When Fr. John Stearns became pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation in Kiowa, Colorado, he stepped into a parish that had experienced years of transition. Parishioners continued to gather for Mass, but ministries were limited and parish life beyond Sunday was quiet.
Fr. John brought steady pastoral leadership and consistent presence to the parish. Over time, trust grew, relationships deepened, and ministries began forming again. Fellowship increased, and parishioners responded to new opportunities to engage more fully in the life of the parish.
As participation grew, so did the desire for deeper prayer.
“We have added weekly adoration opportunities after daily Mass,” Fr. John shares. “Attendance at our family nights of adoration has also grown.”
Recognizing the need for clearer communication and a more intentional invitation into stewardship, Fr. John sought a more structured approach to forming the parish in stewardship as a way of life. Together with Catholic Stewardship Consultants, the parish developed a customized annual stewardship plan and implemented a comprehensive stewardship renewal process.
A key part of that effort was a professionally designed parish stewardship newsletter published multiple times throughout the year. Rather than serving as a simple informational piece, the newsletter highlights parishioners, ministries, and concrete examples of stewardship in action — reinforcing the spiritual vision Fr. John is preaching from the pulpit and providing ongoing formation well beyond Sunday Mass.
Through consistent communication and steady pastoral leadership, parishioners were invited to see themselves as active participants in the mission of their parish.
“People love the newsletters,” he says. “I still hear people talking about the stories we feature.”
The response has been encouraging. In 2024, 40 percent of the parish’s 200 registered families made stewardship commitments. In 2025, that number grew to more than 50 percent.
“More people are attending daily Mass, and we are adding additional catechesis classes for our youth,” Fr. John notes. “This spring, we will have the greatest number of kids receiving their First Communion.”
The growth has brought new discernment. The building currently used for worship was originally designed as offices and a meeting hall. As parish life continues to flourish, Fr. John is prayerfully considering what the parish may need in the future to serve a growing and more engaged community.
What Is Possible When Stewardship Shapes Parish Life
Fr. John’s experience at Our Lady of the Visitation reflects what can happen when steady pastoral leadership is supported by clear communication and intentional stewardship formation. Over time, parishioners grow more deeply rooted in prayer, more engaged in parish life, and more invested in the mission entrusted to them.
For pastors and parish leaders discerning similar next steps, Catholic Stewardship Consultants is ready to walk alongside you and share what we have learned from parishes like Our Lady of the Visitation.
REVITALIZE YOUR PARISH:
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE STRATEGY TRAINING SESSION
(15 minutes — free, practical, and immediately applicable)