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.

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

"CRHP" Boosts Adult Parish Participation

An easy to implement retreat program has brought personal and parish-wide renewal at over 800 parishes throughout the United States and Italy.

Parish: St. Peter Chanel, Atlanta, Archdiocese of Atlanta
Categories: Faith Formation, Family, Sacraments

Stewardship Campaign Yields Big Increase

Almost half of registered families increased their weekly tithe, enabling this small, combined-parish to beat back a growing deficit.

Parish: Holy Family-St. Lawerence Parish, Essex Junction, Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Vermont
Categories: Administration and Finance, Faith Formation

Boys' involvement in Mass increases 500%

By returning to more demanding altar server practices, two men were able to increase participation at their parish from 10 to 60.

Parish: Holy Family, St. Louis Park, Archdiocese St.Paul/Minneapolis
Categories: Sacraments, Youth