Parish Catalyst

"If a parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters."

-POPE FRANCIS

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Workshops

Workshops are a one-day intensive learning, collaboration, and strategic planning experience designed to help parish teams experience breakthrough in areas crucial to parish vitality. The workshop design provides interactive team times for processing ideas, exploring new possibilities, and creating action steps for the future. Themes include:

Parishioner Engagement Would you like to see more parishioners growing spiritually and involved in parish life? This workshop explores creative ways to better connect with and engage parishioners.

Forming Volunteers & Leaders “Why are the same people doing most of the work?” “Why won’t more people lead?” If you share these frustrations and would like to move beyond “The Usual Suspects”, then this workshop is for you! This dynamic workshop will help you grow your volunteer numbers, improve your volunteer culture and engage new leaders.

Reaching Young Families You can have a thriving ministry to young families, and we’d like to help! Learn what parishes around the country are doing to engage families, and keep them involved between sacraments.

Multicultural Discipleship, Hospitality, Staff Health & Harmony, and more!

Learning Communities

A Learning Community is a unique process that promotes innovation and invites teams to grow with one another in making disciples. Over the course of three days, participants will hear from thought provoking speakers and leaders, discuss these ideas in an innovative environment, have the opportunity to collaborate with other parish teams, and work to develop strategic plans to strengthen the life of their parish.

4 Meetings Comprised of ten pastors, each bringing two to four key leaders, a Learning Community meets four times over 18 months. Every meeting focuses on a specific topic necessary for transforming a parish into a dynamic disciple-making community. Topics include accompaniment, volunteer development, change management, reaching the next generation and evangelization.

3 Days Each gathering runs from 1pm on Day 1 through noon on Day 3. Over the three days, teams are guided through evaluating current outcomes, exploring new ideas, and creating a plan for the future. A unique aspect of our process is the community experience. Parish teams build supportive relationships, learn, collaborate, and grow stronger as they work together.

18 Months Lasting change requires time, commitment and consistency. Over the 18 month journey, leaders are able to identify the areas of greatest need, try new ideas and adjust their plans in order to find the right fit for their parish. Our research shows that leaders who stay committed to this process see significant breakthroughs in making dynamic disciples.

Learning Communities can take place in a central location for any group of parishes or as a diocesan undertaking for 10-12 parishes.

Webinars

Our webinars feature one hour conversations with practitioners and experts, focused on topics relevant to parish renewal. Webinars are a great opportunity for staff development and equipping volunteer leaders.

“I cannot express what an energetic and meaningful gathering took place. It certainly inspired all of our parish teams! The principles and processes we learned are powerful tools to take back to our parishes, so that we can continue to encourage creative thinking and collaborative work.”

Bishop Michael Saporito, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, NJ