Document 6584147


Goodness always tends to spread. If we
wish to live a dignified and fulfilling life,
we have to reach out to others and seek
their good.” (#9)
“’”
We cannot passively and
calmly wait in our church
buildings.
 We must be a church
which goes forth (19)
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
All of us are called to take part in this
new missionary “going forth” (#20)

“It is vitally important to go forth and
spread the Gospel to all places, on all
occasions, without hesitation, reluctance
or fear.” (23)
“I hope that all communities will devote
the necessary effort to advancing along
the path of a pastoral and missionary
conversion which
cannot leave things
as they presently are.”
#25


Throughout the world, let us be
“permanently in a state of mission” #25

“The parish is the presence of the Church
in a given territory, an environment for
hearing God’s word, for growth in the
Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation,
charitable outreach, worship and
celebration.”27

“In all its activities the parish encourages
and trains its members to be
evangelizers. It is a community of
communities, a sanctuary where the
thirsty come to drink in the midst of their
journey, and a centre of constant
missionary outreach.” #28
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Pastoral ministry in a missionary key
seeks to abandon the complacent
attitude that says: “We have always
done it this way”. I invite everyone to be
bold and creative in this task of
rethinking the goals, structures, style and
methods of evangelization in their
respective communities. #33

“A Church which “goes forth” is a
Church whose doors are open. Going
out to others in order to reach the fringes
of humanity does not mean rushing out
aimlessly into the world.” #46

“Let us go forth, then, let us go forth to
offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ”#49

I prefer a Church which is bruised,
hurting and dirty because it has been out
on the streets, rather than a Church
which is unhealthy from being confined
and from clinging to its own security. #49

One of the more serious temptations
which stifles boldness and zeal (in
evangelization) is a defeatism which
turns us into querulous and disillusioned
pessimists, “sourpusses”.

The Church must be a
place of mercy freely
given, where everyone
can feel welcomed,
loved, forgiven and
encouraged to live the
good life of the Gospel.
Throughout the world, let us be “permanently in a state of mission” #25
In virtue of their baptism, all the members
of the People of God have become
missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19).
 The new evangelization calls for personal
involvement on the part of each of the
baptized #120
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Today, as the Church seeks to experience a
profound missionary renewal, there is a kind
of preaching which falls to each of us as a
daily responsibility. It has to do with bringing
the Gospel to the people we meet, whether
they be our neighbours or complete
strangers. This is the informal preaching
which takes place in the middle of a
conversation, something along the lines of
what a missionary does when visiting a
home

“Being a disciple means being
constantly ready to bring the love of
Jesus to others, and this can happen
unexpectedly and in any place: on the
street, in a city square, during work, on a
journey.” 127

An authentic faith – which is never
comfortable or completely personal –
always involves a deep desire to change
the world, to transmit values, to leave this
earth somehow better that we found it.
(#183)
We love this magnificent planet on which
God has put us, and we love the human
family which dwells here, with all its
tragedies and struggles, its hopes and
aspirations, its strengths and weaknesses.
The earth is our common home and all of us
are brothers and sisters. 183
This is why I want a Church which is poor
and for the poor.
 We are called to find Christ in them, to
lend our voice to their causes, but also to
be their friends, to listen to them, to
speak for them and to embrace the
mysterious wisdom which God wishes to
share with us through them. 198
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The best incentive for sharing the Gospel
comes from contemplating it with love,
lingering over its pages and reading it
with the heart. If we approach it in this
way, its beauty will amaze and
constantly excite us.
If we are to share our lives with others
and generously give of ourselves, we
also have to realize that every person is
worthy of our giving.
 They are God’s handiwork, .... and he or
she reflects something of God’s glory.
Every human being is the object of God’s
infinite tenderness, Appearances
notwithstanding, every person is
immensely holy and deserves our love.

•The inclusion of the poor in our society
•Concern for the vulnerable
•The common good
•Peace in Society
•Dialogue between faith, reason & science
•Ecumenical dialogue
•Interreligious dialogue
•Religious Freedom
• These are areas we must engage in
Consequently, if I can help at least one
person to have a better life, that already
justifies the offering of my life.
 It is a wonderful thing to be God’s faithful
people.
 We achieve fulfilment when we break
down walls and our heart is filled with
faces and names! #274

Only the person who feels happiness in
seeking the good of others , in desiring
their happiness, can be a missionary
(272)

I am a mission on this earth; that is the
reason why I am here in this world. We
have to regard ourselves as sealed,
even branded, by this mission of bringing
light, blessing, enlivening, raising up,
healing and freeing. #278
A true missionary who never ceases to be a
disciple, knows that Jesus walks with him or
her, speaks to him or her, breathes with him
or her, works with him or her.
Unless Jesus is present at the heart of our
missionary commitment, our enthusiasm
soon wanes and we are no longer sure of
what it is we are handing on: we lack
vigour and passion.
A person who is not convinced,
enthusiastic, certain and in love, will
convince nobody. (#266)