Looking for More This Christmas Advent and Christmas, especially Christmas Eve, present a significant opportunity for your parish, whatever kind of parish you have. It’s just the season of the year when many people are simply looking for more: more meaning, more connection, more encouragement. Here are three ideas that might help. Christmas Decorations In […]
Category: Evangelization
Since its establishment in 1931, by Guglielmo Marconi (for Pius XI), Vatican Radio has been broadcasting Mass from the Vatican on a daily basis, currently Pope Francis’ “Santa Marta” Mass. As radio and television outlets multiplied over the subsequent decades, so too did the broadcast of Mass, and with the advent of the Internet availability […]
We’re excited to announce the return of our 5:30 Sunday night Mass this fall. This Mass had been a favorite in our parish for nearly two decades, particularly among youth and young adults. It also offered a unique, relaxed setting at the end of the weekend, making it a popular choice for many families as […]
Guest Post By Henry White Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Eucharistic Congress, an event that brought together roughly 60,000 Catholics from across the country. This gathering was an awe-inspiring and a powerful testament to our shared faith and devotion to the Eucharist. As I reflect on this experience, I find […]
As we approach Thanksgiving many parishes undertake their annual stewardship campaign, to invite giving to the parish in the coming year. It’s a good time of year to do it, ahead of the holidays, but close enough to the new year. And it has to be done, as even the most disciplined and dedicated givers can become […]
Fall is the perfect time for the Church to welcome back parishioners otherwise occupied during the summer months. It is the time to expect visitors and newcomers to give your church a try. Likewise, it is also one of the most effective times to invite your unchurched friends and family to church (the other two […]
The National Eucharistic Revival being sponsored by the USCCB enters its second phase this summer, styled the “Year of Parish Renewal.” This can be an important opportunity for parishes looking to finally move on from our collective COVID setback, or reignite energy and enthusiasm in the face of ever creeping malaise and missional drift. A quick look […]
I just wrapped up several days at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress spent talking to parish leaders from across the country. On the final day, at the final session, I offered a presentation gleaned from our recent book Seriously, God? Making Sense of Life Not Making Sense. Specifically, my presentation focused on how to make […]
It wasn’t so very long ago that your church’s front door was … your front door. It was how newcomers and visitors (and everyone else) came to you. The values held by growing churches were accessibility and hospitality, making sure those joining you could easily get in and feel welcome. About a dozen years ago […]
I received a surprise phone call from my friend Rick Warren (yes, the Pastor Rick Warren) over the Thanksgiving holiday. Once I got over my shock that Pastor Rick would take time to speak to me, we got talking about declining and stagnating church attendance following the COVID season. He said to me, “Mike, (he’s the only person who […]
