Join us for
RENEWAL WORKSHOPS
“One of the great challenges facing the Church in this generation is to foster in the faithful a sense of personal responsibility for the Church’s mission, and to enable them to fulfill that responsibility as missionary disciples, as a leaven of the Gospel in our world.”
-Pope Francis
Parish Spiritual Renewal Programs
Renewal Workshops, launched by the Archdiocese of Chicago, supports parishes and spiritual seekers through three key efforts:
- on-the-ground parish support via co-implementation and vicariate renewal support
- Renewal Workshops and events managed by the University of Saint Mary of the Lake’s School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization
- ongoing faith research
The workshops offer interactive, hands-on programs to help pastors, staff, and lay leaders transform parishes from maintenance-focused to mission-driven. This initiative emphasizes spiritual renewal, a cornerstone of the “Renew My Church” pastoral plan, which originally tackled structural and missional change simultaneously. After completing structural changes in 2023, the focus shifted fully to spiritual renewal.
The effort draws inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi and his call to “rebuild my church,” symbolized by the San Damiano cross. Just as St. Francis embraced spiritual renewal alongside structural restoration, the Renewal Center aims to lead a revitalized Church mission rooted in simplicity and Gospel-driven reform.
Why Attend a Renewal Workshop?
Our Renewal Workshops are aimed at both individual Catholics and parish communities to help inspire “rank and file” Catholics to effectively share their faith with their family, friends, and coworkers in ways that are welcoming, open and non-judgemental.
These workshops help individuals explore their faith, engage with the Gospel, and share it meaningfully. Parish leaders will also find them valuable for equipping volunteers and fostering vibrant parish involvement. Our Renewal Workshops are designed to be a resource for parishes and everyday Catholics engaging in missionary discipleship.
Each parish has its own unique path and uses its strengths and gifts to create a culture of evangelization. The culture of a parish is what is nurtured, what grows and has life. It isn’t your mission or vision statement; it is how you live out life in the community and what is given value. It is what drives all aspects of parish life. Our ‘common language’, which refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices within the parish, provides a view of what a renewed parish can be.
Explore Our Renewal Workshops Delivered in English and Spanish
Renewal Workshops
- To register, click here.
- Click on the workshop you want, then “Buy Now,” then “Register” (to create an account), or “Sign In” (if you already have an account), click “Buy Now” again, follow the instructions, and enter the code provided by the Archdiocese of Chicago to register for free.
- To return to your workshop (after registering and paying), log in to usml.edu/rbtlogin.
- Click on “Dashboard” on the left, then “Active” or “Upcoming” on the page, and then on your workshop.
- Please Note: If you do not see your workshop, please make sure to purchase the workshop after signing in. Thank you.
- Click here for more information. Please email courses@usml.edu for questions.
Faith Trends
Virtual Interactive Workshops
March 17 from 10:00am-11:30am CDT – Learn More and Register
April 28 from 1:00pm-2:30pm CDT – Learn More and Register
The goal is to shift the mindset of lay Catholics in Chicago from a Christendom approach to an Apostolic approach, fostering a sense of urgency and hope about today’s missionary moment. It aims to encourage lay Catholics to take responsibility for evangelization and inform them about current faith trends so they can effectively engage with their communities. In this workshop, we will share data that describes the shift that has occurred and new signs of hope that are present in our midst.
Introduction to Spiritual Renewal
Virtual Interactive Workshops
March 25 and April 1 from 3:00pm-4:30pm CDT – Learn More and Register
May 5 and 12 from 1:00pm-2:30pm CDT – Learn More and Register
The Church must constantly rededicate herself to her mission” (Benedict XVI). In every age, the people of God must find ways to preach the gospel anew and to help others connect with the good news of Jesus. This two-session workshop explains what renewal is, why it is necessary, and is designed to help both parishes and individuals to take the next steps in renewal.
Hospitality Training
Virtual Interactive Workshops
March 24, 31, and April 7 from 7:30pm-9:00pm CDT – Learn More and Register
The local Church seeks to create an environment in which all people, families, and individuals feel seen, heard, known, and not judged. The community welcomes and creates a sense of belonging and an inclusiveness for parishioners, guests, and seekers.
Go Forth: Foundations
Virtual Interactive Workshops
May 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 6:30pm-8:30pm CDT – Learn More and Register
An interactive series designed to help those ready for missionary discipleship but unsure how to get started. Topics include recognizing your call, understanding and sharing your story and developing skills for accompaniment.
Encounter Team Training
With Sean O’Dea
This workshop is to help get your Alpha, Sycamore, or other Kerygmatic Soft Entry Point (KSEP) team ready to facilitate an encounter centric experience and kick off a new season for your evangelization ministry.
Go Forth: Equipped for the Journey
With Rick Landry
This workshop is to help those who are ready for missionary discipleship but aren’t certain how to get started. The interactive workshop will cover topics such as praying with others, small group facilitation, and engaging with people with different points of view.
Go Forth: Capstone
This is the capstone to the Go Forth series of workshops. It is designed to help you discern the presence of charisms in your life as a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ. Join us for an experience of prayer, education, reflection, and discernment, the effects of which will be felt in your ministry to the people of God.
Go Forth: Gifted for the Mission
Virtual Interactive Workshops
April 14, 21, 28, and May 5 from 6:30pm-8:30pm
This is the capstone to the Go Forth series of workshops. It is designed to help you discern the presence of charisms in your life as a missionary disciple of Jesus Christ. Join us for an experience of prayer, education, reflection, and discernment
Introduction to Spiritual Renewal
Virtual Interactive Workshops
March 25 and April 1 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
May 5 and 12 from 1:00pm-2:30pm
The Church must constantly rededicate herself to her mission” (Benedict XVI). In every age, the people of God must find ways to preach the gospel anew and to help others connect with the good news of Jesus. This two-session workshop explains what renewal is, why it is necessary, and is designed to help both parishes and individuals to take the next steps in renewal.
Talleres de Renovación
- Para registrarse, haga clic aquí.
- Haga clic en el taller que desee, luego en “Comprar ahora”, luego en “Registrarse” (para crear una cuenta) o en “Iniciar sesión” (si ya tiene una cuenta), Vuelva a hacer clic en “Comprar ahora”, siga las instrucciones e ingrese el código proporcionado por la Arquidiócesis de Chicago para registrarse gratuitamente.
- Para regresar a su taller (después de registrarse y pagar), inicie sesión en usml.edu/rbtlogin.
- Haga clic en “Panel de control” a la izquierda, luego en “Activo” o “Próximos” en la página y luego en su taller.
- Nota: Si no ve su taller, asegúrese de comprarlo después de iniciar sesión. Gracias.
- Haga clic aquí para obtener más información. Si tiene alguna pregunta, escriba a courses@usml.edu.
Prácticas de Fe Pasadas y Futuras
14 de junio | Parroquia Most Blessed Trinity, Waukegan, IL
El taller comienza a las 9 a.m. después de una misa (opcional) a las 8 a.m.
Obtenga más información y regístrese
Una mirada cercana a los datos que describen el cambio en las actitudes de las personas hacia la religión durante los últimos 50 años, las señales de esperanza en medio de nosotros y cómo la renovación espiritual responde a estas tendencias.
La Arquidiócesis de Chicago y la Escuela de Liderazgo Parroquial y Evangelización en USML se están asociando para ofrecer talleres en español para apoyar la renovación espiritual dentro de nuestras parroquias. Los talleres se ofrecerán en persona en los lugares descritos a continuación y también serán transmitidos en vivo para que pueda unirse virtualmente.
Introducción a la Renovación Espiritual
28 de junio | Our Lady of Czestochowa, Cicero, IL
El taller comienza a las 9:30 a.m. después de una misa (opcional) a las 8:30 a.m. Para la transmisión en vivo recibirás el enlace un día antes del taller.
Obtenga más información y regístrese
La Arquidiócesis de Chicago y la Escuela de Liderazgo Parroquial y Evangelización en USML se están asociando para ofrecer talleres en español para apoyar la renovación espiritual dentro de nuestras parroquias. Los talleres se ofrecerán en persona en los lugares descritos a continuación y también serán transmitidos en vivo para que pueda unirse virtualmente.
Hospitality Training
The local Church seeks to create an environment in which all people, families, and individuals feel seen, heard, known, and not judged. The community welcomes and creates a sense of belonging and an inclusiveness for parishioners, guests, and seekers.
Listening
Parishioners, staff, and leadership humbly hear where Jesus is active in one another’s stories as well as in the lives of all those whom they encounter. They listen to the needs of the Church and surrounding community and find ways to respond to those needs.
Inviting
Parishioners are invested in the life of the Church community and are empowered to intentionally and personally invite others into a relationship with Jesus and his Church and in so doing, let those they invite know that they belong.
Relationships
It is a community dedicated to getting involved in the lives of one another. A compassionate and caring community of communities where people are “walked with” and are patiently and joyfully accompanied as they grow in relationship with Jesus.
Engagement
Parishioners take ownership for their community and see their role as disciples to build the Kingdom of God. The Church community helps one another recognize their gifts and talents and finds ways for people to grow and develop.
Prayer
The Church community reflects a closeness to the Father and the Son as modeled by and in communion with Mary and the Saints. Fed by Sacred Scripture, the Sacraments, and the liturgy, parishioners, staff, and leadership pray with and for one another.
Witness
The Church community is committed to intentionally making disciples and forming missionary disciples who are witnesses to Jesus’s transforming love. As modern-day witnesses to the Gospel, they reflect God’s joy, hope, and mercy in the world.
Mission
The Church community knows and is known by its neighbors. Missionary disciples are sent from our worship to introduce others to Jesus, giving each person an opportunity to encounter him for themselves through our words and actions.