Parish Missions

...is a parish awakening!

 

Testimonials:

"Thank you for your inspiring presence. We've heard so many awesome comments!"

"This has been a most powerful and inspiring time for our community."

"I had a peek of God's face."

"It was 'deeper" than what we've experienced in the past. Many said it was the best mission experience ever."

"Very good communication between the parish and DeSales Resources...everything from introductory materials to what was needed on our part was very clearly explained."

"It brought our three parishes together in a very positive way, it will set the stage for our future collaboration."

Parish Mission

A Parish Mission is a parish awakening! A time for the whole parish to come together to reflect upon God's word, to renew our faith, and to pray with open hearts and hands.

Mission Themes

There are ten themes to choose from, some requiring two preachers and some requiring one or two preachers.

Review All Themes

Mission Format

Each mission program includes:

  • preaching at all weekend masses on the scriptures with an invitation to parishioners to attend the mission. Presiding as mutually agreed upon.
  • usually four evening services with scripture, preaching, music, congregational involvement, and with hospitality following each night. (Our experience has shown that missions start best on Sunday evenings.)
  • an option of some pre-arranged daytime programming.
  • partnership with the UNBOUND formerly known as (Christian Foundation for Children and Aging)... material available for each night of the mission, including order of service, readings, music suggestions and ritual materials needed, sent several months prior to the mission.

IMPORTANT Elements of the Mission

  • A Parish Mission is a major event in the life of the parish! Our parish mission format includes weekend preaching, and four evening, hour-and-a-half programs. Other program pieces may be included if they have been agreed upon ahead of time. We appreciate that much preparation and administration goes into planning and preaching any parish mission, both on our part and yours.
  • One of the elements of the planned mission program is community based "hospitality" after each session of the mission. Simple refreshments and community gathering and building is the primary focus of this time together. We believe it is essential, as much of Catholic renewal is communal. Different groups of parishioners can be asked to host different evenings if that is desirable. During hospitality, we ask to display books and recordings for sale from DeSales Resources and Ministries. This is always appreciated by those attending.
  • There is no truly Catholic nor Biblical renewal without consciousness of and response to those around us who are in need, whether in our house or across the world. We have an arrangement with the largest Catholic sponsorship group in the United States, UNBOUND, to present the opportunity for those in the parish (both at weekend masses and during parish mission evenings) to sponsor children and aging in the third world. There is no collection taken up. There is no hard sell. Most commonly people can't thank us enough for giving them the chance to make a difference in this way. This opportunity presents a great vision of the "New Evangelization" as articulated by Pope John Paul II. In exchange, UNBOUND helps support the mission and make it more easily affordable for the parish.
  • The Mission flat-fee stipend is designed to help support a sustainable ministry of developing, administering and presenting missions, and takes into account the support that comes from UNBOUND. The program design, preparation and presentation is indeed extensive. The flat-fee stipend also allows a parish to predict and recover costs. The only collection(s) to be taken up are for the benefit of the parish, and indeed allows those attending to express their gratitude and stewardship for this meaningful spiritual program.
  • All these elements of the Mission have been designed and interwoven to work together to provide, by God's grace, a great renewal experience. We hope you will be delighted with the results in your parish.

Preachers

Our preachers include religious priests ( many of them Oblates of St. Francis de Sales) and sisters, lay men and women. All of our presenters are experienced preachers and have background in Salesian Spirituality.

Assignments to specific missions are usually based on availability, though we will always try to best serve the needs of a particular parish.

A preacher's biographical information is made available to the parish at the time an assignment is confirmed.

Mission Finances

Mission Stipends One Preacher Two Preachers
  $1,400 $2,300  

The involvement of the UNBOUND provides DeSales Resources and Ministries with financial assistance allowing us to offer the above cost arrangements.

Travel and Expenses
Plane fare, and/or gas mileage (current rate) and travel expenses (such as tolls, airport parking...) for the preacher(s) is covered by the parish, as well as room and board (most often in the rectory or a parishioner's home.)

Parish Collection(s)
A parish can take up whatever collection it chooses at the mission to offset the cost of the mission. All collections stay within the parish.

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ABOUT UNBOUND

All of our missions include a social dimension, inviting parishioners to consider sponsoring a child or an aging person in one of 25 developing countries through UNBOUND.

The procedure is as follows:

  • At all weekend masses a one sheet flyer is made available either in the bulletin, in pews or handed out by ushers.
  • At all weekend masses UNBOUND is simply mentioned by a presenter during the homily, and then after communion, a 90 second announcement explaining sponsorships.
  • After mass, interested parishioners come to a prepared table in the back of church to sponsor someone or to ask questions.
  • During each mission night, a 30-60 second announcement is made and folders for sponsorship are available at the back of church and at hospitality.
  • At no point on the weekend or at the mission sessions themselves will a collection for UNBOUND be taken up.
  • for more information on UNBOUND, go to www.unbound.org

Click here to check for a scheduled mission near you or to call for a reference...

Future Missions | Past Missions

Parish Mission Information/Registration Form

When we receive this form, we will send you a detailed packet on the specific mission you have chosen and a Mission Agreement to be signed and returned to us with a designated deposit.

Go to Request Form

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1. Heart & Soul Spirituality (one or two preachers)

The most frequently chosen mission program to date. Basic evangelical spirituality and renewal:

  • Being the Beloved: Identity as God's Own
  • Responding to God: Sin and Reconciliation (with planned but optional celebration of Penance with Confessions)
  • Being in Christ: Ministry of the Baptized
  • A Faith to be Shared: Liturgy of the Eucharist

2. Finding God Wherever You Are : Salesian Spirituality ( two preachers)

Living a full Christian life in one's own situation. Designed to introduce the teachings of Sts. Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal.

  • Finding God in Prayer
  • Finding God in Life's Decisions and Events
  • Finding God in Relation to Others
  • Finding God in Worshipping Community (Parish Eucharist)

3. Time for God in a Busy World (two preachers)

Consider the holiness of time through the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal.

  • The Sacrament of the Present Moment
  • The Past, The Gift of Memory
  • The Future, Where Do We Go From Here?
  • Parish Eucharist

4. Treasuring Life (two preachers)

Stewardship themes focusing on the worth of all creation and our challenges to be responsible care givers.

  • Treasuring Yourself
  • Treasuring the Other
  • Treasuring Creation
  • Treasuring Your Church

5. Sacred Menu: Eucharist and Forgiveness (one or two preachers)

Four nights on Eucharist and Reconciliation: bringing to life these two sacraments of union.

  • Welcoming the Word: Liturgy of the Word
  • Take and Eat: Liturgy of the Eucharist
  • Responding to the Divine Lover (with confessions as an option)
  • Go Share the Faith: A Celebration of the Holy Eucharist

6. Going Home (one or two preachers)

Inviting us all to enter into a gospel spirituality and psychology of forgiveness as part of our life style as Christians.

  • Letting Go (of our own sins and failings)
  • Releasing and Forgiveness (of grudges and resentments)
  • Mercy is Ours (recognizing woundedness all around us)
  • Reconciling to Wholeness (a habitual diet of forgiveness brings peace and joy)

7. Dare to Believe (one or two presenters)

Rediscovering, enlivening and refreshing our faith, which is a gift that is given and confirmed by those around us.

  • Open Home - Hospitality
  • Open Heart - Forgiveness
  • Open Arms - Loving Others
  • Open Door - Release and Trust

8. Called and Chosen (one or two presenters)

What does it mean to be Catholic? Exploring our Catholic identity through the lens of our seven sacraments.

  • The Call to be Holy (Sacraments of Initiation)
  • The Call to Forgiveness (Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation)
  • Chosen for Healing (Option for Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick)
  • Chosen to Serve (Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony)

9. Telling the Story (one or two presenters)

The power of God's Word; introducing participants to the way in which we use sacred scripture as the foundation of our Christian life.

  • "Tell Me the Truth!"
  • "Tell Me About Jesus"
  • "Tell Me About Creation"
  • "Tell Me About the Table"

10. Even a Hard Life Can Be Holy (one or two presenters)

Focuses on the spirituality and life of St. Jane de Chantal.

  • A Woman for All Seasons: The Life of St. Jane and Her Relationships
  • Following God's Ways
  • Praying God's Way-the Meaning and Importance of Prayer in St. Jane's Life
  • Parish Eucharist

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