The Commitment and the challenge” “

The first anniversary of CASE (Catholic agency to support evangelisation), (www.caseresources.org ), the agency founded by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in 2004 to support dioceses, parishes, schools and groups in the new evangelisation, was celebrated in London in early April. Speakers at the anniversary meeting included the head of the agency, Monsignor KEITH BARLTROP , and its president, Bishop Malcolm McMahon of Nottingham. Barltrop paid tribute to John Paul II as “the greatest evangeliser of modern times. He left to all of us the commitment to continue in the preaching of the Gospel. He bore witness to the greatness of the Gospel through his sufferings to the moment of death”. We spoke with Clare Ward , press office of CASE, and reviewed this first year of the agency’s activity. NOT ONLY COURSES, PROGRAMMES AND VIDEOS. An agency, a website and many other activities: that’s how the Catholic Church of England and Wales is tackling the commitment and challenge of the new evangelisation. “We are compiling a national directory for evangelisation, a complete list of all the available resources. Here in the UK out of 60 million inhabitants only one and a half million are practising Catholics, and yet there exist from 50 to 70 different evangelisation groups”, explains Clare Ward. But what are the most important projects promoted by CASE? “Very significant – she replies – is ‘Café’, a course of evangelisation in the parishes. It is enjoying great success, and was born from the idea that the evangelisers themselves need to be evangelised. ‘Café’ derives its origin from the document Evangelii nuntiandi”. “It’s an excellent programme”, she continues, “Catholics meet together to share ideas and learn new things about their faith. “Café” also produces “YouthCafe”, a magazine containing evangelization projects and teaching videos for teenagers: a series prepared for those aged from 13 to 15 and based on the theme ‘Getting to know God better’. Its aim is to help the young to gain a better understanding of the faith and how it may help them in their everyday life”. “The preparatory video distributed by Café – she adds – comprises four points: getting to know God better, discovering the Catholic Church, the originality of Catholics, and how to reach new people”. STREET-WISE EVANGELISATION. “Some groups evangelise in market places, in the streets and squares, using posters, flyers or theatre, stopping people on the street and speaking to them”, continues Ward. Another interesting project is “Share Jesus International” (www.sharejesusinternational.com) aimed at spreading the Gospel message through new and creative methods of evangelisation. Composed of various churches and confessions – Methodists, Baptists, Salvation Army and Evangelic Alliance – “Share Jesus International” coordinates training events in the various parishes, and organises conferences on religion, weekends for the young and conferences for leaders. So far it has promoted 300 conferences for over 500 preachers below the age of 30. The projects promoted by “Share Jesus International” also include a “spirituality tour for the New Year”, and a series of seminars in various venues in England, where the participants discuss how Christians can get involved in contemporary society. EVANGELISATION IN HOSPITALS, PRISONS AND SCHOOLS. “Youth 2000” is responsible for this area. It organises and directs retreats based on St. John’s Gospel. Each retreat comprises a Mass, the sacrament of Reconciliation, eucharistic adoration, and moments of music and community. In Liverpool an empty school building has been used for the diocesan offices of the project, and some privileged places of evangelisation have been identified, including hospitals, prisons and schools.