Two thousand years ago, Jesus told his followers:

"Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."(Matthew 28:18-20)

Today we too are called to make disciples. We hear this call through the writings of Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and the United States National Catholic Conference of Bishops (NCCB). In 1992, the NCCB issued Go and Make Disciples: A Plan and Strategy for Catholic evangelization in the United States.

What is DISCIPLES IN MISSION?

The Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association (PNCEA) has a program called Disciples in Mission designed specifically to enable parishes to implement Go and Make Disciples: A Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States. His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, has invited the Parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to use the program and materials developed by the PNCEA to encourage discipleship and to carry on the evangelizing mission that all of us are charged with as Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ.

How Does DISCIPLES IN MISSION Work?

DISCIPLES IN MISSION is a three-year ministry. Each year follows the same basic process and builds on the accomplishments of the year before.

Before Lent, there will be a period of prayer at OLPH and you will begin to hear about DISCIPLES IN MISSION at OLPH, see information on how DISCIPLES IN MISSION will begin at OLPH and be asked to pray for our DISCIPLES IN MISSION ministry.

During Lent, adult faith-sharing groups will begin to form. Family activities will be carried out as part of the OLPH Religious Education Program. Teens will experience DISCIPLES IN MISSION with their own faith-sharing groups as part of our Junior High and Horizons Programs. You will hear special homilies on evangelization during Mass, see inserts in the weekly Parish Bulletin on DISCIPLES IN MISSION and be invited to participate in other evangelization-based activities.

During the Easter Season, you will be encouraged to reflect on the Evangelizing Ministries at OLPH and encouraged to come forward and participate. We hope and pray for your thoughts and ideas on evangelization.

During the Summer, Fall, and Winter, there will be planning and various evangelizing activities will be held. Parish leaders will continue to reflect on the experience and plan the next year's programs.

How Can I Participate?

Come and join our Rosary Prayer Group, which began on Friday, December 6, 2002 at 7:00PM and will continue thereafter to be held on the first Friday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Church until Pentecost. Check the weekly Parish Bulletin for Dates and Times.

Make a commitment to pray the DISCIPLES IN MISSION prayer every day to ask God's blessings on DISCIPLES IN MISSION at OLPH.

Join a small faith-sharing group. Click here, for a small faith-sharing group registration form. The groups meet to discuss the weekly readings from the Sunday Lectionary and to share faith. You will learn more about Scripture and be able to relate it to your everyday life. You will meet wonderful people and take part in interesting discussions. Joining a group is a great way to enter fully into Lent and prepare for Easter and to enrich your personal prayer life and participation in the Mass.

Involve your family. Participate in the activities planned for families with your children. Listen to the Word of God together, do activities, and have fun in the process.

Read the inserts in the weekly Parish Bulletin on DISCIPLES IN MISSION and return to this web page to learn more about Christian life and evangelization. Listen to the homilies which will help you reflect on the Sunday readings in light of the evangelizing mission that all of us are charged with as Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ.

Attend the Parish DISCIPLES IN MISSION programs and activities where you will have a chance to reflect and participate in your faith community.

Live as a Disciple with a Mission.

God Bless you!

The OLPH DISCIPLES IN MISSION Team: