The Apostolic Parish Library
Browse our article bank for free wisdom on creating thriving, apostolic parishes.
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Evangelization
The Gift Women Bring to Evangelization
What does the fascination with Alysa Liu’s gold medal winning free skate in the Olympics tell us about women and evangelization? Read on regarding the power of wholeness and witness–especially in dialogue with John Paul II on women.
Should Your Parish Hire a Staff Person Dedicated to Evangelization?
Is it time to hire a parish evangelization leader? Learn the pros, cons, and leadership considerations Catholic pastors and parish staff should weigh when deciding whether to create a dedicated evangelization ministry position.
Affiliation Questions: When Data Doesn’t Match Your Experience
…How do you know when evangelization is working? Many of you may be aware of the work of Ryan Burge, who dissects statistics and religion at Graphs about Religion, a Substack newsletter. He is Professor of the Practice at the…
“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…
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
How to Rebuild Parish Culture: Restoring Truth, Love, and Trust
If parish culture is the soil of mission, how do we rebuild it? Practical habits that restore truth, love, and trust in parish life.
The Hidden Reason Parish Renewal Fails: A Parish Culture Problem
Many parish renewal efforts fail—not because of strategy, but because of culture. Here’s why parish culture is the real soil of mission growth.
“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…
Apostolic Leadership
Should Your Parish Hire a Staff Person Dedicated to Evangelization?
Is it time to hire a parish evangelization leader? Learn the pros, cons, and leadership considerations Catholic pastors and parish staff should weigh when deciding whether to create a dedicated evangelization ministry position.
How to Rebuild Parish Culture: Restoring Truth, Love, and Trust
If parish culture is the soil of mission, how do we rebuild it? Practical habits that restore truth, love, and trust in parish life.
The Hidden Reason Parish Renewal Fails: A Parish Culture Problem
Many parish renewal efforts fail—not because of strategy, but because of culture. Here’s why parish culture is the real soil of mission growth.
How Do You Pastorally Lead in a Crisis?
How do you pastor in a time of crisis? It’s January 2026, and we’re located in Minnesota. In the past week(s), people have been struggling. Parishioners are not entirely on the same page–like every place, people vote red and blue…
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
The Gift Women Bring to Evangelization
What does the fascination with Alysa Liu’s gold medal winning free skate in the Olympics tell us about women and evangelization? Read on regarding the power of wholeness and witness–especially in dialogue with John Paul II on women.
Should Your Parish Hire a Staff Person Dedicated to Evangelization?
Is it time to hire a parish evangelization leader? Learn the pros, cons, and leadership considerations Catholic pastors and parish staff should weigh when deciding whether to create a dedicated evangelization ministry position.
Affiliation Questions: When Data Doesn’t Match Your Experience
…How do you know when evangelization is working? Many of you may be aware of the work of Ryan Burge, who dissects statistics and religion at Graphs about Religion, a Substack newsletter. He is Professor of the Practice at the…
“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…