Vibrant Parish Checklist

There are over 16,000 Catholic parishes in the Unites States. The 124 parishes in the Archdiocese of Oregon have much to offer, and yet, we have much to learn from others. Our staff is ready to help you get there.

Research has identified the following essential practices that seem to unite top parishes that are working to build vibrant Catholic parishes in a culture of evangelization:

DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE SACRAMENTS

• The Sunday Holy Eucharist is the center of all parish life.
• Homilies are a source of conversion, renewal & growth.
• Liturgical music draws parishioners into the reverent, beautiful and sacred.
• Parishioners are more engaged disciples through the proclamation of the Good News.
• Sacrament of Confession is foundational to the parishioner’s spiritual life.
• Sacramental participation nourishes the life of the parish beyond Sunday Mass.

• New parishioners are visible and serve the needs of all ages, cultures and life stages.
• A culture of hospitality exists throughout all liturgies, ministries and among staff/volunteers.
• Maximizes touchpoints with inactive Catholics, people seeking God, and the unchurched.
• The parish fosters dialogue with other parishes and other faith communities.
• A comprehensive communications strategy keeps parishioners informed and connected.
• Open sharing of faith is common in small groups, fellowship, pastoral care & formation.
• A reliance on prayer is central to parish life, as parishioners pray with and for each other.

• Growing number of parishioners experience a personal and dynamic relationship with Jesus.

• The Word of God is studied and woven into the daily life of the parish. 
• Formation for all faith stages: kerygma, conversion, discipleship, communion and mission.
• Strong Catholic identity is experienced and expressed by adults, youth and children.   
• Families - the domestic church - successfully hand on the faith to future generations.
• Retreats or "Encounters with Christ", are experienced by couples, men, women, teens and children.  
• Continuous conversion leads to renewal and training of lay leadership.

• The parish assists parishioners discern their gifts of the Holy Spirit in service and ministry.
• A missionary zeal is lived out in works of mercy in the parish, wider community and beyond.
• Parishioners embrace the whole breadth of Catholic Social Teaching.
• Clergy and lay leaders speak on the dignity of all life; from conception to natural death.
• Portion of operating budget set for an outreach fund to support parishioner involved charities.
• Collaboration among parish outreach ministries- i.e. KofC, St Vincent DePaul, school
• Parishioners care for the elderly, homebound, incarcerated, people with special needs, sick, grieving, separated, divorced, those struggling with addictions and all their families. 

• Parishioner’s lifestyle is marked by enthusiastic generosity of time, talent, and treasure.
• Financial giving is proportionate; sufficient to support and increase ministries.
• Parish facilities meet the needs of parish ministry.
• Parishioner generosity extends to special collections outside of direct parish mission.
• Parish collaborates with services of the Archdiocesan Office of Stewardship & Development.
• Leadership communicates a “road map” for ongoing stewardship education and formation. 

• The universal call to holiness is incorporated into all ministry activities.
• Men and women are invited to consider the particular way God is calling them to holiness.
• Vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are coming from the parish.
• A parish vocation ministry is equipped to encourage and promote vocations in the family. 
• Parish honors clergy, consecrated and marriage vocations throughout the year.
• Priestly vocations are inspired by the joyful witness of the pastor. 

• A clear parish vision is aligned with the Archbishop and the universal Church.
• The pastoral plan is continually evaluated to meet the parish mission.
• The pastor collaborates with, and delegates to, a thoughtfully selected leadership team.
• Leadership team interacts with authenticity, compassion and conviction.
• All staff are are bought into the vision and the team exhibits openness to the Holy Spirit.
• Leadership addresses difficult situations and prayerfully makes the tough decisions.
• Clergy are connected fraternally with each other and the Archbishop.