Sharing the Good News of our faith may seem an easy concept, but it doesn’t always come to fruition. That’s why the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) reserves funds to aid evangelization. “Embracing evangelization in our archdiocese and beyond, in our parishes and through ministries like those supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal, is so important because it is the reason the Church exists (Evangelii nuntiandi),” said Matt Reinkemeyer, Director of Development Operations with the CMA. “The Church, that is the people of God, are here to proclaim Jesus Christ and His salvation.”

Reinkemeyer shared that the CMA has several areas of ministry and countless programs within those ministries, many of them focused on evangelism. He highlighted eight and explained how they spread God’s goodness to others.

CAMPUS MINISTRY: Chaplains and lay campus ministers ensure the Good News is shared with college students at the largest public universities in the archdiocese.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES & CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES:
These ministries witness God’s love and His Church’s goodness by living out many of the works of mercy, from feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger to instructing the ignorant and comforting the afflicted.

HOSPITAL MINISTRY: By bringing prayer, a listening ear and the Sacraments, clergy, lay chaplains and volunteers proclaim the Gospel in word, sacrament and presence to those in hospitals.

NEW EVANGELIZATION: The Center for the New Evangelization team equips parish leaders to carry out evangelization and catechesis in their parishes, as well as directly evangelizes through events for youth, young adults, engaged couples and more.

PRISON MINISTRY: Prison ministry staff and volunteers proclaim the Gospel to Catholic and non-Catholic inmates alike. Their evangelism and witness lead many to the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

RETIRED PRIESTS & SENIOR CLERGY: By caring for
the clergy who have given over their lives to proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the Sacraments, these clergy can continue their service well into retirement and be prayer warriors for the conversion of hearts and souls.

SEMINARY AND VOCATIONS: Seminary formation equips future shepherds, preachers, evangelizers and disciple makers for a lifetime of evangelism.

ST. RITA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF: As it meets the educational and social needs of children who are deaf or have other communication challenges, St. Rita’s also proclaims the Gospel to them.

“The work of sharing the Good News with inmates in prisons within our archdiocese is clearly a part of our duty to evangelization and to Jesus’ call to visit the imprisoned,” said Reinkemeyer. “Yet, this would be a difficult undertaking for any one parish. Likewise for the other ministries supported [by the CMA]. Each contributes to the work of evangelization by responding to the Gospel—especially the works of mercy—and by proclaiming the Gospel to those who may not otherwise hear it in their particular circumstances.”

With donor support, the CMA will continue reaching people in the archdiocese through these ministries and create new ways to share God’s word with all. To learn more and support these ministries, visit CatholicAOC.org/CMA.

This article appeared in the March 2023 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.