This document summarizes discussions from a parish commission on helping parishioners encounter Christ and grow as disciples. They considered topics like the changing religious landscape, models of discipleship, and evaluating their efforts. The commission recommended the parish focus on helping people encounter Jesus through scripture study groups, worship, and service. They outlined a "discipleship pathway" with programs at different commitment levels. While some metrics like attendance, collections and programs were up significantly, the parish aims to further develop intentional discipleship and form missionaries through additional initiatives.

1. TALK #2:
PROMOTE & ENABLE ONGOING
CONVERSION
Helping Parishioners Encounter
Christ -
Accompanying Them on the Journey

2. OPENING PRAYER
Lord, you have entrusted us as stewards of your creation.
May your goodness, wisdom and love be present among us today.
As we conclude these days together, we ask for your guidance, wisdom and support.
We prayer for hope – come stir our hearts and renew our faith.
We prayer for vision – may your light reveal how our time here,
can lead to a greater realization, of a Kingdom we cannot yet see.
We prayer for unity – build in us a deep respect for one another,
so that your church may be one.
As we move back to the vineyards from whence we came,
let us recall, that all that we hope to accomplish,
is for your greater glory,
and for the magnificent people, to whom you send us to serve.
Amen.

3. • Who’s in the pews,
• … and who’s not.
• If “God doesn’t have any grandchildren,”
• …what are the implications?
• What’s working where.
• What we did, what we’re seeing.

4. WHOSE IN THE PEWS?
• 30%
• 38%
• 32%
• ----------
-
• 100%
• Americans raised Catholic & are “practicing”
• (Attend Mass once/month)
• ½ of these are at Mass any given weekend
• Hold on to their Catholic Identity but seldom/never attend
Mass
• No longer consider themselves Catholic 

5. AND WHOSE NOT …
• “32% No longer consider themselves Catholic “ =
• 3% - Part of a non-Christian faith
• 14% - Unaffiliated
• 15% - Part of some Protestant faith tradition
• An example, 15% = 600 St. Monica Parishioners
• Compare: 800 at Mass/weekend

6. PROTESTANT / EVANGELICALS:
• Highly attuned to spiritual
mobility of postmodern
Americans
• Constantly consider how to reach
out to them.
• Conviction: every person has a
personal decision to make!
• Personal relationship with Christ
• i.e. “Getting Saved”
• Assume religious identity is
largely inherited.
• Faith can be passed down
through Catholic Schools, PREP,
youth programs, etc…
• Assume religious practice
remains stable throughout
one’s life.
CATHOLICS:
ISSUES:

7. ISSUES:
• Since Renaissance, Catholic Church highly Influenced by power of
education.
• Strategy:
• Childhood Catechesis
• Sacramental Initiation
• Problem: CCD, Youth Groups, Catholic Grade- High School make little / no
difference whether teen stays Catholic.
• “Eucharist” will not bring them back.
• Sacraments for “their children” will not bring them back.
• Implications for current practices & investment of resources at parishes?

8. IT’S ABOUT “THE” RELATIONSHIP …
• Mass attendance depends on a possible and a personal relationship with God.
• 48% of Catholics: “I don’t have personal relationship with God I believe in”
• More pronounced with younger vs. older Catholics
• Millions of Americans:
• Do not know that explicit, personal relationship with Christ – personal discipleship – is
normative.
• Need to be evangelized first – then sacramentalized - then catechized
• We’ve done it in reverse!
• Are seeking a religious identity
• Are Catholic - yet not sure about a personal relationship with God.
• Are potentially open to Catholic faith

9. III. THE CONVERSION OF THE BAPTIZED
(CATECHISM, PART 2, SECTION 2, CHAPTER 2)
1428 Christ's call to conversion continues to resound in the
lives of Christians. This second conversion is an
uninterrupted task for the whole Church who, "clasping
sinners to her bosom, [is] at once holy and always in need
of purification, [and] follows constantly the path of penance
and renewal."18 This endeavor of conversion is not just a
human work. It is the movement of a "contrite heart," drawn
and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God
who loved us first.19
1427 Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the
proclamation of the kingdom: "The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."16
In the Church's preaching this call is addressed first to those
who do not yet know Christ and his Gospel. Also, Baptism is the
principal place for the first and fundamental conversion. It is by
faith in the Gospel and by Baptism17 that one renounces evil and
gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of
new life.

10. SPIRITUAL COMPOSITION OF A
CATHOLIC PARISH

11. TWO EXAMPLES …

12. HERE’S ANOTHER ONE ..
St. Monica
Berwyn, Pennsylvania

13. ST. MONICA: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
• June 2016,
• 20+ parishioners commissioned by Fr. Zlock
• Prayerfully discern the future of the parish.
• 14 months of prayer, research, debate, and
discussion.
• Team reached consensus on recommendations for the
parish
• Purpose, priorities, key initiatives for next 2 – 3 years.
• Share with the parish staff, key leaders, parishioners
• Refine and implement

14. TOPICS WE CONSIDERED
1. “God Has No Grandchildren.”
1. What Is Normal (and Abnormal) About the Church In America Today?
2. What the landscape really looks like
3. Data Driven Decisions
2. “I Am the vine, You Are The Branches.” (you’re not a trellis!)
1. Supporting structures instead of growing disciples (Lack of fruit)
2. Types of “Vocations”
3. Priorities of people who are growing in the faith
3. Spiritual Stages And Movement Through The Thresholds
1. Elements of a vocation
2. Stages of Intentional discipleship
3. The Parish: House of lay formation

15. TOPICS WE CONSIDERED
4. ”This Is All Curious-er and Curious-er.” (Alice In Wonderland)
1. The “Evangelical gap”
2. Critical stage: Curious
3. Critical stage: Seeking
5. What Could St. Monica Look Like If We Took “Priest – Disciple – Charisms” Seriously?
1. Kerygma: the great story
2. Threshold Conversations
3. Establishing a “culture” of discipleship (… or not) and the “Nicodemus effect”
4. “Do tell” – sharing the great story

16. TOPICS WE CONSIDERED
6. “A “John 4:35 Parish.” ”I tell you, open your eyes and
look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
1. North Dakota
2. Chicago
3. Southern California
4. Lansing, Michigan
7. A Growing and Maturing Faith.
8. THE Holy Spirit Moment: 5th Month - Threshold
Conversations.

17. IN THE END, HERE WHAT WE HEARD IF
OUR PURPOSE AS A PARISH…
…is simply to get more people to heaven,
…with a special emphasis on people in Berwyn, Devon,
Ttredyffrin/Eastown.
THEN a life-changing encounter with Jesus is critical !
As a parish we will help people encounter Jesus:
• In The Word,
• In Liturgy,
• In Service to Others.

18. ENCOUNTERING JESUS IN THE WORD…
(SCRIPTURE-BASED SMALL GROUPS)
• Current research and our own parish experience validates the
power of scripture based small groups to help people encounter
Jesus and grow as disciples.
• We will do this for women, men, and youth through:
EN COUN TERIN G JESUS IN THE WORD…
(SCRIPTURE-BASED SMALL GROUPS)
• Current research and our own parish experiencevalidatesthe power
of scripture based small groups to help people encounter Jesusand
grow as disciples.
• We will do this for women,men,and youth through:

19. ENCOUNTERING JESUS IN...
LITURGY & WORSHIP
As a Eucharistic community, we will strengthen the 3 H’s and 3 M’s
to help people encounter Jesus in our worship.
Hymns / Music
• Continue excellence in musical quality
• Increase diversity of liturgical music styles
Homilies / Message
• Ensure preaching is relevant to everyday life
• Provide timely feedback to presiders
Hospitality / Ministry
• Actively connect newcomers to ministry
• Develop welcome culture in all parishioners
5 Components to an
Excellent Homily:
A - udible
P - assionate
O - rganized
U - nderstandable
R – elevant to Life

20. ENCOUNTERING JESUS IN…
SERVICE TO OTHERS
As a Christian community, we are called to see the face of Christ in
others and be the face of Christ to others and so we will help people
encounter Jesus in service to others:
In the
parish
HOPE, Merry
Widows
On
Campus
All Abilities,
Helping Hands
Beyond
the parish
Kensington
Bristol
See Jesus in others. Be Jesus for others.

21. Encountering Christ
In The Word

22. INQUIRY PHASE:
PRE-TRUST,
TRUST
 Alpha
 Walking With Purpose,
“Opening Your Heart”
 That Man Is You
 Family/Youth Discipleship &
Formation
ONGOING
FORMATION:
Seeking, Open,
Beginning Disciple
SEEKING PHASE:
TRUST, OPEN,
CURIOUS, SEEKING
A “DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY”
IS NECESSARY !
DISCIPLE PHASE:
Mature Disciple for
Ministry & Mission
 Symbolon / RCIA
 Formed
 Walking With Purpose,
“Touching the Divine
(Gospel of John)
 That Man Is You II
 Family/Youth Discipleship
& Formation II
 Called & Gifted 1
 Walking With Purpose,
Beholding His Glory,
(Old Testament)
 That Man Is You III
 Family/Youth Discipleship
& Formation III
 Called & Gifted 2
 Parish Missionary
Disciples
 Ananias Training
 Youth Missionary Team
 Youth Small Group
Leaders & Catechists

23. INQUIRY PHASE:
PRE-TRUST,
TRUST
 Alpha
 Walking With Purpose, “Opening Your
Heart”
 That Man Is You
 Family/Youth Discipleship &
Formation
DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY

24. SEEKING PHASE:
TRUST, OPEN,
CURIOUS, SEEKING
DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY
 Symbolon / RCIA
 Formed
 Walking With Purpose, “Touching the
Divine (Gospel of John)
 That Man Is You II
 Family/Youth Discipleship &
Formation II

25. ONGOING
FORMATION:
Seeking, Open,
Beginning Disciple
DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY
 Called & Gifted 1
 Walking With Purpose, Beholding His
Glory, (Old Testament)
 That Man Is You III
 Steward Mission Men’s Gospel
Reflection Groups
 Family/Youth Discipleship & Formation

26. DISCIPLE PHASE:
MATURE DISCIPLE,
MINISTRY
MULTIPLIER
DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY
 Called & Gifted 2
 Parish Missionary Disciples
 Ananias Training
 Youth Missionary Team
 Youth Small Group Leaders &
Catechists

27. • Alpha ------------------>
• Walking With Purpose -------------------------------------->
• That Man Is You ---------------------------------------------->
• Symbolon/RCIA ----------------------------------------------->
• < -------------------------------------- Formed ------------------------------------------- >
• Family/Youth Discipleship & Formation --------------- >
• < ------------------------------ Men’s Gospel Reflection ----------------------------- >
• Parish Missionary Disciples ------------------------------- >
 Youth Missionary Team
 Youth Small Group Leaders & Catechists
-- Advent / Christmas -- ------- Lent / Easter ------- -------- Summer -------
----
• Alpha -------------------
->
• Called & Gifted 2 (Pilot) -----------
>
• Called & Gifted 1 (Pilot) ----
->
• Ananias Training (Pilot) -----
>
Sept ‘18 Oct ‘18 Nov ‘18 Dec ‘18 Jan ‘19 Feb ‘19 Mar ’19 Apr ‘19 May ‘19 June ‘19 July ‘19 Aug ‘19

28. HOW ARE WE DOING ?
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Baptisms Funerals Wedding
Funerals
Baptisms
Weddings

29. SO … IS IT WORKING?
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
# of Families Octobe Count New Registrations
Number of Families
(859 – 1097)
People In the Pews or
“October Count”
(3196)
(3521)
(4193)
New Registrations
49 51 4133
60
65 27
(So Far)
+10%
+28%

30. SO … IS IT WORKING?
$(200,000)
$-
$200,000
$400,000
$600,000
$800,000
$1,000,000
FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY20154 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018
Total Collections Net Income
Total Collections
Net Income
+3
%
+5%
This Year
+67
+203
This Year

31. HOW ARE WE DOING?
1. Walking With Purpose
2. That Man Is You/Men’s Scripture
Study
• 2012 = 0
• 2014 = 99
• 2018 = 140
• 2012 = 0
• 2017 = 45

32. HOW ARE WE DOING?
1. Parish Debt
2. Unidentified / Deferred Repairs &
Maintenance
3. Capital Campaign Pledged
4. Projected Non-collectable
5. Overall project shortage shortfall
• 2013 = $250,000
• 2015 = $0 (3 years early)
• $1,700,000
• $1,700,000
• $31,000 (0.18%)
• $154,000

33. HOW ARE WE DOING?
• Restarting ALPHA
• New Outreach / Service Team
• New Financial Stewardship Teams
• $63,000 for Catholic School Scholarship
• $30,000 for local and regional charities/initiatives
• New Liturgy Committee
• 31 Ideas Proposed
• Kiosk to Measure “Homilies – Hymnody – Hospitality”

34. PARISH FORMATION
• FORMED offered to entire parish
• Symbolon for RCIA – 2nd Year
• New Parish-Wide, “Small Group-
Based” Catechesis Approach
• “Parish Missionary Disciples”
• 2nd Cohort
• Catholic Leadership Institute
• New Ananias Disciple Mentoring
Initiative
• Starting in 2019
• Catherine of Siena Institute
• Disciple Maker Index
• 2nd “Go-Round” in 2019
• Catholic Leadership Institute
INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
HOW ARE WE DOING?

35. SO… HOW ARE WE DOING ?
Activity and momentum
evident…
..yet archdiocesan metrics are

36. END OF PRESENTATION
Helping Parishioners Encounter
Christ -
Accompanying Them on the Journey