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Online Giving Made Simple

đź’» Online Giving Made Simple
In this recorded Zoom session, we’re joined by Pete Vyzaniaris from Parish Giving to explore how online giving is transforming parish life.

In today’s world, online giving isn’t just convenient—it’s a vital way to support our parishes, sustain our mission, and build a stronger future.

What You’ll Learn in This Webinar:
âś… Why online giving is essential for parish sustainability
âś… Step-by-step guide to starting online giving in your parish
âś… Practical tips to grow participation and build trust
âś… Real examples from parishes like yours
âś… Live answers to common questions from diocesan and industry experts

Who is this for?
This session is ideal for pastors, parish staff, finance councils, stewardship teams, volunteers, and anyone involved in parish operations.

đź“Ś Resources & Links:

 🙌 Don’t miss this opportunity to equip your parish with the tools and confidence to embrace online giving!

Establishing, Understanding, and Growing Your Parish Online Giving

Join us for a practical and insightful 60-minute Zoom session featuring Pete Vyzaniaris from Parish Giving (www.parishgiving.com). In today’s world, online giving isn’t just a convenience—it’s a vital part of how we support our parishes and strengthen our mission.

Whether your parish already offers online giving or you are exploring it for the first time, this webinar will give you the tools and insight you need.

What You will Learn:

Why online giving is important for parish sustainability
How to start online giving in your parish—step by step
Ways to grow participation and build trust with parishioners
Real examples from parishes like yours
Answers to your questions from diocesan and industry experts

Ideal for: Pastors, parish staff, finance councils, stewardship teams, volunteers and anyone involved in parish operations.

Do not miss this opportunity to build a stronger future for your parish!

đź“… Date: Wednesday October 1, 2025
đź•› Time: 7:oo PM
đź’» Location: Zoom (link sent upon registration)

Sign up today to receive your reminder email and Zoom link: Get a reminder email + zoom link here

Banking Basics: Understanding Financial Institutions - In Spanish

Conceptos Básicos de Bancarios: Entendiendo las Instituciones Financieras

Presentado por Leticia Navarro, Gerente de Banco. Fidenlity State Bank, Dodge City.
DATE/TIME vía Zoom. 
RegĂ­strese en aqui

Únase a nosotros para un seminario de una hora diseñado para aquellos que no están familiarizados con el funcionamiento de los bancos y las instituciones financieras. Explicaremos lo esencial de las cuentas de cheques y de ahorro, cómo ayudan a manejar los gastos diarios y a construir seguridad financiera. Aprenderá sobre los préstamos hipotecarios y cómo facilitan la compra de una vivienda, así como otros tipos de préstamos que pueden ayudar con compras importantes. También hablaremos sobre el papel de los bancos en el manejo seguro del dinero, la prestación de servicios financieros y la planificación para el futuro. Ya sea que esté abriendo su primera cuenta o simplemente quiera comprender mejor el sistema bancario, este seminario le brindará conocimientos prácticos para gestionar sus finanzas con confianza.

 

Better Lay Witness Talks

In my opinion, the lay witness talk is one of the more challenging stewardship activities a parish can do. Why is that?

For one, it can be scary for a pastor to trust a person to speak about stewardship and not go "off the rails" and give the parish a lecture about should, could, and would. Or some other mixed bag of stuff that is not helpful.

Then, add stage fright and fear of public speaking by the people we invite. We have a perfect recipe for hard work.

What if I told you there is another way to build community via the lay witness talk that makes this big idea smaller? More palatable perhaps.

We have the five pillars of stewardship; Hospitality, Prayer, Evangelization, Service, and Formation. Rather than have our people speak about one or more of these pillars, we invite them to share a personal story under one of the five pillars. 

For example, we could start with this:

Note-- Each question can fall under more than one pillar.

Hospitality:

  • Jose, you have been an usher at mass, would you give a lay witness talk sharing your experience in this ministry?
  • Eveyline, you have been taking communion to your home-bound mother for over a year, would give a lay witness talk sharing why this is important to you?

Prayer:

  • Jane, you have been leading a moms' bible study for a few years, would you give a lay witness talk sharing how God is working in this group?
  •  Justin, your wife died last year and yet you faithfully come to mass, would you give a lay witness talk sharing why you come to mass and why it is important to you?

Service:

  • Bob, you have been a sacristan for years, would you give a lay witness talk sharing why this is important to you?
  • Katrina, I heard you open up your soccer practice with a prayer, would you give a lay witness talk sharing why you do this and how it affects your team?

Evangelization:

  • Damion, you organized the March for Life event downtown this year. Would you give a lay witness talk sharing the fruitful results of this event and why it is important to you?
  • Julie, you are Maria's sponsor for OCIA. Would you give a lay witness talk sharing why this is important to you?

Formation:

  • Monica, you and your husband attended the Eucharistic Revival this year. Would you give a lay witness talk sharing what you learned and why you went?
  • Greg, I see you have graduated from Pastoral Ministries Formation. Would you give a lay witness talk sharing why thought this kind of process was important to you and what you gained from it?

This format changes the lay witness talk from a potentially intimidating request into a smaller request. What we are asking for is a personal story that connects to a bigger idea. Plus, we build community by getting to know the people we worship with. Give this format a go and report your results to me. I bet it works.

 

Envy- Science and Theology Unite

Science and religion have more in common than they do differences. A favorite podcast of mine had an episode on one of the seven deadly sins. I found fascinating and very complimentary to our faith. I hope you do too. 

Why do Finance Councils have it figured out?

Ever notice how the finance council seems to attract people to serve? Why is that?

I was thinking as I came into work that the parish finance council over other councils does not have quite the trouble finding qualified people to minister. In my mind, I came up with list reasons most councils fail to attract ministers. 

  • The expectations are not clear
  • We have no idea if the person is a good fit 
  • Term limits are not defined
  • The council/committee has ambiguous goals
  • The nature of a person's work does not easily crossover to ministry

These are just a few reasons why many ministries struggle to stay alive and vibrant. 

Is Finding your strengths valuable?

There is evidence to support each person working in areas of strength versus weakness adds value to the person and organization that person is working in. Obviously, when we are doing something we naturally good at, the work is easier, it is done with more skill, and the task takes less time. 

The formula to help Hispanics respond

The Vibrant Ministries Special Appeal has seen much success. A success that should be noted is in the Spanish Speaking community. The community responded well which could be an anomaly. However, this response was seen in multiple parishes which is a pattern. Patterns are the result of systematic behaviors. Patterns, can be replicated.

Do income and expenses in the bulletin really help?

A pastor in our Diocese asked me about the practice of publishing parish weekly income and expenses in the bulletin along with the actual weekly need to keep the plant and ministry running. 

Conventional wisdom is to publish this information for transparency purposes and to show parishioners what is needed to keep the operation running. In plain terms the following is at play:

Gen Y will come to Church, Here is How to Get em back

In 2013 and 2014 Bishop Brungardt hosted a series of dinners for small groups of random people across the diocese. The dinners were held in big towns, small towns, in all four corners and places in between in both Spanish and English.

The Goal was to see what is on the minds of the people in the pews. Each person was invited to share their hopes and dreams on note cards which I later organized to see what concerns, hopes are rising to the top. This would go on to help Bishop Brungardt prioritize his ministry.