t help but get emotional when looking back on the journey she had in becoming a disciple.
In just a few short months, Grajeda believes she has been transforming “just the way God wants me to transform.”
“It really brings tears to my eyes because just being here has really taught me that God has his arms open for every single one of us,” Grajeda shared. “Hearing stories from our speakers about how they were before they met Jesus and how they have been transformed, I feel like I’m walking on the same journey. … God puts situations in my life where I get to practice everything that I’ve been taught here at this school.”
To learn more about The School of Evangelization, email Martha Arenas at [email protected] or apply to the school online now at https://www.rcbo.org/ministry/lumen-christi/evangelization/