Joshua Bennett
Growing a Catholic parish can be challenging, especially with secularization and the rise of evangelical sects. A key strategy is to focus on welcoming new members and getting them involved, rather than solely focusing on existing parishioners. This can be achieved through initiatives such as family volunteering, greeting newcomers, and forming authentic connections. It is also important to provide solid faith formation, moving beyond cultural Catholicism to intentional Catholicism, where individuals actively own their faith and invest in the community. Prayer and evangelization are essential, with the Scriptures emphasizing that nothing great is ever accomplished apart from prayer. While some parishes have tried to emulate evangelical worship styles, this may not be effective, and it is important to find uniquely Catholic ways to engage and inspire members.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Evangelization | Every family that comes regularly to Mass should make it their evangelical responsibility to bring another family to Mass. |
| Prayer | Ask the Lord to bring back His scattered sheep. |
| Kindness | Both online and in real life, be kind. |
| Chanting | Teach parishioners to chant, not to duplicate the Evangelical method. |
| Volunteering | Encourage families to volunteer for ministry together. |
| Faith Formation | Encourage cultural Catholics to become intentional Catholics. |
| Welcoming New Parishioners | Focus on welcoming new parishioners, getting people involved, and providing solid faith formation. |
| Communication | Improve communication and remodel bathrooms to communicate welcome. |
| Outreach | Move from a single-cell church to a stretched-cell church by focusing on those who aren't in the church yet. |
| Positivity | Highlight the positives in the church to improve self-esteem. |
| Inclusion | Create new groups and classes to make it easier for new members to join and feel included. |
| Initiating Relationships | Reach out and initiate relationships with new parishioners. |
| Accountability | Foster a community where people meet regularly, pray together, serve together, and hold each other accountable. |
| Invitation | Invite others to get together and invest in building deep spiritual friendships. |
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What You'll Learn
Encourage families to volunteer together
One of the key strategies to growing a Catholic parish is to encourage families to volunteer together. This can take many forms, such as hosting coffee and doughnut gatherings or even serving supper and acting as greeters for those experiencing homelessness. This not only fosters a sense of community and ownership of faith but also helps families bond and connect with each other and the Church.
To encourage families to volunteer, it is important to first identify families who attend Mass regularly and may be open to taking on additional responsibilities. It is essential to approach them warmly and kindly, inviting them to be a part of the Church's mission. It can be as simple as hosting a supper for the homeless or taking on a more extended commitment, such as leading a married couples' group.
When inviting families to volunteer, it is crucial to consider their interests, skills, and availability. For example, a family with young children might enjoy acting as greeters, while another family with culinary skills might be keen to help with supper preparations. Matching families with volunteer opportunities that align with their passions and abilities will ensure a more positive and engaging experience for all involved.
Additionally, it is essential to provide support and resources to volunteering families. This could include training, mentorship, or simply ensuring that they have the necessary tools and information to carry out their tasks effectively. Regular check-ins can also help identify any challenges or areas where further assistance may be needed.
By encouraging families to volunteer together, the Catholic parish becomes a place of service and community building. It fosters a sense of ownership and belonging, where families feel valued and invested in the growth and success of the Church. This sense of collective responsibility and camaraderie can be a powerful tool for evangelization, as families become living examples of the faith they uphold.
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Focus on welcoming new parishioners
Welcoming new parishioners is an important aspect of growing a Catholic parish. It is important to remember that a Catholic community should not be a closed bubble but should reach out to others and draw them in.
To achieve this, it is important to focus on making newcomers feel welcomed and included. This can be done by encouraging current parishioners to actively welcome and befriend new members. This could be as simple as introducing yourself to someone new at Mass, striking up a conversation, and ending it with an invitation to get together for coffee or a meal. It is also beneficial to create new groups, classes, or circles within the parish, as new members often prefer to join these rather than trying to integrate into established social circles. Families can be encouraged to volunteer together, such as hosting gatherings or greeting newcomers as a family, which has proven to be well-received.
Another way to welcome new parishioners is to provide solid faith formation. This means helping people to intentionally own their faith and turn cultural Catholicism into a deeper, more meaningful spiritual connection. This can be achieved through faith formation initiatives, such as encouraging questions and discussions, providing educational resources, and creating opportunities for spiritual growth and service.
It is also important to remember that the physical space of the parish should be welcoming and accessible. This includes ensuring convenient parking, maintaining the parish building and grounds, and considering remodelling bathrooms to create a more inviting atmosphere.
By focusing on these strategies, a Catholic parish can become a more welcoming and inclusive place, making it easier for new parishioners to feel like they belong and, in turn, helping the parish to grow.
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Avoid imitating other churches
When thinking about how to grow a Catholic parish, it is important to avoid imitating other churches, particularly Protestant or Evangelical churches. While it may be tempting to duplicate the practices of successful Protestant megachurches, this can lead to a Catholic parish that feels like a "wannabe" Evangelical church. Not only will this fail to attract new members, but it may also drive existing members away.
Instead of imitating other churches, Catholic parishes should focus on their unique strengths and traditions. This includes teaching parishioners how to chant, rather than bringing in drums and electric guitars. By embracing their Catholic identity and history, parishes can create a sense of authenticity and community that will be more effective in the long run.
Another key aspect is to focus on welcoming new parishioners and getting them involved. This can be achieved through initiatives such as family volunteering, hosting gatherings, and forming new groups and classes that are open to everyone, not just those who are already part of the church community. By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, Catholic parishes can attract new members and encourage existing members to become more engaged.
Additionally, it is important to provide solid faith formation and clear communication. This means helping parishioners to understand and own their faith, rather than simply inheriting it as a cultural identity. Encouraging parishioners to ask questions and seek answers can lead to a deeper connection to their spirituality and the Catholic community.
Finally, it is crucial to remember that growth takes time and intentional effort. Building a strong Catholic parish requires investing in relationships, serving others, and fostering authentic community. By focusing on these aspects, Catholic parishes can grow and thrive without imitating other churches.
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Foster a sense of community
To foster a sense of community and grow a Catholic parish, it is important to focus on welcoming new members and helping them feel like they belong. This can be achieved through initiatives such as creating new groups and classes, which can be particularly attractive to newcomers who may feel daunted by trying to fit into established social circles.
Parishioners can also be encouraged to take the initiative and reach out to newcomers, for example, by introducing themselves at Mass and inviting them for coffee or lunch. This simple act of hospitality can be a powerful tool for building community and making new members feel included. It is also beneficial to encourage families to volunteer together, such as hosting gatherings or serving as greeters, as this fosters intergenerational connections and strengthens the sense of community.
Another way to foster a sense of community is to provide solid faith formation, helping parishioners develop a deeper understanding of their beliefs and encouraging them to live out their faith. This can be achieved through initiatives such as faith formation classes or groups, where people can ask questions and explore their beliefs in a safe and supportive environment.
It is also important to create a culture of kindness and compassion, both within the parish community and beyond. This means ensuring that parishioners feel welcomed and valued, but also that they are encouraged to reach out and serve those outside the immediate parish community. This can be through social action initiatives or simply by living out the faith in their everyday lives and being a positive witness to others.
Finally, it is beneficial to look outward and focus on those who are not currently part of the church community. This may involve identifying those who have drifted away from the faith or never engaged with it and finding ways to invite them in, perhaps through addressing their questions or concerns about the faith. By taking this outward focus, the parish can stretch beyond its current boundaries and reach new people.
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Pray for growth
Prayer is a powerful tool for any Catholic parish seeking to grow and thrive. Here are some ways to "Pray for growth":
Encourage Prayerful Intentions for Parish Growth
Parish leaders and liturgy planners can incorporate specific petitions for the growth of the parish into the prayers during Sunday Mass. This focuses the intentions of the congregation on the parish's growth and encourages their active participation in this prayerful endeavour.
Assign the Homebound and Eucharistic Adoration Devotees
Consider assigning the elderly, homebound, and those who regularly attend Eucharistic Adoration to the specific task of praying for parish growth. They can spend dedicated time, perhaps 15 to 30 minutes a day, interceding for the parish and asking the Lord to bring new members into the fold.
Pray for Open Doors and Outreach
Pray for the parish to be a welcoming community, with open doors and a heart for outreach. Pray that the parish may move from being a single-cell church to a stretched-cell church, one that looks outward and actively reaches out to those who are not yet part of the community. Pray for a mindset shift, from focusing on who is in the church to who is not yet there.
Pray for Wisdom and Guidance
Ask the Lord for wisdom in implementing strategies for growth. Pray for guidance in discerning the unique strengths and positives of your parish and how to build on them. Pray for creativity in forming new groups and classes that can better serve those seeking a community.
Pray for a Heart for Evangelization
Pray that the parish community may embody kindness, love, and compassion, reflecting the teachings of Jesus. Pray that parishioners would be bold in sharing their faith with others and inviting them in to experience the parish community. Pray that any past experiences of meanness or bitterness within the Church would not be a stumbling block for those seeking faith but that your parish may be a place of welcome and grace.
May these prayerful strategies help guide your Catholic parish towards growth and a vibrant future!
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Frequently asked questions
New people are more likely to join a new group, class, or circle than an established one, so creating new groups within your parish can help to attract new members. It is also important to focus on those who aren't currently part of your church, rather than just those who are.
It can be intimidating for newcomers to try to integrate themselves into an existing community, so it's important to reach out and welcome them. You could try introducing yourself and starting a conversation, then inviting them to get together outside of Mass. Families serving together as greeters is also a popular way to make people feel welcome.
Encourage families to volunteer for ministry together. This could include hosting coffee and doughnut gatherings or hosting supper for people experiencing homelessness.
Every family that comes regularly to Mass should take it upon themselves to bring another family to Mass. There are likely people in your community who used to go to Mass and don't anymore, or who would like to go but have never been invited.
Encourage members to ask themselves important questions about their faith, such as "What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus, and how do I live that?". You can also encourage them to spend time with others who go to Mass, and to pray together, serve together, and hold each other accountable.
