St. Thomas of Villanova Evangelization Team
Thank you for coming here to learn more about our parish’s Evangelization Team!
If you have questions or ideas, please complete the form at the bottom of this page. We'll get back to your right away!
Our Vision
The STV Evangelization Team exists to foster a grace-filled community that inspires people to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and share their joy with others.
Who We Are
Originally formed as the “Faith Formation Team” in August 2004, over the years this ministry has sponsored numerous meaningful speakers, video series, and other teaching programs to help adults grow in our understanding of Jesus, Catholic faith, the Church, the Bible, and more.
In 2017, the ministry team began to expand its view to include not only adult faith formation but also discipleship and evangelization. Then during late Spring and early Summer 2019, in prayerful discernment guided by the Holy Spirit, we developed an updated strategic vision and roadmap for this ministry, which also was reviewed with Fr. Kris, the Parish Staff, and Parish Pastoral Council.
What We’ve Been Doing
E-Team has provided a variety of events and programs to encourage parishioners toward a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ and sharing of our faith. Some programs and resources we have supported for many years:
We’ve also included some new approaches:
Here is a copy of a bulletin article from July 2019: <CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE>
Where We’re Going
In the discernment and planning process mentioned above, the team generated a list of over 50 ideas that came from many sources. A key element was the input from a group of young parents actively seeking to grow faith-building opportunities for them and their families and to draw others like them (back) to the Church.
We selected 12 top-priority areas for focus for the 3 ministry years 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 for reinvigorating existing ministry efforts or starting new ones (some of which have already begun activities or planning):
These new initiatives are in addition to maintaining the existing programs and resources listed above.
New Ministry Team Members are Welcome
We are open to additional members to help the Evangelization Team fulfill its vision!!
If you have a heart for serving the parish; for being part of an action-oriented group; and for helping to foster the parish’s growth in loving, knowing, serving, and sharing Jesus – then please consider this your invitation.
In particular we want to ensure representation in our group from all of our ethnic groups, across all ages from teens to young adults/parents to mid-life to seniors, STV School and REC families, those with disabilities, etc..
If you are interested in being part of this ministry team, or if you have questions or ideas, please contact us using the form below.
The STV Evangelization Team exists to foster a grace-filled community that inspires people to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and share their joy with others.
Who We Are
Originally formed as the “Faith Formation Team” in August 2004, over the years this ministry has sponsored numerous meaningful speakers, video series, and other teaching programs to help adults grow in our understanding of Jesus, Catholic faith, the Church, the Bible, and more.
In 2017, the ministry team began to expand its view to include not only adult faith formation but also discipleship and evangelization. Then during late Spring and early Summer 2019, in prayerful discernment guided by the Holy Spirit, we developed an updated strategic vision and roadmap for this ministry, which also was reviewed with Fr. Kris, the Parish Staff, and Parish Pastoral Council.
What We’ve Been Doing
E-Team has provided a variety of events and programs to encourage parishioners toward a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ and sharing of our faith. Some programs and resources we have supported for many years:
- Come As You Are (small Christian faith-sharing communities)
- Multi-Media Rack (click here for more information)
- STV Scripture Study (multiple options each year for expertly guided Bible study)
- Parish Library
We’ve also included some new approaches:
- Yoga With Jesus (Christian prayer & Scripture incorporated into mind-body-spirit exercises)
- “Lord, Teach Us To Pray” (Lenten formation series on Ignatian prayer & spirituality)
- Pope Francis Apostolic Letters mini-retreats (“Joy of the Gospel”, “Rejoice and be Glad: The Call to Holiness in the Modern World”)
- “Mass Communications” (Seminarian Casey Flack provided this closer look at the meanings of all the parts of the Holy Mass – which not-so-coincidentally aligned with one of our priorities)
Here is a copy of a bulletin article from July 2019: <CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE>
Where We’re Going
In the discernment and planning process mentioned above, the team generated a list of over 50 ideas that came from many sources. A key element was the input from a group of young parents actively seeking to grow faith-building opportunities for them and their families and to draw others like them (back) to the Church.
We selected 12 top-priority areas for focus for the 3 ministry years 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 for reinvigorating existing ministry efforts or starting new ones (some of which have already begun activities or planning):
- Radical Hospitality
- Radical Welcoming
- Alpha (a program for introducing non-Christians to Jesus)
- Teaching/Q&A about Mass, Catholic faith and doctrine, etc.
- Small Group Faith Sharing
- Educating and Inspiring with Renew My Church
- Service Projects, coordinating with the parish Peace & Justice ministry
- Ignatian Spirituality
- Parish Nights of Prayer
- “Living Your Strengths”: help individuals identify and use their unique behavioral strengths and gifts
- Family Masses, coordinating with Liturgy committee, Parish School, REC, Voices youth group, and Christian Family Movement
- Parish Family & Community Picnic, coordinating with Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Staff
These new initiatives are in addition to maintaining the existing programs and resources listed above.
New Ministry Team Members are Welcome
We are open to additional members to help the Evangelization Team fulfill its vision!!
If you have a heart for serving the parish; for being part of an action-oriented group; and for helping to foster the parish’s growth in loving, knowing, serving, and sharing Jesus – then please consider this your invitation.
In particular we want to ensure representation in our group from all of our ethnic groups, across all ages from teens to young adults/parents to mid-life to seniors, STV School and REC families, those with disabilities, etc..
If you are interested in being part of this ministry team, or if you have questions or ideas, please contact us using the form below.
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The painting depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus is
by Catholic artist Stephen B. Whatley. |