DATE: January 17, 2001

                                                            NEWS RELEASE
                                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                                For More Information, Contact:
                                                                                Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
                                                                                bbunce@archdpdx.org

CATHOLICS PREPARE FOR EVANGELIZATION EFFORT

        Catholics in western Oregon will begin an evangelization effort known as
Disciples in Mission. Disciples in Mission is a process which integrates Sunday liturgies,
small faith-sharing groups, catechesis, family activities, and parish planning into a
parish wide experience of evangelization. The Paulist National Catholic Evangelization
Association developed Disciples in Mission. It is designed to help parishes integrate the
liturgical, catechetical and social ministries already existing in the parish with a true call
to evangelize.

        When Archbishop John G. Vlazny came to western Oregon, and began his
ministry as the tenth Archbishop of Portland, he adopted the phrase "Go and make
disciples" for his motto. This phrase, which is taken from the 28th Chapter of St.
Matthew's Gospel, is the title of the American Bishops' National Plan and Strategy for
Catholic Evangelization. Archbishop Vlazny, with the support of the priests of the
Archdiocese, invited the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association to Portland
to begin a five-year process of renewal and enrichment.

        The Archdiocese of Portland began a year of preparation for Disciples in Mission
in January 2000 with an extensive training session for the 37-member archdiocesan
leadership team. Parishes then began to sign-up to participate in the process. At this
time 91 parishes and missions plus two special ministries in western Oregon are
planning to participate in Disciples in Mission. In August and September the leadership
teams from each participating parish began their study and training in the Disciples in
Mission process.

        The parishes began a prayer campaign for the success of the Disciples in Mission
effort on January 14th. Parishioners will be encouraged to sign-up for small faith-
sharing groups that will begin during the Lenten season. The Lenten season begins with
Ash Wednesday on February 28th. The discussion groups will be based upon the
Sunday readings from Scripture. There will also be family based activities available, and
special bulletin inserts based upon the Bishops' document "Go and Make Disciples."
Disciples in Mission is designed to be an inclusive process for Catholics. Materials
are available for English, Spanish, and Vietnamese speaking groups. Materials are
being adapted for the Catholic deaf community and for other people with disabilities.
There are materials for teens, for African-American Catholic faith-sharing groups, and
for cross-cultural participation.

        After Easter, parishioners will come together to reflect upon their parish, its
ministries and evangelization efforts. Each parish will develop an evangelizing profile.
The outcome of the profile will help each parish discern its own goals of
evangelization for the following year. The newly created Archdiocesan Pastoral Council
will also use the parish profiles to assist Archbishop Vlazny in discerning the
evangelization needs of the Archdiocese.

        The enthusiastic response of parish team leaders, after their initial experience
and training in Disciples in Mission, is expected to carryover to all parishioners who
participate in this process. There are thirty other dioceses and archdioceses throughout
the U.S. participating in Disciples in Mission.
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Fact Sheet on Parishes Participating in Disciples in Mission