How to Build a Pro-Life Parish: Practical Guidance from Fr. Boquet

Have you ever wished your parish were more intentionally pro-life, but you weren’t sure what steps to take? Or perhaps you’re a priest looking for practical ways to help your parish to truly live out the Culture of Life, and you’re wondering where to begin. 

In this episode, Fr. Shenan Boquet discusses ways to form a truly pro-life parish. Drawing on decades of pastoral experience and his work with parishes around the world, Fr. Boquet shares practical strategies for engaging parishioners, forming small groups, and fostering a Culture of Life rooted in Catholic teaching.

We discuss why small groups are essential for parish renewal, how acts of service—like caring for the sick or bringing meals to families—become entry points for deeper relationships, and how those relationships make it easier to discuss sensitive life and family issues such as abortion, contraception, marriage, and chastity.

Fr. Boquet also addresses common challenges priests and laity face when trying to activate a parish and offers realistic, pastoral solutions that work in real parish life. This conversation is especially relevant for Catholics who are already pro-life and want to help their parish move from conviction to action.

Topics Covered:

• What defines a pro-life parish
• How to build a Culture of Life at the parish level
• Why small faith-based groups are critical for formation
• Practical ideas for parish engagement
• Acts of service as foundations for evangelization
• Overcoming resistance and burnout in parish ministry truth about life, family, and human dignity.

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