Contact

 Mr. Nathan Maurer | Parish Life Coordinator - nmaurer@toledodiocese.org

This page corresponds to the full Roadmap for Parish Health. Disciplines 5, 6, and 7 on the Roadmap are the three steps of evangelization: Inviting, Forming, and Sending. Each one of these steps is listed below with goals and resources for each. To view the full Roadmap and understand these steps in their full context at your parish, visit: Roadmap for Parish Health.

Evangelization Strategy Webinars

Fish Fry Evangelization - how to turn social events (and all events) at your parish into opportunities to evangelize.

Best Practices inactive Catholics
Best Practices Fallen Away Catholics

Discipline 5 - Evangelization: Invite

“At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9: 36

Initial Goals

  • Invest in beautiful and reverent liturgy that invites people to encounter the Eucharist.

  • Host low-pressure, “front-porch” events where parishioners can easily invite friends and socialize.  Make the parish a visible presence in the community.

  • Establish a digital “footprint” for the parish with a beautiful website, social media presence, and updated information on public sites.

Ongoing Principles

  • Preach the basic Gospel message (kerygma) and relate it to people’s daily lives.

  • Show radical hospitality to those who enter your church or contact the parish, including through a beautiful website, greeters, and regular social opportunities following Mass.

Diocesan Resources

Recommended External Resources

  • Alpha: Eleven week small group experience of honest and open conversation for anyone to explore the Christian faith.

  • Rescue Project: Eight week small group experience of the Gospel surrounded by food, conversation and prayer by ACTS XXIX.

  • Our Sunday Visitor: Beautiful and affordable parish website design and support

  • Source and Summit: Elevates the liturgy through beautiful music resources, both physical and digital

  • CRHP/Welcome & ACTS Retreats: Introductory parish retreats for men and women

  • Revive Parishes: “Preaching” Course with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Other Resources

Discipline 6 - Evangelization: Form

“This is the will of God, your holiness”. 1 Thess. 4: 3

Initial Goals

  • Host at least one regular adult faith formation opportunity for parish members 

  • Have at least two weekly times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, each at a different time of day.

  • Offer at least one regular opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration

Ongoing Principles

  • Invest in excellent adult and youth faith formation that helps parishioners grow on a human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral level

  • Nurture Small Groups where parishioners can belong and grow together

  • Develop a dynamic OCIA that forms full disciples of Christ

Diocesan Resources

Recommended External Resources

  • FORMED.org: Online platform with Bible studies, talks, sacramental prep, movies, children’s programs, books, and more. Toledo Diocese discount available to all parishes.

  • Discipleship Quads: A year long small group model of four parishioners who split to form two groups at the end of the year.

  • Hallow & Amen Apps: Phone apps teach mental prayer with audio scriptural reflections, devotions, prayers, and more.

Other Resources

  • Word on Fire: Online platform for videos, podcasts, and courses designed to evangelize through beauty and truth.

  • Small Groups - Lisa Brenninkmeyer | Revive Parishes Course

  • Youth Ministry - Mark Hart | Revive Parishes Course

Discipline 7 - Evangelization: Send

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations”. Matthew 28: 19-20

Initial Goals

  • Have at least one regular opportunity to serve the poor in your parish territory

  • Form parish prayer teams to intercede for various people and intentions

  • Invite the neighborhood to front-porch events through door-to-door and/or phone outreach

Ongoing Principles

  • Facilitate regular opportunities for the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

  • Train parishioners to evangelize in their daily lives.

  • Equip parishioners to answer questions about their faith.

  • Form parish prayer teams to intercede for various people and intentions.

Diocesan Resources

Recommended External Resources

  • St. Paul Street Evangelization: Trains and mobilizes Catholics to proclaim the Gospel in the public square through personal encounter and prayer.

  • Evangelical Catholic: Coaching and consulting on relational ministry at your parish.

  • Encounter Ministries: Digital and in-person School of Ministry to empower evangelization with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit.

  • Revive Parishes – “Loving and Serving the Poor” Course with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR

Other Resources

  • Catholic Answers: Apologetics podcasts, articles, speakers, and events for learning and sharing the truths of our faith.

  • Sent Evangelization: A simple Catholic model for door-to-door evangelization and service toward parish neighbors

Looking for something else?

Adult Faith Formation

RCIA

Sacrament Preparation

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