This past weekend, I was at the Empowering Next Gen event hosted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and one of the speakers said something that’s still echoing in my mind: parishes need to find a rhythm of sending.
The focus of this event was the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ document Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and with Young Adults, which provides guidance for the Church in accompanying and evangelizing young people. One of the document’s core invitations is to send—to equip young people to go out into the world and live their faith.
It’s a message we hear at every Mass: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. Yet, it’s an opportunity we often miss. If we truly want young people to go out and share the faith, we have to do more than invite them to focus on the Eucharist—we must also give them the skills, habits, and confidence to live as missionary disciples in daily life.
If we’re serious about creating a rhythm of sending, we need to rethink how we do formation and community life in four key ways:
STOP TREATING THE SACRAMENTS LIKE AN ENDPOINT
You’ve heard me say before that we need to stop treating Confirmation like another graduation. We know it’s more than that—yet in many parishes, catechesis and formation seem to end once the sacrament is celebrated.
Yes, there are youth ministries that follow Confirmation, but too often they’re treated as optional or secondary. And it’s not just Confirmation—Baptism prep rarely extends beyond a few classes. We talk a lot about getting people to Mass but not about what happens when they leave Mass.
If we want a rhythm of sending, our formation needs to point beyond the sacrament itself. The sacraments are not the end of the story; they’re the beginning of mission. Each one strengthens us for a purpose—to bring Christ into our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. When we see sacraments as launching points rather than finish lines, our ministries become bridges between liturgy and life.
DEVELOP A CULTURE OF PERSONAL WITNESS
Our faith is personal, but it’s not meant to be private. While not everyone will share their story on a stage, every Catholic should know how to talk about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Parishes can nurture this culture by showcasing authentic witness—on websites, in bulletins, on social media, and during programs or events. These stories remind us that the Gospel changes lives.
Of course, people need help learning how to articulate their faith. Youth ministry, sacramental prep, small groups, and retreats are great places to practice this. Even brief reflection prompts like, “Where have you seen God this week?” can help people find their voice. Over time, the better people get at sharing their story, the easier it becomes to live it daily.
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE PRESENT IN THE MISSION FIELD
When we talk about “sending,” it’s easy to think it means starting a new outreach program. But sending doesn’t always require doing more—it means seeing what we already do through a missional lens.
It’s not easy for a teen to pray openly at school or for an adult to share faith at work. That’s why sending begins with being present. Teach people to listen first—to notice where God is already moving in others’ lives.
Encourage service in schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces. Help faith-sharing groups meet not only on parish property but in homes, parks, or coffee shops. And as a parish staff, show up at community events—school plays, games, and festivals.
When the parish consistently shows up in the community, it makes sending easier. People see they’re not alone in living out their faith.
KEEP CASTING VISION AND MISSION
Creating a rhythm of sending starts and ends with remembering the why. Every ministry meeting, event, or retreat should revisit the parish mission and vision. Don’t just print it on the wall—speak it, pray it, and celebrate it.
Remind your team and parishioners that everything you do—from faith formation to service projects—is meant to equip them to live and share the Gospel. The more you keep the mission front and center, the more it becomes a lived reality.
And that mission flows directly from the Eucharist. At every Mass, we are gathered, nourished, and sent. The final words of the liturgy—“Go forth”—aren’t a dismissal; they’re a commissioning. The rhythm of parish life should mirror that same pattern of gathering and sending, worship and witness.
There are many ways to help the faith come alive in our communities, but it can’t depend on a few people doing all the work. Sending must be woven into the culture of parish life.
When we commission the faithful to go and live out their faith, it must be rooted in the Eucharist and celebrated in daily life. That’s what it looks like to find a true rhythm of sending.