Katie Diltz | McGrath Institute for Church Life – University of Notre Dame
David Carvalho | Diocese of Fall River
Photo: Diocese of Fall River
This article summarizes insights from Katie Diltz of the McGrath Institute for Church Life in conversation with parish leaders in the Diocese of Fall River, focused on creating effective catechetical action plans rooted in thoughtful evaluation, realistic goals, and sustainable strategies. To watch the presentation in its entirety, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@equipcatholics
Beginning with the End in Mind
The call to form disciples is both urgent and sacred. The work of the Church has, is, and continues to be to build God’s kingdom in this present age by making “disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt. 19-20).
Part of ensuring that parishes continue to work toward this is through thoughtful evaluation, prayerful planning, and intentional collaboration. In doing so, parish leaders can create meaningful, achievable goals that reflect the mission of the Church, one step at a time.
Clarifying Desired Outcomes
Creating a clear plan first takes articulating the desired outcome of each ministry or program. What do we hope participants will learn, feel, experience, or become? This is a practice borrowed from teaching—clearly stating, “Students will be able to…”—but it applies beautifully to catechesis.
Are your students and families more confident in sharing their faith? Are they forming genuine relationships with Jesus? These kinds of questions help guide the formation of meaningful goals and ensure that each session, retreat, or gathering is purpose-driven toward the mission of parishes and catechesis.
To this end, the Church has provided insightful direction in both the Vatican’s Directory for Catechesis and the USCCB’s framework for ministry with youth and young adults Listen, Teach, Send. These serve as foundational documents providing a framework for parish ministry and catechesis, guiding evaluation efforts.
Evaluate and Reflect
Considering this, look at current programs. Reflect on what is working, what isn’t, and where you feel growth is needed in light of the desired outcome the parish is trying to reach. Nate, a youth minister, shared a common concern: “We don’t do a great job reaching further…we don’t really have entry points for new families or disengaged youth.”
This honest reflection is crucial. Many ministries fall into the rhythm of serving only those who show up, forgetting the Church’s broader mission to reach everyone. Real, effective catechesis must be inclusive, intentional, and outward-reaching.
Getting Out of the Silos
One part of evaluating ministry efforts is the importance of identifying and breaking down ministry silos. One catechetical leader described how young adults in their parish had been involved in sandwich-making for the homeless, while older parishioners collected pantry items. They realized that combining efforts—having young adults deliver donations—could foster intergenerational ministry and shared purpose.
Young adult ministry, as one leader passionately noted, shouldn’t be isolated. It should be a way to integrate young adults more deeply into the life of the parish, encouraging them to serve, lead, and connect with other age groups.
Turning Insight into Action
To make things actionable, strive to include the following three components:
- Make things manageable so they are actionable
While you may have come up with a variety of ideas, which are the most important for real change and which can tangibly be done? For instance, one parish leader shared her deepening commitment to adult formation. “We need to educate the parents, because they are the domestic Church,” she explained.
The pandemic forced many parents to take the reins in their children’s religious education. Now, various Churches and their families have continued that involvement. From face-to-face meetings to monthly gatherings and digital resources, like YouTube updates from pastors, the goal has continued to keep families informed, empowered, and engaged.
- Goals and Strategies
Write what you want to work on as goals in the plan that follow the SMART framework—How is each goal Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-bound? Importantly, each goal should:- Be rooted in Christ and his Church’s teachings
- Include a rationale
- Outline clear strategies
- List helpful resources (books, mentors, training, etc.)
- Accountability
Goals without accountability are dreams. How will you track progress and who will support you—be it a supervisor, mentor, or peer? Regular check-ins, mid-year reviews, and end-of-year evaluations keep the momentum going. Rather than seeing these things as punitive, they are good supports to keeping things on track and discerning what support is ongoing to ensure the goal is seen through, especially if circumstances change.
Professional and Program Goals
A good Action Plan also includes two types of goals:
- Professional Development Goals: Focus on personal growth (e.g., theological study, time management, leadership skills).
- Program Goals: Focus on the ministry itself (e.g., launching a new event, improving parent communication, building hospitality).
Balancing both ensures that you grow as a leader while also improving the programs you lead.
Embracing Realistic Change
Change is hard. That’s why the suggestion to “pilot” new programs can be helpful. Calling something a pilot reduces pressure. It signals, “We’re trying this out,” not “We’re committing to this forever.” This mindset gives room to adapt, learn, and evolve without fear of failure.
Additionally, Katie emphasizes incremental change: “When I’m making changes in one program area, I like to keep the others steady.” This strategy allows leaders to focus energy and avoid burnout. Start with one ministry, one event, one retreat—and build from there.
Photo: Diocese of Fall River
Encouraging Peer Collaboration
Multiple participants noted how valuable it was to be connected to others in similar roles. During COVID, many felt paradoxically more connected thanks to online meetings and workshops. Being able to reach out, ask questions, share struggles, and brainstorm with others was a game-changer.
As one participant said, “Sometimes just knowing that others are in the same boat makes all the difference.”
Final Thoughts: Ministry Requires Prayer & Collaboration
Leaders are encouraged to make a personal retreat day part of their annual rhythm—a day not just for prayer, but for strategic visioning. Where do I want my ministry to go this year? What are the spiritual needs of my community? What support do I need? What is the Holy Spirit’s plans for my parish and ministry.
This isn’t extra work. It is the work.
Moreover, lean into the help and support available to you. The diocese offers regular gatherings of parish leaders each month, as well as coaching and development both for leaders and their volunteers. These are opportunities for mentorship, shared learning, and deeper discernment about parish needs and solutions. To learn more, visit: https://www.fallriverfaithformation.org/parish-leaders-2/