[bdeaner]

Oh, well, I certainly didn't learn it in CATHOLIC school. I had to go looking on my own after attending a private university that has Harvard envy. The fundraising angle was learned on the job when I figured out how to follow the money. There's a lot out there that Catholics don't know and there are days I wonder how deliberately we've been kept in the dark.

Yes, and the clergy are so stretched thin these days -- I don't see how things will change unless there is a movement within the laity toward evangelization and improving catechesis among our brothers and sisters in Christ. What are your ideas for what a Catholic can do to effect change? I'm on fire right now, and not sure where to direct my energies.

[Desdemona]

Well, don't dig too far on Cardinal Bernardin if you aren't up for shocks. There's WAY more to that story than meets the eye.

I read a quote here on FR in the last few months that was attributed to Fulton Sheen. I've not been able to find it anywhere, though. He supposedly said that every 400 years or so the laity saves the Church. We're probably on the cusp of that. My advice - read the authentic teachings, be informed, learn apologetics, don't be afraid to be unapologetic about the Faith, and if marriage is your vocation, don't send your kids to Jesuit schools. Be sure to be involved in their religious education. My mother was horrified to find out how bad ours was. And, of course, pray.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Our church is encouraging us to join a church ministry locally that will be trained to reach out to Catholics to evangalize...they are asking for about 30 people to become part of this new volunteer effort. I may just volunteer.

there isn’t enough “reaching out’ to the parishoners for their spirtual needs, and short of ‘family social events” the Baptists really leave us in the dust when it comes to “community’ and fellowship. With the advent of suburbs the old Catholic neighborhood church has gone.,,,and with it, a sense of community.