Team Development. God bless you for your interest in the Sebastian Team, and our call to share the Good News. Here are some details on how this new team is developing, and to invite your participation. Because this is the first blog post, covering several months of activity, it is unusually long. I hope to keep future posts brief and infrequent to minimize reading.

Geographical Area. Sebastian is located in the Palm Beach Diocese on the border of the Orlando Diocese. Collaborative relationships have been established in writing with both diocese to garner support for this apostolate (detailed below). Our geographical area of operation will depend on team member agreement, but will primarily concentrate on the Melbourne – Sebastian – Vero Beach area.

Team Type. The Sebastian Team is an Individual Team, as opposed to a Parish Team or University Team. An Individual Team is a standard team anyone can start. A Parish Team is one connected to a local parish and has a pastor’s support. Our team will not be connected to any particular parish, but we will still seek pastor’s support when needed to operate on church property.

Recruiting

• At least two team members are needed to staff an official event. More are needed if it is a large event with a lot of foot traffic, or a long event for which shifts are needed. Since there are many large/long events available in this area, several team members are needed. If we only have two team members available, we will have to scale back participation. (Note: Events are said to be much less effective when staffed with only one person.)
• Though encouraged, you do not need to be an SPSE Certified Evangelist to participate. We can get you started right away.
• If you’re unsure about joining, you’re welcome to attend events as a Prayer Warrior observer, and see where the Holy Spirit leads you.

Team Roles available for assignment through our website and current team members include:

• Team Leader
  • Pete
• SPSE Certified Evangelist
  • Pete
• Evangelist
  • Chris
  • Ruth
• Prayer Warrior
  • Deacon Greg
• Spiritual Advisor (Vacant)
• Station Leader, Community Relations Coordinator, and Team Communications Coordinator are additional roles available.

Event Scheduling and Attendance

• Any two team members can schedule an event. Just inform the Team Leader so it can be posted on our website, and equipment and supply logistics can be coordinated.
• Team members are under no obligation to attend a scheduled event, and are asked to inform the Team Leader as far in advance as able of one’s interest to attend or not attend. Events will be cancelled if there is insufficient interest.

Orlando Diocese.  Bishop John Noonan issued a letter to Pete, dated 08/09/22, stating, “In reply to your petition, I grant you permission to minister in the Diocese of Orlando as an urban missionary under the apostolate of St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE). This permission is granted ad experimentum for a period of 3 years from the date of August 9, 2022.”

St Luke Parish (Orlando Diocese)

• Father Tony has provided enthusiastic support since approached about SPSE in April 2022. See our calendar for scheduled events at St Luke’s.
• A PowerPoint presentation was made to a men’s group May 2022.
• Unofficial evangelization events (due to only one person) were conducted outside St Luke’s Thrift Shop from 9:00 to 12:00, once each in July and August. There were a dozen contacts in July, but only three in August. This was just to test the location as a viable evangelization location. The shop is open weekly Thursday through Saturday, with considerable foot traffic from the public. It would be more viable for events during temperate weather.
• Deacon Greg will collaborate with us from time-to-time with regard to our activities at St Luke.

Palm Beach Diocese

• The Palm Beach Diocese issued a letter to Pete dated 06/27/22, stating, “Bishop Barbarito wishes to express his gratitude to you and the members of your apostolate for the good work that you do carrying the Gospel message of Our Lord to our brothers and sisters so that they may benefit from the truths of His teaching. You are assured of our prayerful support in your ministry.”
• The reply did not specifically mention SPSE because the Diocese was unfamiliar with Pete and our apostolate. Pete met with the Chancellor on 07/27/22 so he could get to know Pete and learn more about SPSE. The meeting went very well, and he provided further words of support. He emphasized that to operate on a parish property, we will still need the pastor’s approval.

Saint Sebastian Parish,

• Pete introduced SPSE to Father John on 08/17/22, and he gave verbal authorization to operate at their monthly flea markets, present to small groups, advertise from the pulpit at Masses one weekend, and staff a table after those Masses. See our calendar for scheduled events at St. Sebastian.

Equipment and Supplies. We are currently fully equipped and supplied through self-support.

Funding. We do not collect donations when off Church property, both for security reasons and to ensure we are not perceived as vendors. Rather, we are just citizens exercising our constitutional rights of free speech and practice of religion. Donation are best made through our team website where donations can be directed to either the national level or to our Sebastian Team. Team donations accumulate as credits for us on the online store, reducing the cost of our purchases.

Next.

• There will be a recruiting presentation to the St. Luke Ladies Guild, Tuesday, 09/6/22 at 5:30 p.m. in the parish hall, 5055 Micco Rd, Micco FL,
• Waiting to hear if we can have a recruiting table at this Thursday's Men's Night at Holy Name Catholic Church. Speaker is from 6:30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.