EquipCast

Episode 178: Measuring Faith: How Data and Devotion Are Revitalizing Sacred Heart Parish

Episode  |  March 18th, 2025  |  50 mins 29 secs

archdiocese of omaha, building vibrant parishes, catholic, catholic discipleship, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, church growth strategies, church leadership insights, confession habits, disciples, equipcast, eucharist devotion, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, faith-filled community, father jamie zarse, leadership teams, making disciples, marriage enrichment, mass attendance, measuring spiritual progress, ocia growth, parish generosity, parish leadership, parish renewal, parish success stories, parish transformation, prayer warriors, rosary devotion, sacred heart parish, scriptural prayer, shawnee kansas, spiritual habits, transforming parishes

What does it take to build a thriving, faith-filled parish? In this episode, I sit down with Father Jamie Zarse, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee, Kansas, to unpack his vision for renewing his parish—starting with a team of prayer warriors and leaders—and the spiritual habits that are transforming his community. From deeper devotion to the Eucharist and the Rosary to more frequent confession and scripture-based prayer, these simple yet powerful practices are sparking real change. Mass attendance is up by 18%, generosity is growing with an additional $408,000 in tithing, and parishioners are coming alive in their faith. Father Jamie also reveals why measuring spiritual progress and forming strong leadership teams are key to sustaining this momentum. He shares how his leadership team, a mix of staff and dedicated volunteers, meets weekly to ensure they are always working on the most important things. They even use innovative tools like QR code surveys during Mass to track engagement in key spiritual habits.

Episode 177: How Collaboration and the Temperaments Can Unlock Parish Renewal

Episode  |  March 11th, 2025  |  1 hr 9 mins

archdiocese of omaha, building a clear path, catholic, catholic coaching, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, church leadership, collaboration in ministry, disciples, discipleship, effective ministry teams, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith formation, four temperaments, making disciples, metanoia catholic, missionary disciples, parish renewal, parish support, personal growth, team dynamics

Are you part of a dynamic team that truly leverages each member’s unique gifts? Building cohesive and effective teams is essential for parish renewal and vibrant ministry. When individuals are inspired and equipped to discover, discern, and live out their God-given mission, our parishes thrive. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Ingold of Metanoia Catholic, and he interviews me for his podcast, The Catholic Coaching Podcast. We explore how collaboration strengthens ministry by embracing diverse gifts and temperaments. Whether sanguine, choleric, melancholic, or phlegmatic, each person brings valuable strengths that contribute to a well-rounded, effective team. By recognizing these differences and assigning roles accordingly, we cultivate unity, purpose, and a faith community where everyone feels valued and empowered. Join us as we discuss practical ways to build strong teams that drive renewal and share the Gospel with joy and purpose!

Coach's Corner 18: 12 Tips to Revolutionize Your Rosary

Episode  |  February 11th, 2025  |  10 mins 24 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith inspiration, making disciples, meditation, our lady of lourdes, prayer habits, prayer techniques, praying the rosary, rosary mysteries, rosary tips, spiritual growth, spiritual life

Do you ever get distracted while praying the rosary—or even, dare we say, find it boring? The rosary is a powerful tool to deepen your relationship with Jesus and Mary, a beautiful way to converse with God and invite His grace to transform your life. Join me for a Coach’s Corner where I share 12 practical tips to revolutionize your experience of the rosary and make it more meaningful than ever.

Coach's Corner 17: A Clear Path for School Parents

Episode  |  January 7th, 2025  |  12 mins 38 secs

catholic, catholic community, catholic education, catholic faith, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic schools, church engagement, clear path of discipleship, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith development, faith formation, faith journey, family faith, making disciples, parental involvement, parish support, religious education, school parents

One of the largest opportunities for evangelization is in our Catholic schools. But breaking into this mission field comes with its own struggles. Many parents are juggling so many responsibilities and pressures. They're dealing with work, family, and all the demands of modern life, which can make it hard to prioritize their faith journey. Plus, the church's efforts to engage them might not always resonate or fit into their busy lives. But the key is to meet them where they are. Join me today for a discussion about how to engage school parents in the clear path to discipleship.

Episode 170: How Young Adults Can Find Their Place After College

Episode  |  December 17th, 2024  |  1 hr 15 secs

archo young adults, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic young adults, community building, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, faith journey, grassroots movement, holy spirit guidance, making disciples, mentorship, missionary disciples, omaha archdiocese, parish involvement, post-college transition, service and charisms, spiritual growth, young adult challenges, young adult ministry

Can young adults find their place in a faith community after college? Young adults often face the loss of their college community and the challenge of building new connections. They tend to feel isolated and unsure of how to integrate into a parish. Overcoming this involves actively seeking out parish activities, being open to making friends across different age groups, and finding ways to serve. In this episode, we explore the unique struggles and opportunities for young adults striving to remain connected to their faith after graduation. Today’s guest, Matt Keller, shares his inspiring journey of founding Arch O Young Adults, an apostolate dedicated to helping young adults navigate these transitions. Matt offers practical advice on creating meaningful relationships, staying rooted in prayer, and trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Whether you're a young adult or someone looking to support this age group, this conversation is full of insights and encouragement.

Episode 168: How to Tell If Your Prayer Life Is Working with Nathan Crankfield, Sales Lead for Hallow

Episode  |  November 19th, 2024  |  1 hr 4 mins

archdiocese of omaha, building a relationship with god, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, daily prayer routine, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and prayer, faith journey, finding peace in prayer, hallow app, listening to god, making disciples, overcoming prayer challenges, prayer and mental health, prayer life, prayer practices, prayer tips, spiritual growth, transformative prayer

Ever wonder if your prayer life is making a difference? Look for the fruits. Are you experiencing more peace, patience, and love in your relationships? Do you feel more attuned to God’s presence and guidance in your daily life? Challenges can also be a signpost—when your prayer life is strong, you’re more likely to face difficulties with grace and clarity. But what about those times when it feels like nothing is happening? Often, God is quietly working in your heart in ways you may not immediately notice. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Nathan Crankfield, Sales Lead at Hallow, to uncover the transformative power of prayer. Nathan shares personal insights and practical tips on recognizing when your prayers are bearing fruit and how to overcome the challenges of staying consistent in prayer. He also highlights how tools like the Hallow app can support your spiritual growth and help you connect with God more deeply. Join us for an inspiring conversation about building a vibrant prayer life, embracing God’s work in your heart, and navigating life’s highs and lows with faith and grace.

Step 2: Conversion Moment – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode  |  October 8th, 2024  |  55 mins 5 secs

alpha course testimonials, alpha program, catholic, catholic faith, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, christian conversion, church community building, church outreach programs, conversion moments, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith and community, faith journey, hospitality in church, making disciples, omaha archdiocese, parish life, personal transformation stories, religious education, small groups, spiritual growth, st. columbkille parish

Does your parish have Alpha, Christ Life, a parish retreat, or some other initiative that creates an opportunity for people to hear about Jesus, reflect on their faith, and take a step towards a real and lasting relationship with him? The Clear Path step Conversion Moment is designed to help individuals encounter Jesus and make a personal decision to follow Him by offering a clear proclamation of the Gospel. My guest, Marlo Monico, shares her experience building and sustaining a Conversion Moment. She shares stories of significant personal transformations and emphasizes the importance of hospitality, community, and continuous invitation in evangelization efforts.

Episode 152: Sanctify the Ordinary with Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, Chance and Lora Unger

Episode  |  May 28th, 2024  |  50 mins 54 secs

catholic, catholic marriage advice, catholic ministry, catholic parenting, catholic podcast, catholic saints and families, christian community, christian family life, christian friendship, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith journey, family holiness, holiness in daily life, making disciples, marriage and faith, missionaries of the holy spirit, spiritual growth, surrender to god, theology of the body

Have you ever heard the universal call to holiness, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” and instead of feeling inspired, felt discouraged? Holiness is hard, especially when we strive for it alone. When we rely solely on our own strengths, we often fail. But when we pursue holiness within the Body of Christ, leaning on both our community and God, we are much more likely to succeed. In today’s episode, Chance and Lora Unger, founders of Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in the Family, share their insights on making holy practices a regular part of family life. Our conversation highlights the transformative power of continually surrendering to God and incorporating prayer into our daily routines. The Ungers emphasize the importance of a supportive community to foster holiness in our marriages and families. They show us how holiness can begin with simple, practical steps such as daily prayer and small acts of kindness. They encourage us to embrace our daily challenges and transform these experiences through grace and prayer.

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

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

archdiocese of omaha, catechumenal model, catholic catechesis, catholic curriculum, catholic discipleship, catholic education innovation, catholic evangelization, catholic family ministry, catholic parenting, catholic parish leadership, catholic podcast, catholic resources for families, catholic sacraments, catholic small groups, equipcast podcast, experiential catechesis, faith and family life, family faith formation, fr. tim donovan, missionary families, parish renewal, pathways formation suite, religious education reform, sacramental preparation, youth ministry transformation

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!

45: Ministry or Apostolate?

Episode  |  February 16th, 2021  |  1 hr 3 mins

archdiocese of omaha, catholic apostolate training, catholic culture change, catholic discipleship, catholic evangelization, catholic lay formation, catholic leadership, catholic ministry vs apostolate, catholic mission, catholic outreach, catholic parish renewal, catholic pastoral vision, catholic podcast, catholic small groups, evangelical catholic, faith formation, fr. jeff lorig, jim jansen, lay apostolate, parish ministry, peter andrastek

Have you ever wondered about the difference between a ministry and an apostolate? Until recently, I hadn’t. These words seem like synonyms, and talking about their differences feels a bit like quibbling or semantics. However, because we’ve forgotten the difference, most of the energy in our parishes goes toward building up ministries. But without the apostolate of the laity, the Church becomes a country club, only concerned with serving its members. So what is an apostolate? And how does remembering help the lay faithful evangelize?