The Saint Paul Seminary Institute for Ongoing Clergy Formation and Catholic Rural Life are collaborating to offer this one-day workshop for pastors shepherding multiple parishes. Pastors are often overwhelmed and overextended leading multiple parishes, spread apart in both urban and even more so in rural settings. In such circumstances, pastors face unique challenges in leadership and administration.

This virtual, mini workshop will address these unique challenges in leading paid staff and volunteers, administration across parish cultures, building a leadership team, designing a budget and financial plan, pastoral ministry and more. The workshop will provide you with the tools and ongoing support to promote vibrant and thriving parishes. Jim Ennis, Executive Director of Catholic Rural Life, Fr. Greg Mastey of the Diocese of St. Cloud and Michael Laughery from Catholic Finance Corporation will lead the presentations.

About Jim Ennis

Ennis directs Catholic Rural Life, a Catholic non-profit organization serving the rural Church in the United States for over 99 years by developing rural leaders through education, advocacy and outreach programs and working ecumenically on national issues. His expertise focuses on how to develop lay leaders and missionary disciples, through small group models. He also currently serves as the president of the International Catholic Rural Association based in Rome.

Ennis is an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He speaks around the world on issues related to faith, food and the environment. He has worked with Catholic Rural Life for the past 15 years, conducting workshops and conferences with parish priests across the country. A native of California, Ennis is married with five children and now lives in Minnesota.

About Fr. Greg Mastey

Mastey grew up on a diversified livestock farm four miles north of Gilman, Minnesota with his parents and six siblings. In 1991, he graduated from St. Mary’s University and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota with a degree in environmental science and minors in theology and philosophy.  At the same time, he received a degree in taxidermy.

After his ordination in June 1995, he served in many capacities throughout the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota. In 1997,  he served as the Chaplain to the Minnesota State Knights of Columbus. He served as director of vocations for 10 years in the Diocese of St. Cloud. He also served as the Central Minnesota Boy Scout associate chaplain for 20 years. He is currently the pastor of a three-parish cluster.

Mastey has a weekly half-hour morning radio show where he shares about his adventures as a rural pastor.

About Michael Laughery

Mike has served CFC clients since 2012 as a financial consultant, specializing in pastoral planning, church financial management, capital project consulting, and technology utilization. He has worked with parishes extensively in their budget planning, finance strategy and how to make sound data-based decisions. Mike thrives on serving clients and customers as part a cohesive team. Helping pastors achieve their objectives gives him great satisfaction. This aligns very well with his passion for my Catholic Faith.

A graduate of Iowa State University, Mike has over 25 years of financial management, sales, and technology experience. Before his role as the business administrator at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake, Mike spent 20 years starting and growing agricultural and technological organizations. He and his wife, Renee, live in Prior Lake, where they form and serve their five children and the foster children who come through their door.

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