Welcome to the
Pathways toward a Thriving Parish
2026 Program
In 2025 - the first year of the project - over 50 parishes were engaged in developing and implementing pathways toward thriving. Join us in this next phase!
2026 Pathways toward a Thriving Parish Project
In 2026, the Pathways Project incorporates three elements:
- Becoming a Thriving Parish in Today’s World – An Online Course Open to all Parish Leaders
- A Team Formation Retreat Experience – For parishes that commit to continuing in the project by developing a team and working with a consultant to design pathways for their parish community
- A Guided Cohort Process for Developing Parish Pathways for Thriving – Six monthly consultative sessions to develop and implement pathways in the parish community
Let's start together here...
Part 1. Becoming a Thriving Parish in Today's World
A Free Online Course Open to All Parish Leaders - Hosted on Zoom Webinar
Thursdays, February 12 - March 12
This series is an introduction to the vision and practices for becoming a thriving parish in today’s world.
- Weekly 90-minute Sessions: Thursdays, February 12 - March 12, 2026 streaming live at 1 pm ET on Zoom
- Free tuition, provided courtesy of the grant
- All sessions are set to be video recorded
Parts 2 and 3 will be for parishes that want to continue in the project by developing a team and working with a consultant to design pathways for their parish community.
This project is offered by Loyola Institute for Ministry and the National Community of Catechetical Leaders.
Through a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
all services of this Thriving Congregations Initiative are free for participating parishes.
Project Directors: Dr. Tracey Lamont (Loyola) and John Roberto (NCCL)
PARTICIPANT RESOURCES:
Our Thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.
