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The Center for Parish
Vitality began the Family Unity Discernment process with the Emmanuel Deanery on April 11, 2026 with the Deanery Day Kickoff session hosted by the Saint Michael the Archangel Family of Parishes. This day brought together the pastors, clergy, leadership teams, and pastoral councils from all eleven Families of Parishes in the Emmanuel Deanery for prayer, orientation, discernment, and fellowship.
The day included opening remarks by Archbishop Casey, a basic orientation to Family Unity Discernment, and an exercise in synodality, plus time to meet with colleagues from other Families within the deanery.
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You can find general information and the tools necessary to begin this work here so you have a head start on the process.
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| LEARN MORE
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“We are called to continue the mission and ministry
of Christ today, in this moment in time. And we have to be willing to put a lot of effort into that. How do we discern God's will for our future? How do we radiate the love and the mercy of Jesus Christ more fully in our communities?"
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- Most Rev. Robert G. Casey, Archbishop of Cincinnati
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The Parish Vitality Survey is an opportunity to share your experience.
Each year, the Parish Vitality Report describes progress and challenges in creating vital, evangelizing communities of faith. The Parish Vitality Survey is an opportunity to share your experience of your Family of Parishes.
The survey results give Archbishop Casey and his staff, pastors, and parish leaders insight into parishioners’ experiences in their Families of Parishes, the progress and challenges parishioners perceive, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
Please share your experience by responding to the 2026 Parish Vitality Survey by May 15 and share it with your people.
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| PARISH VITALITY REPORT AND SURVEY
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Share the Parish Vitality Report with parishioners using our Media Toolkit.
You’ll find sample social media posts, bulletin paragraph copy, a note from the pastor, images, video, and more resources to help you share the Parish Vitality Report and Survey with parishioners.
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Were you aware that there are seven African American candidates for canonization? The lives of these holy men and women span nearly the entire existence of the United States as an independent nation - from Pierre Toussaint, born in 1766, through Thea Bowman, who died in 1990. It will be a truly thrilling day when we celebrate the canonization of the first African American saint!
To grow awareness of the lives of the Saintly Seven over the coming months, the Archdiocesan Anti-Racism Task Froce is organizing seven sessions throughout the archdiocese to talk about their lives, their causes for canonization, and the experience of Black Catholics in this nation. The sessions will be in-person and live-streamed so that everyone can join n the conversation and reflection. In conjunction with the presentations, each candidate will be featured in the Catholic Telegraph as well. The series will conclude in November, Black Catholic History Month -
reminding us that a single month is not sufficient to honor the contributions that Black Catholics have made to our Church and our nation since before its founding.
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One of the most fundamental things Family leaders can do is to pray together. Prayer aligns our ministry with God’s vision and praying unites our hearts and
minds with one another through Christ. A prayer resource has been prepared for Family Leadership Teams and other groups of leaders to use each month. The resource draws on the readings for the coming Sunday so that leaders will be especially prepared for and reflect upon the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. Consider this for your weekly FLT mtg, full staff mtg, pastoral council mtg, or other gathering of parish leaders. Monthly Prayer >
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Did you know that pastoral councils were first established in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1966? The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and the Sixth Synod of the
Archdiocese of Cincinnati (1971) envisioned the work of the pastoral council to be parish renewal. Therefore, the purpose of the pastoral council is to promote the spiritual growth of the Family of Parishes community, and to plan ways for the Family of Parishes to carry out the mission of the Church. Pastoral Council Resources >
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The Amazing Parish Leadership Summit gathers pastors, ministry leaders, diocesan staff, and Catholic changemakers for three days of prayer, formation, and practical
leadership development.
Whether you come with a team or on your own, you will gain the clarity, tools, and relationships needed to lead renewal in the Church today. Learn More >
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iVoteCatholic Leader Launch
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April 28, 10:30-11:45am
May 7, 1:30-2:45pm
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Join us to explore this important resource for parish leaders to help their parishioners form consciences for faithful citizenship, especially as we approach this fall’s general election. We’ll show you how to utilize the resources in your social media, preaching, teaching, and other parish ministries. Learn More ≥
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Training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
In-person and online formation and training for new and veteran extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion will take place each spring and fall. Please share these opportunities with EMHCs in your parish and those looking to join this ministry. Learn More and Register.
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Culture for Mission: Part 2
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May 12 10am-3:30pm
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We often lump the thresholds of discipleship into one big bucket. If the journey of discipleship is lifelong, it makes sense that each threshold of that journey will require different levels of formation, accompaniment, and training. Join us as we break open the thresholds of Beginning Disciple, Growing Disciple, and Missionary Disciple. Together we will imagine new ways to accompany people through the thresholds of discipleship and commission them for mission.
Learn More and RSVP
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100 East Eighth Street | Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 | CatholicAOC.org
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