Over one week in March, bishops, priests, parish leaders, and Leadership Consultants gathered in Tulsa and Atlanta for the Next Generation Parish Session 5 Regional Gathering.
Next Generation Parish is a two-year journey that transforms parish life through prayerful discernment, leadership formation, and accompaniment. The journey unfolds in four phases (Invitation, Discovery, Accompaniment, and Reflection) divided into sessions, each building on the last to form leaders for mission in an apostolic age.
Both the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Tulsa began their Next Generation Parish journeys in 2025, and, as a result, both of their Session 5 Regional Gatherings took place over the same week in both locations, creating a unique moment of unity across dioceses.
In the six months leading up to Session 5, pastors and parish leaders have engaged in small faith-sharing groups, received personalized leadership coaching, and participated in practicums that bring apostolic ministry to life through real-world application.
Session 5 was a pivotal moment that allowed participants to pause, reflect, and look ahead. Leaders from across each diocese came together to share stories of growth, refine their parish goals, and collaborate on concrete strategies for implementation.
“It was a special day spent with dedicated pastors, deacons, staff, and volunteers who are deeply committed to the mission of leading more people to Christ and the Church,” said Karen Monteleone, one of Catholic Leadership Institute’s newest Leadership Consultants, who attended Session 5 in Tulsa.
Colleen Crawford, another one of Catholic Leadership Institute’s newest Leadership Consultants, who attended Session 5 in Tulsa, commented, “Session 5 was an excellent opportunity for the Tulsa parishes to come together for shared learning, sacramental celebration, individual goal-setting, and parish discernment. The agenda’s structure allowed participants to discuss “actionable implementation”—the brass tacks of individual parish SMART goals and timelines—while also giving participants space to brainstorm across parish lines and bond over shared challenges or hurdles.”
The gathering was not only practical but deeply practical and spiritual. Through guided activities, large-group conversations, and communal prayer, participants were invited to actively apply what they have been learning, grounding their leadership more deeply in both mission and faith.
“In the testimonials we heard, several people shared how they felt their hearts had changed through the work of Next Generation Parish,” said Monteleone. “One attendee even reflected on how she regularly asks God to guide her parish’s work.”
As the session came to a close, parish leaders were invited into a period of discernment as they began to prepare to enter the Accompaniment Phase, a year-long journey of support and guidance as they implement the plans formed during the Discovery Phase.
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