EquipCast

Episode 82: Religious Ed that's Tailored to YOUR Needs

Episode  |  March 15th, 2022  |  1 hr 5 mins

As a director at the Archdiocese, I'm given free stuff all the time. Typically, we're talking sample materials for the latest evangelization or catechetical program. I pass these along to one of my staff to review, and if it's good, I might see it again.

A few months ago, I received a box that looked beautiful like it came out of a pottery barn catalog, and it said "Mend" on the top. I walked it down to Jodi Phillip's office (our Catechetical Specialist) fully intending to hand it off. But when I realized that it was brimming with hands-on activities that could help me teach my son about the sacrament of reconciliation...I took it home.

Transmitting the faith to our children is so difficult with the culture actively working against us, and this box give me some tools to have intentional conversations with my family.

I tell you this today because Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries provide more than boxes for the sacraments. They really understand what it means to accompany families, and they want to help parishes do this well. They are more devoted to the process of catechesis than they are to a particular program. And so, whether you work for a parish or you are parent wanting a great resource for your children/grandchildren, I invite you to check them out!

Episode 81: Workable Vision (Statements)

Episode  |  March 8th, 2022  |  43 mins 54 secs

Do you know your parish's vision statement? If you are like me, your answer might be, "Uh...it's in the bulletin?"

And if you've been around the Church long enough and you've seen various ineffective vision statements, you might think that they are just corporate jargon. (And they very much can be!)

But Proverbs 29:18 says "Where there is no vision, the people perish." And Jesus himself left us with a vision statement, "Go and make disciples!" (Matt 28:19)

So what do we mean by vision? And how can we make sure that it's not just more of the same jargon? 

Join me for the answers!

Episode 80: Least of My Brethren

Episode  |  March 1st, 2022  |  41 mins 19 secs

One of my favorite parts of the Archdiocesan Vision is the call to Live Mercy. I've had friends from Hope of the Poor on the show before, and their stories about their work in Mexico are inspiring. But today, I want to bring it closer to home.

Least of My Brethren serves the homeless in the Omaha & Council Bluffs metro. This ministry was started by parishioners of St. Patrick's Parish in Gretna, and when they talked about their work with the community, it grew exponentially. They now find homes for 400 homeless people a year; that's 8 people a week. And they have 75-100 volunteers a month, mostly from local parishes.

While the growth is amazing, the stories of the relationships they build are even better. This group is a real testament to the fact that love works; compassion changes lives.

Episode 79: Only 10% of My Heart?

Episode  |  February 22nd, 2022  |  44 mins 31 secs

Today, I get to sit down with staff from the Diocese of Wichita, a diocese known for its stewardship. A long time ago, they realized that Time, Talent, and Treasure had become synonymous with church chores and duty. But as Audrey tells us, "We don't want something FROM you; we want something FOR you."

Specifically, we want you to have a relationship with Jesus and to grow in your faith. Stewardship is only meaningful when it comes from the heart of a disciple because only then it is the fruit of gratitude which comes from knowing Jesus.

Episode 78: From Being in a Small Group to Leading One

Episode  |  February 15th, 2022  |  38 mins 13 secs

By now, you probably know that I love small groups! I've even gone so far as to claim that small groups will be one of the major things that bring renewal to our Church.

So today, I want to pause for a moment with Kendra Meuret. She went from being in a small group simply because she was longing for friendship. to leading a small group because she recognized other people needed what she had found.

Here experience is ordinary, and so hopefully, will inspire those of you who just want to take a first step toward being a Missionary Disciple.

Episode 77: Ecclesial Movements - How they make disciples.

Episode  |  February 8th, 2022  |  41 mins 26 secs

JPII once said that "Ecclesial movements…represent one of the most significant fruits of that springtime in the Church which was foretold by the Second Vatican Council." When you think of these movement, you might think of FOCUS or Communion and Liberation.

But one of the Archdiocese's best kept secrets is the ecclesial movements that are making disciples in our spanish speaking communities. They are beautiful examples of disciples evangelizing their communities.

Today, I talk to Mirna Chich-Price, who spoke at the 2021 Pastoral Conference, about her experience with Jovenes Para Cristo (Youth for Christ).

Schools: Your Partner in Mission

Episode  |  February 1st, 2022  |  42 mins 18 secs

This week, we celebrate one of the richest traditions in the Archdiocese of Omaha, our Catholic Schools. And we do it by ...sending our children to class in their pajamas.

But really, while the celebrations may at times seem a bit silly, Catholic Schools are more often than not the primary expression of the parish's mission to make disciples. Unfortunately, the fact that the parish and the school share this mission is often forgotten. Or worse, the burden to catechize is misplaced, and schools are blamed when children grow up and do not remain faithful.

While catechizing parents (and through parents, children) is the role of the parish, schools can be an powerful partner in this work.

Today, I talk to Vickie Kauffold, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, as she discusses ways that schools can support their parishes in the mission to make disciples.

Episode 75: Nazareth Groups - Small Group Communities in Your Parish

Episode  |  January 25th, 2022  |  41 mins 7 secs

Do you ever feel like a stranger in your own parish community? The larger our parishes grow, the harder it can be to feel known.

If our goal is to continue to bring people to Jesus, and thus, to grow our parishes, we have to start asking, "What's next? What does my parish provide for people after they encounter Jesus?"

There are many things that a growing disciples needs to encourage them in the faith, but I think the one we forget most often is fellowship (Acts 2:42).

So, today I introduce to you Nazareth Groups, a monthly small group community that provides a home within the larger parish community.

Skill Demo 7: Four Benefits of a Clear Path

Episode  |  January 18th, 2022  |  13 mins 11 secs

If you have been listening to the EquipCast for a while, you know that the Clear Path to Discipleship is one of the Key Characteristics of a Missional Church. Even though I've talked about this characteristic a lot, I still find that there are misconceptions about it.

So I ask Andy Dejka, one of the Coaches on the Parish Support Team, to break it down in 10 minutes. (Well, actually it took him 13, but I promise the extra 3 minutes are worth it!)

Episode 74: Grow as You Go!

Episode  |  January 11th, 2022  |  38 mins 36 secs

Adam Ybarra was far from the prefect evangelist when, as a newly initiated FOCUS missionary, he inherited Curtis Martin's bible study group. In fact, much of his personal story involves being "under construction" while still being an instrument for the Lord.

Today, I set out to talk with Adam about the Habit of Invitation, but what I got instead was so much more.

While he does walk us through the do's and don'ts of inviting other people to the faith, what Adam really tells us is: It's okay to grow as you go.

Skill Demo 6: How to Use the Method of Mentorship

Episode  |  December 14th, 2021  |  9 mins 32 secs

If the title of our podcast, the EquipCast, wasn’t obvious enough, I think it is incredibly important to equip lay people as leaders for mission. But have you ever tried to teach someone a new skill and had them fall flat on their face? You may even have thought that person had great potential only to be disappointed. Oftentimes, it’s not the lack of potential or enthusiasm that was a fault. It’s the lack of accompaniment. Today’s Skill Demo teaches the Method of Mentorship.

Episode 73: Occasions for Invitation

Episode  |  November 30th, 2021  |  53 mins 46 secs

It's not popular to be Christian. And I don't know about you, but sometimes that makes it hard for me to be vulnerable. Sharing my beliefs and inviting others into my very Christian life takes some holy boldness...some courage. So, today is our third deep-dive into one of the habits form the 2021 Pastoral Conference: Invitation. Pat Dempsey walks us through the ways he finds occasions for invitation.