INSTITUTE FOR EVANGELIZATION

Resources

The Institute for Evangelization has curated resources that can support your parish renewal efforts. These resources range from sacramental formation to small groups to growing your core team. Please contact your Emmaus Team if you have questions about any of these resources or how to implement them at your parish.

Lord, Teach Us to Pray is written by Fr. Jeffrey Kirby and takes the reader through the challenges of discipleship and the stages of prayer.  Available for purchase here.
Certificates for catechists, parish catechetical leaders, and lay ministers.  Topics include RCIA, Pastoral Accompaniment, theology, and more.  Learn More
Offers helpful tips for leading group prayer.  Learn more
Provides suggestions on Catholic prayers for team meetings and how to pray as a team.  Learn More
Suggestions to help a group feel more comfortable with prayer.  Learn More
Works directly with parish and diocesan leaders to equip, accompany, train, and coach Catholic leaders in the model of Jesus.  Learn More
Provides proven practical formation, coaching, and events for Catholics and leaders.  Learn More
Designed to equip Catholics to learn more about their Faith and how to share it with others in a joyful, non-confrontational manner. Learn More
Started by Fr. John Riccardo, Acts XXIX, equips parish leaders with tactics and strategies for cultural transformation. Learn More

INSTITUTE FOR

Evangelization

The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Institute for Evangelization is a new model for engagement with parishes seeking to realize their evangelizing mission more fully.
The Institute is composed of four offices that collaborate closely to ensure that support is never “one-size fits all” but can adapt to the changing needs of each parish community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Institute for Evangelization?

The Institute for Evangelization was created by Archbishop Lori in February 2021 and given its charge from A Light Brightly Visible 2.0. The Institute exists to support parishes and pastorates in their local evangelizing mission. It provides parish leaders with practical tools to clarify their vision, unify their parish, and mobilize for mission.

What is new about this approach?

The Institute is built on the idea of subsidiarity, which means that efforts should be carried out at the lowest level possible so that the parishes are empowered to make decisions on issues that affect them at the local level. Evangelization is done through relationships, so the Institute supports and equips parishes in their local evangelizing efforts and offers programs and ministries that require an archdiocesan response.

Have other dioceses and archdioceses created Institutes?

In recent years, many dioceses and archdioceses around the United States have recognized the growing need to support “New Evangelization” efforts. Some have created institutes, but few have created institutes that support parishes in the same manner that the Office for Parish Renewal and the “Emmaus Teams” supports parishes.

What are Emmaus Teams?

The Office of Parish Renewal has three teams, each with two Parish Renewal Specialists. Each team of two is called an Emmaus Team, which is rooted in the story of accompaniment on the road to Emmaus and Jesus’ exhortation to go two-by-two. These Specialists are well versed in the latest evangelization resources as well as organizational health tools. Every parish or pastorate will have an Emmaus Team.

What is the “New Evangelization”?

The new Evangelization speaks to the urgent need to proclaim the Gospel using new “ardor, methods, and expression.” In 1975, Saint Paul VI issued Evangelii Nuntandi, which is about evangelization in the modern world. From St. John Paul II to Pope Francis there has been a consistent exhortation to proclaim the Gospel using new “ardor, methods, and expression.”

Is Pastoral Planning still happening?

Yes. The Emmaus Teams will be able to support parishes and pastorates in their planning efforts. While the phased process for planning will look different each pastorate is expected to undergo planning and Emmaus Teams will be able to support pastorates in preparation for planning, during planning, and during the implementation process. These teams will ensure a seamless process of Archdiocesan support.