The New Evangelization

In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI, following up on the work of Pope John Paul II, declared the year 2013 as the Year of Faith, 2014 as the Year of Worship, and 2015 as the "Year of Witness" and set forth goals for the Church. While steps have been taken to expand the presence and teaching of the Catholic Church on the Internet and other media, the fulfillment of his objectives are more needed now than ever. Pope Benedict's vision was to engagae and train the faithful to be effective disciples in the world. His goals were as follows:

1. Diocesan and parish efforts should have a special focus on initiatives that seek to increase Christian witness and the support the bishops priority on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person:
2. Communicating and engaging diocesan and parish leaders on effective communication messages to actively engage Catholics in the Church's promotion of the life and dignity of the human person;
3. To engage and motivate a broad cross section of Catholics to become active in promoting and supporting the Life and dignity of the Human Person;
4. Strengthen and encourage the Catholic laity in their role as witnesses in the public square.
5. Forming and training laity to understand and become engaged as evangelizers and witnesses to Christian faith;
6. Strengthening the local relationship and communion between religious and the local ordinary through by increasing the number of bishops who meet annually with religious;
7. Increasing the encouragement youth and young adults receive from youth, campus and young adult ministers to consider a vocation to priesthood or religious life.1