The 6 Pillars of the Renewal
Liturgy
This pillar focuses on the quality, reverence, and pastoral effectiveness of the celebration of the sacraments — especially the Mass — as the core of parish life and identity. It looks at how worship draws people into deeper relationship with Christ.
Creative Ideas and Progressive Goals (3-year outlook)
Foundational Tasks
Unified Mass Schedule: A coordinated weekend and weekday Mass schedule across all parishes, aligned with clergy availability.
Family Liturgy Committee: A representative committee formed from each parish to collaborate on liturgical planning and shared decision-making (fostering unity while respecting parish traditions).
Shared Liturgical Calendar: A Family-wide calendar identifying major feasts, liturgical seasons, and special celebrations to promote consistency and shared participation across parishes.
Common Liturgical & Hospitality Standards: Established expectations for liturgical ministers and hospitality practices to ensure reverent worship and a welcoming experience for all who gather.
Sacristy & Liturgical Review: A review of sacristy operations, liturgical processes, and supplies to promote efficiency, stewardship, and consistency in liturgical preparation.
Worship Quality & Liturgical Excellence
Year 1: Strengthen Foundations
Create a “Liturgy Playbook”: a common guide for readers, ministers, musicians, and sacristans across the Family.
Introduce a “Pre-Mass Ministry Huddle” (2 minutes of prayer and coordination before Mass begins).
Evaluate acoustics, sound systems, and microphone placement for clarity and consistency.
Begin a “Liturgy of Welcome” moment—intentional greeting and introduction before Mass begins.
Year 2: Elevate Experience
Develop a Family Music Ministry Network: shared repertoire, training nights, and seasonal concerts.
Standardize visual consistency (altar cloth colors, banners, floral arrangements) across the Family.
Design a “Teaching Mass Weekend” – Narrative describes/explains what is happening and why? Adult version and Children’s Version.
Introduce liturgical art rotations—rotating banners, icons, or art displays among parishes to share beauty and resources.
Year 3: Inspire and Renew
Offer multi-sensory liturgies (e.g., Taizé evenings, candlelit vespers, bilingual liturgies, sacred music vigils).
Form a Liturgical Design Team to create annual worship themes linking art, music, and environment.
Pilot a “Mass Outside” or “Family Unity Mass” outdoors to reach inactive Catholics.
Introduce a Liturgy of Gratitude near Thanksgiving recognizing ministries and volunteers.
Radical Hospitality and First Impressions
Year 1: Build Awareness
Designate Hospitality Coordinators at every Mass.
Create clear, friendly signage and greeter stations at each parish entrance.
Begin Welcome Sundays with refreshments and “new parishioner introductions.”
Ensure Mass guides or worship aids are welcoming, legible, and bilingual where needed.
Year 2: Deepen Culture
Train all liturgical ministers in “Hospitality as Ministry”—eye contact, body language, tone, and attentiveness.
Create a “Welcome Table” for visitors after Mass with information about what your Family of Parishes has to offer. Page 6 of 9
Add post-Mass connection opportunities (coffee, fellowship, or brief testimonies).
Encourage parishioners to adopt a “3-Minute Rule”: engage someone they don’t know within 3 minutes after Mass each weekend.
Year 3: Radiate Invitation
Create a “Bring a Friend to Mass” weekend twice a year with social follow-up.
Launch a Radical Hospitality Recognition Program for greeters, ushers, and volunteers who embody welcome.
Partner with other Pillars to coordinate a Family Welcome Weekend blending liturgy, service, and fellowship.
Design a Hospitality Mentorship Team to train new volunteers throughout the year.
Collaboration and Efficiency
Year 1: Align & Communicate
Synchronize parish calendars and avoid event overlaps.
Create a shared volunteer scheduling system for ministers across parishes.
Consolidate and standardize liturgical supplies to avoid duplication.
Start joint bulletin and website sections for liturgical news.
Year 2: Integrate & Optimize
Share musicians, choirs, and cantors across parishes.
Develop Family-wide seasonal planning templates (Advent, Lent, Holy Week).
Create a centralized environment team to assist all parishes with decorating.
Coordinate joint Holy Day liturgies to share priests and improve attendance
Year 3: Innovate & Multiply Impact
Introduce Family Liturgy Coordinators Network (monthly planning, idea exchange).
Digitize liturgical training (videos, quick guides, QR-code links to instructions).
Implement eco-friendly practices—digital worship aids, reduced printing, reusable candles or decorations.
Establish a “Liturgy Innovation Fund” for trying new music, décor, or technology enhancements.
Minister Formation and Participation
Year 1: Build Capacity
Offer formation nights for lectors, EMHCs, altar servers, and musicians.
Provide a training packet for new liturgical ministers—common expectations and best practices.
Begin mentoring programs (experienced ministers paired with new volunteers).
Include a brief “Liturgy Moment” after Communion once a month explaining a part of the Mass
Year 2: Expand Participation
Offer youth-led liturgies once per quarter.
Develop a Family “Liturgical Leadership Academy”—short workshops for coordinators and MCs.
Encourage testimonies or reflections from ministers during parish meetings or newsletters.
Partner with schools or youth groups to integrate liturgical service hours
Year 3: Sustain and Multiply
Commission Family Liturgical Leaders with annual blessing at Mass.
Create a “Next Generation Ministry Pipeline” for youth and young adults.
Offer a Liturgical Retreat for ministers focused on spirituality and prayer.
Produce a Family of Parishes Worship Guidebook capturing best practices and innovations.
Mission and Outreach through Liturgy
Year 1: Reconnect
Conduct a Mass attendance outreach survey (why people attend / why they don’t).
Send handwritten invitations to inactive parishioners for Holy Week or Christmas.
Celebrate special intention Masses for civic groups, veterans, first responders, etc.
Partner with the InReach/OutReach Pillar to visit nursing homes and invite residents to livestreamed or home-based liturgies.
Year 2: Rebuild
Develop a “Liturgy Beyond the Walls” outreach (Mass at a nearby park, shelter, or mission site).
Begin an annual Family Day of Prayer and Music Festival.
Host a “Back to Mass” weekend with testimonials from returning parishioners.
Integrate multicultural expressions into liturgy—language, music, and prayer styles
Year 3: Reignite
Commission a Family Mission Liturgy annually—an outdoor, evangelizing Mass that highlights unity and service.
Offer a Community Thanksgiving Mass inviting the community
Develop a Family “Come Home to Mass” Campaign—invitations, social media videos, and welcome testimonies.
Partner with Forming Disciples Pillar to offer post-Mass discussion groups (“Coffee & Catechesis”)