In this video, Christina discusses the story behind the Solving the Parish Puzzle book, and the resources available to help unpack and implement the principles within your ministry and community.

During the video, she speaks of the SPP Inventory and also the SPP Vision Board Exercise, both free resources available on The Catholic Leadership Puzzle website.

She also announced the upcoming Zoom Q&A session happening on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7pm CST. The session will be focused upon answering any questions that YOU want answered from your reading the book, so you are invited to send any questions to christinasemmens@gmail.com

As a thank you for anyone who submits a question, they will be sent a copy of the SPP Book discussion questions, which currently are available only for Catholic Leadership Puzzle paying subscribers.

Overnight, Solving the Parish Puzzle went to #1 in Amazon New Releases! You can see that reality in the screenshot taken last night at 8:57pm.

The difference was each of YOU and your support throughout the day, and I am both grateful and humbled by your outpouring of help to get word about the book out far and wide.

I also wanted to mention that if you did buy the book, then send me an email (christinasemmens@gmail.com) telling me you bought the book, and I will add you to the list for the upcoming Zoom Q&A session that will be happening in a couple of weeks.

Finally, let’s remember the REAL hero in all of this—Saint Anselm of Canterbury! He showed up in a BIG way, so let’s keep entrusting this book and its message to him.

Saint Anselm, pray for us!

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YOUR support during the first hour WILL make a difference, so please go grab a copy here

After you buy your copy, make sure to send me an email (christinasemmens@gmail.com) saying you bought one so I can add your name to the upcoming Q&A session where you can ask me anything about the book!

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

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Day 9 — “God of peace, grant me rest in trusting You.”

Historical note: Saint Anselm’s prayers often conclude in quiet confidence, trusting the Lord to respond.

Reflection :

The novena ends in trustful repose. Saint Anselm teaches that faith ultimately leads to peace. We are not meant to strain endlessly but to rest in God’s truth. After seeking, desiring, and loving, we are invited to trust. God completes the work He begins.

Prayer/Resolution:
God of peace, grant me rest in trusting You. Amen.

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O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

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Day 8 — “Jesus, renew and refashion my wounded heart.”

Historical note: Saint Anselm frequently described the soul as an image in need of restoration.

Reflection :

Saint Anselm acknowledges that the image of God within us is worn by sin. This prayer entrusts renewal wholly to Christ. For those discour­aged by slow change, Saint Anselm offers hope: God patiently reshapes what has been damaged. Sanctification unfolds gradually.

Prayer/Resolution:
Jesus, renew and refashion my wounded heart. Amen.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

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Day 7 — “Strengthen my faith, Lord, and deepen my understanding in time.”

Historical note: Saint Anselm famously wrote: “I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand.”

Reflection :

This classic insight by Saint Anselm appears explicitly in the closing prayers. Faith comes first; understanding follows. In a world that demands proof before belief, Saint Anselm invites trust first. For lay Christians, this means remaining faithful even when clarity is delayed. Understanding ripens over time through fidelity.

Prayer/Resolution:
Strengthen my faith, Lord, and deepen my understanding in time. Amen.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

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Day 6 — “Lord, may love lead me ever closer to You.”

Historical note: Saint Anselm believed love purified the intellect and illuminated truth.

Reflection :

Saint Anselm reverses expectations: knowledge flows from love, not the other way around. We do not first understand God fully and then love Him; love itself becomes the path to encounter. This vision encourages believers to prioritize charity, prayer, and faithfulness even when theology feels distant. Love opens the eyes of the soul.

Prayer/Resolution:
Lord, may love lead me ever closer to You. Amen.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

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Day 5 — “Receive my longing, O God, and draw me closer to You.”

Historical note: Desire plays a central role in Saint Anselm’s spiritual theology.

Reflection :

Saint Anselm recognizes that desire itself can be prayer. When words fail or time is short, longing speaks. God sees the orientation of the heart even when action is limited. This line assures believers that holy desire pleases God. Saint Anselm teaches us that desire purified by grace leads us closer to God than performance alone.

Prayer/Resolution:
Receive my longing, O God, and draw me closer to You. Amen.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

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Day 4 — “Guide me, Lord, for without You I cannot seek You.”

Historical note: Anselm viewed prayer itself as a gift given by God before being practiced by the soul.

Reflection :

Here Saint Anselm affirms that grace precedes effort. We often assume spiritual progress depends entirely on our discipline, yet Saint Anselm insists that even our seeking depends on God. This prayer frees us from anxiety about “doing prayer right.” God instructs the heart quietly, often through patience and fidelity rather than clarity. Lay believers juggling responsibilities can take comfort in this truth: God guides sincere seekers gently.

Prayer/Resolution:
Guide me, Lord, for without You I cannot seek You. Amen.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Subscribe now

Day 3 — Renew me, Lord, and restore Your Image within me.

Historical note: Anselm prayed that God would “renew and refashion” the wounded image of the soul.

Reflection :
Saint Anselm proclaims God not only as Creator but as Restorer. This prayer reassures us that failure does not cancel our dignity. God continually “re-makes” us through grace, especially when sin has distorted His image within us. For those burdened by regret, this line offers consolation: God never stops recreating. Our lives are not static but responsive to mercy. Each day of the novena renews our trust that God’s work in us is ongoing.

Prayer/Resolution:
Renew me, Lord, and restore Your image within me. Amen.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen.

St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us.

(Mention your requests here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Subscribe now

Day 2 — Creator God, complete what is unfinished in my soul

Historical note: Anselm often emphasized that the soul requires God’s renewal to fulfill its purpose.

Reflection :
This honest admission that “I have not yet done that for which I was made” places us squarely before God without excuses. Anselm does not deny sin or distraction; he names them. This prayer acknowledges that something in us remains unfinished. For modern believers, this line should resonate deeply because we sense we were made for more than routine or survival. Anselm teaches us that recognizing our incompleteness is not despair but hope. God reveals our lack so that He may fill it. Spiritual growth begins when we admit we are not yet whole. This humility opens the door to transformation.

Prayer/resolution:
Creator God, complete what is unfinished in my soul. Amen.

O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know You. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek You. I cannot seek You unless You teach me or find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in my desire, let me desire You in my seeking. Let me find You by loving You, let me love You when I find You. Amen St. Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us

Amen.

(Mention your request here…)

Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

Day 1 Reflection Intention—”Teach Me to Seek You, Lord”

Historical note: Saint Anselm opens many prayers by asking God to teach him how to pray.

Reflection (aligned prayer line: “Teach my heart where and how to seek You”):
The novena begins not with answers, but with a plea to be taught how to seek. St. Anselm of Canterbury knew that prayer itself is learned through grace. We often rush toward solutions, yet this prayer slows us down, asking God to form our desire before satisfying it. To seek God rightly is already to be guided by Him. Anselm’s prayer reminds us that longing for God is not self-generated—it is invited by God Himself. Even imperfect prayer is precious when offered sincerely. When we ask God to teach us how to seek, we surrender pride and accept dependence. This is the foundation of genuine faith.

Prayer:
Teach my heart, O God, to seek You with humility and trust. Amen.

Therefore, I will be leading a novena to Saint Anselm to ask for his intercession that hearts and minds be open to the message of the book, and also that any success of the book bring about God’s glory and raises up many holy men and women to hlep build up the Kingdom of God.

In Solving the Parish Puzzle, I offer a clear, practical, and deeply Catholic framework for building healthy, mission‑driven parish communities that truly save souls, make saints, and transform the world. Drawing from decades of my ministry experience, leadership formation, and evangelization, I present twelve essential leadership principles—the “puzzle pieces” every thriving parish must have in place.

This book moves beyond theory to provide a repeatable, relational, and prayer‑rooted approach to leadership and discipleship. Readers will discover how evangelization, holistic formation, hospitality, communication, collaboration, and intentional leadership work together to create a sustainable community of communities—where people are known by name, accompanied with care, and empowered to live their baptismal call.

Written for clergy, parish staff, ministry leaders, and engaged lay disciples, Solving the Puzzle challenges readers to rediscover their “why,” focus on what truly matters, and take concrete steps toward renewal—one person at a time.

This is not another program. It’s a way forward.

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Some Background on Saint Anselm of Canterbury

St. Anselm of Canterbury was a monk who lived in Italy and England in the 1000s and 1100s. He was a member of the Benedictine religious order. He also became the Archbishop of Canterbury and a Doctor of the Church.

St. Anselm of Canterbury did a lot of important work for the Church and devoted his life to seeking truth, understanding God’s mysteries, and guiding souls toward holiness. His legacy continues to inspire believers around the world to pursue faith with both heart and mind.

Each day offers a unique prayer theme inspired by the virtues of Saint Anselm—wisdom, humility, perseverance, and trust in God. As you pray, you will discover how these timeless spiritual truths can transform your life today.

About St. Anselm of Canterbury

St. Anselm was born around the year 1033 in Italy. His mother was a devout Catholic, though his father did not help influence him toward holiness. Anselm’s mother chose to send Anselm to a school run by Benedictine monks.

During his time at the Benedictine school, Anselm began to feel called to pursue a religious vocation. This was influenced by a dream he had in which he talked to God. When Anselm was fifteen years old, he expressed his desire to become a monk. But his father refused to allow him to do so.

Anselm’s mother died around this time. Anselm then contracted a severe illness. Once he recovered, he decided to leave his father’s house. He traveled throughout Italy and France for about three years.

When Anselm traveled to Normandy, he met Blessed Lanfranc, who was a Benedictine prior. Anselm’s life regained a sense of purpose when he became Lanfranc’s disciple. Lanfranc recognized Anselm’s vocation and spiritual gifts.

When Anselm was twenty-seven years old, he became a Benedictine and was ordained to the priesthood. In 1063, he became prior of the monastery. In 1079, he became abbot of another monastery.

Because the Normans had recently conquered England, monks from Normandy went to England to help form the Church in England. So Lanfranc became Archbishop of Canterbury. He soon asked Anselm to join and assist him there.

In the late 1080s, Lanfranc died. A period of turmoil for the Church in England followed. Anselm returned to his monastery in Normandy. In 1092, he agreed to return to England even though the current king was not friendly to the Church. But the king agreed to allow Anselm to be appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Anselm knew that this would lead to conflict between him and the English government, but he accepted the position anyway. As archbishop, Anselm insisted on the Church’s right to govern itself. The government attempted to claim the Church’s property and to rule over the Church. This conflict led to Anselm being exiled for three years. In 1106, he was restored to his archdiocese.

For the rest of Anselm’s life, he carried out his motto: “Faith seeking understanding.” He pursued many theological investigations and wrote many significant works. He is considered by many to be the “Father of Scholasticism.” He did a lot of important work in both theology and philosophy.

Anselm died in 1109. Pope Clement XI declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1720.

I was wanting to share that my book, Solving the Parish Puzzle: One Person, One Disciple, One Leader at a Time, is coming out on Tuesday, April 21st!

Since you all have been with me here at The Catholic Leadership Puzzle since the beginning, I wanted to offer the opportunity to anyone in the community the chance to have an advance revew copy sent to you. In return, I simply ask that you be willing to read it and post a honest review about the book on Amazon—ideally on release day (April 21st).

Then, only if you thought it would be helpful to others, I would ask you to share on your own platforms and socials.

Finally, if you have a podcast, or know of a podcast, that you would consider me to come on as a guest?

If any of the above apply to you, please reach out and I will be glad to send you a review copy for your perusal.

Thank you so much for your consideration, and super excited for all of you to see the culmination of all of what has been shared here on the CLP for the last several years.

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Life happens in the midst of ministry efforts, and the time will come when vital members of our team have to leave due to a variety of reasons—spouse job relocation, the need to care for an aging parent, or sadly, due to the unexpected death of a loved one.

In the midst of that change, it is vitally important to engage with the situation with compassion, clarity and courage so as to not only help your community be able to stay on mission, but to ensure the transition is as easy as it can be for everyone involved.

Watch now to hear the specifics of how to engage with compassion, clarity and courage so that each member of your team, current or past, is cared for holistically and in a way that enables the community to not falter in its mission to save souls, makes saints and transform the world!

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Watch now to gain some insights into how to negotiate transitions, ensure that each member of your team is being best utilized according to their gifts and talents, and negotiating FUD during times of transition.

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Any ministry cycle contains the core components of evangelization, holistic formation, leadership accompaniment, assessment and strategic planning, and are integrated and supported by continuous prayer.

These core components express themselves in the ministry activities and events throughout the year. Optimally, these ministry activities and events are occuring within the liturgical cycle of the Church so as to enhance the discipleship of both individuals and the Body of Christ as a whole.

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