The Harvest is Abundant…
I am e3 Equips Catholics to Share their Faith
The I am e3 Experience in Parish Settings
I am e3 Supports Evangelization in Parishes
Ways to Make I am e3 a Vibrant Parish Resource
Projected Outcomes of the I am e3 Evangelization Experience
Tips on Using I am e3 cards
Credits

Many of these inactive Catholics and unchurched are neighbors to active Catholics. Some work in the same office, and many are relatives and friends. While we know that a significant number of inactive Catholics and unchurched Americans are open to an invitation to learn more about Christ and the Catholic way of life, we also know that many Catholics are not inclined to share their faith with others. Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). I am e3 can provide and help equip laborers for the harvest.

The I am e3 resource brings about a simple yet meaningful evangelizing experience. It occurs through a conversation with another person, prompted by information on an I am e3 card, which involves faith sharing around real-life situations. The experience causes participants to reflect on the possibilities of their “evangelizing everyday everywhere” (e3). Thus I am e3 is a simple and enriching formation process that equips Catholics to witness to their faith in normal, everyday situations.

The I am e3 resource is intended to:

• facilitate faith-sharing conversations and invite parishioners to participate in them;
• help parishioners grow in their ability to share their faith by increasing their confidence and skill levels through personal experience;
• raise awareness in parishioners of evangelization as “the essential mission of the Church…the grace and vocation proper to the Church…her greatest identity” (Pope Paul VI, On Evangelization in the Modern World, no. 14).

The resources available to create and sustain I am e3 in the parish include the following:

• I am e3 card decks designed to meet the needs of the variety of people found in most parishes. Decks are available for adults, young adults, and teens in English, and for adults in Spanish.

• The I am e3 website serves as a resource for supporting e3 use in parishes, Newman Centers, and by non-parish groups. The e3 discussion boards for adults and teens on the website enable those interested in continuing conversations about faith-sharing and evangelization to do so by computer at home. Through links and posted material, the website also offers information on sharing the Catholic faith and additional resources and programs in evangelization and spirituality.

• The I am e3 poster displayed in parish gathering spaces encourages parishioners to share their faith with others. The poster invites people to visit the website to participate in the discussion boards for adults and teens.

• This on-line manual provides tips and other helpful information on how to make the most of the e3 resource.

The following groups or organizations can use I am e3 so that parishioners become more confident and comfortable with sharing their faith.

Parish Pastoral Council Finance Council Parish staff Parish School Board Parish Home and School Association Knights of Columbus Women’s Group/Altar Guild Eucharistic Ministers/Lectors Ushers/Ministers of Hospitality St. Vincent de Paul Society Legislative Network Teen Group Young Adults Newman Center

Campus Ministry Faculty at parish school CCD teachers CYO coaches Gatherings of CCD instructors RCIA, including mystagogy Sacramental preparation Marriage preparation Music ministry Pro-life ministry Ministry to the Sick HIV/AIDS ministry Communion breakfasts Parish dinners

• Parish and ministry leaders can print out this manual to use to introduce I am e3 to parish staff and ministry heads to explain the purpose and uses of this resource.
• Parish leaders can schedule information sessions to generate interest and involvement of parishioners. These can include a 90-minute retreat and demonstration session on a Saturday, or shorter presentations at parish meetings. Homilies, pulpit announcements, and website information can be used to introduce and reinforce I am e3.
• Parishes can sponsor and parishioners can host an e3 Gathering in the parish or at homes. Click here for a link to learn how to host an e3 Gathering.
• Leaders can open parish and ministry meetings with a 15 – 20 minute I am e3 card and sharing process.
• If Spanish-speaking Catholics are present in a parish, special efforts can be made to invite their use of I am e3 in their gatherings.
• DREs and Catholic high school principals and religion teachers can easily incorporate I am e3 in their programs to involve the teens in the faith-sharing experience.
• Those working with young adults in parishes can incorporate I am e3 into their gatherings to help young adults grow in their ability to share their faith freely with others.
• Those involved in adult religious education can use the e3 cards to help adults become more deeply committed to evangelizing everyday everywhere.
• Parishes can offer an I am e3 retreat or evening of recollection to enable parishioners to further reflect on their faith-sharing experience.
• Parishes with websites can establish a link to the I am e3 website.

1. Individual parishioners will develop new attitudes and skills to see themselves as evangelizing everyday everywhere.
2. English- and Spanish-speaking parish groups and organizations will develop a new awareness and a new identity regarding their own evangelizing capabilities and potential.
3. Teens will be better equipped to share their faith as a normal part of their religious formation.
4. Parishioners can reach a new threshold in the awareness that evangelizing is indeed the central mission of the Church, and hence the mission of each parishioner and of all the parish ministries.

1. You will need from 20 to 60 minutes to complete a round of e3. The time can be a little shorter or longer, depending on the setting. Determine the time you will allot to e3 as you plan your meeting or gathering.
2. Break up those in the gathering into groups of two or three. Based on the time allotted for the e3 experience, determine at the beginning how much time each person receives. Tell them at the beginning.
3. Give each person his/her own e3 card. Participants don’t need to pick a specific card as the stories can be applied several ways. If a person is uncomfortable with a card and doesn’t want to use it, give that person a new card if one is available or have the person trade with another person. The participants should go to different areas of the room where they are less likely to disturb one another.
4. Direct the participants to read their card silently when they receive it. One person in the group volunteers to go first. The first person to start reads his/her card to the others in the group.
5. That person then shares his/her own story by answering the questions at the bottom of the card. If time permits, others in the group may respond to the same questions on the card.
6. The group participants listen to, affirm, and thank the person sharing. This is not a time to give advice however. Some people may be quite enthusiastic and animated in this time of faith-sharing, while others may be more reticent. Respect the differences which reflect different personalities.
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for each one in the groups.
8. If there is time when everyone finishes, some may want to share with the whole group about their e3 experience. What was it like to hear the responses of others? What was it like to share your own story? Did you notice God working in your life or in the life of another in a way you had not recognized before?
9. Participants may keep their card and take it home with them. They can show it to those at home and tell them about their e3 experience.
10. Participants can continue the experience on-line by visiting the discussion boards at www.iame3.org. This web address is printed on every e3 card.

Writers:	Mr. Justo Nunez Dr. Jem Sullivan Mr. Frank Mercadante Young Adult writers recommended by the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association
Photos:	Skjold Photographs St. Paul, MN
Graphics:	Ms. Joann Sullivan
Project Manager:	Mr. Anthony Bosnick
Editor:	Ms. Paula Minaert
Translator:	Dr. Marina Herrera
Printer:	P.A. Hutchison Mayfield, PA