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UNITED IN MISSION: Seven Key Strategies to Build Parish and School Collaboration

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”  - St. Mother Teresa

Bridging the Great Divide

Recently, during one of my visits to a large parish with an active Catholic elementary school of 485 students, an imprudent church staff member shared this telling perspective, “the parking lot is the great divide, the school does their own thing.” Certainly, this is a sad commentary on the lack of collaboration, and it presents to Catholic leaders a momentous opportunity for growth and improvement.

The goal here is to become united around our common mission and vision, and eliminate the “great divide” between the parish and school by recognizing that there are great benefits to mutual collaboration.

The Mission is Paramount

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the purpose of the Catholic Church is…“a community created and called by God. Its task is evangelization and salvation: to be an instrument of God's work in the world focused in the saving and liberating mission of Jesus Christ. It must, therefore, look to Him for the example and style of its mission and to the Holy Spirit for the power to accomplish it.”

In fidelity to this mission, the Catholic school becomes an extension of the evangelical mission of the parish and a special and intentional expression of our faith in God through a commitment to His purpose for the world and humankind. Therefore, a vibrant and thriving Catholic school functions in partnership with the parish and its families to witness and effectuate the salvific vision of the Church and provide the educational, spiritual and ecclesial foundation for the well-being of its students and families.

The Power of Collaboration

At Catholic Vitality 360, through our proven ELEVATE Leadership Coaching process, we promote the value and benefits of systems-thinking, collaboration and building a culture of high standards, innovation and respect. Our exclusive framework for success, the Seven Circles of Catholic Vitality, with its companion assessment scorecard (see our website at catholicvitality360.com to complete the assessment tool), illustrates seven interconnected areas of parish, school and diocesan life that can be measured, implemented and improved upon.

Today, we are pleased to report that an emphasis on a collaborative leadership style is supported and is increasingly becoming the standard of excellence in our Catholic parishes and schools. A collaborative leader is one that understands the importance of bringing people together around a common vision and inviting people to share their gifts in reaching articulated, audacious goals. Over the years, we have learned that there is an impressive, diverse and multiplicity of talent, skills and experience, ready and willing to help achieve your dynamic mission.

Let’s consider just a sample of the many benefits to the power of collaboration

  • The collaborative team promotes ongoing learning
  • The collaborative team encourages problem-solving
  • The collaborative team builds a culture of dignity and respect
  • The collaborative team elevates morale and job/ministry satisfaction
  • The collaborative team cultivates shared responsibility and accountability
  • The collaborative team views challenges as opportunities
  • The collaborative team establishes vitality and growth as a top priority

Seven Key Strategies

In the perpetual pursuit of better, now is the time to consider launching or enhancing your culture of collaboration. Here are seven key strategies to activate parish and school collaboration:

  • Strategy #1: Understand the Mission and Operational Components of the Parish and School
    •  All parish and school leaders should seek to learn about the particular and specific dynamics of the parish and school and provide ongoing updates and presentations.
  • Strategy #2: Create and Implement a Unified Parish and School Strategic Vision
    •  A critical step in the collaborative process, parish and school leaders come together to listen to the needs of our families and create a unified strategic vision with goals, strategies, vision teams and a vibrant implementation process.
  • Strategy #3: Establish a Collaborative Parish and School Leadership Team
    • Consisting of parish and school administration, staff, council representatives and ministry leaders, this new leadership team meets monthly to make critical decisions on the operational needs and activities impacting both the parish and school.
  • Strategy #4: Maintain a Master Parish and School Calendar
    • This strategy is sure to ease some frustration regarding events, facilities, resources and the use of vendors for parish and school functions. Create a point person that maintains/manages the calendar and sends regular updates.
  • Strategy #5: Identify Opportunities to Share Resources and Skills
    • True collaboration means that everyone shares the load of responsibility. Identify areas that can be shared and encourage team members to share their gifts and skills for specific projects and vision elements. Teamwork enhances the mission.
  • Strategy #6: Execute Collaborative Marketing and Communication Plan
    • The Leadership Team coordinates an active and collaborative marketing and communication process across all platforms and vehicles. There is an established system for gathering/sharing information and professional services can be provided.
  • Strategy #7: Invite Parishioners to School and Students to Church
    • Be intentional about extending invitations to parishioners to attend school events. Have students actively participate in parish activities. This raises awareness and promotes the culture of collaboration.

We Can Help

At Catholic Vitality 360, it is our ministry to serve your needs. Our mission is your vitality. All of the processes we share in our writings, videos and Zoomcast, THE CIRCLE are available to you. You are not alone in this work and we are happy to help. We consider you and your parish/school a vitality partner with us as we navigate building the Kingdom of God. Our proven approach will provide clarity, a working plan and a proven system that produces impressive results and engages more people in the life of the parish/school.

Engage others, share this dynamic vision, create the collaborative team and build ongoing vitality.

This will take time, patience, persistence, perseverance and PRAYER.

Do not fear, we walk in Faith and this is God’s work. 

Be Good and Do Good.

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“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”  - St. Mother Teresa
Bridging the Great Divide
Recently, during one of my visits to a large parish with an active Catholic elementary school of 485 students, an imprudent church staff member shared this telling perspective, “the parking lot is the great divide, the school does their own thing.” Certainly, this is a sad commentary on the lack of collaboration, and it presents to Catholic leaders a momentous opportunity for growth and improvement.
The goal here is to become united around our common mission and vision, and eliminate the “great divide” between the parish and school by recognizing that there are great benefits to mutual collaboration.
The Mission is Paramount
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the purpose of the Catholic Church is…“a community created and called by God. Its task is evangelization and salvation: to be an instrument of God's work in the world focused in the saving and liberating mission of Jesus Christ. It must, therefore, look to Him for the example and style of its mission and to the Holy Spirit for the power to accomplish it.”
In fidelity to this mission, the Catholic school becomes an extension of the evangelical mission of the parish and a special and intentional expression of our faith in God through a commitment to His purpose for the world and humankind. Therefore, a vibrant and thriving Catholic school functions in partnership with the parish and its families to witness and effectuate the salvific vision of the Church and provide the educational, spiritual and ecclesial foundation for the well-being of its students and families.
The Power of Collaboration
At Catholic Vitality 360, through our proven ELEVATE Leadership Coaching process, we promote the value and benefits of systems-thinking, collaboration and building a culture of high standards, innovation and respect. Our exclusive framework for success, the Seven Circles of Catholic Vitality, with its companion assessment scorecard (see our website at catholicvitality360.com to complete the assessment tool), illustrates seven interconnected areas of parish, school and diocesan life that can be measured, implemented and improved upon.
Today, we are pleased to report that an emphasis on a collaborative leadership style is supported and is increasingly becoming the standard of excellence in our Catholic parishes and schools. A collaborative leader is one that understands the importance of bringing people together around a common vision and inviting people to share their gifts in reaching articulated, audacious goals. Over the years, we have learned that there is an impressive, diverse and multiplicity of talent, skills and experience, ready and willing to help achieve your dynamic mission.
Let’s consider just a sample of the many benefits to the power of collaboration
  • The collaborative team promotes ongoing learning
  • The collaborative team encourages problem-solving
  • The collaborative team builds a culture of dignity and respect
  • The collaborative team elevates morale and job/ministry satisfaction
  • The collaborative team cultivates shared responsibility and accountability
  • The collaborative team views challenges as opportunities
  • The collaborative team establishes vitality and growth as a top priority
Seven Key Strategies
In the perpetual pursuit of better, now is the time to consider launching or enhancing your culture of collaboration. Here are seven key strategies to activate parish and school collaboration:
  • Strategy #1: Understand the Mission and Operational Components of the Parish and School
    •  All parish and school leaders should seek to learn about the particular and specific dynamics of the parish and school and provide ongoing updates and presentations.
  • Strategy #2: Create and Implement a Unified Parish and School Strategic Vision
    •  A critical step in the collaborative process, parish and school leaders come together to listen to the needs of our families and create a unified strategic vision with goals, strategies, vision teams and a vibrant implementation process.
  • Strategy #3: Establish a Collaborative Parish and School Leadership Team
    • Consisting of parish and school administration, staff, council representatives and ministry leaders, this new leadership team meets monthly to make critical decisions on the operational needs and activities impacting both the parish and school.
  • Strategy #4: Maintain a Master Parish and School Calendar
    • This strategy is sure to ease some frustration regarding events, facilities, resources and the use of vendors for parish and school functions. Create a point person that maintains/manages the calendar and sends regular updates.
  • Strategy #5: Identify Opportunities to Share Resources and Skills
    • True collaboration means that everyone shares the load of responsibility. Identify areas that can be shared and encourage team members to share their gifts and skills for specific projects and vision elements. Teamwork enhances the mission.
  • Strategy #6: Execute Collaborative Marketing and Communication Plan
    • The Leadership Team coordinates an active and collaborative marketing and communication process across all platforms and vehicles. There is an established system for gathering/sharing information and professional services can be provided.
  • Strategy #7: Invite Parishioners to School and Students to Church
    • Be intentional about extending invitations to parishioners to attend school events. Have students actively participate in parish activities. This raises awareness and promotes the culture of collaboration.
We Can Help
At Catholic Vitality 360, it is our ministry to serve your needs. Our mission is your vitality. All of the processes we share in our writings, videos and Zoomcast, THE CIRCLE are available to you. You are not alone in this work and we are happy to help. We consider you and your parish/school a vitality partner with us as we navigate building the Kingdom of God. Our proven approach will provide clarity, a working plan and a proven system that produces impressive results and engages more people in the life of the parish/school.
Engage others, share this dynamic vision, create the collaborative team and build ongoing vitality.
This will take time, patience, persistence, perseverance and PRAYER.
Do not fear, we walk in Faith and this is God’s work. 
Be Good and Do Good.
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Through seven key strategies, you can ensure that your school and parish are pulling in the same direction. 
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