Disciples in Mission Program: Coming Alive to Jesus Christ through the Holy Scriptures

During Lent in 2008, 2009, and 2010, hundreds of parishioners from Christ the Divine Mercy and St. Benedict's parishes met weekly in small groups to share their thoughts on the Scriptures selected for study. Many reported enjoying the shared experience and looked forward to more of the same. Some groups continued sharing year-round.

What is Disciples in Mission?

An explanation from the Disciples in Mission website:

It is a pastoral process that integrates the Sunday liturgies, small faith-sharing groups, catechesis, family activities, teen groups, planning, and follow-up activities into a coordinated parish-wide experience of evangelization.

It fosters spiritual renewal by placing the missionary dimension at the heart of the community of faith—thus transforming it by the power of the gospel."

"How does Disciples in Mission advance the Church’s evangelizing mission?
This ministry responds to Pope John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization—'new in ardor, methods, and expression.' ...DM equips parishioners to grow in holiness, share their faith enthusiastically, and witness to Christ in the home, the workplace, the neighborhood, and society."

"What is the impact of DM in a parish?
Disciples in Mission gets results. Parishioners grow in their excitement and love for Scripture and develop a new commitment to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. The pastor, parish staff, and parish pastoral council use the valuable insights from the Parish Reflection Day to affirm existing ministries and create new ones that help parishioners grow in holiness and missionary activity. Experience and research prove that Disciples in Mission does assist a parish in reaching its full evangelizing potential."

The members of our cluster's parishes who participated enjoyed the experience very much, grew in faith and in love for each other, and some groups continued to meet long after the formal program ended.

Disciples in Mission Program Goals

2010

The call to promote Gospel values:

To foster Gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of family, and the common good of our society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ.

2009

The call to welcome and invite:

As the faith of parishioners grows, they increase their outreach to inactive Catholics as well as invite others to come and pray with them.

2008

The call to holiness:

To strengthen the faith and involvement of parishioners through faith sharing and family activities, active participation in the liturgy and the Parish Reflection Day.

“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Disciples in Mission Prayer

Loving Father, God of heaven and earth,

you gather us in this place and at a time to be church.

Send forth your Holy Spirit and fill our hearts,

as we come to do your will and journey together a

s brothers and sisters, in our cluster parishes.

Help us, Lord, to accept and embrace this new

Evangelization with Faith, love and zeal.

May this New evangelization empower us

to recognize you and to Be ready to bear witness

to your living and living presence in our lives,

in our community and in our world.

In Jesus Precious Name, we pray.

Amen