On the Nature of Thriving Parishes

"Full pews. Active community outreach. Spiritual growth.

"Is this what constitutes a thriving parish?

"Just as every parish is a distinct community with a distinct 'personality,' each may have its own blueprint for success.

"'For a parish to genuinely thrive in the sense of what the Church means by fruitfulness or effectiveness, it has to embrace the mission of the Church: to evangelize,' explained Dave Nodar, founder and director of ChristLife, a ministry that helps parishes develop a process to make missionary disciples. Nodar pointed out that evangelization is 'introducing people to a personal encounter with the living Lord Jesus.'"

A recent National Catholic Register article offered one view on the nature of thriving parishes.

To access the complete National Catholic Register report, please visit:

National Catholic Register: What Constitutes a Thriving Parish? (25 JUN 17)