Summer Conference | Leading Together: Co‑Responsibility of Laity and Clergy

Session 1

New Models of Parish Temporal Administration: Giving our priests more time to teach and sanctify

Focus: The evolution of temporal administration for Pastors/Administrators and what challenges they face today and how that impacts their pastoral responsibilities.

Why it Matters: With the exploration and discussion of new models, hope is offered whereby Pastors/Administrators can be more focused on their pastoral responsibilities and with that, the engagement of their lay leadership towards that end.

Kevin Kiley

Currently serving as the Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of the Roman CatholicDiocese of Fall River (Massachusetts), Kevin oversees all Chancery operations and has over 30 years’ worth of experience serving the strategic and operational needs of Catholic (arch)dioceses. Kevin currently serves and has served on numerous boards, including Past President of the Board of Directors of the Diocesan Fiscal Managers Conference. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University, a master’s degree from Villanova University, completed the Nonprofit Business Excellence Program for Catholic Leaders at the University of Notre Dame and is a Certified Diocesan Fiscal Manager.

Session 2

Stewardship & Sustainability

Focus: Integrate finances, volunteer talent, and major gifts to fund the mission transparently.

Jared Cowell joined the Archdiocese of Boston as an Evangelization Consultant in December 2024. A native of Brockton, he experienced a profound encounter with Christ while a student at Boston University thanks to the ministry of the Brotherhood of Hope and the dynamic Catholic community on campus. Jared eventually paused college studies to discern religious life with the Order of Friars Minor. Though ultimately called to family life, Jared considers his time with the friars an indispensable and fruitful step on his discipleship journey.He later met his wife, Emilia and were married at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Roxbury in 2014.The Cowells became heavily involved in parish life at St. Mark Parish, Dorchester, where Jared served on the parish writing team during the Disciples in Mission Pastoral Planning initiative and Emilia started a new high school youth ministry/confirmation program. While living in Dorchester, Cardinal O’Malley appointed Jared to a four-year term on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council where he represented the parishes of the Central Region.Jared has a diverse professional background, including experience in the insurance, musical instrument, and software industries. Prior to joining the Pastoral Center staff, he worked as a Director of Discipleship and Director of Finance & Operations at Ascension Parish in Sudbury/Maynard. He Holds a BS in Organizational Communication, summa cum laude from Northeastern University and is scheduled to graduate from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with an MA in Theology & Christian Ministry in December 2025. He plans to study Canon Law and has a particular interest in exploring the effective administration and stewardship of temporal goods at the service of apostolic mission.

Session 3

Panel Discussion: Shared Mission — Clergy & Lay Leadership in Parish Life

This dynamic panel discussion will explore the lived reality of co-responsibility in parish life—how clergy and lay leaders work together to lead communities of faith with integrity, collaboration, and purpose.

Focusing on themes of evangelization, administration, leadership formation, and sustainability, the panel will draw from real-world parish experiences to highlight both the challenges and opportunities that arise when lay and ordained leaders share in the mission of the Church.

Through thoughtful dialogue and storytelling, panelists will reflect on moments of growth, conflict, and collaboration—offering practical insights on how to build trust, strengthen communication, and foster leadership cultures rooted in mission.

Featured Panelists:

Kevin Kiley - Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Fall River

Jared Cowell - Evangelization Consultant, Archdiocese of Boston

Susan Horne - St. Joseph's Parish, Needham, MA

Susan Abbott - Co-Director, Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage, Boston MA

Kathy Stebbins - Co-Director, Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage, Boston MA