Denver Catholic

TRANSFORMING PARISH LEADERSHIP P R I E STLY PAR TN E R S H I P BY MARIE O'NEAL 35 DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 Rallying together to build up the Kingdom I n the ever-evolving landscape of parish ministry during this apostolic age, priests increasingly seek to share the discernment of their mission with dedicated leadership teams. Father Shaun Galvin's journey with the Insti- tute for Apostolic Leadership and the newly estab- lished Ephesians 4 School at Immaculate Concep- tion Parish in Lafayette exemplifies this collabora- tive approach, fostering a vibrant, mission-driven community. The two archdiocesan initiatives aim to rejuvenate parish ministries and equip leaders with a renewed sense of mission and purpose. It all started three years ago when the archdio- cese brought the Acts 29 team to lead the annual priestly convocation. Father John Riccardo and his team, who work to unleash the power of the gospel and equip ordained and lay leaders through Acts 29's initiatives, made a lasting impression on Father Galvin. "I saw something really attractive and really good with the team and Father John," Father Galvin said, reminiscing on that pivotal convo- cation. "There was a holiness and healthiness in them that I wanted to be part of my life and ministry." It was their openness and utter reliance on the Holy Spirit that Father Galvin found particularly impactful. "Part of it was how open they were to let the Holy Spirit lead, partly through their prayer prac- tices and relationship with their team. It was how the Holy Spirit was able to speak through them and give them direction," he shared. "I was a young pastor at the time, and they were showing me a new way to let him lead in a concrete way. I didn't totally understand it, but I wanted to learn about it," Father Galvin continued. ⊲

• Cover