The Apostolic Parish Library
Browse our article bank for free wisdom on creating thriving, apostolic parishes.
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Evangelization
“Make Your House Fair As You Are Able”: Christmas Welcome, and Welcoming Back
“Make your house fair as you are able”: you know where the line comes from, right? People, look east! The time is nearOf the crowning of the year.Make your house fair as you are able,Trim the hearth and set the…
The Crisis of Community: Why Parish Friendship Can No Longer Be Accidental
I recently read a Leadership Roundtable survey on the spiritual lives of young adults, and one line has stayed with me: more than anything else, young people are looking for community. They want friends. Honestly, don’t we all? Very few…
The Gospel of Welcome: Becoming a Parish of Radical Hospitality
Every parish wants to be known as welcoming. Yet many of us have experienced walking into a church and feeling invisible, unsure of where to sit, or whether anyone even noticed we came. Real Christian hospitality goes far beyond a…
Congratulations, You Are a Catechist! (…Now What?)
Once again, I am ceding this article to my colleagues in the field, Dr. Tim and Heidi Indahl. They have exciting news–and we are honored to excerpt their new book, The Proactive Catechist! Enjoy! — Susan Windley-Daoust Hello, Mark 5:19…
Faith Formation
How to Help Families Engage at Mass: Practical Tools for Parishes and Parents
How do you support family participation at Mass and beyond? We welcome Heidi Indahl back to continue her series on family-based faith formation and discipleship. The rest of her family formation articles may be found here. Thanks again for your…
Walking with Families from the Very Beginning
We’re ceding our space in The Mark 5:19 Project article bank to our colleague in ministry, Heidi Indahl, to continue her series on family formation. Thanks for your ongoing contribution to our space, Heidi! –Susan Windley-Daoust It is often quipped…
From Struggling to Supported: Rethinking Family Advocacy in Ministry
Friends, it is time again to cede The Mark 5:19 Project article spot to Heidi Indahl, co-founder of Designed for Discipleship and frequent collaborator with our apostolate. We recently worked together (with my husband Jerry Windley-Daoust) on a retreat morning…
Congratulations, You Are a Catechist! (…Now What?)
Once again, I am ceding this article to my colleagues in the field, Dr. Tim and Heidi Indahl. They have exciting news–and we are honored to excerpt their new book, The Proactive Catechist! Enjoy! — Susan Windley-Daoust Hello, Mark 5:19…
Apost0lic Parish
“We stopped looking up”: Help Parishioners Break Free from Social Media Overload
Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these?He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name;because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. (Isa 40:26, NRSV) How often do “we lift…
“Make Your House Fair As You Are Able”: Christmas Welcome, and Welcoming Back
“Make your house fair as you are able”: you know where the line comes from, right? People, look east! The time is nearOf the crowning of the year.Make your house fair as you are able,Trim the hearth and set the…
The Crisis of Community: Why Parish Friendship Can No Longer Be Accidental
I recently read a Leadership Roundtable survey on the spiritual lives of young adults, and one line has stayed with me: more than anything else, young people are looking for community. They want friends. Honestly, don’t we all? Very few…
Starting a Parish Hospitality Revolution: The Tiny Habits of Holy Kindness
This article is part 2 of 2 on parish hospitality as a necessary moment of evangelization. See the first article, The Gospel of Welcome, here. Every true renewal of the Church begins not with power, but with love—not with innovation,…
Apostolic Leadership
“Be Angry, But Do Not Sin.” (Eph 4:26) How Do You Do That?
This article is second on the theme of helping Catholic handle anger in their life of discipleship. Read the first article here. A few days ago I received permission to reprint a 2007 article I published with the now shuttered…
Mapping the Mission: Understanding Your Parish’s Given Mission Field
In today’s rapidly evolving religious landscape, our Catholic parishes face unique challenges in fulfilling their evangelical mission. Together, we can discover how to effectively serve both parishioners and the broader community by understanding the true nature of our mission fields….
Take Time Away to Measure by the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Free Mini-Retreat)
We are a Church of the resurrection, and we get the joy to remember that every day this holy season. Happy Easter, friends! But I have long thought we don’t pay enough attention to the joy of the coming of…
“For such a time as this”: Apostolic Leadership in a Disrupted World
…Leading parishes in mission when the house is on fire. 3rd c. AD painting of Esther and Mordecai, Syria. Public Domain. “For such a time as this” comes from the Book of Esther. Mordecai, her older cousin, encourages Esther, the…
Prayer
Take Time Away to Measure by the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Free Mini-Retreat)
We are a Church of the resurrection, and we get the joy to remember that every day this holy season. Happy Easter, friends! But I have long thought we don’t pay enough attention to the joy of the coming of…
A Conclave Prayer: “…that they may all be one.”
“I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also…
The Best Thing You Can Learn this Lent: How to Forgive your Enemies
Forgiveness is powerful, and comes from God himself. Often we do not forgive because we don’t know how, or if it is possible, or if we are ready. This how-to article was originally published at Gracewatch Media: the introduction was…
The Breathing Parable
I am sitting here with the common cold from heck, my nose stuffed like a clogged sink. It’s times like this that I really appreciate breathing. I miss breathing. Everything is easier when you breathe. In fact, nothing is possible…
Missions
What Parishes Can Do to Help During SNAP Cuts (…Or Anytime)
Boots On the Ground Steps for November–December Many families across the country rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to keep food on the table. When benefits are cut, delayed, or reduced — as is expected in November and…
Mapping the Mission: Understanding Your Parish’s Given Mission Field
In today’s rapidly evolving religious landscape, our Catholic parishes face unique challenges in fulfilling their evangelical mission. Together, we can discover how to effectively serve both parishioners and the broader community by understanding the true nature of our mission fields….
The Best Thing You Can Learn this Lent: How to Forgive your Enemies
Forgiveness is powerful, and comes from God himself. Often we do not forgive because we don’t know how, or if it is possible, or if we are ready. This how-to article was originally published at Gracewatch Media: the introduction was…
What is a “Mission Field,” anyway?
One day I walked out of church following Mass and I saw something like this next to the bright red EXIT sign: Not “Have a Blessed Day,” or “Remember to sign up for the Fall Festival” or “Registration Open for…
Social Mission
“Make Your House Fair As You Are Able”: Christmas Welcome, and Welcoming Back
“Make your house fair as you are able”: you know where the line comes from, right? People, look east! The time is nearOf the crowning of the year.Make your house fair as you are able,Trim the hearth and set the…
The Crisis of Community: Why Parish Friendship Can No Longer Be Accidental
I recently read a Leadership Roundtable survey on the spiritual lives of young adults, and one line has stayed with me: more than anything else, young people are looking for community. They want friends. Honestly, don’t we all? Very few…
What Parishes Can Do to Help During SNAP Cuts (…Or Anytime)
Boots On the Ground Steps for November–December Many families across the country rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to keep food on the table. When benefits are cut, delayed, or reduced — as is expected in November and…
The Gospel of Welcome: Becoming a Parish of Radical Hospitality
Every parish wants to be known as welcoming. Yet many of us have experienced walking into a church and feeling invisible, unsure of where to sit, or whether anyone even noticed we came. Real Christian hospitality goes far beyond a…