Sharing a personal journey of the heart

By Wendy Shaw

The Evangelium Project is set to inflame the hearts of Catholics around Tasmania with God’s grace and mercy.

Excitement is mounting for the Archdiocese of Hobart’s evangelising initiative, with more than 110 Catholics already registered for the project.

It starts on 24 May, but there is still time for more parishioners to join in what Archbishop Julian has termed a “personal journey of the heart”.

Under the program, Catholics are set to discover afresh the joy, hope and comfort of their faith, at small, friendly and welcoming ‘hubs’ throughout the diocese with weekly livestreamed sessions from the Cathedral Centre in Hobart.

One of the hub leaders is Launceston parishioner Christina Fletcher, of Invermay, who is also on the parish pastoral council and a member of Couples for Christ.

She is enthusiastic about the Evangelium Project and is urging her fellow Catholics to come along on a spiritual journey of rediscovery in a warm and accepting environment.

“Faith sharing can be daunting and lonely,” Ms Fletcher said. “Sometimes people don’t understand people who have faith. Over time, people have stopped going to church. They don’t really understand what our faith is about and what drives us to go to Mass or follow the sacraments.

“So … it will be comforting to talk about faith very openly with other like-minded people and we can take strength from that.”

Ms Fletcher hopes that as the Evangelium Project gathers momentum, more Catholics will gain the confidence and skills to actively share their faith with others.

 “Once you have that sense of love and support and belonging in a community, you see what it is and you are able to go through life a lot easier… because you realise that God has provided you with these people to let them feel His love.”

Ms Fletcher’s sentiments were echoed by hub leaders Mike and Lis Ryan, of Stanley, who will convene a hub for the Circular Head Parish in Smithton, and Mersey Leven parishioners Tony and Heidi Portugal, who will oversee one of two hubs in Ulverstone.

“It will bring people back to Christ,” Mr Ryan said.

Mrs Ryan added: “It is a method of outreach to every Catholic in the state. It also encourages and fosters friendships between those in the hubs.”

Mrs Portugal said everyone involved in the Evangelium Project would gain so much from it.

“It’s a chance to interact with other Catholics, even if virtually, and with the Archbishop via the blessing of technology” she said.

“There will be a personal reflection question and we will have faith sharing and prayer. It will be a really good experience for all of us and we will learn from one another too.” 

The Evangelium Project is spread over three modules. The first, entitled Heart, runs from 24 May to 21 June; the second, entitled Head, is from July 19 to August 16; and the third, Hands, is from September 20 to October 18.

Go to www.evangeliumproject.com for more information and free registration.