February 24, 2025

A Movement for Parish Transformation with Eric Chow

2 hours 41 minutes

In this episode, Jason Jensen and Eric Chow sit down to discuss the Proclaim Movement in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the missionary potential of Catholic parishes, and principles for powerful transformation. Together they break down Proclaim’s Parish Transformation Framework, and share what they’ve seen bears fruit in the local church.

Guest Bio

Eric Chow currently serves as Director for Proclaim and Associate Director for Ministries and Outreach at the Archdiocese of Vancouver. He has been in mission and leadership for almost 20 years. As a lay missionary, involvement in his local parish, school, and mens ministry, Eric finds life in roles of leadership, strategy, and mentorship. He loves working through others, seeing them succeed, and mentoring/coaching people in their gifts and talents. Eric loves being a husband to Vanessa, and father to Eva, Isabel, Sophie, Samuel, and Francis. You can usually find Eric climbing a mountain, fishing, or roasting coffee.

Learn more about the Proclaim movement ➡︎ https://weareproclaim.com/

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction to Eric

15:30 - What inspired the Proclaim movement?

16:30 - What did the pandemic change about evangelization?

24:00 - The most important skill a missionary disciple needs to have

28:40 - The call of every disciple

32:40 - The Parish Transformation Framework

43:50 - What Proclaim is not

50:50 - What program is best for parish renewal?

56:00 - How do the other activities of the parish fit in the framework?

1:01:55 - What about the liturgy?

1:06:42 - Things are not as rigid as we think they are

1:09:03 - When things need to change

1:10:30 - Why aren’t healing & way of life included in the Framework?

1:19:30 - The consequences of separating holiness & mission

1:22:42 - The need to be laser focused

Breaking down the Parish Transformation Framework

1:23:18 - Prayer & Discernment

1:40:57 - Mission & Values

1:52:45 - Leadership & Operations

1:58:21 - Spiritual Gifts Discernment

2:15:32 - Accompaniment

2:27:53 - Evangelize Your Community & Evangelize Beyond

Noteworthy Quotes

“I dream of a 'missionary option', that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.” - Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (27)

“The Church exists, and we as part of the Church – our deepest identity – is to evangelize.” - Eric Chow

“Parishes need to know what they’re about.” - Eric Chow

“Holiness & mission are two sides of the same coin.” - Pope Benedict XVI

“Meaningful formation and a way of life should always lead to mission & self-gift.” - Eric Chow

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