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.

Successfully Launching Perpetual Adoration

Going from no adoration to a full schedule of perpetual adoration in just one month -- and sustaining it for years.

Parish: St. Paschal Baylon, Thousand Oaks, CA, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Categories: Sacraments, Vocation Promotion

Traveling Chalice and Statue Spur Vocations

Simple, easy-to-implement program stirs spontaneous interest in vocations among both boys and girls.

Parish: Church of St. John, Foley, Minnesota, Diocese of St. Cloud
Categories: Family, Vocation Promotion, Youth

Mission Is Possible

A summer Youth for the Third Millennium (YTM) mission "jump started" a parish's Holy Week mission, resulting in eight new families joining the parish and five new students enrolling in the parish school.

Parish: St. Stanislaus Kostka, Chicago, IL, Archdiocese of Chicago
Categories: Faith Formation, Family, Outreach, Sacraments, Youth

Knights Energize Youth & Churn Out Vocations

Following St. Maximilian Kolbe's motto, "To win all souls for God, and as soon as possible," the "Youth Knights of the Immaculata" have helped our youth group give the Church 25 vocations in 13 years.

Parish: St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, Lafayette, Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
Categories: Faith Formation, Outreach, Sacraments, Vocation Promotion, Youth

Breaking Catholic News Reaches Parish Bulletin

Zenit News articles bring solid, worldwide Catholic news to the parish level, adding something new and fresh to the bulletin, without incurring additonal cost.

Parish: St. John Vianney, Northlake, IL, Archdiocese of Chicago
Category: Faith Formation

All Night Vigil Is Hidden Source of Spiritual Vitality

Young people and Catholics of all ages flock to this All Night Vigil for prayer, confession, and fellowship.

Parish: Our Lady of Peace, New York, New York
Categories: Faith Formation, Outreach, Sacraments, Youth

Catholic Vacation Bible School Exceeds Expectations

A parish uses its members' gifts and talents to put on a successful "Kids for Jesus" Catholic Vacation Bible School.

Parish: Holy Family, Lawton, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Categories: Faith Formation, Outreach, Youth

Ready-Made Catechism Study Engages Adult Parishioners

100% of participants in this four-part small-group Catechism study have re-registered for part II of the program, growing in their faith and building strong, new friendships with fellow-parishioners.

Parish: Immaculate Conception, Sealy, TX, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Categories: Faith Formation, Outreach

Coffee House Keeps Youth Active after Confirmation

80% of Confirmation students come back and assume an active role in parish life.

Parish: Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Category: Youth

Pyramid of Volunteers Raises Millions to Build Church

A pyramid approach to personally inviting parishioners yields plentiful pledges.

Parish: Church of St. Michael, in St. Michael, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota
Category: Administration and Finance