[markomalley]

Gary Zimak is the founder of Following The Truth Ministries, a lay apostolate created to assist Catholics in learning more about their Faith. He is a frequent guest on EWTN's "Son Rise Morning Show" and has appeared on Sirius Radio's "Seize The Day" with Gus Lloyd as well as several local Catholic radio shows. In addition to writing for Catholic Exchange, Mr. Zimak speaks at various parishes, updates The Catholic Truth website and posts frequently on his blog, Facebook and Twitter. He is a member of Catholics United For The Faith, an officer in the Knights of Columbus and resides in New Jersey with his wife Eileen and twin daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. They are actively involved in Sacred Heart Parish in Riverton, NJ.

[raybbr]

To take it a step further, many Catholics don’t feel the need to learn or understand their faith, let alone share it with others.

Really? This guy insults a vast majority of Catholics and then goes on to tell us what we should do. and, we're supposed to listen to him?

I guess he really wants to be a politician.

[kosta50]

Among Eastern Orthodox there is even less of a zeal for aggressive evangelizing Protestant style. This attitude, which both Churches share for traditional reasons, comes from Judaism — always ready to help someone interested in coming over, but not shoving it down their throat.

[MGMSwordsman]

Catholics don't evangelize? They believe that religious faith is a personal matter that shouldn't be shoved down somebody’s throat? Really?

Talk to indigenous peoples like the Maya, etc. They were evangelized quite well.

[fire4effect]

Didn’t catholics evangalize most of the western hemisphere?

[LottieDah]

What is wrong with sharing the good news of Christ our Savior?

[Grunthor]

“To take it a step further, many Catholics don’t feel the need to learn or understand their faith, let alone share it with others.”

Really? Why?

[NYer]

Ping!

[mlizzy]

I must admit that I felt this way for many years. Even though I went to Mass every Sunday, talking about God to others was something for Protestants and “Jesus Freaks”.

While it is crucial to set a good example, the Church teaches that we must also share our faith verbally. [emphasis;mine]

Avoiding foul language, making the sign of the cross and saying grace before meals, having a positive disposition, and avoiding gossip are all ways that can be used to set a positive example for others.

Prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments will allow these gifts to grow and will ultimately lead to greater success of our evangelistic efforts.

After reading the first quote, I had to give a bit of an eye-roll. Going to Mass on Sundays only, does not a great evangelist make. After the second quote, I felt the author was stating what *he* thinks the Church teaches. Evangelizing is not necessarily verbal. It can also be via missionary work, good deeds, suffering, etc. FINALLY, at #4 he says, "Prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments ..." IMO this should be #1 and it should list the Rosary (by name) as a *daily* prayer to be recited, in addition to THE most important way to evangelize -- through the reception of the *daily* Eucharistic Lord at Mass whenever possible. Very frequent Confession (didn't JPII go every day?) should be listed *by name again* and the myriad of sacramentals that can be used should also be listed. Miraculous medals, scapulars, holy water, and so on. I don't think I would want this particular author evangelizing my kids ... he doesn't make the Church/faith sound much different from a Protestant one.

[netmilsmom]

We have to understand the difference between evangelizing Christianity and evangelizing “Catholic life”. We are to spread the Good News of Christ. We are not called to turn everyone Catholic, just present the truth. Even the Vatican sees non-Catholic Christians as being in churches and each can go to heaven.

We are called to show our faith, by deeds and words.
We are not called to smack our brothers and sisters in Christ, who already have a good relationship with Jesus, and belittle them for choosing their denomination. Many people I have known who converted, did so because a Catholic guided them, answered questions and never pressured them to give up his/her “church”.

Including my own husband.

[SuziQ]

Wasn’t it St. Francis of Assisi who said, “Preach the Gospel, always, and if necessary, use words.”?

[Theo]

Evangelizing means sharing the gospel.

What does “the gospel” mean to Roman Catholics?

[Jim Noble]

Here's a little more data:

I was raised Reformed, had an Evangelical period, and I'm (almost) Catholic.

I have been Board Chairman of a mixed Protestant-Catholic Christian school (75-25). There is no Catholic school in our area. Most of the families are quite happy for their children to go to a school where they learn 1) They are created by a loving Father, who 2) Sent a Savior to die for them on the cross, who also 3) Rose from the dead and 4) Ascended into Heaven, etc, etc.

The Catholic families, however, have a bit of culture shock encountering the "Jesus talk". Ond Dad said to me once, "Too much of this Jesus stuff - we're Catholic!".

I look on the Catholic Church as an advanced form of Christian practice. I'm almost successful at thinking my way into it.

But, with an Evangelical heart, I must say it may not be the best place for the unchurched and the unbeliever to encounter the Lord for the first time.