Best Practices

Best Practices on this page include practical programs that have been successful in at least one parish, and that could potentially be implemented in other parishes. Browse for the latest Best Practices below or search across the multiple areas of parish life.

Promoting Vocations from the Inside Out

Vocation Basket turns families into active vocation promoters

Parish: St. Augustine, Howell, MI, Diocese of Lansing
Categories: Family, Vocation Promotion, Youth

Finally: An Attractive, Powerful Program for Catholic Men

Men's ministry ("The King's Men") reaches men where they are at and launches them into a new, integral, active experience of Christ and the Church.

Parish: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden, NJ 08012, Diocese of Camden
Categories: Faith Formation, Family, Outreach, Sacraments, Vocation Promotion, Youth

Mass Moment Enriches Understanding

The Mass explained one day at a time...

Parish: St Agatha, Portland, OR, Archdiocese of Portland
Categories: Faith Formation, Family, Sacraments

Seminar-in-a-Box on the Sacrament of Marriage

One-day, high quality, motivational, proven marriage seminar starts new marriages out on the right foot and refreshes more experienced married couples.

Parish: St Alphonsus, Chicago, IL, Archdiocese of Chicago
Categories: Faith Formation, Family, Sacraments

Coffee, Cocoa and Questions

Informal Q&A with the pastor draws a crowd three weeks in a row.

Parish: Immaculate Conception, Nashua, NH, Diocese of Manchester
Categories: Faith Formation, Outreach

A Volunteer Group for Every Parishioner

A time-tested way to ensure volunteers and to involve otherwise passive parishioners in parish life.

Parish: St. Michael Catholic Church, St. Michael, Minnesota, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Categories: Administration and Finance, Family, Outreach

Reinvigorated Catholic Women Invigorate Their Parish

Do-it-yourself ENDOW small-group study program is inspiring hundreds of Catholic women by teaching their true dignity and vocation in the Church and the world.

Parish: St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Centennial, CO 80112, Archdiocese of Denver
Categories: Faith Formation, Family, Outreach

Insight into Theology of the Body Gives Teens Hope

Theology of the Body for Teens is a life-changing chastity program winning rave reviews from teens and teachers.

Parish: Shiner Catholic Church; Saints Cyril and Methodius, Shiner, TX 77984, Diocese of Victoria
Categories: Faith Formation, Outreach, Vocation Promotion, Youth

Managing Money Responsibly in Light of Catholic Teachings

Participation in financial ministry program grows close to 500% in one and one half years.

Parish: St. Vincent de Paul, Fort Wayne, IN, Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend
Categories: Administration and Finance, Faith Formation, Family, Outreach

Heavenly Music for Your Parish

Annual CMAA Sacred Music Colloquium Renews Parish Music Programs