Parish Ministries Audit

A structured worksheet for making the parish’s whole communications ecosystem visible in one view. Used by the priest or PPC chair, usually alone or with the parish secretary, in a dedicated sitting of ninety minutes to two hours.

The audit is not a strategic planning exercise. It is an act of noticing. Most parishes already have more potential Communications Champions than anyone has named. This worksheet helps the priest see what is already true.

THE WORKSHEET

[To be rendered as a five-page PDF, A4, designed to be printed and filled in by hand. DOCX version supports digital completion. Clear typography, plenty of space to write. Parish name placeholder at top of each page.]

PAGE 1: INTRODUCTION AND METHOD

Parish Ministries Audit

Parish of [parish name]

Conducted by: _______________________________________

Date(s) of audit: _______________________________________

What this audit is

This audit is a structured way of noticing the communications life of your parish as it already exists. It is not a planning exercise. It is not an evaluation. It is an act of attention.

Most parishes already have, distributed across their ministries and groups, all the people they need to communicate well. What they usually lack is not people. What they lack is a clear picture of who is already doing what, and a named structure that supports them.

This worksheet helps you build that picture.

What this audit is not

It is not a performance review of anyone. The people you will name on these pages are not being evaluated. You are simply noticing what they are already carrying, so that the parish can support it more deliberately.

It is not a recruitment list. Naming someone as an originator for a ministry does not commit her to anything. The conversation about commissioning comes later, and only after she has said yes.

It is not a confidential diocesan document. This worksheet is yours to use, share with your parish secretary, discuss with your PPC, or keep private. There is no required use.

How to use this worksheet

Find a quiet afternoon. Ninety minutes to two hours. Not between other appointments. A cup of tea. A pen.

Work through Pages 2 and 3 slowly. These are the ministry grids. Take your time. If you are unsure about a particular ministry, leave it blank and come back later.

Be honest. If a ministry has no obvious originator, name that. If a ministry’s leader is clearly burnt out, name that. Honest gaps on this page help you address them later.

Use Page 4 for parish-specific ministries. Every parish has some. Do not try to force them into the generic grid.

Complete the reflection on Page 5 last. The reflection matters. It is where the patterns you have noticed become clear.

Before you begin

Take a minute, before starting, to bring to mind the parish as you know it. The people. The ministries. The rhythms. Say a short prayer for the people you are about to name, if you are inclined to. They have been carrying this work, often without recognition, and the audit is in part an act of thanks.

Then begin with Page 2.

PAGE 2: THE MINISTRIES GRID (COMMON PARISH MINISTRIES)

For each ministry listed below, fill in what you know. If a ministry does not exist in your parish, strike through the row or leave blank. If you are unsure, leave the field blank and come back.

Liturgical ministries

Music ministry (organist, cantors, choir) – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Altar servers – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Readers / lectors – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Welcomers / stewards / ushers – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Sacristans – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Catechetical ministries

First Holy Communion preparation – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Confirmation preparation – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Children’s liturgy – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

RCIA / OCIA – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Youth ministry – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

PAGE 3: THE MINISTRIES GRID (CONTINUED)

Pastoral ministries

Bereavement and funeral support – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Pastoral visiting (sick, housebound, care homes) – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Baptism preparation – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Marriage preparation – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Outreach and charity ministries

SVP (Saint Vincent de Paul) or equivalent charity outreach – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Foodbank or local charity coordination – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

CAFOD / Trócaire / international charity engagement – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Ecumenical links / Churches Together – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Prayer and devotional groups

Rosary group / Marian devotion – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Adoration / Eucharistic devotion – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Prayer groups (charismatic, contemplative, other) – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Governance and administration

Parish Pastoral Council (chair) – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Finance Committee (chair) – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Safeguarding officer – Name: _______________________________ – Communications interface pattern (how often they will flag matters for publication): __________________________________ – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Hall bookings / maintenance / grounds – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Social and community ministries

Social committee – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Parish trips and pilgrimages – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Men’s group / women’s group – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

Mother and baby / toddler groups – Lead or contact person: _______________________________ – Communications confidence (1-5): ________ – Would likely submit 2-4 times/year: [ ] Yes [ ] Maybe [ ] No [ ] Unsure – Pastoral notes: __________________________________

PAGE 4: PARISH-SPECIFIC MINISTRIES AND GROUPS

Every parish has ministries, initiatives, and groups that do not fit the generic grid. Add them below. Include anything that involves more than one or two people and that produces news, events, or updates the parish community would want to hear about.

Ministry / group name: _______________________________________

Lead or contact person: _______________________________

Communications confidence (1-5): ________