What happens when prayer stops being something we “fit in,” and becomes the place we start? In this conversation, Fr. John Riccardo (Acts XXIX) joins Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran to talk about the renewal God wants to do in parishes, leaders, and teams, beginning with surrender and a restored dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Fr. John shares his unexpected call to priesthood, the “call within a call” that led to Acts XXIX, and why so many parish teams stay stuck in maintenance: fear of failure, fear of risk, and a functional way of doing ministry that forgets we’re meant to live as family. Along the way, you’ll hear practical, concrete ways to bring prayer into the center of parish leadership, build true communion among teams, and reclaim the mindset of the early Church- because Acts didn’t end at chapter 28.

How is your parish intentionally reaching those beyond your walls, and what might God be inviting you to do next? Download our Grow Wider Self-Evaluation to find out and take your next faithful step forward. 

Grow Wider Self Evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation 

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Every parish wants to reach more people, but where do you begin? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Fr. John Sullivan, pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Chatham, Massachusetts, to talk about how defining a clear target audience can transform the way a parish approaches ministry.

You may have heard of “Timonium Tim,” the persona developed at Church of the Nativity to help guide evangelization efforts. Fr. John shares how he adapted that concept for his own parish and created “Chatham Chuck,” a simple way to keep the mission of evangelization front and center in parish life.

Throughout the conversation, Fr. John explains how understanding the people in the pews shaped his preaching, hospitality, and leadership decisions. He also offers practical encouragement for parish leaders who feel discouraged by slow progress, reminding us that renewal in the Church is often a long and faithful work.

Want to know if your parish is ready to reach more people? Take a few minutes to reflect on where your parish stands with this free Grow Wider Self Evaluation.

00:00 Introduction

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What does it look like when a diocese truly walks alongside parishes in renewal?

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson talks with Edward Herrera and Julie St. Croix from the Institute for Evangelization at the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Together, they share how their Emmaus Teams accompany pastors and parish leaders through prayer, trust, leadership development, staff culture, pastoral council formation, and parish transition.

This conversation offers a practical and hope-filled look at evangelization from the diocesan level, not as programs handed down from a distance, but as real partnership rooted in relationship. Edward and Julie unpack what distinguishes a parish that is simply maintaining from one that is actively living its mission, and they offer encouraging wisdom for pastors and leaders who want to take the next faithful step toward renewal.

If you have ever wondered how dioceses and parishes can work together in a way that truly strengthens mission, this episode is full of insight.

Looking for a practical next step? Our free Grow Wider Self Evaluation will help you reflect on how your parish is reaching new people and where there may be room to grow.

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How does a parish actually grow wider?

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson welcomes back Ed Bradley to take a deep dive into the Grow Wider Anchor - what it means, where parishes often get stuck, and how to start making measurable progress.

If your parish wants to bring people back to church, reach young families, and build a culture of invitation, this conversation will give you both clarity and practical next steps.

And be sure to listen through to the end—Ed shares exactly where he would recommend a parish start in the next 90 days.

Grow Wider Self Evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation 

00:00 – Introduction to the Grow Wider Anchor

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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.

Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation

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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

When a message series really takes hold, it does more than shape a homily. It begins to shape hearts, conversations, and culture.

In this episode, Father Benoît St-Onge shares a simple but powerful conviction: you have to step inside the message series yourself. When leaders allow the Word of God to first speak into their own lives, it naturally finds its way into the life of the parish.

Father Benoît reflects on how vulnerability, honesty, and shared humanity open the door for Scripture to become personal and practical. Drawing inspiration from how message series are lived out at Church of the Nativity, he reminds us that renewal doesn’t require creativity for creativity’s sake. Often, it’s about faithfully adapting what already works and trusting God to do the rest.

As Father Benoît puts it, this isn’t magic. It’s truth. And when pastors and leaders lean in together, the Word of God does exactly what it promises to do.

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In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson is joined by Colleen Droney, a longtime leader at Church of the Nativity and a key member of the Rebuilt Parish team, for a practical and deeply encouraging conversation about making prayer the center of parish and staff culture.

Colleen shares how prayer has shaped her leadership across both parish and ministry settings, why prayer is never optional in times of growth and decision-making, and how the Rebuilt team is learning to pause, listen, and surrender together, even as a fully virtual staff. From staff-wide prayer rhythms and adoration to creative uses of technology and Bible plans, this episode offers parish leaders concrete ways to root their teams more deeply in prayer without adding more burden.

This is an honest, hope-filled conversation for pastors and parish leaders who feel stretched thin but long for deeper spiritual grounding in their teams.

Want to see how your whole parish can Grow Deeper in their faith? Complete our self evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/deeperevaluation 

Healthy parish culture flows from prayerful leadership. When pastors and parish teams make space to pause, surrender, and listen together, prayer becomes the foundation for unity, clarity, and fruitfulness. You don’t have to do everything at once. Start small, be consistent, and trust God to build the culture over time.

Featured Rebuilt Bible Plans on YouVersion

Rebuilt Faith - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/62006-rebuilt-faith  Breathing Room - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64604-breathing-room

Grace & Truth - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64135-grace-truth  Baggage: A Journey of Forgiveness Heal (coming for Lent)

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Tom Corcoran returns to the studio with Melissa Wilkinson to reflect on how God has been opening unexpected doors through Rebuilt Parish. Their conversation centers on Rebuilt’s growing partnership with YouVersion, the global reach of the Bible App, and what it looks like to move forward in faith while trusting God with the results.

Tom shares a leadership reflection rooted in Exodus, exploring the tension between waiting on God and taking faithful action. Together, Tom and Melissa unpack how Rebuilt’s Bible plans are now reaching tens of thousands of people across the world, how parishes can repurpose message series for deeper daily engagement, and why holy discontent can be a gift rather than a flaw in parish leadership.

The episode also includes reflections from the YouVersion Beyond a Billion celebration, powerful reminders about sowing seeds even when we never see the harvest, and encouragement for pastors and parish leaders to keep preaching, teaching, and creating with faithfulness and hope.

Want to see how your whole parish can Grow Deeper in their faith? Complete our self evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/deeperevaluation 

These plans can be used individually, in small groups, or alongside your parish message series to create daily spiritual touchpoints beyond the weekend.

Faithful leadership lives in the tension between trust and action. God opens seas, but He often asks us to step forward first. Whether you’re leading a parish, preaching a message, or building ministry systems, the call is the same: keep sowing seeds, keep moving forward, and trust God with the growth.

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Father Joel Wilson, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Maple Shade, New Jersey. After nearly five years in Rebuilt coaching, Father Joel shares the honest story of leading a parish through significant financial debt, the painful decision to close a longtime parish school, and the renewal that followed.

Together, they reflect on how data, both quantitative and qualitative, can inform better decisions without replacing trust in the Holy Spirit. Father Joel walks through how his parish collects and reviews metrics, how a strategic plan helped clarify mission and priorities, and why courage, prayer, and clarity are essential for parish renewal.

This conversation offers encouragement for pastors and parish leaders who feel overwhelmed by numbers, uncertain about next steps, or hesitant to pause long standing programs in order to create space for deeper discipleship.

Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation

Renewal does not begin with perfect data or flawless plans. It begins with prayerful leadership, honest assessment, and the courage to take the next faithful step. Whether you are just beginning to track metrics or discerning a major decision, this episode is a reminder that God works powerfully through clarity, trust, and intentional action.

🎧 Listen now and share this episode with your leadership team or pastoral council.

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Parish strategic planning

Ron Huntley from Huntley Leadership returns to the Rebuilt Parish podcast to share the heart behind his new book, The Road to Renewal. Ron and Melissa talk about why renewal stories matter right now, why the problems facing the Church are often the same across the world, and what it takes to build leadership teams that actually move a parish forward. You will hear practical frameworks, honest behind the scenes moments, and a clear reminder that renewal is impossible without a real dependence on the Holy Spirit.

00:00 Welcome and Introducing The Road to Renewal

01:00 Why This Book, Why Now

02:20 The Church’s Pioneers and the Power of Shared Stories

04:25 Collaboration Over Competition

06:15 Leadership Is Ownership

07:45 Recognizing Gifts and Divine Providence

09:40 Why the Book Begins With Feeling It

12:00 Repetition, Perspective, and Shared Themes

14:00 The Same Problems Everywhere

15:25 Prayer First and the Work of the Holy Spirit

19:00 Putting the Pen Down

20:30 Discouragement and Holy Expectation

21:00 The Five Phases of Missional Momentum

26:20 Helping Other Parishes After Renewal

29:20 Niceness, Greatness, and Truth

30:35 What Actually Moves the Needle

34:30 The Leadership Meeting That Went Sideways

38:00 Defining Leadership in the Parish

42:30 Why Pastors Should Not Walk Alone

44:35 Building Teams With Different Gifts

50:15 Where to Get the Book

51:30 Closing and Gratitude

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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