Door-to-door evangelization reinvigorates parish, its members say

Published: 2006-03-14

BRYAN, Texas (CNS) -- 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 few months, lay Catholic missionaries have been going door-to-door in Santa Teresa Parish in Bryan. The outreach has invigorated the parish and helped bring so many people to church that another Mass was added to the weekend schedule. Margarita Gonzalez, 22, and Veronica Alcazar, 20, are members of the Missionaries Servants of the Word, a community of young laywomen and men, priests and nuns who are involved in direct evangelization to bring others to Christ. 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 two young women sometimes have gotten doors slammed in their faces, overall they said they are pleased by how people have welcomed them. Many of those visited have been approached by members of other religious denominations. "They're surprised we are Catholic, but are happy to see us," Gonzalez told The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Austin Diocese.

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