“How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? How can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15)

Welcome to this webpage which introduces the diocesan evangelization initiative “The Spirit of Jesus Alive Today: Pentecost in Our Time.”

As the logo above indicates, the church is fully a part of the neighborhood; it brings it the Word of Life. The Holy Spirit is among us, holding gently but firmly our hearts filled with “the joys and hopes, the grief and anguish” of our time. By virtue of our baptism, we Catholics are sent into our world: our families, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our towns and rural areas, our nation, to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ that his Holy Spirit is with us always.

The Diocese, in preparation for the celebration of its centenary (2010), is reaching out to all people within its 19 counties through an evangelization effort involving visiting homes and inviting people to discover the communities of faith that are our 129 parishes.

In our centennial celebration we will look not only to the past to celebrate the many graces and blessings God has given the people of the Diocese of Toledo, but we also look ahead to the future — a future full of hope. As Pope John Paul II urged us in his apostolic letter “At the Beginning of a New Millennium” (Anno Millennio Ineunte) at the close of the Jubilee year 2000, “We now need to profit from the grace received, by putting it into practice in resolutions and guidelines for action.” He goes on to say, “It is in the local churches that the specific features of a detailed pastoral plan can be identified…which will enable the proclamation of Christ to reach people. mold communities, and have a deep and incisive influence in bringing Gospel values to bear in society and culture.”

The Spirit of Jesus Alive Today: Pentecost in Our Time is just such a plan, a plan to bring the Good News to a world in need of it

Many people will be needed to make this project a reality: those who pray, those who prepare. and those who are sent. In some way every member of the Catholic community of the Diocese of Toledo will be a part of this evangelization effort in whatever way he or she is called.

May the Holy Spirit who holds us gently yet firmly, inspire us to be messengers of God’s Good News in Jesus Christ.