By Adam Saltmarsh
One of the most powerful lessons we’ve learned in parish ministry is that no one is meant to carry the mission alone. Whether we serve as pastors, business administrators, pastoral associates or communications coordinators, each of us plays a unique and essential role in building up the Church. And yet, as the landscape of pastoral life continues to evolve, many of us have felt the weight of isolation. The work can be demanding, complex and, at times, overwhelming. That’s why the emergence of peer support networks in our diocese has not only been helpful, it has been vital.
A few years ago, several of us serving as business administrators in parishes and Area Catholic Communities began connecting informally. A quick email or phone call would turn into an opportunity to share advice or compare notes on a new diocesan policy. What started as a scattered exchange of support quickly grew into a regular, intentional network — a grassroots community of parish professionals united by shared responsibility and a desire to help one another.
What’s become clear over time is that these conversations aren’t just about solving problems. They are also about navigating change, especially the kind of change that comes through intentional planning. In recent years, our diocese has undertaken a comprehensive process to reshape how we serve our communities, focusing on sustainability, accessibility and effective ministry. That process has challenged us to rethink how we structure our parishes, staff our ministries, manage our resources and use our buildings.
For business administrators, this planning process touches nearly every aspect of our work. We’ve had to help implement new budgeting frameworks, consolidate administrative functions and rethink long-standing practices with fresh eyes. These aren’t small adjustments; they require collaboration, creativity and often, courage. That’s where peer support becomes more than helpful; it becomes a lifeline.
Through regular meetings, whether in person or online, we share tools, compare timelines and brainstorm ways to adapt and respond to the planning needs in our local contexts. We don’t just talk about spreadsheets and HR policies (though those matter, too); we talk about how to lead through uncertainty, how to support our pastors and staff, and how to stay rooted in the mission when the work gets hard. These conversations remind us that behind every strategic plan is a network of real people working hard to bring it to life.
What makes this peer group effective is that it’s driven by the people doing the work. It didn’t begin as an initiative from above; it grew from the ground up, shaped by lived experience. And yet, it has also been strengthened by the support of diocesan leadership, who have recognized the value of these connections and offered encouragement, resources and technical support, without taking away the group’s organic nature. That balance of grassroots energy and diocesan partnership has created something truly life-giving.
This model is now expanding. A peer group for parish communications professionals is forming, with others likely to follow. Each one grows from the same seed: a recognition that we are better together. When we take time to listen, to share and to collaborate, we all grow stronger— not just as professionals, but as a Church.
The work of building a more sustainable, vibrant future for our parishes isn’t easy. It requires hard decisions, bold planning and faithful leadership at every level. But when we do that work together — strategically and relationally — we are not just managing change. We are walking together in mission, guided by the Spirit and sustained by each other.
If you’re serving in a role that feels overwhelming or isolating, reach out. Start a conversation. Join a peer group or create one. A small exchange of support could grow into a source of wisdom, courage, and lasting friendship. Because in the end, we’re not just implementing plans, we’re building the future of our Church, one relationship at a time.