On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
If I return, do I have to evangelize?
Yes, constantly. And, as is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, when necessary, use words.
Evangelize by living a life that shows your love and respect to God, your neighbors, and yourself. Some Catholics are called to more active evangelization through religious vocations (priests, deacons, and nuns, for example); others are called to make a full-time pursuit of work as missionaries; others are called to be parents, spouses, actors, politicians, writers, bakers, social workers, IT professionals, you name it.
There is no requirement that you personally convert to Catholicism X number of people during your life. But when you fall in love with Jesus, you naturally want to share the Good News with others. Anyway, God gets the credit for any conversion; you’re simply and gloriously his instrument.
