The Rebuilt Parish Podcast
The Rebuilt Parish Podcast exists to equip pastors and parish leaders to help make church matter in their community.
Podcast Description
The Rebuilt Parish Podcast exists to equip pastors and parish leaders to help make church matter in their community.
Listen on:
Episodes

Jan 29, 2026
Jan 29, 2026
42 min
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Father Joel Wilson, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Maple Shade, New Jersey. After nearly five years in Rebuilt coaching, Father Joel shares the honest story of leading a parish through significant financial debt, the painful decision to close a longtime parish school, and the renewal that followed.
Together, they reflect on how data, both quantitative and qualitative, can inform better decisions without replacing trust in the Holy Spirit. Father Joel walks through how his parish collects and reviews metrics, how a strategic plan helped clarify mission and priorities, and why courage, prayer, and clarity are essential for parish renewal.
This conversation offers encouragement for pastors and parish leaders who feel overwhelmed by numbers, uncertain about next steps, or hesitant to pause long standing programs in order to create space for deeper discipleship.
Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation
🔑 Key Takeaways
Why closing a parish school can be both a loss and an opening for new life
How attendance, giving, and engagement data can support better decisions
The value of qualitative data and faith stories alongside metrics
Using SWOT analysis in parish strategic planning
Why “pause” can be more pastoral than “stop”
How small groups, grief ministry, and youth pathways fuel discipleship
Teaching stewardship as worship and first fruits, not obligation
Trusting God first while letting data guide wise action
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Father Joel’s parish context
02:10 Parish culture, service mindset, and closing the school
05:05 Early metrics and financial challenges
08:00 Leading the parish with transparency and courage
09:45 Collecting attendance, giving, and engagement data
12:00 Livestreaming and qualitative data stories
16:30 Strategic planning and SWOT analysis
19:50 Measuring momentum and stewardship growth
25:00 Youth, young adults, and discipleship pathways
30:20 Start, stop, and pause decisions in ministry
33:45 Reimagining parish initiatives through mission
36:40 Encouragement for leaders intimidated by data
39:00 Closing reflections and blessing
🙏 Final Encouragement
Renewal does not begin with perfect data or flawless plans. It begins with prayerful leadership, honest assessment, and the courage to take the next faithful step. Whether you are just beginning to track metrics or discerning a major decision, this episode is a reminder that God works powerfully through clarity, trust, and intentional action.
🎧 Listen now and share this episode with your leadership team or pastoral council.
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!Â
Â
“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode!Â
https://www.rebuiltparish.com/Â Â Â Â
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparishÂ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/Â
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparishÂ
Â
Parish strategic planning Catholic parish renewal Parish data and metrics Stewardship as discipleship Small groups ministry Youth and young adult engagement Financial leadership in parishes Rebuilt coaching

Jan 22, 2026
Jan 22, 2026
54 min
Ron Huntley from Huntley Leadership returns to the Rebuilt Parish podcast to share the heart behind his new book, The Road to Renewal. Ron and Melissa talk about why renewal stories matter right now, why the problems facing the Church are often the same across the world, and what it takes to build leadership teams that actually move a parish forward. You will hear practical frameworks, honest behind the scenes moments, and a clear reminder that renewal is impossible without a real dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways
How this book began as a prompting in prayer while Ron was on vacation, and why he let go of a different book he had planned to write
Why a multi author book helps dismantle the objection: “That works there, but not here”
Why “feeling it” is often the spark that launches renewal, and how Nativity’s story helped set the tone
Why prayer is not a box to check, but a culture of reliance on the Holy Spirit
Ron’s coaching framework for the five phases of missional momentum, including the reality of the “danger zone”
What healthy leadership looks like: honesty, emotional maturity, shared responsibility, and healthy conflict
A behind the scenes leadership meeting story that turned into a surprising witness to visiting priests
Why pastors should not walk the road alone, and what changes when shared leadership becomes real
Why self awareness tools and gift based teams matter for ministry alignment
A frank conversation about diocesan culture and the call to be peacemakers, not critics
Links and Resources
Huntley Leadership: HuntleyLeadership.comÂ
Ron Huntley’s new book, Road to Renewal: https://a.co/d/1yorrO6Â
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Introducing The Road to Renewal
01:00 Why This Book, Why Now
02:20 The Church’s Pioneers and the Power of Shared Stories
04:25 Collaboration Over Competition
06:15 Leadership Is Ownership
07:45 Recognizing Gifts and Divine Providence
09:40 Why the Book Begins With Feeling It
12:00 Repetition, Perspective, and Shared Themes
14:00 The Same Problems Everywhere
15:25 Prayer First and the Work of the Holy Spirit
19:00 Putting the Pen Down
20:30 Discouragement and Holy Expectation
21:00 The Five Phases of Missional Momentum
26:20 Helping Other Parishes After Renewal
29:20 Niceness, Greatness, and Truth
30:35 What Actually Moves the Needle
34:30 The Leadership Meeting That Went Sideways
38:00 Defining Leadership in the Parish
42:30 Why Pastors Should Not Walk Alone
44:35 Building Teams With Different Gifts
50:15 Where to Get the Book
51:30 Closing and Gratitude
Â
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!Â
Â
“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode!Â
https://www.rebuiltparish.com/Â Â Â Â
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparishÂ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/Â
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparishÂ
Â
Parish renewal, Catholic leadership, parish leadership teams, Rebuilt Parish, Ron Huntley, Huntley Leadership, The Road to Renewal, Divine Renovation, Acts XXIX, Father Michael White, Tom Corcoran, leadership development, church coaching, pastoral leadership, diocesan renewal, evangelization, discipleship, Holy Spirit, prayer and discernment, Alpha Catholic, small groups, stewardship, finance council, spiritual gifts, charisms, CliftonStrengths, Working Genius, APES assessment, Alan Hirsch, high performance teams, healthy conflict, team culture, missional momentum, sustainable fruitfulness, intentional generosity, collaboration over competition, discouragement in ministry, vision and ownership

Jan 15, 2026
142| Numbers Matter Because People Count
Jan 15, 2026
Jan 15, 2026
35 min
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Brandon Hollern returns to unpack a topic many parish leaders avoid - but can’t afford to ignore: metrics. Brandon reframes parish numbers not as cold data points, but as indicators of real people, real stories, and real souls.
Drawing from his experience at Church of the Nativity, Brandon explains how tracking attendance, giving, small groups, and serving helps leadership teams shepherd people more intentionally along a discipleship path. The conversation explores how metrics reveal what’s working, where growth is needed, and how parishes can respond with pastoral care rather than fear.
If you’ve ever worried that tracking numbers feels “too business-like,” this episode offers a renewed perspective: numbers matter because people count - and faithful stewardship requires clarity, consistency, and courage.
Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation
Â
Key Takeaways:
Metrics matter because people count. Every number represents a real person with a story, a soul, and a place on the discipleship pathway.
Tracking numbers is an act of pastoral care, not a business practice. Metrics help leaders see who is engaged, who may be drifting, and where care or attention is needed.
You can’t lead what you don’t measure. Attendance, giving, small groups, and serving provide directional clarity about whether your parish is helping people grow.
Downward trends are not failures. They are invitations to respond, adjust, and shepherd more intentionally.
Consistency matters more than sophistication. Start simple, track weekly, and build habits over time rather than waiting for a perfect system.
Small groups and serving fuel discipleship and stewardship. Data consistently shows that engaged parishioners grow spiritually and give more generously.
Volunteer metrics help leaders care for ministers, not just deploy them. Tracking service participation allows parishes to notice burnout, life changes, and moments for encouragement.
Dashboards align the entire staff around the mission. Shared visibility reinforces that making disciples is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of role or title.
Numbers tell stories when paired with context. Weather, seasons, life events, and parish rhythms all matter when interpreting data.
Start where you are and grow from there. Even basic tracking can spark better conversations, clearer priorities, and more faithful leadership over time.
Â
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Why metrics matter because people count
01:09 – When Brandon realized metrics are about shepherding people
02:11 – Using data to inform future parish decisions
03:07 – Overcoming the fear that metrics feel too business-like
04:04 – Using metrics to evaluate what’s working (and celebrate wins)
05:22 – When numbers trend down—and why that’s not a failure
06:24 – How Nativity identified a decline in serving and responded
07:29 – Where parishes should start with tracking metrics
09:00 – How Nativity tracks Mass attendance at scale
10:53 – Accounting for context (snowstorms, livestreams, anomalies)
13:50 – What small-group metrics reveal about discipleship
15:16 – Using data to trigger pastoral care, not just reports
17:16 – Tracking volunteer engagement and caring for ministers
20:03 – Reframing offertory as trust, commitment, and spiritual growth
21:57 – Why groups and serving lead to healthier parish finances
25:12 – Nativity’s weekly rhythm for collecting and reviewing metrics
27:04 – Dashboards as a discipleship alignment tool for staff
28:11 – Practical first steps for parishes just getting started
30:52 – Consistency over time: the long view of parish renewal
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!Â
Â
“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode!Â
Â
https://www.rebuiltparish.com/Â Â Â Â
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparishÂ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/Â
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparishÂ
Parish metrics, church data, Catholic parish leadership, discipleship tracking, church attendance, offertory trends, small groups ministry, volunteer engagement, parish dashboards, church analytics, pastoral care systems, Rebuilt Parish, Church of the Nativity, ministry metrics, parish renewal, making disciples, parish operations, faith and data, church leadership tools

Jan 8, 2026
Jan 8, 2026
33 min
Pastors carry more than most parishioners will ever see—and when they’re supported well, the whole parish gets healthier. In this episode, Melissa sits down with Henry White, Assistant to the Pastor at Church of the Nativity, to hear his faith story (including a very real season of wrestling with belief and the Catholic Church), how God opened an unexpected door into parish ministry, and what it looks like to support Father Michael White day-to-day. Henry shares the unseen pressures pastors carry, why a strong team matters spiritually and practically, and how small groups become real pastoral care in action—especially in a time when loneliness is everywhere.
Looking to strengthen your leadership team? Download our free Leadership Evaluation to gain clarity, align your staff, and take your next faithful step forward.
Chapters
00:00 — Welcome + Meet Henry White 00:47 — Henry’s faith story: conversion, discipleship, and coming back to the Church 04:29 — The “Nativity phone call” that changed everything 06:15 — How working closely with Father Michael has shaped Henry’s faith 08:35 — The unseen pressure pastors carry (and why staff support matters) 11:10 — Why teams + small groups help care for people beyond Sunday 11:36 — The pastor as “rock”: support that frees him to lead prayerfully 14:02 — Gifted teams help pastors focus on what only they can do 15:28 — A day in the life: messages, writing, edits, and rhythms of support 18:22 — A real difference-maker: small groups as pastoral support and belonging 23:25 — Simple ways to build stronger support around your pastor 25:28 — The traits that make someone thrive in a support role: humility + initiative 29:26 — Hope for the Church: conversions, passion, and healthier parish leadership
Key Takeaways
Pastors are one person carrying spiritual, relational, and leadership responsibility for many.
A strong support team helps pastors lead more prayerfully and stay focused on mission.
The best teams operate out of gifts and trust—when someone owns what they’re good at, the pastor’s plate gets lighter.
Small groups provide real pastoral care and belonging, especially when loneliness is widespread.
Support roles require a humble heart and a willingness to go the next step—often quietly, consistently, and faithfully.
If you serve on a parish team—or wish your pastor had more support—share this episode with a staff member, key volunteer, or your pastor’s closest collaborators. The Church doesn’t thrive on leadership alone; it thrives when people serve together.
Â
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!Â
Â
“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode!Â
https://www.rebuiltparish.com/Â Â Â Â
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparishÂ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/Â
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparishÂ
Â
Catholic parish leadership, assistant to the pastor, supporting pastors, parish staff, Church of the Nativity, Father Michael White, Rebuilt Parish Podcast, parish renewal, leadership teams, pastoral support, small groups, discipleship, Catholic conversion, Gen Z Catholicism, parish operations, healthy parish culture
Â

Jan 1, 2026
Jan 1, 2026
51 min
 What if conversations about giving felt less like “asking for money” and more like helping people talk with God about the gifts He’s entrusted to them? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Charlie Hiebler, Director of Stewardship for both Church of the Nativity and Rebuilt, to unpack a deeply relational—and deeply pastoral—approach to stewardship. Charlie shares how gratitude, visibility, and mission clarity can reshape a parish culture over time, why stewardship is really about people (not dollars), and how generosity becomes a real step on the pathway of discipleship.
Looking to strengthen your leadership team? Download our free Leadership Evaluation to gain clarity, align your staff, and take your next faithful step forward.
Chapters
00:01 — Welcome + Meet Charlie Hiebler 00:27 — Charlie’s background: banking, Loyola, and the “magis” 03:24 — Stewardship as prayerful discernment: helping people talk with God 04:29 — “It’s not about money”—it’s ministry, relationships, and mission 06:11 — Why Nativity felt different for Charlie’s family 09:59 — The joy of transformation through giving 10:16 — “Work the weekend”: being visible and meeting people where they are 11:50 — Why the development director shouldn’t be stuck counting money 12:14 — Coffee, lunch, and conversations that get deep fast 15:17 — Connecting people to parish care, small groups, and support 17:36 — Defining stewardship in gospel terms 20:34 — How Nativity shifted culture: STEPS and a focused stewardship weekend 23:50 — Humor + stewardship: the “Dr. Rick” parody and why joy matters 28:16 — Simple ways to start: gratitude, clarity, relationships, and presence 35:18 — Transformation story: an anonymous gift with ripple effects 39:12 — More than cash: a family heirloom offered for the next generation 41:57 — Hope for the Church: generosity evolving, not disappearing 44:29 — “Lead with your heart”: where your treasure is, your heart will be 46:56 — Final encouragement + how to reach Charlie
Key Takeaways
Stewardship is best framed as discipleship and discernment, not fundraising.
Gratitude comes first: thanking people cultivates trust and joy.
The work is deeply relational—when relationships grow, giving often follows naturally.
Healthy parish culture shifts when stewardship is integrated into a clear discipleship pathway (like Nativity’s STEPS).
Humor can disarm fear and help people experience generosity as joyful and faith-filled.
Generosity isn’t only cash—people give through time, talent, and meaningful assets offered with love.
Mentioned in the Episode
Nativity’s STEPS discipleship pathway: Serve, Tithe/Give, Engage (small groups), Practice (prayer & sacraments), Share your faith
Stewardship weekend as a focused annual moment of invitation and gratitude
The power of storytelling and impact-sharing to connect giving to mission
If this conversation sparked ideas for your parish—especially around building a culture of gratitude and generosity—share the episode with a pastor or staff member who carries stewardship in their role.
Want to connect with Charlie? He invites parish leaders to reach out: charlie@rebuiltparish.com.
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!Â
Â
“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode!Â
https://www.rebuiltparish.com/Â Â Â Â
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparishÂ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/Â
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparishÂ
Â
Catholic stewardship, parish giving, tithing, discipleship pathway, church fundraising, development director, parish renewal, generosity, stewardship weekend, donor relationships, parish culture change, gratitude in ministry, time talent treasure, Nativity STEPS, Rebuilt Parish, Catholic leadership, cheerful giver, Matthew where your treasure is, parish development, mission-driven giving

Dec 25, 2025
Dec 25, 2025
52 min
What happens when the interviewer becomes the guest? In this episode, Tom flips the script and sits down with Melissa to hear her story—from a “cradle Catholic” upbringing (and a surprising family connection to parish life), to an eighth-grade encounter with the Holy Spirit, to seasons of doubt, leadership lessons from Target, and the moment God pulled her back into the Church in a deeper way.
Melissa shares the full-circle threads that shaped her vocation: The Purpose Driven Life, Walking with Purpose, discovering Rebuilt, and how a simple “don’t leave your church—change your church” nudge became a turning point. You’ll also hear how COVID-era webinars connected her to Rebuilt more directly, what it was like rebuilding a parish team from the inside, and the discernment that led her from local parish leadership to serving the wider Church through Rebuilt.
Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation
Chapters with Timestamps
00:01 Turning the tables: Tom interviews Melissa
00:06 Cold remedies: bone broth vs. raw garlic (and the “man cold”)
02:20 Behind the curtain: how Melissa usually prepares for interviews
02:46 Why this episode: hearing Melissa’s faith story
03:11 Growing up Catholic + Puerto Rican roots and a parish-planting surprise
04:07 An eighth-grade invitation to an evangelical youth group
05:06 Encountering the Holy Spirit + what felt different than CCD
07:04 “Devastated”: being told she couldn’t go back—and what she learned there
07:50 A stronger Catholic youth group experience in high school
08:16 Penn State years: faith drift, Mass inconsistency, and accessibility challenges
11:27 Doubts in college: The Da Vinci Code + youth minister scandal
12:59 Target leadership: running a $30M store at 25
14:04 Biggest leadership lessons: delegation, layers, accountability, follow-up
16:04 Anxiety, remodel season, and stepping away to start a family
17:49 A leap of faith: money, identity shifts, and learning to rely on God
20:10 Faith reignited: a faith-based company and praise & worship
21:10 2017 turning point: The Purpose Driven Life and “change your church”
22:40 Why she almost left St. Mary’s: welcome, kids ministry, and culture gaps
25:25 A mom’s prayers + The Word Among Us + learning Scripture
27:50 Pastoral Council, website rebuild, and the COVID connection to Rebuilt
29:42 Laying down a personal project: the faith journal “cease and desist” moment
33:49 Going full-time at the parish + NextGen rebuild
34:29 Rebuilding the parish team: culture, structure, and hard decisions
40:12 Lessons learned the hard way (including passwords and online giving!)
41:08 Discernment to join Rebuilt: “global impact” and a Holy Spirit-led opening
45:47 Favorite podcast guests: Rick Warren, Lisa, Jeff Cavins, partner parishes
47:29 Dream guests + Catholic voices she’d love to interview next
49:19 Wrap-up and thanks
Key Takeaways
Faith formation isn’t just information - it’s encounter and community. Melissa’s story highlights how fellowship, real conversation, and prayer can awaken faith in a lasting way.
Leadership skills translate—when they’re rooted in mission. Delegation, clear roles, and accountability matter in parish life, especially when rebuilding culture and team health.
God weaves “full circle” moments over time. Books, studies, and relationships that once shaped Melissa’s faith became part of her vocational path years later.
Renewal often requires courageous change. Sometimes that means restructuring roles, setting standards, and making hard decisions for the health of the mission.
Discernment happens in community. Melissa shares how prayer, pastoral conversations, and timely invitations clarified her next “yes.”
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!Â
Â
“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode!Â
Â
https://www.rebuiltparish.com/Â Â Â Â
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparishÂ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/Â
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparishÂ
Â
Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson, Tom Corcoran, faith story, cradle Catholic, Catholic testimony, Holy Spirit encounter, youth ministry, Penn State Catholic, Our Lady of Victory, The Da Vinci Code faith doubts, delegation, accountability, parish staff leadership, parish renewal, Rebuilt book, Walking with Purpose, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, Jeff Cavins, Catholic discipleship, parish culture, church communications, parish website, COVID church ministry, NextGen ministry, rebuilding parish teams, discernment, vocation, Catholic leadership development, Hallow app, Jonathan Roumie, Craig Groeschel, Carey Nieuwhof

Dec 18, 2025
Dec 18, 2025
58 min
In this episode, Melissa and Tom sit down with Curtis Martin, founder of FOCUS, to explore what it truly takes to form missionary disciples in our time. Curtis shares his own journey back to Christ and back to the Catholic Church, the heartbeat behind FOCUS, and why evangelization begins not with programs but with people rooted in prayer.
He unpacks the simple, relational, and deeply biblical methodology FOCUS missionaries use to make disciples—one that works not only on college campuses but also in parishes. Through powerful stories, practical wisdom, and his signature analogies, Curtis casts a compelling vision for any parish longing to reach the lost and welcome them home.
Whether you're serving on a parish staff, volunteering in ministry, or simply longing for renewal in the Church, this conversation will encourage you to “get on the field” and step boldly into Christ’s mission.
Highlights
Curtis’ prodigal journey back to Christ and the Catholic Church
Why people are “doing worse than we think” and waiting to be rescued
The simple, repeatable evangelization method modeled by Jesus
Why friendship—not force—is the doorway to discipleship
How daily prayer fuels all missionary effectiveness (“hot pot” analogy)
The explosive fruit of FOCUS: vocations, missionary families, and spiritual multiplication
The critical role of parish hospitality and why welcome is evangelization
What parishes can learn from the momentum of FOCUS campuses
How to build a culture where disciples make disciples
Why evangelization is not osmosis—it's intentional, relational, and urgent
Chapters
00:01 — Welcome & Introduction 00:47 — Curtis’ Story & Passion for Evangelization 03:22 — Realizing He Was Lost 08:28 — Patterns in Students Whose Faith Comes Alive 11:35 — The Fruit of 28 Years: Vocations, Families & Mission 15:45 — Surfing the Wave of Renewal 16:44 — Why Catholics Need More Than Osmosis Evangelization 21:46 — The Story of Amy: The Power of Welcome 24:29 — Hospitality as Evangelization 29:19 — Placing Christ at the Center of Each Day 32:24 — How FOCUS Missionaries Evangelize 36:45 — Discipleship That’s Strategic, Systematic & Repeatable 43:25 — Momentum in Parishes & Campuses 45:32 — What Parishes Should Do First 48:26 — Collaboration Across Ministries 49:42 — Plugging Leaders Into Christ 51:34 — Where to Learn More & Closing Thoughts
Resources & Links
FOCUS: https://focus.org
Learn more about SEEK: https://seek.focus.org
Rebuilt Parish: https://rebuiltparish.com
Â
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!Â
Â
“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode!Â
https://www.rebuiltparish.com/Â Â Â Â
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparishÂ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/Â
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparishÂ
Â
Curtis Martin, FOCUS Catholic, FOCUS missionaries, SEEK conference, Catholic evangelization, parish renewal, missionary discipleship, relational evangelization, friendship evangelization, making missionary disciples, Catholic young adult ministry, campus ministry, reaching college students for Christ, Catholic vocations, parish hospitality, welcoming parish culture, parish discipleship pathway, Catholic parish growth, Rebuilt Parish podcast, Church of the Nativity, strategic evangelization, repeatable evangelization model, Catholic leadership, Great Commission Catholic Church, evangelizing the next generation, small groups, Catholic marriage and family renewal.

Dec 11, 2025
Dec 11, 2025
41 min
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa sits down with longtime Church of the Nativity parishioner and volunteer minister, Eva Fiastro, who has been connected to Nativity for over 40 years (and whose husband goes all the way back to the “Mass-in-the-middle-school” days).
Eva shares a vivid before-and-after picture of Christmas Eve at Nativity—from a stressful holy day of obligation with hidden nativity scenes, seat-saving battles, overflow rooms, and parking chaos… to a joyful, outward-facing celebration at the Maryland State Fairgrounds that welcomes thousands and puts newcomers first.
Along the way, she walks through how a deeper embrace of mission, message series, hospitality ministries, layered leadership, and a bold move off-campus transformed one of the biggest days of the year. Eva also offers practical, low-cost ideas any parish can start using right away—from clean bathrooms and warm smiles to parking shuttles and clear preaching that invites people back.
If you’re a pastor or parish leader wondering how to move Christmas Eve from obligation to celebration, Eva’s story will give you both hope and concrete next steps.
Chapters & Timestamps
00:01 – Welcome & Introduction to Eva
00:39 – Eva’s Story: Family, Vocation, and Nativity Roots
02:58 – What Christmas Eve Used to Look and Feel Like
05:11 – Seat-Saving, Parking Lot Stress, and Unwelcoming Culture
07:10 – Hosting on Christmas Eve and Feeling the Frustration
08:58 – How The Purpose Driven Life Sparked Parish-Wide Change
10:53 – Growing a Culture of Service: Greeters, Hosts, and Coffee & Donuts
15:35 – Layers of Leadership and Building Hospitality Teams
19:15 – Overflow Rooms, Big Screens, and a Lack of Community
21:45 – The Bold Idea: Moving Christmas Eve to the Fairgrounds
23:14 – Outgrowing the Exhibition Hall and Moving to the “Cow Palace”
26:20 – Caring for Volunteers: Behind-the-Scenes Hospitality Suite
26:46 – Eva’s “Aha” Moment: The Candlelit Silent Night
29:44 – Christmas as Celebration, Not Obligation
31:02 – Evangelization at the Fairgrounds: Billboards and Invitations
32:00 – From Hidden Crèche to Front-and-Center Nativity
34:12 – Practical Advice for Pastors and Parish Leaders
37:04 – Final Encouragement: From Obligation to Celebration
38:37 – Closing & Christmas Blessing
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!Â
Â
“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode!Â
Â
https://www.rebuiltparish.com/Â Â Â Â
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparishÂ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/Â
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparishÂ
Â
Christmas Eve Mass, Catholic parish Christmas ideas, Church of the Nativity Christmas Eve, Rebuilt Parish podcast, Nativity Maryland State Fairgrounds Mass Cow Palace Christmas Eve liturgy parish hospitality teams ushers greeters and hosts in church Catholic parish renewal Christmas Eve evangelization making Christmas Eve more welcoming from obligation to celebration holy day of obligation Christmas overflow seating for Christmas Mass parking lot ministry for churches volunteer hospitality for Mass Purpose Driven Life in Catholic parish message series for Advent and Christmas candlelight Silent Night tradition transforming parish culture at Christmas
Â


