Thursday Apr 16, 2026
155| Opening the Doors to Parish Renewal
What does it look like when a parish begins to move from maintenance to momentum?
In this episode, Melissa sits down with Fr. Paul MacNeil of St. Alexander Parish in Fonthill, Ontario, to reflect on what happened when he stepped into a parish facing financial strain, low attendance, and limited engagement. Rather than settling into maintenance mode, Fr. Paul leaned into coaching and began making intentional changes that created real momentum.
From opening doors and improving hospitality to building a leadership team, launching small groups, and aligning the parish around a clearer vision, Fr. Paul shares how St. Alexander has grown from fewer than 250 people on a weekend to around 650 today. This conversation offers practical insight and encouragement for any pastor or parish leader who is ready to see their parish move forward with clarity and purpose.
Key Takeaways
- Momentum often begins with simple, visible changes that signal welcome and care
- Hospitality plays a critical role in helping people return and engage
- Parish renewal is about building a culture of discipleship, not just adding programs
- A strong leadership team helps sustain and multiply momentum
- Small groups create connection and help a growing parish feel personal
Strong parishes are built on strong leadership. Get a clear picture of where your leadership is today and where it can grow with our free Leadership Self Evaluation. https://download.rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation
If this conversation resonated with you, Fr. Paul shares even more of the story in his Under the Hood blog series—an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the decisions, challenges, and breakthroughs that helped build momentum at St. Alexander. https://substack.com/@frpaulmacneil/p-190929046
Episode Highlights
- Why Fr. Paul chose coaching while stepping into a new parish
- The story of locked doors and what it revealed about parish culture
- Early “low-hanging fruit” that helped build trust and momentum
- How hospitality and environment shaped the parish experience
- Growing from under 250 to over 650 in weekly attendance
- The role of small groups in sustaining momentum
- Leading with greater support, clarity, and confidence
If you’re a pastor or parish leader looking to build momentum in your parish, reach out to our team to see if coaching is the right fit for you: bill@rebuiltparish.com or natalie@rebuiltparish.com
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