EquipCast - Episodes Tagged with “Catholic Parish Leadership”

Episode 208: The Shift That Revives a Parish: A Great Catholic Parishes Webinar

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

What if everything changes when people finally feel seen, known, and accompanied?

In this republished conversation from the Great Catholic Parishes podcast, I join host John Poitevent to unpack why this simple shift lies at the very heart of parish renewal. People don’t grow because we tell them to—they grow because someone offers friendship, listens without judgment, and walks with them patiently. I unpack how accompaniment transforms not just individuals but the entire culture of a parish, unlocking a sense of belonging that leads people to recognize that God sees them the same way. Together, John and I try to paint a hopeful picture of what becomes possible when a parish truly commits to walking with people in love…and how everything can change from there.

[03:31] Defining Missionary Disciples
[08:43] Why Write Clear Path
[13:14] Four Stage Pathway
[16:44] Safe Questions Culture
[20:06] Belong Believe Become
[22:53] Clarity Over Programs
[27:37] Ministry Mapping Method
[30:24] Ministry Mapping Epiphanies
[32:16] Change Management Basics
[33:15] Thresholds Game and Trust
[34:59] Discernment Rosary Method
[38:12] Adult Formation Priority
[43:45] Making Formation Accessible
[49:08] Rapid Fire Q and A
[50:09] Sports Sidelines Mission Field
[55:05] Listen to Parents Needs
[57:18] Final Encouragement and Sendoff

Don’t forget to check out Great Catholic Parishes.
To watch the original interview, check out John’s YouTube channel.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

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

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0500

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, tune into my conversation with Fr. Tim Donovan, Founder, President, and Chaplain of Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries.

[01:17] Meet Father Tim Donovan
[02:18] Discovering Pathways
[04:24] The Importance of Family in Faith Formation
[06:23] Creating Effective Sacramental Resources
[21:52] The Role of Beauty in Catechesis
[24:40] Implementing the Catechumenal Model
[33:03] Balancing Sacramental Preparation and Family Engagement
[37:00] Addressing Fear of Change in Parishes
[42:08] Building Missionary Families
[49:10] Supporting Parish Leaders and Families
[52:25] Encouragement and Resources for Change

Resources

Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries – Look for the Pathways Formation Suite
Leading Change without Losing by Carey Nieuwhof
Directory for Catechesis (New Edition)

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 32: Missional Amnesia

Archdiocese of Omaha — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Have you ever used a Catholic buzz word like missionary disciple or missional church and received blank looks in return? It’s a surprising experience, but the reality is many Catholics still don’t know what the word missional means. It used to be that missionaries were the people who traveled to Africa, and the Church in America grew because Catholics had big families. Our biggest problem used to be caring for all of the people who came to the Church’s doorstep, but now, we find ourselves trying to proclaim the Gospel to a world that doesn’t know much about who Jesus is or what the Church is really about. Many of us even know a family member or friend who has walked away from the faith, but it’s often difficult for us to believe that this is part of a larger cultural trend. However, the reality is that the city of Omaha is among the top 30 most secular or “post-Christian” cities in the US. Collectively, we have missional amnesia. We’ve forgotten that we are called to go and make disciples. We lack an imagination around what a missional church looks likes because, until recently, we haven’t had to be one. So, what do you say to someone who asks what a missional church is? Tune in to hear Fr. Lorig and Jim Jansen's musings on this topic.

[00:57] What Does It Mean to Be a Missional Community?
[01:42] The Unstuck Church and Church Lifecycle
[03:06] The Importance of Being Missional
[04:34] Challenges of Modern Evangelization
[06:37] The Call to Evangelize
[09:58] The Role of Holiness in Mission
[19:48] Strategies for Effective Evangelization
[23:38] The Challenge of Missionary Work
[24:28] Pope Francis' Perspective on Mission
[25:12] Reaching People Outside the Church
[26:16] The Problem with RCIA
[27:58] Evangelization Programs vs. Strategy
[29:13] Empowering Parishioners for Mission
[32:37] Creating a Missional Community
[36:28] Innovative Ideas for Outreach
[41:01] Practical Steps for Parish Staff and Families
[47:28] Conclusion and Call to Action