VALPARAISO – What is the role of a missionary disciple? Who is qualified to be a disciple? A recent diocesan event gathered participants on Sept. 15-16 at Camp Lawrence in Valparaiso to tackle those questions and learn more about how to spread the Gospel message to those who need to be re-introduced to Christ – through prayer, presentations and community in a retreat-like setting.
The Missionary Discipleship Training involved a series of talks given by Sean Martin, director of Evangelization, Catechesis, and Family Life for the Diocese of Gary, and Father Jacob McDaniel, chaplain of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso. Topics covered, among others, were: The Kerygma, Fellowship of a Disciple and Call to Evangelize.
The two-day event not only provided an opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith, but also encouraged participants to encounter Jesus Christ in prayer by scheduling time to celebrate Mass, participate in a Holy Hour and recite the Rosary.
The Missionary Discipleship Training focuses on “the formation of ourselves as Catholics and offers encouragement to go make disciples of those around us,” explained Martin.
Martin defines a disciple as a person who follows Jesus Christ and strives for an intimate relationship with Him, and desires for others to have the same relationship and love of the Lord and shares the Gospel message with them.
“Being a missionary disciple is living every day according to the will of God in our everyday life," said Martin. “I think most people are actually living out their missionary discipleship calling without the actual awareness of what it’s called.”
Father McDaniel said when it comes to missionary discipleship, he believes it is most important for all Catholics to realize they are called to the task.
“As it says in Bishop (Robert) McClory's pastoral letter, “We are all called to be missionary disciples,” he said.
Father McDaniel shared his hopes that those who attended the conference walked away with the important understanding that the Gospel of Jesus Christ demands a response. He also hopes they feel more convicted to pray every day and witness their faith openly to others.
“Sessions like this are not only helpful to learn something new, but to step away from the business of life, and spend some time with God," said Father McDaniel.
Sarah Scott and her husband, Bonner, participated in a previous round of Missionary Discipleship Training that was held in Merrillville. The times she could not attend she always enjoyed hearing about the sessions second-hand from him, and sort of figured that would be the extent of her involvement. When she learned that there was going to be a condensed version of the training offered again, she was interested and the timing proved to be perfect, fitting into her busy schedule.
Scott, a resident of Valparaiso, really appreciated the pacing of the event, stating the potential of the day felt maximized with not a single moment wasted.
“We moved seamlessly from great informational sessions into periods of prayer (including Mass and Adoration) and still had plenty of time for socializing,” she said. “It was well-organized, entertaining, and inspirational. Who could ask for more?”
Scott admits that in the past she tended to think of evangelization as a process of sharing information – a process of educating others about “dry” religious facts. And because she didn't perceive herself as being especially well-educated or well-informed about her faith, she excused herself from any obligation to evangelize – deciding that it was someone else's job.
“What I walked away (with) from the recent training is an appreciation that the most highly effective evangelization efforts aren't geared toward sharing facts, but rather are aimed at reaching and converting hearts by sharing the Good News,” she said. “If you can tell a story about how God has demonstrated His love for you – about how He has guided you, or protected you, or saved you, or forgiven you – if you have any story at all about your relationship with God, then you are an evangelist-in-waiting.”
Martin called the latest Missionary Discipleship Training a very blessed and grace-filled weekend.
“We focused on personal spiritual growth as disciples of Jesus Christ and how to foster discipleship in others,” he said. “The goal is to equip people to go out and spread the Gospel message in their own homes, workplaces, communities, and parishes.”
Father McDaniel agreed the weekend went well, but added it would be great to see more faces present at future sessions.
“I would encourage anyone on the fence to stop out and enjoy our next offering of this conference,” he said.
Session I was the first of a two-part Missionary Discipleship Training series. A repeat of Session I will take place at Camp Lawrence on Oct. 27-28. To learn more and register, visit dcgary.org/discipleshiptraining.