Development Directions
ISPD’s team writes a monthly newsletter on advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning in Catholic schools and parishes.
The Cadence of Catholic Elementary School Development/Advancement
In a four-count rhythm, with the tip of the rod at 12 o'clock, and the right-hand wrist doing all of the action, I sat in a chair out in the front yard and learned how to use a fly rod. I was ten years old, and the black inner tube lying out in the grass was my make-believe oak tree that I was trying to lay the fly up against. Both my mother and father were my instructors, and timing, grace, and coordination were the keys to success. I used a fly without a hook attached to the leader which...
Answers for Catholic Schools Running Out of Time
Catholic Parish Development/Stewardship Crisis in 2022: How Many Catholic Parishes Are Simply Running Out of Time? There Are Answers! 2021-22 Sample Headlines “Seattle Archdiocese plan to close churches stirs sadness, anger, and resistance” “In Cincinnati, the number of priests is projected to drop by 20% in five years. Participation in Catholic sacraments was also in decline. There were 23% fewer baptisms, first communions, confirmations and weddings, and the average Sunday Mass was about one-third full.” “More church closings, mergers announced by Archdiocese of Chicago.” “Ohio Dioceses Dealing with Closing Parishes” “117-year-old Polish Roman Catholic Church closing this month in New...
Making a List and Checking It Twice
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Making a List and Checking It Twice” In August 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, ISPD released a newsletter titled, “Can I Check These Ten Boxes as Being Complete or In-Progress?” Many Catholic schools and parishes responded by saying that this list was helpful in assessing where they were after six months of living with COVID-19 (March 2020 – August 2020). Now, in August 2021, we still are living under the cloud of a pandemic with the Delta variant. So, let’s take this time to go back through this list (which has been updated) and see how we are...
The Most Important Things to Do in Your Catholic School and/or Parish in 2021-22
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a young man growing up with a wise father, there were those memorable times where I knew what my dad was telling me could be (especially in later years) classified as meaningful and profound. One of those moments took place right after I graduated from De La Salle High School here in New Orleans. With both of us sitting on the porch outside of the log home where I grew up, amid a discussion about what I should major in as I headed off to college, my dad turned to me and said, “Son, sometimes the most important thing...
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part IV)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part 1 on “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes” was released on March 24, 2021; Part 2 was released the week after Easter; Part 3 was released at the beginning of May 2021, and Part 4 is being released on June 1, 2021. The subject matter of this four-part series of newsletters was presented at ISPD’s Monday, March 8, 2021, Cohort Session in which over 400 Catholic leaders from across the country attended. This “white paper” by ISPD has three major components. Rationale for This Position Part 1 Premises/Basic Truths: What Experience and Data Tells Us Part 1 and...
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part III)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part 1 on “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes” was released on March 24, 2021; Part 2 was released the week after Easter, and Part 3 is being released at the beginning of May 2021. The subject matter of this four-part series of newsletters was presented at ISPD’s Monday, March 8, 2021, Cohort Session in which over 400 Catholic leaders from across the country attended. This “white paper” by ISPD has three major components. Rationale for This Position Part 1 Premises/Basic Truths: What Experience and Data Tells Us Part 1 and Part 2 The Future of Catholic Schools and...
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part II)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part 1 on “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes” was released on March 24, 2021; Part 2 is being released this week, which is also the week when the NCEA virtual convention is being held. The subject matter of this four-part series of newsletters was presented at ISPD’s Monday, March 8th Cohort Session in which over 400 Catholic leaders from across the country attended. The responses to the 45-minute presentation about the future of Catholic schools and parishes were interesting: “Quite revealing!” “Thank you for access to this eye-opening information.” “Today's presentation was truly a 'lift the slate' presentation....
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part I)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Monday, March 8, 2021, ISPD presented our 29th Monday Cohort Session titled “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes.” Over 400 Catholic leaders (superintendents, pastors, president, principals, development/advancement officers, board/council members, etc.) from across the country attended this presentation, and the response we received has been overwhelming. Listed below are some of the comments from the post-webinar survey. “Quite revealing!” “Thank you for access to this eye-opening information.” “Today's presentation was truly a 'lift the slate' presentation. It smacked me in the back of the head with the belief that NOW is the real time to prepare for the...
Holding Steady: Faith, Leadership, and Forward Momentum in Uncertain Times
April 7, 2025
4 min
Over the past week, we have witnessed a sharp and sudden drop in the Dow Industrials, triggered...
The Interconnected Role of the Catholic Parish, Church, and School
March 31, 2025
4 min
March 2025 Newsletter The Interconnected Role of the Catholic Parish, Church, and School: Understanding the Unity of...
ISPD Expands with New Regional Offices, Welcomes Two Associates
March 13, 2025
3 min
The Institute for School and Parish Development (ISPD), a national Catholic development, consulting, coaching, and educational firm headquartered in the Greater New Orleans area, is pleased to announce the opening of two new regional offices in Ohio and North Carolina, further expanding its national reach.
A Pause for Prayer, A Cause for Mourning
January 3, 2025
10 min
Here in the Greater New Orleans Area, where our company is located, all of us at ISPD extend our sympathies and condolences to those who were killed and/or injured in the early New Year’s Day tragedy on Bourbon Street. We are heartbroken and grieve for those families having to endure the reality of this senseless act. New Orleans is a city built on resilience. Through the years, we have faced adversity and risen stronger. As a friend of mine said this morning, “We stand together, not just in mourning, but in our resolve to heal and grow from adversity.” Mardi Gras will go on; the Super Bowl will be held, the spring festivals will take place, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be staged; and our company’s annual three-day conference (ISPD Summer 2025 Development School) in June will welcome Catholic leaders from throughout the country. We will rise and come back better than ever. As we said in our December Christmas story: “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Candles of remembrance, respect, reverence, and hope are lit in the City of New Orleans.
Case Study: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Enrollment Management Plan (Part II)
December 13, 2024
6 min
Optimize your school's enrollment with strategic management. Learn how to attract, enroll, and retain students while meeting budget goals.
Case Study: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Enrollment Management Plan (Part I)
November 23, 2024
4 min
Enrollment management is an intentional, strategic process employed by schools that focuses on attracting, admitting, enrolling, retaining, and supporting families from admittance through graduation. Enrollment management historically began in higher education and has expanded into primary and secondary education.
