February 26, 2026

148| Prayer First: Leading Your Parish Through Change Without Fear

31 minutes

What happens when three parishes merge, cultures blend, Mass schedules shift, and emotions run high?

On this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Fr. Andres Mendoza, pastor of Saint Benedict of Núrcia in Wallingford, Connecticut. With multiple worship sites, a parish school, and a richly diverse community. Fr. Mendoza has navigated complex transitions with one clear priority: prayer comes first.

In this conversation, Fr. Mendoza shares how grounding every meeting, decision, and difficult conversation in prayer has shaped not only leadership, but culture. From empowering staff to pray aloud, to inviting parishioners into spontaneous, in-the-moment prayer, to leaning deeply into the Benedictine spirit of ora et labora inspired by Saint Benedict of Nursia, Fr. Mendoza offers a powerful witness: prayer and work are not separate - they are one.

If you're leading through change, feeling stretched thin, or wondering how to build unity across different communities, this episode offers practical encouragement and spiritual clarity.

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Key Takeaways

Start every meeting with prayer Make consultation with the Holy Spirit the foundation of every decision.

Teach people how to pray Don’t assume comfort; model simple, sincere dialogue with the Lord.

Pray in the moment Move from “I’ll pray for you” to “Can I pray with you right now?”

Lead mergers through discernment, not fear Invite the Holy Spirit into emotionally charged decisions.

Guard your personal prayer time Even 15–20 intentional minutes daily anchors leadership.

Unite prayer and action Inspired by Saint Benedict of Nursia, remember that work and prayer belong together.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Fr. Andres Mendoza

02:30 A Parish with Multiple Worship Sites and a School

06:00 Why Prayer Became the Foundation of Leadership

09:10 Teaching Staff How to Pray with Confidence

12:30 Personal Prayer Rhythms for Busy Pastors

16:30 Navigating Parish Mergers Through the Holy Spirit

20:00 Overcoming Fear and Resistance in Times of Change

23:00 Encouragement for Overwhelmed Parish Leaders

26:00 Ora et Labora and the Unity of Prayer and Work

29:00 Final Reflections and Blessing

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Catholic parish leadership, parish merger, prayer in ministry, prayer first culture, Catholic church leadership, Holy Spirit discernment, parish renewal, Catholic pastor interview, ora et labora, Saint Benedict spirituality, Latino Catholic ministry, building unity in parishes, leadership through change, Catholic parish growth, examination of conscience, sacrament of confession, prayer in staff meetings

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