OUR GOAL

TO BE CHRIST

TO EVERYONE

WE MEET

REFLECTION

“All the believers were one in heart and

mind. No one claimed that any of their

possessions was their own, rather everything

was held in common... God’s grace was at

work so powerfully in them all.”

(Acts 4: 32-33)

Description

To foster the Holy Spirit’s renewal of our diocese, we, the Diocese

of San José, will prioritize acts of charity, advocacy, justice, and

evangelization3 within every parish, school, organization, and

ministry. We will be Christ’s hands, reaching out to the poor,

vulnerable, and those distant from His Church. Our outreach

expresses Christ’s self-giving love, especially to those in need or

on the margins of society. Guided by Catholic Social Teaching,

we aim to uplift human dignity, champion the common good,

and live lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society.

Evangelization means sharing the Good News with all, especially

those suffering, marginalized, disconnected, or not yet invited to

hear the Gospel. In every action, our mission is to embody Christ

for everyone we encounter.

Evangelization

Objectives and Key Action Steps

The following objectives and actions align with these ranked Diocesan Synod proposals (see

Appendix D): 3, 12, 17, 51, 55, 56, 62, 64, 82.

Objective 1: Revitalize our call to share the Good News by encountering and listening to those

currently not engaged in practicing the Faith

In our parishes and schools, the People of God can expect expanded efforts at evangelization within

and outside the Church through

• Appointment of evangelization leaders at each parish and school.

• Focused efforts to reach out to and dialogue with those who have not heard the

Good News.

• Thoughtful efforts to listen and dialogue respectfully with those not currently practicing the

Faith and those estranged from the Church to help them re-experience God’s love through

Catholicism.

The diocese will support parish and school evangelization efforts by

• Appointing a diocesan Office of Evangelization Associate to lead the evangelization ministry

and appoint evangelization leaders at each parish and school, focusing on inviting people

to consider or return to the Catholic faith.

• Examining and sharing evangelization best practices from within and outside the diocese

and other faiths for inviting people to join or return to our Faith.

• Developing diocesan and parish plans to reach out to those who haven’t heard about God’s

love, who are currently not engaged in practicing the Faith, or who are estranged from the

Church.

Timing – Phase 1

Catholic Social Teaching

Objective 2: Increase social justice6 awareness, training, and commitment

In our parishes and schools, the People of God can expect more exposure to Catholic Social Teaching

(CST) through

• The opportunity to attend one of two annual conferences, one for adults and one for youth,

centered on the themes of CST.

• Parish and school-based events and activities centered on creating awareness and

promoting engagement in living out CST in daily life.

• Opportunities to learn about community organizing to spread the word about respecting

life, seeking justice, and working for peace.

The diocese will support parish and school CST awareness and ministry efforts by:

• Assembling a CST volunteer support team to work with the Office of Life, Justice, and Peace

to support parish and school-based catechesis.

• Hosting annual conferences, one for adults and one for youth, centered on the themes of

CST and how to be Christ to others.

• Sharing compiled CST resources and training to build awareness and promote engagement

and the living out of CST amongst the faithful.

• Developing leaders in community organizing7 to spread the word about respecting life,

seeking justice, and working for peace.

Timing – Phase 2

Service

Objective 3: Significantly expand ministry in housing, mental health, and other charitable

services

In our parishes and schools, the People of God can expect increased opportunities to serve those in

need through:

• A service engagement app with a database of available advocacy and service opportunities8

to make it easy to find where you can lend a hand or get help.

• More focused efforts to inform, attract, and engage volunteers.

• School and parish-based referral programs, training, and resources in the mental health

ministry.

The diocese will support parish and school service opportunities by:

• Appointing a diocesan Associate Director for Social Ministries to assist parishes and schools

in serving our brothers and sisters.

• Creating formal partnerships with charitable ministries, apostolates9, and organizations10 to

work together where help is needed most and develop a service engagement app with a

database of available advocacy and service opportunities.

• Convening a diocesan task force devoted specifically to the challenges of homelessness and

affordable housing.

• Creating diocesan referral protocols and training for providing mental health ministry

through the parishes and schools

• Developing a diocesan outreach and training plan to attract and engage service volunteers.

Timing – Phase 3