Measurables For Your Parish Ministries
The effectiveness of parish strategic plans and parish ministries are best determined by identifying quantifiable or measurable goals. Calling for "increased registrations" is not as beneficial as placing a number or a percentage on that increase. Adding one new person is an increase. Numerical and/or percentage goals are the most...
Strategic Growth Planning Update: Diocese of Green Bay
In 2017, the Diocese of Green Bay, in partnership with Meitler, completed its diocesan strategic growth plan, "Disciples on the Way." This comprehensive plan, based on the National Standards and Benchmarks of Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, provides the pathway used to enhance and grow the reach of the...
Strategic Growth Planning Update: Diocese of Davenport – Scott County Catholic Schools
"Beginning in 2020, Catholic leaders in the Scott County, Iowa community began the process of forming a regionalized school system to better serve students in Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa and throughout the Quad Cities area. Upon completion, the regionalized schools model will lead to even greater educational and spiritual benefits...
Latin Mass Communities
In early May of 2022, Pope Francis spoke to instructors and students of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome and reiterated his concern that the Latin Mass communities were divisive to the Church, opposed to the reforms of Vatican II, and are politicizing the liturgy. In order to gain some...
10 Key Metrics for Your Parish
Finance councils have become adept at reading financial statements and determining courses of action based on the numbers. Parish pastoral councils need to become as proficient with the use of parish data points. Most parishes will discover that they have a wealth of information at their fingertips from reports which...
Trends in Catholicism
The largest study in the United States of religious belief, behavior, and practice is conducted every 4 to 5 years by MissionInsite. MissionInsite is a technology-based research group that provides data to thousands of organizations, mainly religious ones, around the country. They operate under the premise that "to love your...
Fourth Source Funding for Schools
In Catholic schools, like other schools affiliated with a religious congregation, revenue comes from different sources. Primarily, tuition supplies the cash needed to operate a school. For elementary schools in particular and some high schools, parishes affiliated with the school provide subsidy to cover the gap between expenses and tuition...
The Role of Ministry Committees and Teams
Over the years I have heard pastors comment on their councils with words similar to these, "our parish council is all talk and no action." The pastoral council's role is to assist the pastor with planning for pastoral activity. In order for them to plan, the council needs working groups....
Meitler Minute
Meet Maria Schram, a 34-year veteran of Catholic education. Beyond her deep understanding of Catholic school leadership, her team-building mindset, and focus on Catholic Identity will make her an amazing consultant and resource for our clients.
Tending to your Faculty’s Faith Formation for Stronger Catholic Identity
Catholic Identity is a key element of a thriving Catholic school. In most Catholic schools, their Catholic identity is visible on the walls and in their traditions around the liturgical year. If you ask, most people in Catholic schools would say that they value their school's Catholic identity, and that...
4 ways your parish can avoid a long slow death
The Parish Pastoral Council and Strategic Planning Most parish pastoral councils operate on a year-to-year basis with little focus on the long-term future. Many are unaware of the community trends which are impacting the parish or the changing patterns of membership, sacramental practice, and finances. Few see the need for...
Meitler Minute
Most clients never meet our project coordinators in person, but they are a vital part of the Meitler Way. Tina Heding explains how she and her colleagues help support each client's project and mission behind the scenes.
Meitler at 50: A Glance Back…
Thank you for joining us as we look back over our first 50 years. Here is to the next 50!
Meitler Minute
As we wrap up 2021, we have so much to be grateful for! We have seen amazing growth in school, parish, and diocesan data studies across the country, which points to a bright future. We wish everyone blessings and success in 2022!
Turning the corner in this holy season
Sunday, December 12th we celebrated the third Sunday in Advent. This week is often a turning point in this holy season of waiting and preparation. The tree goes up in many homes, the cookie baking begins in anticipation of Christmas celebrations, the hallways and classrooms at our Catholic schools are...
Building an Effective Parish or Pastoral Council
In the early years after the Second Vatican Council, many dioceses required the establishment of parish councils. These early manifestations of councils looked to the model of local civic councils and tended to focus on dollars and cents issues rather than ministerial ones. Let's face it: it is much easier...
Meitler Minute
A school's Catholic identity is the responsibility of every member of the school's faculty and staff. Senior Consultant Michael Taylor reflects on an encounter with a brave kindergartner who drove that message home for him.
Change your thinking: Tuition Assistance is a Source of Revenue
Tuition-dependent schools, by and large, budget funds to help families afford the tuition. In my experience working with elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States, these funds are usually considered an expense, targeted to the poor, with the poorest receiving the largest grants. This makes sense from a purely...
Staff as Parish Planning and Leadership Team
Parishes need to be organized to function on a daily or operational level. How are phone calls, emails, and office visits processed? Who handles the responsibilities for the various parish administrative and ministerial tasks? How are ministerial activities scheduled and coordinated throughout the year? Most parishes today, in addition to...
One Year Reflection
"Live and do everything in such a way so that if you look back in time, you shouldn't say that if I had a time machine, I would've done it better." - Immanuel Mohan As I reflect on the past year, and more specifically, celebrating one year as Managing Director...
