“We should always look for people who have no one or know no one in the parish and reach out to them.” Patti Maguire Armstrong on building a vibrant parish.
Building A Vibrant parish
Patti Maguire Armstrong is a correspondent for Our Sunday Visitor newspaper and the National Catholic Register, and works in marketing for Teresa Tomeo Communications. She is an award-winning author and was the managing editor and co-author of Ascension Press’ bestselling Amazing Grace series. Her latest books are: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families and Dear God, You Can’t Be Serious. She has appeared on EWTN, Catholic TV, Fox & Friends, and numerous radio programs across the country.
Patti Maguire Armstrong
Patti studied a year of journalism at University of Detroit, has a B.A. in social work and an M.A. in public administration, and worked in both those fields before staying home to work as a freelance writer. She and her husband met in the Peace Corps in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia. They now live in North Dakota where they are still raising the tail end of their 10 children.
In this episode, Patti Maguire talks to us about what building a vibrant parish involves.
She talks about:
-What a vibrant parish looks like
-How we need to get out of our comfort zones
-How God maybe calling us to do things in our parish.
This episode was sponsored by NOAH’S Event Venue. They rent out beautiful and spacious venues to church groups. Find out more about them here: www.NOAHSEventVenue.com/church
Building A Vibrant Parish
I enjoyed recording this podcast for a number of reasons. I reached out to Patti months ago during Temptation month since she’d written an article 10 points on fighting the devil. For some reason, the emails got mixed up and this month she reached out to me and I told her that we’re talking about vibrant parishes this month. She agreed to do the podcast. In total, I think we exchanged 21 emails. Phew. 😅
I have to admit, I second-guessed myself just once, saying “Lord will this work?” Then I brushed it aside because when does what HE say, never work? It always does and I cannot be more pleased with how this episode turned out.
Because Patti comes from a very vibrant, active, and participating parish. My own parish has four masses a day and we’re always jostling to sit. 😂 Patti also miraculously echoes our previous podcast’s advice about starting something in your own parish if you feel a need isn’t met.
She also addressed our inertia and aloofness when it comes to being welcoming in our parish. Her advice; “Get out of your comfort zone!” I just love that. Even a smile, or a good evening can go a long way. Some people are carrying such heavy loads, just a kind word can make such a difference.
Patti gives examples of how she started a women’s retreat and prayer group. She also shares the humbling lessons she learned while starting this ministry. You can learn from her if you’re planning on starting something in your church.
For those who find that there’s not enough happening in your parish look at this list.
List of Parish Associations
- Altar Servers
- Bible Cell
- Bombay Catholic Sabha
- Catholic Charismatic Revival
- Family Cell
- Hope and Life Movement
- Legion of Mary
- Communication Cell
- Parish Liturgical Team
- The Parish Pastoral Council
- Pre-Baptism Group
- Parish Youth Council
- Sodality of the Immaculate Conception
- Saint Vincent de Paul group
- Women’s Cell
- Young Adults Association
- Catechism groups
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Choirs
- RCIA
- Couples for Christ
- Neo Catechumenal Way
- Mother Teresa’s Roses
- Small Christian Communities (SCC)
Therefore, you can join one of these cells and associations in your own parish or start one. There you’ll find the social component of Catholic fellowship. If you’re looking for evangelical style worship, we have that too in the Charismatic Prayer Group. There’s no limit to the social events in a vibrant parish. And if its not vibrant where you’re at, maybe God is asking you to be the light and the fire-starter in that church. So duc in altum- Put out into the deep, my friends.
You can find her on Twitter @PattiArmstrong and on her website:
www.pattimaguirearmstrong.com/
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