If you are a Catholic minister, chances are you will have to use a sound system at some point – often with no training or warning! Be prepared for whatever sound system work comes your way with the help of this supremely practical webinar on sound system essentials led by Los Angeles-based engineer and Catholic musician Bill Barlak and Center for Learning director Matt Reichert.
Among all the topics we could encounter in our field, "liturgical assessment" might not be the spiciest. But, it's certainly among th emost important. We devote a lot of time, energy, and emotion to planning good, effective liturgies for our community. Why? Because we know that good liturgy matters. That's why we should take the time to carefully evaluate our liturgies to see what's working and to find opportunities for improvement. Join our panelists as we discuss the ins-and-outs, dos-and-don'ts of liturgical assessment. You'll come away with tools, guides, and rubrics as well as a new-found appreciation for the topic!
If you work or volunteer in music ministry, then you know how daunting it can be to introduce new music in parish liturgies. Get tips from the experts in this helpful webinar on introducing new music to your congregation hosted by the Center for Learning. Center for Learning director Matt Reichert is joined by composers and directors of music Scot Crandal and Zack Stachowski to discuss best practices and enlightening personal stories from their years of experience.
Let's face it - many of our choir members aren't as young as they used to be. The average age of parish choirs across the country is increasing, and with aging voices comes musical and pastoral considerations. What vocal techniques and warmups are helpful? What repertoire strategies work best? How do you have a pastoral conversation with a soprano who is now more of an alto? Join us as we discuss these and other practical topics!
Have a children’s choir and you’re looking for ways to grow and develop? Looking to start a children’s choir but don’t know where to begin? Trying to revive a children’s choir program that has run out of steam? No matter the reason, you’ve come to the right place! Join Francesca LaRosa and Dr. Holly Smith-Brooks as they discuss strategies and best practices to give your program extra momentum, no matter your starting point.
We put a lot of thought into planning our liturgies, but what about planning our rehearsals? Without careful attention, rehearsals can become ineffective or even counterproductive. Join our panelists as they discuss practical strategies to plan and confidently lead effective rehearsals for your music ministry. You'll come away with ideas you can begin to implement today.
Each leader's experience of the parish liturgy committee is different. Some have a committee that runs like a well-oiled machine, others want to avoid committee meetings at all costs, and many don't have a committee at all. In this conversation, panelists Timothy Johnston and Rita Thiron discuss the importance of a liturgy committee, how to form one, how to plan and run a meeting, and how to make sure the committee is effective in their work. If you are a liturgy director, music director, pastor, or other liturgical decision-maker, you won't want to miss this conversation!
It has become increasingly difficult to find enougIt has become increasingly difficult to find enough volunteers. It feels more true than ever that "the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few." Join Matt Reichert, Zack Stachowski, and Jason Prigge as they outline the critical first step in successful recruiting: invitation. The panelists provide practical suggestions and guidance for how to identify and then invite prospective volunteers to join your ministry.
To be successful, "hospitality" can't just be a one-off program or a momentary interaction. It needs to be the product of a culture of welcome and belonging, and your ministry is the perfect place to start. In this conversation, host Matt Reichert and guest John T. Kyler explore practical ways that you can build a culture of hospitality within your parish ministry. You will hear suggestions, examples, and recommendations for next steps.
Watch this much-needed webinar for Catholic ministers on how to avoid burnout and manage stress while working in ministry. Led by Jen Hayes Housel and Edwin Walker from the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministries, the webinar provides helpful tools and practices that can help ministers manage negative stressors and proactively avoid burnout. Yes, it is possible to achieve a healthy balance while working in ministry!