The Engaged Parish Podcast

eCatholic
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Christianity

The Engaged Parish–presented by eCatholic–is your go-to resource for discovering the latest trends, inspiring stories, and powerful tools to enrich your parish community. Join us as we connect you with Catholic leaders, influencers, and innovators who are making a real difference in the Church today. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas to inspire your parish or ways to grow your faith, The Engaged Parish delivers insightful conversations that empower you to build a thriving, connected Catholic community. Tune in and discover how you can inspire, build, and grow in your parish life.

  1. 6h ago

    Mastering the Art of Parish Communications with Mike Josephs & Brandon Duncan

    Recorded live at the 2026 Catholic Media Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Mike Josephs (eCatholic Director of Marketing) and Brandon Duncan (eCatholic Evangelist) sit down to introduce eCatholic's newest book, The Ministry of the Inbox: The Art of Mastering Parish Email and SMS Communications — the second volume in the Engage series. In this episode, they cover the temptation every parish faces to send one email to everyone, the "trust deficit" that quietly forms when messages aren't relevant, the power of list segmentation, how to write subject lines that actually get opened, when text messaging should (and shouldn't) be used, and why the liturgical calendar is the Church's built-in content calendar. 📖 Get your free digital copy on our Connect product page, or grab a paperback copy on Amazon. 🔗 Free download: https://ecatholic.com/connect🔗 Paperback: https://a.co/d/0bj8rGzP🎧 Subscribe to the Engage Parish Podcast wherever you listen — Fio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio.

    34 min

  2. May 20

    EP 37: The Sacred Heart Comes to the Big Screen with Hubert de Torcy

    What if a film could lead someone back to the sacraments after thirty or forty years away? That's exactly what's happening across Europe — and now, Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End is coming to U.S. theaters. In this episode of The Engage Parish Podcast, we're joined by Hubert de Torcy, Chairman of Saje Distribution, to talk about this powerful new film, the spiritual story behind its creation, and why its June theatrical release in the United States is a moment the Church simply cannot miss. Hubert shares his own personal encounter with God's love at Paray-le-Monial, the very place where Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to reveal His Sacred Heart, and how that experience became the foundation for both Saje Distribution and ultimately this film. He also reflects on the fruits already being witnessed: lives transformed, confessions heard after decades, and hearts opened to the love of Christ. 🎬 In Theaters: June 9, 10, 11 & 14(June 10 screening is for Spanish-speaking audiences)Tickets & showtimes through Fathom Events 🗓️ Coincides with: The USCCB's Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — June 11America's 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence⛪ For Parishes — eCatholic VOD:Starting July 10, Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End will be available for parish screening licenses through eCatholic VOD, our newest platform built specifically for parish communities who want to host screenings in their parish hall, school gym, or any gathering space outside of a movie theater. 🔗 SHOW NOTES & LINKS: 📽️ Film Resources & Ticket Links (Fathom Events): https://ecatholic.com/sacredheart (Free downloadable parish resources available here, e.g., bulletin inserts, posters, promotional materials) ⛪ Host a Parish Screening with eCatholic VOD (starting July 10): https://vod.ecatholic.com 📧 Email us about parish screenings: screenings@ecatholic.com 🌐 Learn more about eCatholic: https://ecatholic.com

    43 min

  3. May 13

    EP 36: Finding God in the Spreadsheets of Parish Life with Father Robert Gahl, Ph.D.

    What happens when a Silicon Valley engineer, Harvard lecturer, and Catholic priest walks into a business school? He builds one of the most unique programs in Catholic higher education — the Catholic Management Program at The Catholic University of America. In this episode, we sit down with Father Robert Gahl, Ph.D., to explore how the CMP is forming priests, parish administrators, and diocesan leaders to manage with both excellence and faith. 📚 SHOW NOTES & LINKS 🔗 Learn more about the Catholic Management Program: https://cmp.catholic.edu🔗 Contact Father Bob: gahl@cua.edu💰 Special offer: Graduate Certificate for $7,500 (normally ~$10,000) — mention eCatholicCMP when applying. Valid through May 31, 2026.🔗 Learn more about eCatholic: https://www.ecatholic.com

    48 min

  4. May 6

    EP 35: A Saint Who Refused to Be Forgotten with Father Chris Korcz

    What happens when a Catholic parish is nearly closed — and a 17th-century martyr intervenes? In this special on-location episode of The Engage Parish Podcast, brought to you by eCatholic, we sit down with Father Chris Korcz, pastor of the Shrine of St. Andrew Bobola in Dudley, Massachusetts — the only shrine dedicated to this remarkable saint in the entire United States. Father Chris shares the full story of how three providential signs during a moment of crisis — a mysterious phone call from Chicago, an unexpected inheritance, and a miraculous healing from cancer during the first-ever novena — led him to ask his bishop to elevate this struggling parish to a diocesan shrine. On May 11, 2025, that became a reality. In this episode, you'll hear: The history and martyrdom of St. Andrew Bobola, a 17th-century Jesuit who died for his faithHow St. Andrew has appeared and interceded throughout history — and why he's making himself known againThe three signs Father Chris received that changed the course of his parishThe story of a parishioner healed from colon cancer during the first novenaHow you can visit, join the anniversary celebrations this May, or watch via live streamResources including a new book and papal encyclical on St. Andrew Bobola🗓️ First Anniversary Celebrations — May 2025: Novena: May 1–3 & May 8–10 (featuring Fr. Mitch Pacwa from EWTN)Feast Day Mass: May 16 at noon (celebrant: Bishop Robert McManus, Diocese of Worcester)Polish-language celebration: May 17All celebrations available via live stream at standrewbobola.com📖 Resources mentioned: The Apparitions of St. Andrew Bobola After His Death — available in English & Polish at standrewbobola.comInvicti Athletae— Encyclical by Pope Pius XII, also available at the shrine website

    54 min

  5. Mar 11

    EP 34: Igniting a Catholic Film Renaissance with Brian Shields

    In this episode, host Mike sits down with Brian Shields, a devoted husband and father of nine, and the founder of Lumen Entertainment and the Lumen Institute. Brian opens up about his early success as a young actor in Hollywood, including booking a role on the HBO series "From Earth to the Moon". Despite his outward success, Brian felt unfulfilled until a life-changing encounter with the Eucharist at a retreat shifted his entire perspective. This profound experience gave him the courage to walk away from a lead role on "Dawson's Creek" after realizing the script promoted immorality to teens. Today, Brian is dedicated to equipping the next generation of Catholic filmmakers. We discuss his mission at the Lumen Institute to train artists so they don't get chewed up by the secular industry, and why he believes we need a modern "Catholic Renaissance" modeled after the 1500s. Plus, get a sneak peek at his upcoming family comedy film, Race Car Monks, hitting theaters in the spring of 2027! Show Notes: Learn more about Brian's work and the Lumen Institute: lumen.tv Follow and support the upcoming film: racecarmonksmovie.com Discover how eCatholic can help your parish thrive online: eCatholic.com

    56 min

  6. Feb 13

    EP 33: How SacredSpark Aims to Fix Catholic Dating with Daniel Hussem

    Is modern dating broken? Daniel Hussem, co-founder of SacredSpark, believes the current system treats people like products in a "romantic vending machine". Join us as we discuss how he and his wife, Emily Wilson, are using technology to bring humanity, formation, and community back to Catholic dating. In this episode, we dive into the app's unique "Matchmaker" feature that lets friends and family vet matches for you , the importance of video verification for safety , and how parishes can support singles in their vocation. Catholic and single? Take the free Dating 101 course for a Christ-centered guide to intentional relationships: https://formation.sacredspark.app/courses/dating101Download the SacredSpark app: https://sacredspark.appFollow SacredSpark on IG: @SacredSparkApp

    26 min

  7. Jan 21

    EP 32: Bernadette, The Musical & The North American Tour

    In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Pierre Ferragu, co-producer of Bernadette the Musical—a critically acclaimed stage production that has captivated audiences across Europe and is now launching its North American tour. Pierre shares the unexpected story of how a former Wall Street analyst found himself producing a musical about Saint Bernadette, why the show focuses on Bernadette’s humanity and courage rather than spectacle, and how faithful storytelling can open doors for evangelization without being preachy. We also explore why Bernadette the Musical has resonated with both Catholic and secular audiences, what makes it uniquely accessible for inviting friends, neighbors, and parish communities, and how parishes can play a role in spreading the word as the show premieres in Chicago this February. Bernadette the Musical begins its North American run in February, with additional cities planned throughout the year. Learn more and view tour dates at BernadetteTheMusical.com

    37 min

  8. Jan 9

    EP 31: The Best Catholic Websites of 2025 with Katie Clark

    Join guest host Katie Clark as we unveil the winners of the Best Catholic Websites of 2025, showcasing how digital hospitality can transform your ministry. In this episode, we explore the stunning videography of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the user-friendly design of the Diocese of Helena, and the immersive experience of St. Charles Catholic Pilgrimages. Tune in to discover how these organizations are using clear navigation and welcoming visuals to serve the new evangelization. Featured Websites: Best Parish: Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Bismarck, ND) – cathedralparish.com Best Diocese: Diocese of Helena (Montana) – diocesehelena.org Best Ministry: St. Charles Catholic Pilgrimages – stcharlespilgrimages.com Resources: View the full list of winners (including best School website and honorable mentions): https://ecatholic.com/blog/best-websites-of-2025Start your custom design journey: meetings.ecatholic.com/designservices

    10 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Engaged Parish–presented by eCatholic–is your go-to resource for discovering the latest trends, inspiring stories, and powerful tools to enrich your parish community. Join us as we connect you with Catholic leaders, influencers, and innovators who are making a real difference in the Church today. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas to inspire your parish or ways to grow your faith, The Engaged Parish delivers insightful conversations that empower you to build a thriving, connected Catholic community. Tune in and discover how you can inspire, build, and grow in your parish life.

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