Bryan missionaries are seeing results
Catholic Spirit, February 2006, Selected Articles
Mary P. Walker
Senior Correspondent
Walking through neighborhoods, knocking on doors and passing out parish bulletins are not activities typically associated with Catholic evangelization in the United States. Yet, for the past four months, lay Catholic missionaries have been going door-to-door in Santa Teresa Parish in Bryan. This outreach has invigorated the parish and helped bring so many people to church that another Mass was added to the weekend schedule.
Margarita González, 22, and Veronica Alcázár, 20, are members of the Missionaries Servants of the Word (MSP), a community of young lay women and men, as well as priests and nuns who participate in the apostolic work of bringing others to Christ through direct evangelization. Father Raymundo Vasquez, pastor, and Father Cesar Diaz, associate pastor of Santa Teresa, had worked with the community in previous assignments and invited the missionaries to Bryan.
Although the women sometimes get doors slammed in their faces, overall they are pleased by their welcome. Many who are visited have been approached by members of other religious denominations. “They’re surprised we are Catholic, but are happy to see us,” González said.
Santa Teresa serves a population of Hispanic heritage and much of the outreach is in Spanish. When evangelizing, the missionaries use both a pastoral and systematic approach, which they call CERS — community, evangelization, reconciliation and service –– four components they call vital for the conversion of hearts and building up the local church. They also distribute a magazine produced by the community, “Inquietud Nueva,” which contains educational and inspirational articles.
When the young women get a response to their knock, they introduce themselves, provide a parish bulletin and describe the activities available at Santa Teresa. If the people in the household are receptive, they make an appointment to come back and pray the rosary. They also ask if they may invite neighbors to join them in prayer. González and Alcázár are also approached by passersby as they pray the rosary while walking down the street.
The missionaries encourage those they meet to participate in a series of Bible studies, whose curriculum has been approved by the bishops of Mexico. The courses take five to six months to complete, and have the goal of fostering a total commitment to God’s will and a willingness to personally spread the Gospel. “We want the people we evangelize to become evangelizers,” said González.
Presently, González and Alcázár facilitate six study groups in Bryan, either in homes or in the parish facilities. In addition, for those who cannot attend the studies, the missionaries conduct a two day retreat at Santa Teresa on the first weekend of each month. Between 30 and 40 people attend each retreat.
More people at Sunday Mass is not the only result of the missionary activity. Bennie Ostiguin and Mary Maldonaldo, lifelong parishioners who attended the weekend retreat in January, report that the missionaries have also renewed the faith of longtime practicing Catholics.
By using the Bible to teach the truths of the Catholic faith, the missionaries are deepening parishioners’ knowledge and commitment. Volunteer activity has also increased. Maldonaldo said, “It is exciting to see what is happening.”
Magdalena and Genaro Salazar, who also attended the retreat, agree. They heard about the Bible studies at Sunday Mass and curiosity led them to attend. “We understand more about our faith and are more confident now. We can explain the faith better to others,” said Genaro.
Although the missionaries have an excellent reputation as teachers, perhaps the best witness is their example. MSP members are expected to be enthusiastic, disciplined in their habits of work and prayer, and possess a spirit of sacrifice. González and Alcázár greet everybody with a smile, and radiate joy and contentment.
Although the parish provides for their basic needs, the missionaries receive no salary. When asked about the rewards of their work, González said that her service has been a time of grace, as she sees God change lives. She especially enjoys guiding the youth and is grateful for the many conversions of young people that she has witnessed, including teens turning away from drugs.
Both missionaries emphasized the importance of training and formation before effective evangelization can take place. MSP was founded as a lay community by Father Louis Butera in Mexico 25 years ago. Today, there are more than 1,000 members, including a number of priests and nuns. Each missionary is trained for six months and makes a one year commitment to the ministry. After one year, they may re-commit for another year. This time of service often nurtures vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
The parish priests at Santa Teresa are delighted with results of the evangelization effort. “The first goal of a parish must be evangelization and education, so the people can experience God in their lives,” said Father Diaz. The parish plans to host members of the MSP community indefinitely, with hopes to expand, and their door-to-door outreach and Bible studies are an ongoing and permanent ministry.
For more information about the Missionaries Servants of the Word, see their Web site (in Spanish) at www.cybersepa.org.mx. The community welcomes young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 to inquire about participating in their ministry. González and Alcázár can be reached at Santa Teresa Parish at (979) 822-2932.