Best Archdiocese Of Omaha Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 184: When God asks, how do you answer?—The Power of “Yes” with Christina Semmens 1:04:00

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7d ago1:04:00

1:04:00

Is it possible that your biggest step in faith begins with just saying yes—even before you know where it’ll lead? Saying yes to God, even when you don’t know all He’s asking, is about trusting the One who’s asking. It’s not about having the plan—it’s about knowing He’s good. Mary didn’t have all the details, but she said yes, and that yes changed e…

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Episode 183: Charisms in the Chaos: How a Parish Community Mobilized After a Tornado 50:39

14d ago50:39

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Can something as simple as kindness really change someone's view of God? Simple acts of love and kindness are how Jesus shows up in people’s lives. When someone feels seen, heard, and cared for—especially in their mess or suffering—it softens hearts. It opens a door. That’s when people start to wonder, “Why are you doing this?” And we get to say, “…

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Coach's Corner 20: Healthy Roots Equal Abundant Fruits – Church Growth Explained 8:16

21d ago8:16

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What’s the one thing that can produce lasting fruit in our parish ministries?If we want to see real growth in areas like attendance, vocations, and community life, we must focus on making and maturing disciples. There are no shortcuts—superficial fixes won’t yield lasting change. True fruitfulness comes from healthy individuals, thriving ministries…

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Episode 182: Connect Heaven to Earth’s Ordinary Moments with Fr. Micael Voithofer 1:13:40

28d ago1:13:40

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What if everyday moments—like washing dishes or sitting in traffic—could actually connect you to heaven? In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to live into your identity as a beloved son or daughter of God. We’ll chat about the baptismal priesthood—not as some abstract theology, but as a real, lived-out calling to be a bridge betw…

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Episode 181: The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World with Susan Windley-Daoust 1:07:02

1M ago1:07:02

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Parish renewal is the buzzword of the moment—and with it comes an overwhelming array of resources and ministries. So how do you cut through the noise to find what will truly help your parish move forward? In today’s episode, I talk with Susan Windley-Daoust, author of The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World. Su…

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Episode 180: Front Porch Missionaries: What if you never had to leave your home to go on mission? 1:14:41

1M ago1:14:41

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What if changing the world started with your dinner table? Today, I sit down with Ennie Hickman, co-founder of the Delray Collective, an organization dedicated to equipping people to be ordinary missionary disciples in their everyday lives. We dive into the quiet power of everyday hospitality—those small, intentional acts that build trust, create b…

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Coach's Corner 19: Four Metaphors for a Clear Path of Discipleship 11:22

2M ago11:22

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Have you ever thought about how discipleship is like a school, a training table, or even an operating system? Probably not—but I love a good metaphor (maybe too much!). In this episode, I share four powerful ways to think about building a clear path of discipleship as well as the importance of creating a communal context where people can grow, matu…

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Welcome to the EquipCast 0:57

2M ago0:57

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Sharing your Catholic faith with family and friends can sometimes feel daunting. Where do I start? How do I make an impact? Welcome to EquipCast, a weekly podcast from the Archdiocese of Omaha. We want to support your faith journey and equip you with the tools to express your faith authentically in your everyday life. Each week, we’ll discuss pract…

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Episode 179: The secret to getting more volunteers with John Poitevent from Great Catholic Parishes 1:05:19

2M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Why is it so hard to get more volunteers? The same 10% of parishioners seem do 90% of the work. The key to changing this isn’t just recruiting more volunteers—it’s making disciples. People step up when they feel seen, invited, and part of something meaningful. That starts with personal relationships. Instead of generic announcements, we need to rea…

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Episode 178: Measuring Faith: How Data and Devotion Are Revitalizing Sacred Heart Parish 50:29

3M ago50:29

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What does it take to build a thriving, faith-filled parish? In this episode, I sit down with Father Jamie Zarse, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee, Kansas, to unpack his vision for renewing his parish—starting with a team of prayer warriors and leaders—and the spiritual habits that are transforming his community. From deeper devotion to the …

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Episode 177: How Collaboration and the Temperaments Can Unlock Parish Renewal 1:09:46

3M ago1:09:46

1:09:46

Are you part of a dynamic team that truly leverages each member’s unique gifts? Building cohesive and effective teams is essential for parish renewal and vibrant ministry. When individuals are inspired and equipped to discover, discern, and live out their God-given mission, our parishes thrive. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Ingold of Metano…

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Episode 176: How Curiosity Transforms Evangelization + A New Resource to Elevate! Your Small Groups 34:24

3M ago34:24

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What’s the secret sauce to evangelization? Aside from the Holy Spirit, it's curiosity—genuinely wanting to know and understand the person in front of you. When you show sincere interest in someone's story, experiences, and thoughts, you create space for authentic connection. This curiosity builds trust and opens the door to deeper conversations whe…

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Episode 175: From Comfort Zones to Mission: Transforming Parish Mindsets Through Lifelong Learning 1:01:39

3M ago1:01:39

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How can we help others shift from a maintenance mindset to a missional one? It starts with prayer and reflection but also requires creating an environment where people feel safe to explore new ideas and take risks. Encouraging continuous learning is key. By embracing new knowledge and experiences, we can deepen our faith and learn to live it out mo…

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Coach's Corner 18: 12 Tips to Revolutionize Your Rosary 10:24

4M ago10:24

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Do you ever get distracted while praying the rosary—or even, dare we say, find it boring? The rosary is a powerful tool to deepen your relationship with Jesus and Mary, a beautiful way to converse with God and invite His grace to transform your life. Join me for a Coach’s Corner where I share 12 practical tips to revolutionize your experience of th…

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Episode 174: Experience Miracles: How Alpha Youth Changed the Culture of a School 51:56

4M ago51:56

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Do you expect the miraculous from God? As believers, we are invited to trust in God's power and love, knowing He desires to move in our lives in profound and unexpected ways. Miracles are not confined to biblical times; they are a testament to God's ongoing presence in our world. When we step out in faith, we open the door for the Holy Spirit to wo…

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Episode 173: The Art of Neighboring with Dave Runyon 51:23

4M ago51:23

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Is busyness subtly drowning out your ability to love God and love others? When we're constantly rushing from one task to the next, we lose the time and mental space to notice the needs of those around us, let alone build meaningful relationships with them. Our hurried lifestyles often turn our homes into mere refuges from the chaos instead of place…

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Episode 172: Rethink Religious Ed: Universal Lessons for Faith Formation from People with Special Needs 56:45

4M ago56:45

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Religious Education is broken, often feeling like a conveyor belt to the sacraments rather than a journey, accompanying individuals as they grow in faith. My guest, Janet Sobczyk, shares how she transformed that reality for her daughter Monica, a person with special needs, so she could receive the sacraments. Janet’s story offers powerful lessons f…

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Episode 171: Transform Your Parish: Fr. James Mallon on Evangelization, Discipleship, and Church Growth 1:06:25

5M ago1:06:25

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Pope John Paul II tells us that “evangelization is the cornerstone of all pastoral action, the demands of which are primary, preeminent and preferential.” Yet, let’s be real—how often do we actually see this lived out in our parishes? Evangelization tends to take a back seat, overshadowed by other priorities, rarely making it into budgets or staffi…

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Coach's Corner 17: A Clear Path for School Parents 12:38

5M ago12:38

12:38

One of the largest opportunities for evangelization is in our Catholic schools. But breaking into this mission field comes with its own struggles. Many parents are juggling so many responsibilities and pressures. They're dealing with work, family, and all the demands of modern life, which can make it hard to prioritize their faith journey. Plus, th…

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Episode 170: How Young Adults Can Find Their Place After College 1:00:15

6M ago1:00:15

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Can young adults find their place in a faith community after college? Young adults often face the loss of their college community and the challenge of building new connections. They tend to feel isolated and unsure of how to integrate into a parish. Overcoming this involves actively seeking out parish activities, being open to making friends across…

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Episode 169: Praying with Purpose: Expect God to Speak About Your Mission with Hannah Vaughan-Spruce 57:31

6M ago57:31

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Have you ever wondered how to bring the Lord into your work, expanding your prayer life beyond personal devotion? In this episode, we explore missional prayer—prayer that aligns our hearts with the Holy Spirit, focusing on the transformation of our parishes and neighborhoods. It's about moving beyond inward devotion to intentional, outward-facing p…

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Episode 168: How to Tell If Your Prayer Life Is Working with Nathan Crankfield, Sales Lead for Hallow 1:04:15

7M ago1:04:15

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Ever wonder if your prayer life is making a difference? Look for the fruits. Are you experiencing more peace, patience, and love in your relationships? Do you feel more attuned to God’s presence and guidance in your daily life? Challenges can also be a signpost—when your prayer life is strong, you’re more likely to face difficulties with grace and …

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Episode 167: Our Mission to Love: How to share your faith without being pushy 56:06

7M ago56:06

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I was recently asked, "How do you share your faith without coming across as pushy?" It’s a big question—how can we invite people into a relationship with Jesus without making it feel manipulative? The answer is simple: We love. The core of the Great Commission—"go and make disciples"—is the call to love because God is love. If we let that love shap…

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Coach's Corner 16: How to Make Evangelization a Priority 9:40

7M ago9:40

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Why is it so hard to prioritize evangelization? I want to love God, love my neighbor, and introduce others to Jesus, but life often gets in the way. In today’s Coach’s Corner, I’m here to offer some encouragement. When I focus on what Jesus truly asks of me—giving my heart to him in prayer and helping others draw closer to him—everything else falls…

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Episode 166: Michelle Duppong’s Little Way of Evangelization 51:28

7M ago51:28

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Being holy is hard, and most of the people I look up to – the saints – lived extraordinary lives. But St. Therese taught us that sanctity is possible through her “little way”. Today, I want to introduce you to another “little way” – that of Servant of God Michelle Duppong. She lived what I like to call “the little way of evangelization” to the poin…

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Step 4: Evangelization Formation – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship 51:57

7M ago51:57

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Does your parish actively encourage parishioners to engage in the Church’s mission to "go and make disciples" (Matt 28:19)? The Evangelization Formation step of the Clear Path equips disciples by guiding them to work with the Holy Spirit—the primary agent of evangelization—while surrounding them with a supportive community of missionary disciples w…

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Step 3: Faith Formation – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship 58:22

8M ago58:22

58:22

Most parishes form their people in the faith, but do they truly teach individuals how to pray, help them understand and actively engage with the sacraments, and guide them in making practical, moral changes in the daily lives? Developing the habits of a disciple can be challenging, and it happens most effectively within a community where people sup…

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Step 2: Conversion Moment – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship 55:05

8M ago55:05

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Does your parish have Alpha, Christ Life, a parish retreat, or some other initiative that creates an opportunity for people to hear about Jesus, reflect on their faith, and take a step towards a real and lasting relationship with him? The Clear Path step Conversion Moment is designed to help individuals encounter Jesus and make a personal decision …

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Step 1: Relational Outreach – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship 59:26

8M ago59:26

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Do you have a way to introduce your non-practicing friends and family members to your faith community that doesn’t involve inviting them to Mass or other gatherings that might make them feel isolated? Does your parish offer a space where you can meet and build trusting relationships with those distant from their faith? The Clear Path step Relationa…

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Coach's Corner 15: Embrace Jesus’s Pace: How to Rest 10:49

8M ago10:49

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Do you believe that God continues to work even when you don’t? In my own life, I’ve struggled with the idea that rest has to be earned, that I can only rest once everything on my to-do list is checked off. But the Christian vision is different. God’s work doesn’t stop when we rest. In fact, our rest is a testament to our trust in His ongoing work. …

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Episode 161: Grow a Healthy Small Group Movement with Michael Hall 56:01

9M ago56:01

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Small groups are vital for parish renewal—you might even be part of one yourself. But is your small group thriving and growing, or is it feeling a bit stagnant? Do you find it challenging to reach beyond the usual participants? And most importantly, are your small groups truly helping people grow in their faith journey? Today, I chat with Michael H…

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Episode 160: When to Listen and When to Advise: Lessons from a Live Coaching Conversation 47:54

9M ago47:54

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Have you ever been asked for help but then felt like you were just giving unwanted advice? It’s tough to know how to make your words count. On my team, we use an approach called coaching that focuses on active listening to really support and empower the clergy and lay leaders we work with. We’ve also found that this method can make you a better fri…

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Episode 159: Why Setting Boundaries Matters to Your Ministry 49:52

9M ago49:52

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Is it okay to set boundaries in ministry work? How do we balance being “all things to all people” (1 Cor 9:22) with the need for personal limits? Today’s guest believes that not only is it okay to establish boundaries—it’s essential. Join me as I sit down with John Gencarelli, Director of Youth and Adult Evangelization at St. Phillip Neri-Blessed S…

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Episode 158: Turn Fatigue into Flourishing: Reignite Your Passion for Evangelization with Fr. John Riccardo 55:39

9M ago55:39

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Do you find it hard to maintain enthusiasm for evangelization? You’re not alone. Many of us in ministry face moments of profound fatigue and discouragement. But let me share something with you: the key to reigniting that passion lies in rediscovering the love and hope gifted by God which first called us to this mission. Today, I bring you the wisdo…

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Episode 157: Trade Perfection for God’s Plan: A Conversation with Colleen Carroll Campbell 53:21

10M ago53:21

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Do you ever feel overwhelmed by trying to be perfect? I mean, Jesus did tell us to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48), and Paul certainly took this seriously as he gladly “spent and consumed himself for souls” (2 Cor 12:15). But sometimes, I think the pursuit of perfection leaves behind God’s plan for our lives. In fact, liv…

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Episode 156: The Culture Project: How to Talk to Teens about Sex and Identity 50:11

10M ago50:11

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Theology of the Body has the power to deeply impact how we approach sexual identity and self-worth. As a father, I understand how tough it can be to navigate these complex topics with today’s youth. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to two amazing missionaries, Marshall and Reese, from The Culture Project. In this episode, they share their pe…

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Episode 155: ChristLife: How to Make Disciples and Change Lives 56:11

12M ago56:11

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Have you ever had a moment that completely turned your life around? In a heartfelt conversation with Dave Nodar, founder of ChristLife, he opened up about that pivotal moment when Jesus’ love washed over him, sparking a deep, personal transformation and setting him ablaze with the desire to spread the Good News. Together, we dive deep into why evan…

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Episode 154: Alpha in the Catholic Context 1:04:34

12M ago1:04:34

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How would you transform your parish if you had a proven strategy to reignite faith and build a vibrant community? Today, I’m excited to share a piece of that strategy with you—a way to create a sense of belonging before we expect people to believe or behave like us. It’s all about fostering a communal approach to faith, where everyone feels include…

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Episode 153: The Clear Path to Discipleship in a Rural Context 52:51

12M ago52:51

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Did you know that on average, there’s only one priest for every 2,000 parishioners in our archdiocese? With such a large group to guide, you might wonder how it could be possible for parish leaders to help their people grow in discipleship and move towards sainthood. The Clear Path framework is key to success, but the challenge is greater in our ru…

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Episode 152: Sanctify the Ordinary with Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, Chance and Lora Unger 50:54

1y ago50:54

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Have you ever heard the universal call to holiness, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” and instead of feeling inspired, felt discouraged? Holiness is hard, especially when we strive for it alone. When we rely solely on our own strengths, we often fail. But when we pursue holiness within the Body of Christ, leaning on both our communi…

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Episode 151: How to Effectively Share the Gospel of Life With Women 50:13

1y ago50:13

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As we approach the 2nd anniversary of the repeal of Roe v. Wade, the debate about abortion continues to divide us. Have you noticed, maybe even in your own conversations, that traditional pro-life messaging about the baby just isn't hitting home? What if I told you that by understanding the deep emotional and psychological needs of women considerin…

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Episode 150: How to Reach One More: Equipping Disciples for Mission Alongside Our Protestant Brothers 49:32

1y ago49:32

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Is it hard to talk about Jesus with the people in your life? As Christians, we believe that spreading the good news of Jesus is essential to our faith, but sometimes, finding the courage or freedom to do so feels insurmountable. But guess what? There is an awesome program created by Christ Community Church, called Reach One More, and it turns big b…

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Episode 149: Find Jesus Among the Marginalized: A Conversation with Jill Lynch 54:29

1y ago54:29

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Why do you help the poor? In a culture where lending a hand to those in need is often seen as a noble thing to do, it's crucial for us as Christians to understand the deeper motivation behind our actions. As believers, we serve the poor out of love—a love that sees Jesus in the faces of those in need. To delve into this profound aspect of service, …

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Episode 148: How to Recognize Sacred Moments: A Conversation with Archbishop Lucas 42:34

1y ago42:34

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Wouldn’t it be nice if God performed some undeniable miracle and every person in the world converted? The reality is…he did. Jesus performed numerous miracles, and people still walked away from him (John 6). So, we must look to the ordinary moments. Moments with coworkers, family members, new acquaintances, and friends that may seem mundane at firs…

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Phase 5: Alignment - How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship 43:49

1y ago43:49

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What do you do with ministries that existed before the clear path? By the time you see the fruit of changed lives in your parish, it’s likely that you will ask how you can help your non-clear path ministries serve the community’s mission and goal to make disciples. In this fifth episode of the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship, Nicol…

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Phase 6: Expansion - How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship 45:38

1y ago45:38

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Now that we’ve built a clear path, how do we make sure is survives? What comes next? In this sixth and final episode of the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship, Jenny Wiswell and Fr. Marcus Knecht from St. Gerald discuss the phase of expansion. They emphasize the importance of recognizing and responding to the diverse needs of parishio…

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Phase 3: Implementation - How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship 38:12

1y ago38:12

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Now that you have a plan to transform your parish, how do you get started? Implementing the Clear Path to Discipleship can feel daunting when you start to understand the scope of the change that is necessary. In this third episode of the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship, Jonathan Sanchez-Hidalgo, Director of Evangelization and Disci…

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Phase 4: Communication - How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship 40:39

1y ago40:39

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Once you have a clear path built, how do you communicate it to your parishioners? Often, our parishioners are living in the new reality of the clear path, but they don’t yet see the big picture vision for evangelization. In this fourth episode of the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship, Jake Olson and Fr. James Keiter from Our Catholic…

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Phase 2: Discernment – How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship 42:46

1y ago42:46

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What does the Lord say about the plans you have for your parish? As you seek renewal for your parish community, are you intentionally asking for the Lord’s input? While many of us are prayerful individuals, praying collectively with a team about the strategy for becoming mission-oriented probably feels like uncharted territory. However, if we want …

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Phase 1: Assessment – How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship 43:09

1y ago43:09

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Does your parish’s current list of ministries help your people evangelize? It’s likely the answer is no. Most parish ministries were built during a time where people flocked to church. But the culture has changed, and our ministries need to as well. So today, I bring you the first episode in the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship. Rac…