Series information:
The “Church of the New Evangelization” diocesan Awaken Adult Faith series held in fall 2023 is now available on the diocesan YouTube video channel:
- Part 1 – An overview of Vatican II, with Sr. Mirasol Abala: video / article
- Part 2 – Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World), with Marilyn Jackson: video / article
- Part 3 – Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope) with Bishop Mark Hagemoen: video / article
- Part 4 – Christefideles Laici (The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful) with Sr. Malou Tibayan: video / article
- Part 5 – Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) with Fr. David Tumback – video
Fr. David Tumback explores the “Joy of the Gospel”
By Jon Perez
All of the Christian faithful are challenged to evangelize in any way they can, through external and internal means like living out the joy of the Gospel of our Lord, which was the final topic of the diocese’s five-part Adult Faith Formation Fall Awaken series “The Church of the New Evangelization.”
Fr. David Tumback, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Saskatoon, explored the importance of Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), the first Apostolic Exhortation issued by Pope Francis, reflecting about the role of all the baptized in the new chapter of evangelization in the Church.
Fr. David Tumback, pastor at St. Patrick Parish in Saskatoon, was the final speaker in the Awaken adult faith series “The Church of the New Evangelization” Nov. 22, exploring Pope Francis’ exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel). (Photo by Jon Perez)
Tumback said Evangelii Gaudium is a different type of papal document as it is not overly theological and speaks more to our hearts than to our heads, and goes even further to the core of our faith.
“The heart, so many times, is governed by emotion but I like to say that it is where the Holy Spirit resides, because it gets within us and challenges us,” said Tumback, Nov. 22, 2023 at St. Patrick Church.
“[Evangelii Gaudium], is something that strikes us as a little different because that joy springs from within. It is something that flows from an intimate relationship I have with my God. It flows from that relationship with my brothers and sisters, who share a common faith.”
The Joy of the Gospel is Pope Francis’ first of six Apostolic Exhortations, issued Nov. 24, 2013, in the first year of his papacy.
In the first paragraph of the document, Pope Francis urges the faithful to assist the Church as it embarks on a new chapter of evangelization marked by being reborn with the joy of Christ.
Tumback said the mission of the baptized is grounded by the words of Mary in the Gospel of St. Luke 1:46-47 when she cried out: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.”
He also cited the first sentence of verse 16 of the first chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel,” which became his own motto when he was ordained a priest.
Tumback noted that joy and happiness are different, and the former cannot be equated with the latter, adding that happiness is a fleeting emotion while joy is a state of being cheerful, even amidst our crosses.
“We are not too far away from the celebration of Christmas, and it is such a profound celebration when we look at the words of the Prophet Isaiah: ‘The virgin will conceive, and she will bear a child, and they will name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us,'” said Turnback.
“Not just a God who is contained in the beauty of the tabernacle, but as Pope Francis said in this document, a God who is ready to go out there just like doctors and nurses to meet people who are hurting.”
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Reporter Jonathan Perez is a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.