Parish Vitality Additional Resources

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Video Shorts for Parishes to Share | Additional Videos to Share | Stewardship Formation Day Videos | Parish Ministry Conference Videos | Other Resources

To help parishes and individuals reflect on the concept of deep stewardship, we have created a number of additional resources.

Video Shorts for Parishes to Share

About

These 12 video shorts have been designed for parishes to help them increase parishioner engagement. Some of the videos are humorous while others are emotionally moving. All are written through the lens of stewardship with the goal to help parishes invite people to get more deeply involved in parish life.

The videos can be used year-round in parish e-communications, such as in websites, linked to parish bulletins, e-blasts, and in social media outlets such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Below is a brief description of each video along with a link to view and download. If you are interested in seeing some examples of how these videos could be used in your parish communications, please refer to the pdf document linked to this page by clicking here: Tip Sheet for Parish Vitality Video Shorts.

The 12 video shorts are:

Our Parish, A Gift from God
The Joy of Parish Events
Stewardship Sunday
Dear Harry
Red Mitts
Oasis
Reopening
Your Stewardship Enriches Parish Life
Your Stewardship Enriches My Priestly Ministry
Thank You for Your Gift of Stewardship
Welcome Back
Small Steps (coming soon!)

Descriptions:

Episode 1 - Our Parish, A Gift from God: Designed to reawaken our love of the sacraments with beauty, “Our Parish, A Gift from God” tells the story of how the sacraments touch every aspect of our lives, helping us in our lifelong journey to become saints. Consider sharing this video to help promote your formation related events and activities. Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 1

Episode 2 - The Joy of Parish Events: Lights! Camera! Action! Written though the eyes of a child who is set loose by his parish with a video camera, this video shares the humorous story of a child who enthusiastically makes a homemade video that invites fellow parishioners to attend upcoming parish events. Consider using this quirky little video to help promote your own parish events! Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 2

Episode 3 - Stewardship Sunday: Stewardship Sunday occurs annually in the Archdiocese of Toronto on the 25^th Sunday of Ordinary time, normally falling on the third Sunday in September. As Stewardship Sunday occurs around three weeks before Thanksgiving, this video can help you to leverage the generosity of the season by inviting people to become more engaged in parish life. “Stewardship Sunday” beautifully shares the concept of “deep stewardship” while encouraging your parishioners to prayerfully consider sharing their time and talent with your parish community. Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 3

Episode 4 - Dear Harry: This episode shares the heartwarming story of how simple acts of kindness can have a profound impact on someone’s life. The video brings to life a moving letter that was received by a parish priest. Emotional and authentic, “Dear Harry” is a testament to the transformational power of hospitality in parish life. “Dear Harry” will gently encourage your parishioners to grow in their hospitality and share their time and talent for the enrichment of all. Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 4

Episode 5 - Red Mitts: Little things done with love can make a big difference. Based on a true story, “Red Mitts” shares the story of how a kind visitor on a cold winter day forever changed the life of a young girl, who in turn went on to change the lives of others. It is a testament to the fact that, as Christians, whenever we choose to be the hands of Christ for people in need, beautiful things can happen. Consider sharing this video in the season of Advent to inspire your parishioners to share their God-given time and talent with your parish community. Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 5

Episode 6 - Oasis: On your Mark! Get set! Go! The modern world demands that we move ever faster, delivering what is required of us at increasingly breakneck speeds. While this fast-paced video will speak to anyone who never has enough hours in the day, “Oasis” may appeal in particular to young professionals who need a spiritual break during their workday. If your parish is open during the day and you would like to attract more Millennials…this video may be for you! Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 6

Episode 7 - Reopening: Some of our elderly parishioners have not yet retuned in-person. Some people may have grown accustomed to watching Mass on TV, others may have experienced a life change during COVID, moved, and have not yet reconnected into a new parish. Others may have an understandable fear of getting sick. “Reopening” was created with these parishioners in mind. “Reopening” offers them a gentle invitation to consider visiting a parish during the day for some quite time in prayer as their first step towards an in-person return to parish life. Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 7

Episode 8 - Your Stewardship Enriches Parish Life: The first of three pastor testimonial videos, “Your Stewardship Enriches Parish Life” affirms to existing volunteers that their gifts of time and talent makes a difference. For people who are not currently volunteering (but have been silently contemplating doing so) this video could be the gentle nudge that helps them find the courage to respond to your invitation. Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 8

Episode 9 - Your Stewardship Enriches My Priestly Ministry: For the second of three pastor testimonial videos, we invited some pastors to share how parishioner involvement in parish life has enriched their priestly ministry. When sharing this video, consider adding a message from your own parish pastor relating how the unique gifts the laity offer enhances parish life. Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 9

Episode 10 - Thank You for Your Gift of Stewardship: Gratitude is an important part of stewardship. This third and final video in the pastor testimonials thanks parishioners for sharing their time and talent with the parish community. Gratitude can go a long way in strengthening a person in their ministry... Especially on those days when energy levels may be a bit low. A simple thank you can go a long way! Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 10

A Closing Thought on the Pastoral Testimonial Videos: Pastors cannot be everywhere all at once. To connect with as many people from your parish community as possible, consider creating your own pastor video shorts with a special message from your pastor. It’s incredibly easy to do. Interested? Click here: Tip Sheet for Parish Vitality Video Shorts for more information.

Episode 11 - Welcome Back: Originally released in 2022, “Welcome Back” put into motion the inspiration for this video series as it tells the story of parish closure and reopening. If you still have a number of parishioners who have not yet returned to in-person Mass and events, “Welcome Back” may be a good video for you to share. Click on the thumbnail photo below to watch this episode on YouTube, or click the button below to download a copy for use in your own parish.

Download Episode 11

Episode 12 - Small Steps (coming soon!)

Small Steps thumbnail

If you have an interesting idea for a video short you think parishes would find useful, please email us your idea. We would love to hear from you!

Additional Video Shorts for Parishes to Share

Cardinal Collins Thanks COVID Volunteers

As gratitude is an important part of stewardship, a short video has also been created to thank all the people who gave their time and talents to help get our parishes reopened during the pandemic. It includes a personal thank you from the Cardinal along with an invitation to other people to become more deeply engaged in parish life.

Stewardship Formation Day Videos

These videos are the recordings from a Stewardship Formation Day held for parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto on March 7, 2020.

The main presenter was Fr. Jarrod Lies, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas. St. Francis of Assisi Parish has been living the stewardship way of life for over 50 years.

Introduction

Fr. Chris Cauchi, Past Director of the Office of Formation for Discipleship

2. Deep Stewardship

Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto

3. The Theology of Stewardship

Fr. C. Jarrod Lies, STL, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas

4. Stewardship in the Life of a Parish

Fr. C. Jarrod Lies, STL, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas

5. Q&A with Fr. C. Jarrod Lies, STL

Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas

Parish Ministry Conference Videos

The Office of Formation for Discipleship holds an annual parish ministry conference with a relevant theme on important topics of the day. Below is a video library of past parish vitality and stewardship presentations at the conference.

The Transformative Power of Stewardship in a Parish Setting (Part 1)

Presented by Fr. Darrin J.G. Gurr, 2020 Virtual Parish Ministry Conference: "Called to Be Saints" (1 Cor 1:2), October 30 & 31, 2020.

The Transformative Power of Stewardship in a Parish Setting (Part 2)

Presented by Fr. Darrin J.G. Gurr, 2020 Virtual Parish Ministry Conference: "Called to Be Saints" (1 Cor 1:2), October 30 & 31, 2020.

Unlock Your Parish’s Hidden Potential (Part 1)

Presented by Fr. C. Jarrod Lies, STL. 2019 Parish Ministry Conference - Christ, the Sure Foundation: Catholicism in the 21st Century, Saturday, October 19, 2019.

Unlock Your Parish’s Hidden Potential (Part 2)

Presented by Fr. C. Jarrod Lies, STL. 2019 Parish Ministry Conference - Christ, the Sure Foundation: Catholicism in the 21st Century, Saturday, October 19, 2019.

Parish Ministry Conference Keynote Address

Presented by Cardinal Thomas Collins. 2018 Parish Ministry Conference: Be Disciples. Make Disciples, Saturday, October 20, 2018.

Unleashing the Power of Deep Stewardship

Presented by Leisa Anslinger. 2018 Parish Ministry Conference: Be Disciples. Make Disciples, Saturday, October 20, 2018.

Restoring Parish Vitality in a Post-Pandemic World (Coming soon!)

Presented by a panel of priests and laity, 2021 Parish Ministry Conference, With Burning Hearts (October 26-30, 2021).

Other Resources

Below are additional resources related to parish vitality and stewardship from both inside the Archdiocese of Toronto and beyond. These resources include parish best practices, sample stewardship homilies, stewardship formation tools, and more.

Parish Resources

Stewardship Best Practices