As a parish, we are concerned with human persons, and yet so often we have tasks on our to-do list that keep us away from people. Since summer can be a little slower for most parishes, now is the perfect time to take a long, hard look at what in your parish office frees you […]
Months into the coronavirus pandemic, it’s clear how much damage has been done across the globe. The consequences are physical, emotional, spiritual, and economic. In light of all of this, many people are wondering: what organizations are worthy of financial support? And since the exercise of charity – including financial support – is a hallmark […]
A few weeks ago, this parish report, delivered via YouTube from a pastor in Oklahoma, caught our team’s attention. It’s a textbook case of what publishing parish reports should be: It opens with an attitude of prayer: Father’s reading of one of Paul’s letters, followed by a brief reflection, sets the tone for the rest of the […]
Is a return to normalcy coming soon? Even while social distancing continues around the world, it’s time to begin thinking about the first normal day back at the parish, perhaps once a vaccine is available. No doubt the first Sunday Mass will be a poignant celebration for everyone. You want to acknowledge the hardships everyone […]
With public Masses suspended across the United States, this past spring charitable contributions were in freefall at many parishes. The churches that are thriving right now did triage quickly in the spring, using various digital techniques and tools. Since the Sunday plate may no longer suffice, it’s time to ask everyone to move to online […]
Even as I typed the headline, I thought I might lose a few readers. Let’s face it, money is a difficult thing to discuss, and whether you’re talking money matters with family, staff, or parishioners, it usually doesn’t come with ease. The Bible contains more than 2,000 verses that mention finances, and more than a […]
Ever wonder about that new family two pews down from you? They have been attending Mass regularly, but you never see them stay for coffee and donuts. I wonder where they are from. Why did they join our parish? Are they interested in joining a ministry? There are plenty of ways you can engage new parishioners. […]
According to Statista, there will be a projected 2.14 billion online shoppers by 2021. With these kinds of numbers, it’s safe to say that many of your parishioners shop online. Amazon has created an incentive to its customers to benefit non-profit organizations through the program AmazonSmile. For every qualified purchase an Amazon customer makes, 0.5% of the price […]
As a kid, I was always really excited for the part of Mass when Mom and Dad gave me money to put in the collection basket. I do not know why exactly, but my guess is that it had to do with being able to move around in the pew a little bit without getting in trouble. And I was giving […]
How many times has a parishioner or visitor asked you to pray for them or someone they love? I bet you get prayer requests on a weekly, if not daily basis. What’s the most common response to a prayer request? “I’ll pray for you,” meaning, “At some point in the future, I’ll remember you in […]
