• Transitions Happening?
    Jun 9 2025

    In this latest addition to The Catholic Leadership Puzzle, Christina speaks about the importance of roles and responsibilities for helping teams function effectively and efficiently, the value of prayer and how to overcome FUD (Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt) in the midst of any transitions that may be happening.

    Watch now to gain some insights into how to negotiate transitions, ensure that each member of your team is being best utilized according to their gifts and talents, and negotiating FUD during times of transition.



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    13 Min.
  • The Leadership Puzzle Ministry Cycle
    Feb 15 2025

    This latest conversation on The Catholic Leadership Puzzle dives into a practical exploration of how you might integrate all the Leadership Puzzle pieces into your ministry annual events and activities cycle.

    Any ministry cycle contains the core components of evangelization, holistic formation, leadership accompaniment, assessment and strategic planning, and are integrated and supported by continuous prayer.

    These core components express themselves in the ministry activities and events throughout the year. Optimally, these ministry activities and events are occuring within the liturgical cycle of the Church so as to enhance the discipleship of both individuals and the Body of Christ as a whole.



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    17 Min.
  • Goal Setting for the New Year
    Jan 18 2025

    In this video, Christina shares the importance of being able to set attainable goals and objectives for a new year, both on a personal level and within our ministries.

    In the video, she shares the “Stop, Start and Continue” process to help you realistically assess your life and/or team and ministry so that you can make this new year your best one yet.

    The Catholic Leadership Puzzle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



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    12 Min.
  • Symbolon: Renewed & Refreshed--1:1 with Taylor Kemp, Augustine Institute, Vice President of Content
    Dec 14 2024

    In this crossover episode from the Say Yes to Holiness podcast, host Christina Semmens interviews Taylor Kemp, Vice President of Content at the Augustine Institute. Taylor shares his journey from a successful soccer career to a profound conversion to the Catholic faith. The conversation delves into the revitalization of the Symbolon series, a program designed to educate and deepen the understanding of the Catholic faith.

    Taylor discusses the importance of storytelling, the integration of prayer, and the goal of inspiring holiness in viewers. The episode concludes with reflections on personal faith, the significance of patience in the spiritual journey, and the call to conversion.

    Takeaways

    * Taylor Camp transitioned from a professional soccer career to theology.

    * Symbolon serves as a vital resource for faith formation.

    * The series emphasizes the call to holiness for all individuals.

    * Revamping Symbolon focuses on American Catholic history and local stories.

    * Each episode integrates salvation history, pilgrimage, theology, and prayer.

    * The goal is to deepen devotion to the Eucharist and the Catholic faith.

    * Patience is essential in the journey of faith and holiness.

    * The series aims to inspire viewers to live out their faith heroically.

    * Personal experiences shape the way faith is taught and shared.

    * The Augustine Institute supports parish leaders in their ministry efforts.

    Sound Bites

    * "I had a pretty radical and powerful conversion."

    * "Symbolon is a beautiful entry point."

    * "Every single one of us is called to sainthood."

    * "I felt so privileged to be a part of it."

    * "Patience is the fundamental virtue for you."

    * "The work of holiness is an act done by God."

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Taylor Camp and His Journey

    05:47 The Symbolon Series: A New Initiative

    12:42 Revamping Symbolon: Focus on American Catholic History

    17:51 Structure of Symbolon: Integrating Faith and Prayer

    22:05 Goals of the Revamped Symbolon Series

    25:24 Personal Reflections on Faith and Holiness

    32:52 Final Thoughts and Encouragement



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    37 Min.
  • Helping Others Live an Integrated Life
    Nov 9 2024

    In this crossover episode of the Say Yes to Holiness podcast, Christina Semmens and Dave Pliskey discuss how one might live an integrated life, and what we can do to help others do the same.

    This conversation is held in the context of discussion about the ongoing impact of a study on intentional discipleship, the importance of spiritual direction, and the launch of the Religion to Reality webinar series.

    Dave and I explore the findings of the study, including the barriers to evangelization and the need for community and ongoing formation. Our conversation highlights the significance of integrating faith into daily life and the generational differences in discipleship, emphasizing the need for in-person community engagement—the foundation of what The Catholic Leadership Puzzle is all about.

    Look forward to hearing your thoughts about this conversation, and how you are looking to apply some of our suggestions within your own work as a ministry leader.



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    49 Min.
  • Being "On Mission" with Tom Carroll
    Oct 19 2024

    This 1:1 conversation with Tom Carroll is a crossover post from a conversation that I had with him for the Say Yes to Holiness podcast, but one that is SPOT ON for our discussions here on The Catholic Leadership Puzzle.

    Thomas W. Carroll is the President and Founder of Catholic Talent Project, and former Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Boston from 2019-2024. and serves as a Consultor to the USCCB Committee on Education.

    The Catholic Talent Project is an initiative to cultivate faithful witnesses serving within Catholic schools across America. The process advocated by the Catholic Talent Project is one that grew out of Tom Carroll’s successful experience as Superintendent to bring about Catholic renewal within the schools throughout the Archdiocese, and he is now on a mission to bring that renewal to others through the country.

    Bottom line, what Tom and I speak about throughout our conversation is the impact leadership can have in the transformation of any culture so the mission of that organization is not only be achieved, but exceeded in ways that might currently be unimaginable.

    I hope you enjoy this conversation, and that it inspires you to continue your efforts to implement the pieces of the Catholic Leadership Puzzle in your sphere of influence.



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    46 Min.
  • Revitalizing Parish Life Through Mentorship
    Oct 5 2024

    In this conversation, Christina Semmens and Angela Sealana discuss the vital role of mentorship within the Catholic community, emphasizing the importance of building authentic relationships and navigating the challenges of communication in a digital age.

    They explore practical steps for effective mentorship, the need for fostering vocations, and the rewards that come from investing in others. The discussion highlights the call to action for individuals to step out of their comfort zones and engage in meaningful connections that enrich both personal and communal faith journeys.

    Takeaways

    * Mentorship is crucial for personal and communal growth.

    * Building relationships is essential in ministry work.

    * New media presents both challenges and opportunities for evangelization.

    * Authentic communication requires more than just sending messages.

    * Parishes can benefit from structured mentorship programs.

    * Mentorship should focus on both skills and personal development.

    * Creating a culture of mentorship can revitalize parish life.

    * Vocations can be fostered through intentional mentorship.

    * Engaging with others can lead to unexpected blessings.

    * Openness and humility are key to effective mentorship.

    Sound Bites

    * "It's all about relationship."

    * "We need to learn how to be human beings again."

    * "Mentorship is the essence of walking with one."

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Background of Angela

    04:01 The Impact of New Media on Evangelization

    06:54 Challenges in Catholic Communication Today

    10:06 The Importance of Relationships in Ministry

    13:03 Mentorship as a Key to Community Growth

    16:10 Practical Mentorship Models in Parishes

    19:02 The Role of Mentorship in Vocational Discernment

    22:06 Creating a Culture of Mentorship

    24:59 The Rewards and Challenges of Mentorship

    28:17 Conclusion and Call to Action

    35:07 New Chapter

    To find out more about Angela and her work, go to: https://inspiredangela.substack.com



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    38 Min.
  • Using Questions To Help Build Better Communities
    Sep 21 2024

    In this crossover episode of the Say Yes to Holiness and The Catholic Leadership Puzzle podcasts, I have a conversation with Hans Platt, founder of Vinea Research, discussing his journey of faith, the importance of accurate data in understanding Catholic beliefs, particularly regarding the Eucharist, and the transformative power of faith in personal and professional life. We explore the challenges and rewards of working within the Catholic community and the significance of language in conveying religious truths.

    Takeaways

    * Hans Plate's journey from lukewarm Catholicism to a passionate faith.

    * The impact of Jeff Cavins' scripture teachings on Hans' faith.

    * Vinea Research aims to provide insights for Catholic organizations.

    * Language used in surveys can significantly affect belief reporting.

    * The recent study showed a higher belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist than previously reported.

    * Accurate data is crucial for understanding and improving faith practices.

    * The importance of personal connections and invitations in faith development.

    * Hans emphasizes the need for Catholic organizations to conduct their own research.

    * The role of spiritual direction in personal growth and faith.

    * God's timing in one's faith journey is always perfect.

    Sound Bites

    "Ignorance of scriptures is ignorance of faith."

    "Language matters to identify truth."

    "I feel like I'm doing work that matters."

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Faith and Research

    05:14 Journey of Faith and Transformation

    10:02 The Role of Vinea Research

    14:56 Understanding Belief in the Eucharist

    19:52 The Importance of Accurate Data

    24:46 Personal Reflections and Challenges

    30:01 Advice to the Younger Self

    34:51 Conclusion and Resources

    For more information about Vinea Research, go to: https://www.vinearesearch.com/



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    45 Min.