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To: Clergy, religious brothers and sisters, parish and campus ministry staff, school principals and chancery staff
From: The Most Reverend Joel M. Konzen, S.M.
With the support of Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., I am pleased to announce that effective tomorrow, January 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the Office of Formation & Discipleship will take on the new name of the Office of Evangelization & Discipleship.
This change solidifies adjustments and priorities that have been shaping the current office, and it more broadly reflects the growing emphasis on the fundamental mission of evangelization (proclaiming the Gospel and fostering an ongoing encounter with Jesus Christ) as what marks and directs every aspect of the Church’s work. In a particular way, the Church has always understood efforts of catechesis or faith formation under the umbrella of evangelization, at least in theory. The 2020 Directory for Catechesis approved by Pope Francis reminds the whole Church that “there is a pressing need to frame everything in terms of evangelization.” As a way to emphasize the priority of the mission of evangelization in this archdiocese, and building on the teaching of Pope Francis and his predecessors, Archbishop Hartmayer has approved the change of office name from formation to evangelization.
The Office of Evangelization & Discipleship will continue to serve pastors and other ministry leaders in efforts to support lifelong formation and discipleship. Look for more intentional focus on supporting parishes, campus ministries, schools, and families as evangelizing centers, in addition to strengthening other areas such as collaboration and communication with ministry leaders, curriculum and certification efforts, family evangelization and catechesis, marriage prep renewal, and so forth.
The entire archdiocese has the mission of evangelization at its core; raising the word and mission of evangelization to more prominence within the structure of the chancery is hoped to be a step in assisting our common effort to advance evangelization and the cultivation of discipleship together. It also comes at a time when our local Church here is engaged in or anticipating significant initiatives intended to serve the mission of evangelization (e.g., the global Synod and the national Eucharistic Revival beginning in June).
Thank you for all you do to proclaim and witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For questions or more information, you are welcome to contact Andy Lichtenwalner, Director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship, at alichtenwalner@archatl.com or 404-920-7624. You may also visit the website at www.archatl.com/oed.
May the occasion of the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul be an opportunity for us to ask his intercession, that our own hearts be renewed and set on fire with the Holy Spirit to serve the mission of evangelization entrusted to us by the Lord.