Parish Vitality
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Time & Talent Campaign Kit | Parish Vitality Webinar Series
The goal of stewardship is to increase the engagement of everyone in the life of the parish, inviting us all to become more involved in the myriad of different ways to serve others. Cardinal Collins wrote in his Pastoral Letter on Stewardship,
“Stewardship is undeniably fruitful. Where, over time, more and more parishioners become engaged in committing their time, talent, and treasure to the work of the Gospel, the Church flourishes.”
Time and Talent Campaign Kit to Increase Parish Vitality
Parishes may wish to align their time and talent efforts with Stewardship Sunday as it offers an annual opportunity to invite people to become more involved in parish life as well as thank existing volunteers for their service over the past year.
To assist parishes in planning stewardship events we have created a parishioner “Time and Talent Campaign Kit”. The kit is flexible in that you can pick and choose which elements you feel would work best for your parish community.
Electronic versions are below. If you would like a hard copy of the kit mailed to your parish, please email formation@archtoronto.org.
Stewardship Time and Talent Campaign Card
Using Stewardship Sunday as your launch, the Campaign Card provides a visual example of how you can leverage the generosity of the Thanksgiving season to create a parishioner “time and talent campaign” at your parish to get more people involved in parish life.
“Your Parish Needs You” Brochure and Poster
Download the brochure Download the poster
These materials have been designed to help parishes encourage their parishioners to share their time and talent by volunteering in a parish ministry. If you would like a free supply of folded brochures and posters mailed to your parish, please contact us.
One of the tools we have to invite people to get involved in our parish communities is personal witness. If done right, a personal witness can be a powerful call to action. With approval from the pastor, this guide will help a parishioner to create a lay witness talk in a parish setting that builds up ministries in a safe, structured, and inspirational way.
Parish ministry fairs provide interested parishioners with the opportunity to learn more about the myriad of ways they can share their God-given time and talent with their parish community. A well-structured fair can also build relationships by creating conversational opportunities between interested people and those who are already serving. A well-done fair can reinvigorate your ministries.
This guide is designed to help you create the space to begin planning stewardship formation activities and events at your parish. Whether or not you wish to give the mandate of stewardship to your parish council, reorient an existing committee towards stewardship, or create a new stewardship committee, this guide will help.
This guide contains the practical resources (e.g. sign-up forms, etc.) you can adapt to invite people to become more active in your parish.
Download (Lay Witness Speaker) Download (Parish Ministry Fair) Download (Commitment Sunday)
Based on the guides above, these customizable posters will help you to promote stewardship events in your parish. If you would like a supply of posters mailed to you, email formation@archtoronto.org.
Templates and Forms
Parish Ministry Fair Templates and Forms
The following documents can be used by parishes to help them to plan a Parish Ministry Fair. They have been taken from “The Joy of Parish Events!” webinar which unpacked a real-world case study of how to plan a successful Parish Ministry Fair. (A special thank you to St. Mark’s Parish in Stouffville for sharing the documents.) If you would like to watch a recording of the “The Joy of Parish Events!” webinar, it can be found by scrolling down to the Parish Vitality Webinar Series section below.
Catchy Ministry Descriptions Download
Ministry Display Board Examples (Pictures) Download
Fair Announcement Example Download
Ministry Fair Prize Draw Form Download
Ministry Fair Coordinators_Pre-Fair Planning Meeting Example Download
Ministry Fair Coordinators_Post-Fair Meeting Debrief Example Download
Ministry Fair_Ministry Needs Survey Download
Commitment Sunday Sign-up Templates and Forms (Customizable)
The following documents can be used by parishes as sign-up forms for parishioners who are interested in joining a parish ministry. The forms can be used during a parish-wide Commitment Sunday drive, or in conjunction with a Parish Ministry Fair, or simply printed off and displayed in a parish vestibule or other public area for interested parishioners to pick-up.
For your convenience, there are three variations of the sign-up forms. These include 1) a generic single page for insertion into a parish bulletin, 2) a bifold pamphlet and 3) a trifold brochure for both adults, youth and children.
The forms are available for download in Word format for ease of customization and in black and white design for inexpensive in-house parish printing.
Stewardship - Generic one-pager Download
Stewardship - Bifold - For adults Download
Stewardship - Bifold - For children Download
Stewardship - Bifold - For youth Download
Stewardship - Trifold - For adults Download
Stewardship - Trifold - For children Download
Stewardship - Trifold - For youth Download
Parish Vitality Webinar Series
Through the lens of stewardship, the Office of Formation for Discipleship has created a Parish Vitality Webinar Series which features engaging speakers and practical topics designed to help increase parish vitality.
1. Stewardship Treasure Hunt (on February 8, 2024 from 1:30pm-3:00pm)
No need to pack your bags for the largest stewardship conference in North America – we went for you! Each year, the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) hosts a grand event with thought provoking speakers, sage advice, and dynamic ideas all designed to help increase parish vitality. Join our dedicated group of GTA parishes as they bring back a carefully curated treasure trove of stewardship ideas just for you. Whether you’re a seasoned stewardship pro or just starting your journey, this webinar is your map to the Stewardship Treasure Hunt. Register today and let the hunt begin!
GUEST PRESENTERS: Parish representatives from Holy Family (Whitby), Holy Rosary (Toronto), St. Barnabas (Scarborough), and St. Mark’s (Stouffville)
REGISTER: https://bit.ly/PVWS-RegisterFeb2024 Download the poster
2. A Catechesis on Charisms (on March 7, 2023 from 10:00am-11:30am)
As stewards, God has given us many diverse gifts for the building up of the Kingdom of God. Some, like talents, are natural gifts which can be inherited from our parents, while others, such as charisms, are spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. As Archbishop Francis Leo preached on Stewardship Sunday, “ministering out of a charism, be it in our parish communities and other modes of communal Christian living, always energizes us, fills our daily living with joy, freedom and meaning.” As a member of the faithful who was given a new life at Baptism, do you have a God-given charism? The answer is yes you do! Join Most Reverend Scott McCaig, Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada to learn more about charisms. Register now!*
GUEST PRESENTERS: Most Reverend Scott McCaig, Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada
REGISTER: https://bit.ly/PVWS-RegisterMar2024
*Everyone who registers will receive a copy of Bishop Scott McCaig’s book, “Clothed with Power from on High - a Short Catechesis on Charisms in the Life and Mission of the Church.” Download the poster
3. A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Eternity (RCIA) (on May 9, 2024 from 10:00am-11:30am)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the Church’s blueprint for embarking on the Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations.” As each new generation of Catholics sets sail on the vast sea of human existence, the RCIA stands as a trusted boarding ramp for adults to enter into the Church as she picks up souls along life’s journey and steers them towards the heavenly harbour of eternal salvation. Whether your parish is contemplating engaging in the RCIA process, just getting started or are seasoned navigators, this webinar is for you. RCIA is not a program…but rather a response to our Lord’s call to missionary discipleship. Increase your parish vitality by registering today!*
GUEST PRESENTER: Michelle Brylowski, Associate Director, RCIA & Liturgical Formation, Office of Formation for Discipleship
REGISTER: https://bit.ly/PVWS-RegisterMay2024
*If your parish does not currently offer the RCIA - the ritual text, leadership resources & additional training will be provided at no cost Download the poster
4. Building a Culture of Stewardship that Engages all Ages (on June 19, 2024 from 10:00am-11:30am)
Engaging people to live as disciples and grow as good stewards is most effective when the culture of the parish imbues the spirit of stewardship. Such a culture not only touches people spiritually and practically, it also fosters parish life that is filled with vitality and joy. Explore ways to build a culture of stewardship now and for the future. Register today!
GUEST PRESENTER: Leisa Anslinger, Director, Catholic Life and Faith
REGISTER: https://bit.ly/PVWS-RegisterJune2024 Download the poster
5. Embracing Gratitude
As Cardinal Collins concludes his remarkable journey with us as our Archbishop, we are thrilled to invite you to a special event with him titled, "Embracing Gratitude". During this special online experience, Cardinal Collins will reflect on his many years of service in our Archdiocese, share insights into the nature of his own spirituality and conversion, and kindly offer suggestions on how we can all grow in holiness by engaging others. “Embracing Gratitude” will offer us a special opportunity to connect with our beloved Shepherd before he departs as our Archbishop. We hope you will be able to join us for this very special moment.
6. Using Social Media to Engage and Evangelize Your Parishioners
Are you struggling to connect with your parishioners in the digital age? Do you want to use social media to engage and evangelize your community, but don't know where to start? If so, this webinar is for you! This informative session will share practical tips and strategies for using social media to connect with your congregation and spread the word of God. You will leave feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to connect with your parishioners in a whole new way. Sign-up now and start building a stronger, more vibrant parish community today!
PRESENTER: Tommy Scultz from Diocesan. Diocesan’s mission is to meet the communication needs of the Catholic Church by providing products and services that help parishes and dioceses communicate and connect with their community. Tommy Scultz uses his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and is committed to helping dioceses and parishes evangelize on the digital continent.
7. The Joy of Parish Events!
Are you ready to revitalize your parish events by creating engaging experiences for your community? If so, then join us for "The Joy of Parish Events!" During the webinar we will unpack a real-world case study of how to plan a successful Parish Ministry Fair as a practical example to explore creative tips and strategies you can apply to any parish event you are planning. Build a deeper sense of community, enhance parish vitality, and leave attendees with lasting memories. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your events and take your community to the next level. Tune in to learn the secrets to creating joyous and successful parish events!
PRESENTERS: A special thank you to Holy Rosary Parish in Whitby and St. Mark’s Parish in Stouffville for joining us on the panel and generously sharing their experience and resources from successful ministry fairs recently held in their parish communities.
MODERATOR: Quentin Schesnuik, Assoc. Director, Parish Vitality & Stewardship for the Office of Formation for Discipleship
Download the powerpoint presentation
8. Re-engaging Parishioners in a "Post COVID World"
With COVID restrictions winding down, we should be aware of how people have changed, from their habits to their involvement in parish life. In some parishes, long-time volunteers are not back, discipleship groups may no longer be meeting and many of our large-scale parish-wide events have been either canceled or dramatically scaled back. How do we move forward? This session will cover our changing dynamics, offer key plans and strategies for change, and give insight into what 2022 can look like for your parish!
PRESENTER: Katie Price, serves as the Director of the Office of Parish Vitality and Mission Advancement in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Katie has worked on the US national level with Catholic parishes, schools, and religious orders through consulting on stewardship, evangelization, digital communications, and organizational strategy.
9. Parish Time Machine
If we could time travel into the future after all pandemic restrictions have been lifted, will parish attendance be back to normal? Will volunteers have returned or will we need to rebuild? If only we could build a parish time machine to glimpse what the future may hold…Join us for the next best thing! It has been a year since pandemic restrictions have been lifted at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita. Fr. Jarrod will share what we may encounter in the upcoming year. We will also discuss how the new archdiocesan Time and Talent Campaign Kit can help increase engagement.
PRESENTERS: Fr. Jarrod Lies, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Diocese of Wichita, KS. St. Francis of Assisi Parish has been living the Stewardship Way of Life for about 50 years and is regarded as a flagship stewardship parish in Wichita. Quentin Schesnuik is the Associate Director, Parish Vitality and Stewardship in the Office of Formation for Discipleship.
10. Welcoming the Hidden Christ in Our Parishes
Mother Theresa once remarked that she found Christ living under a bridge in Calcutta. We don’t need to journey to some far off land to encounter the hidden Lord. He is in our parishes in the form of a shaking hand grasping a railing to stop a fall; a frustrated child with a learning disability; a depressed teenager looking for hope; a wheelchair stuck in the snow. This webinar will focus on how our response as a parish community to people living with disabilities increases parish vitality while enriching our own spiritual lives in the process. It is in giving that we receive!
PRESENTERS: An expert panel led by Dr. Constance (Connie) Price, Co-Director of the Office of Formation for Discipleship.
11. Catholics Come Home (for Families!)
Those who have been away from the Church may be feeling a tug in the heart from our Heavenly Father calling them back home. We want them back. We have missed them, and our Church is not the same without them. From over 20 years of insights in outreach, Catholics Come Home, an independent, non-profit Catholic apostolate, will discuss trends facing the church, share insights into reaching out to families in particular, and talk about how compassionate messaging can help bring Catholics home. As pandemic restrictions wind down, now is the time to come home!
PRESENTER: Ryan Hanning, PhD, Catholics Come Home, Professor of Theology and Catholic Studies, University of Mary Instructor, Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Catechetical Institute.
12. Stellar Communications that Get Your Parish Noticed
How do you create dynamic parish messaging that grabs attention, makes your message a “must-read”, and then moves the reader to act? Sharing with us a formula for well-crafted parish messaging is an industry professional named Mike DiCosola from Diocesan and Neil MacCarthy, Director of PR and Communications for the Archdiocese of Toronto.
PRESENTERS: Mike DiCosola, Director of Digital Services for Diocesan and Neil MacCarthy, Director of the Office of Public Relations and Communications in the Archdiocese of Toronto.
13. Amazing Videos on a Shoestring Budget
Pandemic closures have taught us we need to find new and creative ways to engage our parishioners. This webinar will teach insider secrets on how to create professional-looking videos “on the cheap”. We will also unpack a unique storytelling model you can use to create compelling short videos for your website.
PRESENTERS: Mark Brosens, Communications Manager in PR and Communications, Ben Tabucan, Video Creator from Ben + Krys Films, and Quentin Schesnuik, Associate Director, Parish Vitality and Stewardship in the Office of Formation for Discipleship, Archdiocese of Toronto.
14. The Power of Personal Witness
One of the tools we have to invite people to get involved in our parish communities is personal witness. If done right, a personal witness can be a powerful call to action. We will explore how to invite parishioners to share their personal witness to build up your parish ministries in a safe, structured, and inspirational way.
PRESENTER: Dr. Josephine Lombardi, Associate Professor of Pastoral and Systematic Theology, Professor of Field Education, and Director of Lay Formation at St. Augustine’s Seminary.
15. How to Build a Parishioner Re-Engagement Campaign...from Scratch!
Many of our parishioners have actively volunteered in secular charities but have never considered the prospect of sharing their time and talents in their parish. Why is there this big disconnect? The focus of this webinar will be to assist you in developing a parishioner re-engagement campaign, built around Stewardship Sunday…and beyond!
PRESENTER: Fr. Jarrod Lies, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Diocese of Wichita, KS. St. Francis of Assisi Parish has been living the Stewardship Way of Life for about 50 years and is regarded as a flagship stewardship parish in Wichita.
16. Engaging Our Homebound and Elderly in a Post-Pandemic World
This session will focus on ways a parish community can engage parishioners who are unable to return to church post-COVID. Though physically separated from us, these parishioners do not have to be spiritually distant. Join us as we explore creative ways to help keep these parishioners engaged in the life of the parish for the enrichment of the whole community of faith.
PRESENTER: Saulina (Sally) Amaral, Diocesan Coordinator, Ministries of Care and Ministry with Maturing Adults, Office of Formation for Discipleship, Archdiocese of Toronto.
Do you become nervous and worried about how people will react to you when you ask for something the church needs? Has this prevented you from asking others to get involved in the parish? If so, this webinar will focus on a mindset you can tap into whenever you ask for something and will offer practical examples of the ways you can structure an ask, including the creation of special events such as a Parish Ministry Fair to assist you in your cause.
PRESENTERS: Most Rev. Robert Kasun Regional Bishop’s Office, Central Pastoral Region and Quentin Schesnuik, Associate Director, Parish Vitality and Stewardship in the Office of Formation for Discipleship.
18. Hospitality – the Gentle Antidote in an Age of Hostility
It has been said that “Hospitality creates relationship. Relationship builds trust. And trust is essential for conversion”. Hospitality can create a space for dialogue and help to undo the knot of hostility, which is, unfortunately, a part of our modern age. This webinar will explore the importance that hospitality plays in the life of the missionary disciple and how, when done right, can help to revitalize a parish community.
PRESENTER: Dan Cellucci, CEO of Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI).
If you have any questions, please contact
Quentin Schesnuik
Associate Director - Parish Vitality & Stewardship in the Office of Formation for Discipleship
416-934-3400, ext. 568
