The revival of St. Isidore Parish in Vita, Man., 13 years after it closed in 2011 due to a dwindling congregation, was sparked by curiosity.

Fr. Dominic Barber believes he������Ƶapp found the tool that will take St. Patrick������Ƶapp Parish in Markham, Ont., on the path to a stronger, more engaged parish.

OTTAWA – When it comes to revitalizing Catholic parishes, don’t be afraid to borrow ideas, even from Protestant churches, said an American pastor who tripled his weekend Mass attendance.

HALIFAX – Size doesn’t really matter. That������Ƶapp the hymn book Fr. James Mallon sings from and one of the principles he pushed at a two-day Divine Renovation conference that attracted more than 600 people from 11 countries to his city and his church in mid-June.

“Size is a relative thing, it depends on who you are standing beside,” said the slight, 5-foot-7, 164-pound priestly dynamo.