As long as the Church is made up of human beings, certain levels of division will continue to exist. When we’re working at the parish level, how do we understand and work through those divisions with charity and prudence? In this week’s episode, Tom and Allen share an approach to discerning the roots of conflict between parish members, helping everyone move toward unity ..read more

Mary Ann Wiesinger is the Director of Evangelization and Parish Outreach for the Archdiocese of Miami, and she’s working with Archbishop Wenski to help Miami parishes become centers of hope and evangelization. Mary Ann breaks down what that means, explaining how they’re helping parishes become centers of hope by building parish communities where parishioners will risk face to face encounter. She then shares an interesting strategy that Miami parishes are using to better understand the realities of the people within their parish boundaries and tailor their parish offerings to better reach them ..read more

Catechesis, evangelization, theology…you've certainly heard these terms, but what’s the relationship between them? And when it comes to catechesis, how can we make sure we lead people to deeper intimacy with Christ instead of just filling their heads with information that doesn’t affect their hearts? In this episode, Dr. Bob Rice shares advice on how to make catechesis come alive, and he reminds us that the most important ministry in our lives is the ministry God does within our hearts ..read more

Today we chat with Maria Mitchell, the producer behind the Ascension Presents videos. In the first part of the show, Maria shares the story of how being in Rome when JPII died helped her realize her vocation to produce powerful Catholic media. She and Allen then talk about the importance of creating non-cheesy Catholic art, and the responsibility we have to tell the Christian story in a beautiful way that catches the world’s attention. In the second part of the show, we get practical, and Maria gives you a few simple tips to help you improve the look and feel of your ministry events ..read more

Today we are joined by Brother Isaiah, a Franciscan friar who lives in the Bronx. He shares how little by little, he came to love God, discover his calling towards religious life, and use his musical gifts to serve the Lord. He also shares three pieces of wisdom that will deepen your prayer life and elevate your ministry ..read more

Allen has suffered through a lot of embarrassment in his life. So, he stopped trying to avoid it, and started trying to embrace it. Shortly after making this decision, he ended up saying his own name wrong during an audition – a situation that could have been a complete disaster, but was actually a great opportunity. This week, think of an embarrassing story about yourself, and, when the opportunity arises, embrace it by telling a friend. For inspiration, check out this article, Music Ministers Share Their Most Embarrassing Moments. "God knows we have lots of awkward moments as human beings ..read more

In the midst of a hectic fall schedule, busy Catholics need to do everything in their power to make time to be with God in prayer or adoration. Let go of your to-do list for at least thirty minutes a day and make prayer your top priority. If you aren’t sure where to start, read this prayer from Charles de Foucauld: Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures - I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul: I offer it to yo ..read more

When Kanye West was interviewed in 2013 by the New York Times, he told the reporter, “I am so credible and so influential and so relevant that I will change things.” Allen says this is the worst mantra for anybody working in the Church, but it seems like there have been plenty of undercover Kanye Wests who have infiltrated the Church at so many levels. Here’s what we have to remember: if we want to change things and influence things, we need to be leaders whose main priorities aren’t gaining influence and credibility and being relevant. We need to be leaders who imitate Christ. He gained both ..read more

In an age of social media, is real community still important ..read more

From his years of experience in youth ministry, Allen shares two things that kept him grounded when staff changes threatened to throw him off balance. It’s God ministry, we are merely stewards of it. When people leave, the ministry remains. There will always be people who need us to reach out and provide an opportunity to grow their relationship with Christ and the Church. Working with new people provides an opportunity to cast vision. Don’t look at it like another person you have to train or get caught-up, look at it like another person with whom you get to share your vision. "People come ..read more