Inspired by the life and legacy of the Venerable Augustus Tolton, we have identified the following characteristics of thriving congregations that would inspire renewal and transformation in those Catholic parishes with a strong African-American presence. It is these principles we hope to explore with and animate within our local Church through the Thriving Congregations learning community:
 
The average congregant needs to trust in the new understandings of ancient sacred traditions, beliefs, values, and relationships that must be forged in today’s world. God is ever ancient, yet ever new.
 
Tolton’s life is an example of how to live a life of holiness and wholeness despite setbacks, both personal and institutional. Thriving congregations have the ability, through the power of community, to triumph over tragedy, embracing both the joys and sorrows of life in a spirit of suffering service.
 

• Thriving congregations bring others to Christ through strong evangelization efforts. This commitment to community is exhibited by a willingness to collaborate with organizations beyond the parish walls and efforts to put faith in action through the corporal works of mercy and outreach to those on the margins

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• Thriving congregations promote a sense of responsibility and ownership of the parish and community at large, which includes passing on the faith to the next generation. 

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• Thriving congregations engage in courageous conversations. They are willing to take risks to stand for what is right, to speak prophetically, and to call out injustice when it is manifest.

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• Thriving congregations rely on radical hospitality to grow the church. They operate with the philosophy that they may not have much but what they do have, they are going to share.

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• Thriving congregations are mission-driven. They repair broken relationships, renew good relationships so they can be great, and replant regularly to grow new relationships.