One of the documents that came from the Second Vatican Council was called the “Decree On the Mission Activity of the Church,” in Latin, “Ad Gentes.” The Decree provides a beautiful overview on missionary activity and articulates how to go about the Great Commission—“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19)—in our own times. For Jesus’ desire is not that we remain a self-contained group of believers; Jesus’ desire is for every person to come to know the love and mercy of God. And He has entrusted us with a mission that He modeled: “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (Jn 20:21). Jesus’ mandate is that we share the Good News, that is, Jesus Himself. We share Jesus through the witness of our life and through the explicit proclamation of the Gospel.
In efforts to respond to this mandate to “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19) in a creative way, Nativity will be hosting Ad Gentes on Thursday, October 12 from 4:45 - 6:15 pm. We are dreaming big with this event: we are wanting to bring as many souls as we can to Christ—whether they have never heard the Gospel or whether they need encouragement and loving support in the faith.
There will be parishioners with signs inviting passerbys to Nativity for prayer; prayer teams will be ready in the parking lot. Meanwhile, inside the church, we’ll have Eucharistic Adoration available for quiet prayer, and Father Nathan will be in the confessional for any individuals returning home to the Church. We would love to have you come for any portion of the night, to pray and intercede for the success of this outreach. The event will happen from 4:45 – 6:15 pm to draw people in during their evening commute, the goal being ad gentes: to the peoples!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can parishioners come to this event? Absolutely! All are invited to pray with Our Lord in Adoration in the church anytime between 4:45 - 6:15 pm or be on a prayer team.
Can parishioners go to confession during this event? We are encouraging parishioners to go to confession during one of our regularily scheduled time (see regular times here) in an effort to keep the confessional open for those who are returning home to the Church or simply wish to speak with Father.
Who will the prayer teams be for? With this event being geared toward evangelization and outreach in our local Bloomington community, prayer teams will be available for anyone seeking prayer or who may be curious about the faith. Think of it as "drive-thru" prayer.
How do I sign-up to be a prayer team member or hold a sign? You can SIGN-UP here.
Questions? Contact Director of Evengelization and Faith Formation, Emily Dalsky at: edalsky@nativitybloomington.org or 952-881-8671 (ext. 8067).