Tag: COVID-19

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Episode 155: A New Formation Model for Youth Ministry

In this episode, Chris shares how we managed to keep 80% of his pre-COVID young people involved in his parish youth ministry by being innovative. He walks through his process of focusing on evangelization and outreach, while developing a new subscription based model of formation that invites young people to engage in small groups throughout the year.

Specifically, Chris shares in detail what his “subscription box” looks like that he gives to all families engaged in youth ministry.

SUBSCRIPTION KITS INCLUDE:

  • Something fun (e.g., candy, youth ministry gear)
  • Sacramentals (e.g., rosary, prayer rocks)
  • Journal & Pen
  • Content for reflection and discipleship
  • Something seasonal

In this episode, we refer back to the following resources:

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Episode 151: What Does our Post-COVID Recovery Plan Look Like?

The reopening of our churches has been slow. Numbers in the pew and faith formation are much lower than expected? Are they coming back?

Some data suggests that they aren’t ready to come back to church. So what are we to do? How do we rise to the occasion?

In this episode, Chris and John discuss the opportunity that has arisen because of COVID and suggests some further strategies as it becomes clear that people will not be coming back in the same numbers as they were in February 2020.

In this episode, we refer briefly to the previous podcast episodes with Doug Tooke:

– Episode 21: The Realities of Rural Ministry
– Episode 68: Using Multi-Media Tools in the 21st Century Ministry

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Episode 143: Re-Imagining Formation in a COVID World, Part 2

As it becomes more clear that COVID will continue to impact Catholic parishes and Dioceses in the United States, we have to continue to plan for our ministries from a point of realism. We cannot plan formation like we have in the past.

In this 2-part episode, Chris and John continue to explore creative ideas for formation to children, youth, and adults in this continually ambiguous time. This includes considering formation in hybrid models that includes onsite, in homes, and digitally.

We reference this video from the Thrive Conference in this podcast.

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Episode 139: Reassessing Models of Parish Ministry in a COVID World

Rich Curran, Executive Director of the Parish Success Group, joins Chris and John for a conversation around the future of the Catholic Church in a Covid and post-Covid world.

Rich argues that parishes will need to reassess their models and ministries to adapt to the new culture we are in, including looking at how we offer Mass, rethinking programmatic offerings, and shaking up old models that will not work moving forward.

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Episode 136: Planning for the “Fall”

As parishes are caught up in the requirements for opening the Church back up for Mass, we can’t forget that we still need to plan for the Fall.

In this episode, Chris and John discuss how to plan for the new ministry year while dealing with the ambiguity of what the Fall might look like. We explore the opportunity that has been given to us to be creative, provide new and more effective ministry, and still be adaptive and nimble as we embrace an uncertain future.

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Episode 135: Why Should We Open Back Up the Church for Mass? Part 2

In the second part of this two-part episode, Chris and John continue their discussion as to asking the question “why” we should open back up the doors of the Church for Mass. Many leaders have asked the question “how” but not as many have asked the question, why?

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Episode 132: What to do with the RCIA During Covid-19?

In this episode, we are joined by Diana Macalintal and Nick Wagner from Team RCIA as we discuss how to go about the sacraments of initiation during Covid-19 and when we open the doors back up.

We answer the question of when to celebrate the sacraments, what to do with the Elect right now, and what a year-around model of RCIA could look like.

To find more information about Diana, Nick, and their ministry, and hear previous podcast episodes with them, visit:

Previous podcast with Nick: Restored Order from a Theological Perspective

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Episode 130: When the Church Doors Open Back Up…

And they will open back up. When they do, what is your plan?

In this episode, Chris and John explore some ideas and questions to discern as we prepare to welcome people back on to our Church campuses, with the hope of not only getting people to come, but keeping them with us over the long-term.

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Episode 129: Taking Care of Yourself, Your Family, and Your Colleagues During COVID-19

In this episode, Chris and John are joined by Rich Curran, Executive Director for the Parish Success Group, as we discuss the need to take care of ourselves and our colleagues as we continue our COVID-19 adventure.

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Episode 128: Building Up the Domestic Church During COVID-19 and Beyond

Covid-19 has redefined the realities of the Domestic Church at home, especially since we cannot gather together on church grounds.

In this episode, special guest Paul Canavese shares strategies and resources for building up the church at home and empowering parents to take a lead on passing on a legacy of faith to their families.
Find out more about Paul and The Pastoral Center by visiting their website: http://PastoralCenter.com and https://www.growingupcatholic.com/.

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