The Evangelical Catholic

Put simply, lay Catholics have a secular vocation, meaning they are called in a special way to the world. As sharers in the Church’s mission of evangelization, they perform this mission in the world—in their workplaces, homes, classrooms, sports teams, families, neighborhoods, etc.—rather than as part of parish or ministry structures. The Church calls this missionary activity "apostolate." Lay Catholics have a unique mission that only they, not their pastor or parish staff, can fulfill. And even more particular than the laity’s mission to the world, each one of them has a unique circle of influence they can reach that no one else can. This is their personal apostolate. The Evangelical Catholic is increasing the number of lay apostolates in the world through: 1) consulting clergy and parish staff in identifying mission-minded parishioners and inviting them into deeper discipleship; 2) preparing lay Catholics for this unique mission through formation and training; and 3) providing care and support for clergy, parish staff, and lay Catholics as they are sent into mission. At The Evangelical Catholic, we envision a world where faithful lay people understand the call to be laborers (Matthew 9:37) and are equipped and empowered to bring Jesus to the world as the salt and the light of their communities.