Stories of parish renewal
from around the world.
Evolving in Darwin: A Story from Australia
Six years ago, Father Dave stepped into the role of parish priest for the first time. As a member of the Missionaries of God’s Love, his vocation had formerly focused on formation for novices. But now he was in Darwin, Australia, at Holy Spirit Parish.
He was told by a couple of local priests, “Don’t expect anything to happen in Darwin.”
Six years ago, Father Dave stepped into the role of parish priest for the first time. As a member of the Missionaries of God’s Love, his vocation had formerly focused on formation for novices. But now he was in Darwin, Australia, at Holy Spirit Parish. He was told by a couple of local priests, “Don't expect anything to happen in Darwin.”
Setting foot in the Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster, Canada, is a visually arresting experience. An artist-in-residence has filled every wall, ceiling, and corner of this Ukranian Catholic Church with newly painted sacred art. Perched above, in the glassed-in choir loft, a recently created non-profit daycare is buzzing with neighbourhood children. All of this is part of the parish’s focus on evangelization. From art to Alpha, childcare to catechism classes, Holy Eucharist Cathedral is set on renewing the parish through reaching out to people in every way possible with the message of the gospel. Father Mykhailo Ozorovych has had a fire for evangelization since childhood. He sees his calling to Canada as distinctly missional. An Eastern Rite priest, Father Mykhailo never thought he would end up in North America, let alone be the youngest parish priest of a cathedral. He says, “I came here to evangelize, to be a missionary.”
Most people don’t look to the Catholic Church in South Africa and expect revival. But something is happening at Bryanston Catholic Church (BCC), and it’s not by accident. We’ve been caught up in a movement—Divine Renovation. Not a program. A transformation. It's not about better systems or busier schedules. It's about what happens when a parish dares to put the Holy Spirit first, makes evangelisation the mission, and raises up real leadership to shepherd the flock and the lost alike. This is our testimony—not to say “look at us,” but to say, “God hasn’t forgotten South Africa.”
Since 2021 St. Mary’s, Uxbridge, MA, has been on the parish renewal journey with Divine Renovation (DR). Through coaching, the parish has begun embracing principles and practices of parish renewal that are transforming their outlook on mission and evangelization. (read more about their story here). One of these practices is Missional Prayer, which is Aligning our prayers with God’s purpose and interceding for the Holy Spirit’s work in transforming lives in our parish and neighborhood. This year, the parish’s women’s group had women share their testimonies at the monthly meetings. “Literally one of the most powerful hours in the parish,” says Diane, one of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members. When Michelle, a cancer survivor, shared her testimony, Diane knew that the leadership team needed to hear her story. Michelle was a living example of Missional Prayer, which the SLT was about to be coached on by DR. This is Michelle’s story:
Six years ago, Father Dave stepped into the role of parish priest for the first time. As a member of the Missionaries of God’s Love, his vocation had formerly focused on formation for novices. But now he was in Darwin, Australia, at Holy Spirit Parish. He was told by a couple of local priests, “Don't expect anything to happen in Darwin.”
Setting foot in the Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster, Canada, is a visually arresting experience. An artist-in-residence has filled every wall, ceiling, and corner of this Ukranian Catholic Church with newly painted sacred art. Perched above, in the glassed-in choir loft, a recently created non-profit daycare is buzzing with neighbourhood children. All of this is part of the parish’s focus on evangelization. From art to Alpha, childcare to catechism classes, Holy Eucharist Cathedral is set on renewing the parish through reaching out to people in every way possible with the message of the gospel. Father Mykhailo Ozorovych has had a fire for evangelization since childhood. He sees his calling to Canada as distinctly missional. An Eastern Rite priest, Father Mykhailo never thought he would end up in North America, let alone be the youngest parish priest of a cathedral. He says, “I came here to evangelize, to be a missionary.”
Most people don’t look to the Catholic Church in South Africa and expect revival. But something is happening at Bryanston Catholic Church (BCC), and it’s not by accident. We’ve been caught up in a movement—Divine Renovation. Not a program. A transformation. It's not about better systems or busier schedules. It's about what happens when a parish dares to put the Holy Spirit first, makes evangelisation the mission, and raises up real leadership to shepherd the flock and the lost alike. This is our testimony—not to say “look at us,” but to say, “God hasn’t forgotten South Africa.”
Since 2021 St. Mary’s, Uxbridge, MA, has been on the parish renewal journey with Divine Renovation (DR). Through coaching, the parish has begun embracing principles and practices of parish renewal that are transforming their outlook on mission and evangelization. (read more about their story here). One of these practices is Missional Prayer, which is Aligning our prayers with God’s purpose and interceding for the Holy Spirit’s work in transforming lives in our parish and neighborhood. This year, the parish’s women’s group had women share their testimonies at the monthly meetings. “Literally one of the most powerful hours in the parish,” says Diane, one of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members. When Michelle, a cancer survivor, shared her testimony, Diane knew that the leadership team needed to hear her story. Michelle was a living example of Missional Prayer, which the SLT was about to be coached on by DR. This is Michelle’s story:
