<p> This project in ministry concentrates on the new evangelization for pastoral workers in an increasingly secular environment. The new evangelization calls upon pastoral ministers to respond to signs of the times. The Church by its very nature is missionary, and the new evangelization brings to the forefront in the hearts and minds of ministers awareness of the on-going missionary activity of the Church. The spirit of the new evangelization calls for more creativity and renewed verve in promoting the Gospel to those who do not know Christ and to those who have separated themselves from the Church, and to exercise greater pastoral care to those who belong to the local worshipping community. This project concentrates on ministering proactively to couples desiring to have their child baptized in their local parish and for the parish staff to build a relationship with young families. My pastoral experience has shown that the vast majority of parents seeking the sacrament of Baptism have not been associated with a parish for a number of years. </p><p> I examine the foundational causes of the growing decline in organized religion in the United States. The extensive research of Dr. Linda A. Mecadante helps to explore the increasingly popular “I am spiritual but not religious” ethos. This project also provides detailed analysis of the growth of secularism in the West, in particular, the intellectual and spiritual contribution of Pope Benedict XVI.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10014282 |
| Date | 20 February 2016 |
| Creators | Nolan, Brian Joseph |
| Publisher | Fordham University |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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