The convocation "The New Evangelization: Overcoming the Obstacles," sponsored by Adam Cardinal Maida and Sacred Heart Major Seminary, will soon be here, March 24-26. It will be held at the beautifully restored Conference Center at St. John's, Plymouth, Michigan. With such a remarkable line-up of speakers, people are asking: Who can come? Is it just for academics?

First Things editor Fr. Richard Neuhaus has been added to the presenters roster.

No, it's for anyone interested in increasing their understanding of what evangelization is and how the obstacles impeding its flowering in the Catholic Church can be removed. It's for DREs and youth ministers. Pastors and associates. Lay ecclesial ministers working in all fields. It's for those volunteering in religious education programs. It's for those engaged in sacramental preparation. It's for anyone interested in hearing what some of the most insightful thinkers in the Church today have to say about this important subject.

The speakers are well qualified but also well practiced in communicating their insights in ways that are understandable to generally educated Catholics. For example, many consider Cardinal Avery Dulles the leading, living American Catholic theologian. While he is noted for the depth of his thinking, he is also noted for his clarity of expression.

Cardinal Avery Dulles, left, and Cardinal Francis George will be addressing the convocation by videotape, having been called to a consistory in Rome for the convocation weekend.

While Cardinal Dulles has had a long and celebrated career, Cardinal Francis George, as the relatively new Archbishop of Chicago, is emerging as one of the leading commentators on the challenges facing the Church today as it confronts our increasingly secularized culture.

Both men have been called to Rome for a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI and the world's cardinals for this weekend. They have graciously agreed to give their presentations by video.

We are delighted to announce that Fr. Richard J. Neuhaus has recently been added to the program. Father Neuhaus is one of the nation's foremost authorities on the role of religion in contemporary culture. He is editor-in-chief of the Catholic magazine First Things, and has been named by US News and World Report as one of the thirty-two most influential intellectuals in America.

Fr. Francis Martin, Adam Cardinal Maida Chair of Sacred Scripture here at Sacred Heart, has had a distinguished career as a Scripture scholar. Yet, with all his learning, he communicates in an inspiring manner the link between spirituality and the study of Scripture. He will be speaking about the profound bond between the work of the Holy Spirit and the fruitfulness of evangelization.

The convocation will feature two well-known scholars who will put us in touch with what is happening in worldwide Christianity. Why are some churches growing and not others? Where is Christianity seeing its strongest growth? Dr. Philip Jenkins from Penn State University has published widely on trends in world Christianity. Dr. Edwin Hernandez from the University of Notre Dame is doing exciting work on Hispanics and their relationship to the Church.

We are also fortunate to have with us Bishop Samuel Jacobs, from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, who has just begun to serve as chairman of the American Bishops Committee on Evangelization. He will deliver a timely presentation on what's happening with evangelization in America.

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We will also hear from skilled practitioners, such as Fr. Mark Montminy, who has led his parish in Manchester, New Hampshire, into being an evangelizing parish. And we will have many of you—alumni, students, benefactors and friends. You will be able to share your experiences and insights with others who share your desire to spread the Good News, during the question and reflection periods built into the program, as well as during breaks and mealtimes.

Who is the New Evangelization convocation for? It is for anyone interested in growing in his or her understanding of the critical work of evangelization. Don't miss this rare opportunity when world-class speakers are right here in our back yard! Call (313) 883-8792, or e-mail convocation@shms.org with general questions.  

Ralph Martin is assistant professor of theology and director of graduate theology programs in the New Evangelization.