Most Reverend Tod Brown
Bishop of Orange

Disciples in Mission
Marywood Center
2811 E. Villa Real Dr.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 282-3000

Dear brothers and sisters,

Of all the letters I write every year, very few give me more pleasure than this one. On behalf of everyone here at the Diocese of Orange, I would like to thank you for continuing your faithful support of Jesus’ gospel through your ministry.

Because of loyal supporters like you, the Disciples in Mission program has been successfully implemented during the last two years. During the 2003 Lenten Season, over twenty thousand active and inactive Catholics participated in this evangelization experience (exceeding last year!). Teens, small groups and families prayed together, reflected on the gospel readings, shared their faith with one another, and had a close encounter with the living Christ.

The Disciples in Mission office has big plans for the coming year and the transition year. As you may already know, the transition year is a crucial time for the parishes implementing Disciples in Mission; it is a great transitional opportunity, from discipleship to apostolate, from small groups to Christian communities. It is a time to emphasize on the ongoing process of evangelization, the principal mission of the Church “The Church exists in order to evangelize.”Pope Paul VI, Evangelization in the Modern World, 14.

You are vital to the evangelizing efforts that allow us to continue to spread the Good News, to bring the hope and light of Christ to all people. This alone makes your participation more important than ever.

Please accept my gratitude for the wonderful support you have shown the past year. I look forward to sharing another year of enriching spiritual growth with valued members of the faithful community like you.

May the holy Lord allow us to unite with Him in His wonderful and mysterious plan, so we may be partners with Him as we endeavor to walk in the path He has set for each of us.

Together in Christ,
Most Reverend Tod Brown
Bishop of Orange

What is Disciples in Mission?
Disciples in Mission is a process that integrates the Sunday liturgies, small faith-sharing groups, catechesis, family activities, planning, and follow-up activities into a coherent parish-wide experience of evangelization. It fosters spiritual renewal and places the missionary dimension at the heart of the community of faith-thus transforming it from within.

How does Disciples in Mission work?
The Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association (PNCEA) works in partnership with the diocese to develop a leadership team to promote and coordinate Disciples in Mission. The diocese invites parishes to participate, trains local leadership teams to implement the program, and offers ongoing support. The program brings together-in collaborative process-diverse ministries, different cultures, and all elements of pastoral life to work for a common goal: a holy and missionary church.

Will Disciples in Mission work in any parish?
Yes! This process respects the unique character of each parish, whether the community is large, small, rural, suburban, or multicultural. It harmonizes and enhances the already existing evangelizing and community-building ministries. Each parish proceeds at its own pace and decides how best to achieve its unique evangelizing potential.

Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association
pncea@pncea.org | http://www.disciplesinmission.org