Episode 199: Pilgrims of Hope: The Recipe for Lasting Parish Renewal with Julianne Stanz

What if the secret to transforming your parish isn’t doing more—but praying more deeply and trusting God to lead? We’ve seen it happen. The Diocese of Green Bay started small, rooted everything in prayer, and asked the Holy Spirit to guide them. The results were beyond what they imagined: seminarians doubled, schools flourished, and parishes once half-empty now overflow. In this episode, I talk with Julianne Stanz—a nationally recognized leader in evangelization whose own encounter with God set her on this path—about the real ingredients for lasting renewal. Together, we explore how prayer, vision, relationships, and simple, steady steps can turn hope into a movement. It’s not a program; it’s a way of life that lets God bring new life to His Church. [01:04] Meet Julianne Stanz: From Ireland to Wisconsin [06:33] The Power of Pilgrimage [10:51] Hope and Renewal in Ministry [17:49] The Green Bay Transformation Story [26:01] The Role of Prayer in Discipleship [32:46] Reflecting on Parish Identity and Discipleship [39:27] Recognizing and Utilizing Gifts and Charisms [44:58] Inspiring Change and Overcoming Resistance [50:02] Embracing Poverty and Resourcefulness in Parishes [54:18] The Importance of Pastoral Planning [59:02] Witnessing the Church's Global Awakening [01:05:58] Final Thoughts and Blessings Check out Julianne’s website and download her infograph of how to minister through complex change at a parish. For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/. A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)