What Is Don’t Leave a Mess?
Don’t Leave a Mess is a simple, three-week parish program that helps Catholics reflect on their faith, document their plans, and share their intentions — so their values can bless loved ones and support the future of their parish.
How the Program Works
Week 1: Reflect
Invite parishioners to reflect on their faith, values, responsibilities, important decisions, and the legacy they want to leave.
Week 2: Document
Help parishioners organize their wishes using easy-to-follow guides, worksheets, and planning tools.
Week 3: Share
Encourage meaningful conversations with loved ones and others who should understand their plans, wishes, and responsibilities.
What the Parish Needs to Do
✓ Select three consecutive weeks for the program.
✓ Promote the program to parishioners.
✓ Share the weekly materials through Mass, the bulletin, email, the parish website, and social media.
✓ Encourage parishioners to visit DontLeaveAMess.org and use the available resources.
✓ Be available to answer basic questions and direct parishioners to the appropriate resources when needed.
Gather Your Team
Identify the pastor, parish staff member, or small team who will coordinate the program.
Familiarize Yourself
Review the program overview and the resources available for each of the three weeks.
Plan Your Communication
Decide how you will introduce the program and how the weekly message will appear in your bulletin, email, website, social media, and at Mass.
Prepare for Questions
Make sure parish staff understand the purpose of the program and know where to direct parishioners who want additional information.
Weekly Overview
Week 1: Reflect
Help parishioners pause and reflect on what matters most — their faith, family, responsibilities, important decisions, and the legacy they want to leave.
The goal of Week 1 is to begin the conversation and encourage parishioners to use the Reflection Guide available at DontLeaveAMess.org.
Week 2: Document
Provide simple tools to help parishioners organize their wishes and important information.
Parishioners are encouraged to begin addressing the documents and information their loved ones may someday need, including wills, medical directives, funeral planning, emergency information, beneficiary planning, and other important records.
