Organizers of the Aug. 23 Upon This Rock Evangelization Conference hope they can reinvigorate the faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.
The second annual event will return to the Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City, bringing together pastoral council members, parish staff and evangelization committees to learn about outreach movements.
“Evangelization is the essential activity of our Church and each of us needs to nurture our skills for faithfully living and proclaiming our faith,” said Sharon Bogusz, the archdiocese’s coordinator for Evangelization and Adult Catechesis. “This conference is one of the many ways that the archdiocese overall, and the Division of Evangelization and Catechesis specifically fosters maturing discipleship.”
The day will be divided into two workshop sessions, with early presentations addressing community building inside parishes, young adult evangelization, making parishes welcoming and community outreach. The second session will tackle welcoming inactive Catholics, knowing when and where to evangelize, method building for outreach and new family ministry.
Both sessions will provide suggestions to integrate new technology.
St. Bernardine of Baltimore pastor Father Edward M. Miller and Father Juan Puigbo, Director of the Archdiocese of Washington’s Sol Vocational Institute, will serve as the English and Spanish keynote speakers respectively.
“The conference is in its infancy and we are happy that we are offering a Spanish track for our brothers and sisters in Christ, for whom Spanish is their first language,” Ms. Bogusz said. “Additionally, in partnership with the Office of African American Ministries members of the Urban Churches, we’ll be sharing their evangelization success stories.”
There were approximately 200 attendees last year and organizers expect more this year.
“Some folks travel a distance to attend the conference and bring with them an inspiring energy for their sharing their faith,” Ms. Bogusz said. “It’s a great time for people to celebrate how God’s word richly dwells within them – and in our Church.”
The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Registration can still be done, by telephoning 410-547-5406.