The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. In the procreation and education of children it reflects the Father’s work of creation. It is called to partake of the prayer and sacrifice of Christ. Daily prayer and the reading of the Word of God strengthen it in charity. The Christian family has an evangelizing and missionary task.  (Catechism #2205)

In our time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith. For this reason the Second Vatican Council, using an ancient expression, calls the family Ecclesia domestica [domestic church]. It is in the bosom of the family that parents are "by word and example" the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children. They should encourage them in the vocation in which is proper to each child, fostering with special care any religious vocation."

The simplest way to say what evangelization means is to follow Pope Paul VI,  whose message Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World)  has inspired so much recent thought and activity in the Church. We can rephrase his words to say that "evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and  society by the divine power of the Gospel itself. At its essence are the proclamation of salvation in Jesus Christ and  the response of a person in faith, which are both works of the Spirit of God." (Go and Make Disciples, USCCB)

Go and Make Disciples:  A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB, 2002) provides three goals for Catholic Evangelization in the United States.

Goal I:  Renewal
"Bring about in all Catholics an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.”

Goal II:  Invitation
 "Invite all people... to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so that they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith."

Goal III:  Transformation
"Foster gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good of society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ."

Catechesis is nothing other than the process of transmitting the Gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it and communicates it in many ways."  (General Directory for Catechesis #105)

Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission when He said, "Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of time." (Mt. 28:18-20)

This great commission has been handed to us to proclaim the Good News. This ministry of teaching and forming has traditionally been referred to as catechesis. The name of catechesis was given to the whole of the efforts within the Church to make disciples, to help people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God...and to educate and instruct them in this life and thus build up the Body of Christ. (Catechesi Tradendae #1)
 
The word catechesis comes from the Greek meaning "to echo the teaching" meaning that catechesis or the teaching of the faith is an interactive process in which the Word of God re-sounds between and among the proclaimer, the one receiving the message, and the Holy Spirit! Catechesis is a life-long process of initial conversion, formation, education, and on-going conversion. Through word, worship, service and community, it seeks to lead all God's people to an ever deepening relationship with God who reveals himself in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Catechesis takes many forms and includes the initiation of adults, youth and children as well as the effort to enable all to grow in faith and discipleship. Today, we use the notion of catechesis to capture the broader mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel to adults, youth and children in order to "put people in communion with Jesus Christ" (Catechism of the Catholic Church #426).