Thanks to all of you who recently completed the reader survey for Today’s Parish Minister. I’m excited about
implementing some of your great ideas. Some of the topics you said you would like to see more of included: liturgy, parish council, hospitality, and stewardship.

Liturgy

I had heard the liturgy suggestion before the survey, and I started the “Liturgy tip” column last year. If you turn to page 5, you’ll see eight suggestions for first Communion. Tony Meadows also tackles first Communion in “Diary of a parish priest” on page 28.

Parish council

Many of you know that Today’s Parish Minister started as a resource of parish councils, and I try to maintain that tradition both implicitly and explicitly. In this issue, I asked Leisa Anslinger to write an article specifically for parish councils, “Focus on talents, renew your parish” (page 12). She gives council members and other parish leaders some great advice on how to increase parishioner involvement in the parish. Leisa’s article is a great study piece for councils, especially if you pair it with Cathy Rusin’s “The good steward” column (page 16). In this issue, Cathy gives us some excellent pointers on how to use surveys to create a greater sense of parish identity and ownership among parishioners.

Hospitality

I was glad to see the suggestion for more articles on hospitality. That’s an area of parish life that most of us could spend a lot more energy on. If your parish is ready to ramp up its hospitality efforts, check out the two dozen suggestions from Simone Brosig in “Christian hospitality: The key to effective stewardship” (page 10).

Stewardship

You’ve noticed by now that this entire issue is focused on stewardship. I’ve kept that theme for the October issue for several years now. So if you don’t find something immediately useful in this issue (and I can’t believe you won’t!), look through your October issues from past years. In this issue, besides the articles I’ve already mentioned, be sure to read Michael K. St. Pierre’s column “Tools for evangelization” (page 6). He says:

The concept is simple enough. Healthy organizations feature healthy participants.
A healthy parish understands giving, promotes giving, and highlights giving.

Then he goes on to offer three fresh, innovative ways to reimagine the “time-talent-treasure” mantra.

Also, be sure not to miss Deborah McCann’s moving description of how a parish fundraiser became “Eucharist” for her and her family. She generously shares her own story to give us five simple steps to creating that same sense of community in our own parishes (page 17).

Well, as I said, you’ve presented some exciting ideas. I hope this issue responds to some of them, and I’m looking forward to exploring a lot more of them in the future. One strong message I got from the survey results is that you are passionate about the work you are doing in your parishes. Whether you are on staff or you’re a volunteer, you’re working hard to be good shepherds and leaders in your communities. I am moved by your dedication, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great work you are doing.

Blessings on all your efforts on behalf of the church.