Rooted in a careful observation and study of thriving Catholic and evangelical parishes, the following recommendations offer tested and practical elements that foster growth in faith, mission, and communion. The following recommendations are taken from the book La croissance de l’Église (Church Growth) by Pierre-Alain Giffard with a preface by
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“His name is John.” (Luke 1.57-66, 80)
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Creating a warm, love-filled first impression can transform a stranger into a cherished member of our parish family. Even with limited volunteers, space, or musical resources, a parish can radiate Christ’s love through simple, heartfelt practices before, during, and after Sunday Mass. Before Mass: Love as the First Handshake Loving
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What if what you thought about evangelization is only half the story? In numerous churches, an unspoken conviction endures, that acts of kindness or casual friendship alone amount to sharing the Good News. It feels safe, no awkward conversations, no risk of offense. But is it true? The Missing Spark:
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The Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for the New Evangelization and Office for Strategic Planning recently presented their vision for parish renewal. This vision, shared in a presentation titled Parish Life in an Apostolic Age, is built around the concept of the “missionary disciple.” A missionary disciple is defined by Jesus’
Continue readingYou are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5.13-16) BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop’s Message for Pentecost 2025 Bishop Brehl’s message for Pentecost can now be found on Facebook or on the Diocese YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sm1oqjCREc. The written transcript can be read here.
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In April 2025, the Evangelization Team of the diocese of Pembroke embarked on a quest. They gathered to enter into a “Conversation-in-the-Spirit,” a prayerful and dialogal effort to grasp and articulate a shared understanding of evangelization. As they journeyed through prayer and personal reflections, a series of concise insights began
Continue readingFather, glorify your Son. (John 17.1-11a) BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop’s Message for Pentecost 2025 Brothers and Sisters, Peace be with you! Throughout the last seven weeks, this Easter greeting of the Risen Jesus has echoed in our hearts. These were the first words of Jesus when he appeared to his disciples
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