What if one of the most important ways to overcome loneliness is to discover how God wants you to have a connected life?
In this episode of the Footsteps to Heaven podcast, Terry Modica talks with Terry Poplava, General Manager of ACST Catholic, about three keys to a connected life: the importance of active participation in parish life, recognizing our God-given gifts, and building the kind of Christian community where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and connected.
Terry Poplava shares insights from his extensive experience helping Catholic parishes and dioceses strengthen their ministries. Listen in to explore why simply attending Mass isn’t enough to build a thriving parish community, how recognizing and using our individual strengths can help us find our place in the Church, and why reaching out to others can make such a difference in combating loneliness and isolation.
You’ll discover practical ways to become more involved in your parish, even if you’re shy, grieving, or unsure what you have to offer. You’ll also learn why a simple hello, an invitation, or an offer to pray for someone can become the beginning of freedom from loneliness.
Terry Poplava serves as General Manager of ACST Catholic, an organization that provides technology and services to help Catholic dioceses and parishes better shepherd their communities.
With a background in executive leadership roles at Our Sunday Visitor and Catholic Leadership Institute, Terry has worked with churches across the United States on planning, stewardship, and engagement initiatives.
Terry is particularly passionate about equipping Catholic ministries to thrive. His areas of interest include the epidemic of loneliness, the importance of stewardship in the Church, and how parishes can use technology to foster meaningful relationships and greater participation in parish life.
Are you wondering?
- How do I know what God is calling me to do at this stage of my life?
- What can I do when I feel lonely or disconnected from my church community?
- What would it be like if my parish were more welcoming and friendly?
- Can I help others in my parish feel less isolated and more connected?
- How can my personal strengths and talents make a difference?
- What can I do to build meaningful relationships with other Catholics?
- I’m already involved in my parish; how my parish use technology to strengthen community and engagement?
Next Step:
Take one step toward building community this week. Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to show you how God wants you to use your gifts and talents. (Terry Modica’s book Knowing God’s Will and Doing It Well can help.) Then reach out to someone at your parish. Say hello to the person sitting near you at Mass, invite someone to join you for coffee after Mass, or ask, “Is there anything I can pray for you about this week?” Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move. You can be the person who helps someone feel welcomed, loved, and connected.
Chapters:
00:00 – Discovering God’s Will in Parish Life
02:30 – Meet Terry Poplava: Serving Catholic Parishes
02:40 – How Church Technology Supports Parish Ministry
06:19 – Why Christian Community Is the Answer to Loneliness
13:44 – How to Identify Your Strengths and Find Your Role
16:21 – Why Everyone Has a Place in Parish Community
17:30 – The Loneliness Epidemic and the Role of the Church
18:56 – Using Technology to Strengthen Parish Engagement
20:05 – Simple Ways to Reach Out to People at Mass
21:24 – Creating a Welcoming and Friendly Parish
24:50 – Discerning What God Is Asking of You Right Now
27:10 – Take the First Step to Overcome Loneliness
KEY TAKEAWAY: God has given each of us unique gifts and talents to build His kingdom, and when we step beyond simply attending Mass to actively reach out, serve, and connect with others, we help create the Christian community we were made for.
📚 Visit ACST Catholic: acstechnologies.com/acst-catholic/
Connect with Jeff Cassman on LinkedIn @ linkedin.com/in/terrypoplava/
Excerpt:
Terry Poplava: I think this issue of loneliness that is so pervasive to us, it is very, very important for us to recognize that we are made for community, that the Catechism teaches it, the Church instructs us that this is what we are made for, for society, for community, for relationship. So the parish becomes very important in this, and the community of the parish becomes very important.
This episode is a companion to Terry Modica’s workbook “Knowing God’s Will and Doing It Well“.
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