The Apostolic Parish Library
Browse our article bank for free wisdom on creating thriving, apostolic parishes.
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Evangelization
How is Your Parish Inviting People to Consider Becoming Catholic (OCIA)?
Recently I was able to offer a breakout session at a diocesan gathering on creating an invitation culture to OCIA–that is, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process of becoming Catholic. As far as the Great Commission goes,…
Mercy, Unity, and “the Frontier”: Pope Leo XIV on Evangelization in His First Days
Since his election to the papacy on May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV has been speaking to many–dicasteries, homilies, audiences–and is quickly emerging as a compelling voice for the Church’s mission. An Augustinian friar with deep pastoral experience in Latin…
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…
Pope Francis: Key Quotations on Evangelization
Pope Francis was not the first contemporary Pope to speak on evangelization–but his contributions were beautiful and inspiring, and the work was clearly key to his pontificate. Indeed, much of the language below is language used by The Mark 5:19…
Faith Formation
“What on earth can we do about faith formation?”
Friends, I am letting my friend and colleague Heidi Indahl speak to that question for herself. I have heard the above question–referring to children’s faith formation–more times than I can count. In fact, it usually comes up in 80-90% of…
Apost0lic Parish
20 Ways for your Parish to Pre-Evangelize this Summer
A few hours before it is officially summer! While this is a time when parishes tend to “slow down” on programs because people are often vacationing, and can’t commit to a 5-8 week commitment outside of Mass. (Except for youth…
How is Your Parish Inviting People to Consider Becoming Catholic (OCIA)?
Recently I was able to offer a breakout session at a diocesan gathering on creating an invitation culture to OCIA–that is, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process of becoming Catholic. As far as the Great Commission goes,…
The Last, Best Place to be Human: The Catholic Parish
I was talking to a friend about our new Mission Ignite Toolkit, and how every Catholic deserves to have access to healthy, flourishing parishes in their town. I expected nodding, but instead he asked, why? A little surprised, I blurted…
The 10 Month Advantage: Or, Why Is 10 Months the Perfect Timeframe for Renewal?
Some of you have heard me speak of Mission Ignite, which is The Mark 5:19 Project’s 10 month consulting process to becoming an evangelizing parish. I’ve had a couple of people who do this work ask, why 10 months? Why…
Apostolic Leadership
Are We “Passively Despising” Our Young Adults?
Welcome back to our “Starting Conversations” series, a set of shareable articles for parish staffs, councils, and small groups. Share this prompt with your community and have a good conversation that leads to understanding, assessment, and thoughtful action for evangelizing…
The Need for Apostolic Leadership (and Why It Changes Everything)
I have to admit that back when I was a college professor, I got heartily tired of all the academic effusion about teaching leadership, offering leadership studies, and more. Even though I had a lot of genuine admiration for the…
Prayer
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Missions
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Social Mission
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….
20 Ways for your Parish to Pre-Evangelize this Summer
A few hours before it is officially summer! While this is a time when parishes tend to “slow down” on programs because people are often vacationing, and can’t commit to a 5-8 week commitment outside of Mass. (Except for youth…
How is Your Parish Inviting People to Consider Becoming Catholic (OCIA)?
Recently I was able to offer a breakout session at a diocesan gathering on creating an invitation culture to OCIA–that is, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process of becoming Catholic. As far as the Great Commission goes,…
Mercy, Unity, and “the Frontier”: Pope Leo XIV on Evangelization in His First Days
Since his election to the papacy on May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV has been speaking to many–dicasteries, homilies, audiences–and is quickly emerging as a compelling voice for the Church’s mission. An Augustinian friar with deep pastoral experience in Latin…