"Cell-like" Basic Ecclesial Communities and Evangelism

Rev. Louis Aldrich S.J.

While preparing a talk on the role that the laity should play, according to Vatican II, in evangelism, I was surprised to discover that John Paul II recommends establishing Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) as an effective means of first proclamation evangelism; that is, evangelism aimed at leading non-Catholics to a conversion to Jesus as Savior and Son of God, followed by Baptism and entrance into Catholic Church. These communities are, according to the Pope, a new and rapidly developing phenomenon in the Church; and they are to be welcomed because they are places both of formation of lay Catholics and proclamation of the Gospel to non-Catholics. Through BEC each Christian experiences real community, becomes conscious of having a role in that community and takes on some inistries. Hence, BEC becomes a means for evangelism and developing disciples.

The so-called "Cell-like" BEC communities are especially effective, because they have as their specific goal first proclamation evangelism. These "Cell Communities" start with 8-10 Catholics and seek to grow by adding another 8-10 non-Catholics. The seeking of new members (evangelizing) is done through natural relationships: same neighborhood; same age group; similar ethnic background, etc. When the Cell reaches 16-20 (and assuming most of the non-Catholics have been Baptized) it divides into two cells and the process of growth begins again: so one becomes two; two to four; four to eight; etc. The fastest growing Protestant Churches in Taiwan and Korea use this method; Catholic parishes in South Africa, Korea, Italy and the USA have also been evangelizing through cell communities.

The Catholic cell communities have reached a consensus on the best form for their communities meetings, which is as follows: Song and Praise (about 15 minutes); Sharing what God has been doing in each member's life (about 15 minutes); Instruction on Faith and Spiritual Life (about 20 minutes); Discussion of matter presented in Instruction (about 10 minutes); Cell Business (about 5 minutes); Prayer for Intercession (about 15 minutes); Healing Prayer (about 15 minutes). “Parish Cell System” is a well written manual that explain the details of how to organize and run Parish Evangelism Cell Groups.

News in the U.S.

In the past four years, Fr. Aldrich always came back to the U.S. when Fu Jen Theologate was on winter or summer break. He has visited either Chinese and American individuals or communities to raise funds for the Chinese evangelism. In the mean time, to show his gratitude for the benefactors and to continue answering his call for the Chinese evangelism, he provides pastoral care for the needed Chinese community in the U.S., such as celebrating Masses, leading retreats by silent meditation on Scripture, offering life ethic workshops, and providing solutions for evangelism bottlenecks. Several priests are interested in adapting our evangelism methods or collaborating with our Foundation to promote the Chinese evangelism in the U.S.

Due to the speedy changes in nowadays society; the voices of many people confuse right with wrong, many faithful have lost track of the Church teaching. Fr. Aldrich started to give a series of Life Ethic seminars helping people to integrate faith, technology, and local culture, and clarifying the misleading message from the media in the last couple years. The topics of the series includes: Euthanasia and Hospice, Church Moral Wisdom and Technology – Stem Cell Research, Birth Control, and Youth Internet Pornography Prevention. If your parish is interested in the Life Ethic issues, you may contact us at any time!

From a New Evangelist

Evangelist Lingling Hu at Taipei Center

“To love is to share; love is to offer our best.” I love this quote from Mother Teresa; it fully expresses my desire of serving the Lord. The living Lord watches over me, guides me, and teaches me. Through prayer and group sharing, my relationship with the Lord went deeper and solid.

I joined the Evangelism Center in March this year and was assigned to the Sacred Heart Parish at the city of Shulin. In the past eight months, I started five group or individual catechumen classes. Two more classes will start this month and January next year. In addition, the parish kindergarten principal has been asking us to start a catechumen class for the teachers. It’s in the process now.

There are three sources to recruit catechumen at the parish: parish visitors, parishioners’ recommendation, and catechumen’s friends. I truly believe that prayer is the bridge building a love relationship between the catechumen and the Lord; therefore, I actively motivate the catechumen to have a prayer life so they will develop a deep love relationship with the Lord. As Mother Teresa said: If we pray, we’ll believe; if we believe, we’ll love; and if we love, we’ll serve.

Letting the Lover to be Loved

Formation Center Prof. Tsu-Hua Chiang

The last several years have been my busiest, yet happiest time, because my job is to accompany students growing their spiritualities. For this, I often thank God for his Grace. It is a blessing to be loved by Him, and a greater blessing to be able to love Him and to serve Him. My work is to let the lover be loved – that is to let God be loved by our students. Then the students can be on their journey to serve both the Lord and people with love. God has bestowed His blessing on me for having the chance to witness the love between God and his people.

From God’s side, I have witnessed His almightiness and His love. During a spiritual direction I most frequently listen to students’ sharing about their life and prayer experiences. No matter it happened in a retreat, their daily life, or their ministries, I often noticed their changes after several talks – God makes the weak ones to become strong and the arrogant ones to exam their concourses. More than one student said they did not know anything about a prayerful life when they first joined the Formation Center, but now they know the spirituality. Thanks be to God, the Lord has entered their lives!

From the people side, I am grateful for taking care of the students at the Formation Center and the evangelists at Evangelism Centers. I sometimes visit evangelists at our various Centers. The evangelists shared the following similar experiences: Evangelism is a laborious and difficult ministry, they must rely on the Lord and pray unceasingly, and they witness the Lord leading their ministries.

I am delighted to join this mission, to let the lover (God) be loved. Because of the love for the Lord, evangelists proclaim the good news of the Lord. Thank you for your support, and congratulations to all of you who are also participating in this mission – letting the lover be loved.

Faith is a Relationship

Evangelist Jrli Yin at Taipei Center

Catholic Friendship Center is not a parish and has no registered members either, but her dynamic and function is beyond a parish. Together with Fr. Al Doyle, MM and the Center staff, we made three catechumen classes. The Center not only provides catechumen classes, but also invites catechumens to develop their relationship with God and with their true self through intellective and perceptual activities.

The collaboration ministry between the Foundation and the Center has almost been sixteen months. In addition to the needed daily communication, we also discuss the essence of the evangelism for every catechumen in the monthly meeting, then we decide the appropriate follow-up and assistance for their formation and conversion.

Respect, communication, trust, genuineness, and generosity are the necessary attitudes to minister together. Thank God for joining the two organizations and for inviting young adults and families into His kindness. Below is a sharing from one of our newly baptized in 4/2011, XioNing: Faith is a relationship! What does baptism mean to me?

In the first Catechumen class, I was already for the baptism and felt it was such a long wait for another nine months. I thought baptism would bring a better life and a deeper relationship with the Lord. When it was getting closer to the baptism, I sensed that baptism is not simply a sacrament. It was not a promise of a rose garden, but a response to God’s call. I was willing to share my life with Him and to build a loving relationship transcended by time and space.

Before the baptism, I was a nice and thoughtful impressionist, and found the truth from the changes by time, location, or people. I suppressed and avoided passively to face my pain, sadness, and anger; and those insuppressible pains collapsed with first blow. I was incapable to heal myself.

After the catechumen classes and baptism, I finally understood that the truth is traceable and I can face my emotions and feelings with my new faith; I now believe there will be healing for every weeping tear. When I am worried and lost, I feel there is a love which leads and takes care of me. More frequently, I can experience God’s blessing from love; and my heart is filled with peace. This love relationship does not only invite me into the baptism, but also lead me to a more intimate relationship with God due to my willingness; and His peace and joy fill every moment in my life.

The Lord accomplishes what please Him!” Thanks be to God. His Words have encouraged me and I wish it to encourage others too!