Your Diocese Website
Open the doors and discover what your diocese has to offer…
When was the last time you visited your diocese’s website? It might not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re looking for spiritual encouragement but it’s worth a second look. Diocesan websites often hold more than announcements, policies, or schedules. Many offer free and thoughtful support for everyday Catholic life that’s easy to miss unless you know where to look.
So what exactly is a diocese?
The Catholic Church has always been structured for mission. From the beginning, Jesus didn’t call the Twelve Apostles simply as friends. He sent them. The Twelve symbolically echoed the twelve tribes of Israel, but now with a new purpose to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth. That pattern of being sent still shapes the Church today.
A diocese is a local expression of that mission: a geographic region of the Church led by a bishop who acts in the line of the Apostles. He oversees the parishes, clergy, and ministries within his care. Some bishops also serve as archbishops, which means they shepherd a larger or especially significant diocese, often with other bishops supporting the work.
This kind of structure is more than just administration, it’s a gift. It connects us to the universal Church, roots us in the sacraments, and ensures that wherever we are, we’re never too far from the spiritual support we need.
At He Is Goodness, we like to shine a light on free, beautiful Catholic resources. Your diocese might be one of them, so today we want to guide you in what to look for in yours, using one standout example: the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).
A Model of Outreach: AMS
Unlike most dioceses that serve a particular region, the AMS supports Catholics serving in the military, veterans in VA hospitals, U.S. government workers overseas, and their families around the world. It’s technically an archdiocese, but functions like any diocese, only more expansive. Because of the global nature of the community it serves, AMS offers universal, adaptable resources that meet people where they are.
Here are a few standout features from their site:
Direct guidance and pastoral letters. Archbishop Broglio writes with clarity and compassion, addressing real-life questions and challenges facing the people he serves.
Two AMS-run podcasts that offer faith-based reflections and conversations for Catholics living military or missionary-like lives. Listen here.
Free conference registrations. Each year, the AMS provides a limited number of fully covered spots to events like SEEK or World Youth Day, making global encounters with the Church more accessible.
Free retreats for married couples, priests, and youth faith formation. Whether virtual or in person, the AMS prioritizes sacramental formation and vocation support for couples living in complex or high-demand settings. Youth retreats are usually listed on parish websites, but larger global opportunities like the World Youth Day are shared on the Archdiocese website.
Links to specific ministries. For example, the AMS has a women’s ministry known as Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW). It’s volunteer run and a beautiful outreach for all women of the diocese, all over the globe.
Online education and spiritual formation. Their site includes free webinars, study tools, and retreat offerings that are practical and approachable. They even point to online Catholic school (necessary for those interested and stationed in remote areas).
Our studies are there too! You can find He Is Goodness listed on the AMS Bible study resource page. We’re honored to be included.
What about your diocese?
Even if you’re not connected to military life, the AMS gives a glimpse of what diocesan outreach can look like. And it’s worth asking: What does my own diocese offer that I haven’t explored?
Most diocesan websites include pages for:
Adult formation
Youth ministry
Catholic school info
Event calendars
Confession times
Free retreats or formation tools
You may find lectures, digital media, marriage and family resources, Spanish resources, or ministries for your specific season of life.
But what if your diocese is small or quiet online?
You’re not alone. Many dioceses don’t have large digital teams. But we’re one Body. If your diocese doesn’t know about He Is Goodness, feel free to share the goodness with them! We’re tiny too, and we exist to make faithful, beautiful studies freely available to anyone seeking to grow in Christ.
In the meantime, here are a few diocesan social media accounts to follow whose inspiring free content is encouraging and worth checking out:
Archdiocese of Seattle
Looking for a grounded, thoughtful take on Catholic life? Seattle’s online presence reflects a sincere, stateside perspective rooted in prayer, education, and evangelization.
→ Follow @archdioceseofseattle for content that moves you beyond the screen.
Archdiocese of Winnipeg (Canada)
Want to see how the Church speaks across borders? Winnipeg shares beautiful, faithful content that bridges cultures and affirms our unity in Christ.
→ Check out @archdioceseofwinnipeg what our international friends are doing well.
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
Want to support military Catholics in an easy, impactful way? The AMS offers encouragement, formation, and free resources (like prayers for military priests here) to Catholics on mission around the globe.
→ Follow @milarchusa as a member of the Armed Forces or to support their work walking with military families wherever they serve.
Whether you’re stationed across the globe, part of the universal Church in another country, or right here in the continental U.S., your diocese is part of the mission, and here to support you. It might just have more to offer than you expected.
Check out your diocesan site this week. Here’s a master list from the USCCB. You might find a resource, ministry, or event that speaks directly to you.
And if you’re part of the AMS, welcome. We’re praying for you, and we’re honored to walk alongside your mission-ready faith.
In Christ,
The He Is Goodness Team