PROGRAM AIMS TO HELP OTHERS LEAD STRAY CATHOLICS BACK TO THE CHURCH

Anyone interested in evangelizing and leading strayed members back to the Catholic Church can attend a weekend presentation Saturday at Notre Dame Regional High School.

The Southern Missouri Annual Catholic Gathering is sponsored by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese and should draw about 300 area Catholics.

Speaker will be Bob McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Youth Ministry. McCarty will talk about "Tending the Soul: Evangelization."

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and dismiss by 1:45 p.m. Saturday at the school.

The theme was developed to be "relevant to where the church is today," said Marilyn Vydra, communications director for the diocese.

"We're focusing on situations where kids leave the church and people who have been to church but aren't coming anymore," she said.

McCarty said the church has to examine the needs of people today.

"Catholic evangelization is not the same as evangelization in other Christian churches.

"We must begin by examining the needs and beliefs of Catholics today. We must name fears and hesitations in sharing faith. Then we must find the direction to take," he said.

McCarty uses a map and compass in his speeches to illustrate his points.

"Our compass points to the good news we are challenged to proclaim," he said. "The reign of God is both a powerful image and our North star to orienting our map."

Registration for the conference is $10 and child care will be provided.

McCarty will speak Sunday from 1:30-6 p.m. at Springfield Catholic High School in Springfield, Mo.