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Some of you may be familiar with the work of CASE (Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation). This began in 2003, building upon the work of the Catholic Missionary Society, which was founded by Cardinal Vaughan 100 years earlier and was latterly responsible for conducting ‘Parish Missions’ throughout England and Wales. At the end of 2009, the Bishops’ Conference recognised the hard work and accomplishments of CASE but decided that its core work of could now be incorporated into other agencies such as the Catholic Communications Network. However, the Catholic Enquiry Office, which deals with enquiries about the Catholic faith will continue. As CASE is no longer operative, perhaps there is a call for all of us who have received so much through CCR to get more deeply involved in evangelisation.

Many Dioceses have been developing their own resources and strategies for Evangelisation. Here in Brentwood, for example, through the Commission for Evangelisation a recent initiative has been to run a Deanery event called ‘A Question of Faith’. This is a Café style evening with a fun table top quiz for all, based around the Catechism. Then a quiz panel tackles questions of faith submitted by the audience. These are based around various categories such as Church History, Moral issues and the Bible. The evening is fun, informative and evangelistic.

Similarly, a new venture for the Commission for Evangelisation in the Liverpool Archdiocese is, ‘Faith on Draught’. This is essentially pub evangelism. The idea is to provide an opportunity for thought and reflection on a religious topic in a setting that would attract a new audience. A pilot evening was run in December and 40-50 people gathered at the “Swan and two necks” pub to listen to Fr Chris Thomas. He shared some thoughts on the ‘truth behind the Christmas story’ and its’ relevance for each of us in the world today. After the introductory presentation there was an opportunity for questions and sharing thoughts over a pint and a sandwich. Fr Philip Inch, the Episcopal vicar for evangelisation, commented that he was surprised to see so many people attending, including the pub landlord who was a ’resting’ Catholic. He said he was amazed at the response and it was a really good evening ‘once I got over my nerves at being outside my comfort zone’.

CCR and the Spirituality of Pentecost

At the beginning of the new Millennium Cardinal Rylko, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, encouraged the Renewal to ‘be always more and more readily open to the work of the Spirit’. He emphasised that ‘humankind in the third millennium has need of true witnesses, of friends of God, of men and women transformed in heart’. He recalled how Charismatic Renewal grew from its small beginnings in 1967 (when the students at Duquesne University shared the extraordinary experience known as the baptism in the Spirit) to today, where this new outpouring of the Holy Spirit has spread across the face of the earth, embracing millions of Catholics in every continent. He says it is this experience that can be the starting point of the Culture of Pentecost. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have expressed a strong desire for the ‘Spirituality of Pentecost’ to spread in the Church creating a new ‘Culture of Pentecost’.

Becoming Ambassadors of the Culture of Pentecost

Clearly we are all called to become ambassadors of the Culture of Pentecost in the Church and in the World. You may recall that last year the NSC produced a prayer guide ‘The Road to Pentecost’. This year, in collaboration with CTS, we have revised and re-published this resource and also an attractive brochure of the Pentecost Novena. You should have received a free sample copy of this inside your Goodnews. We would like to encourage all of you to be missionary in promoting the Culture of Pentecost through these resources. The prayer guide begins immediately after Easter and is a 50 day prayer journey to Pentecost.

FOR PENTECOST OF NATIONS details see www.iccrs.org