Renewing Parish Culture: Building for a Catholic Future [Paperback]

American Catholic parishes throughout the country have been shrinking since the 1960s. John J. Pideret, S.J., and Melanie Morey bring fifty years of experience in Catholic colleges and universities where they had extensive contact with young Catholics and New York City parishes. In this volume they discuss the general problem of declining parishes and specify several solutions to the various underlying issues. The authors employ four basic principles-narrative, norms, benefits, and practices-to increase Mass attendance, to strengthen a broad Eucharistic culture, to encourage a wider use of prayer, and to establish enduring religious education. This book is an important resource for every Catholic church.Rev. John J. Piderit, S.J.is president of the Catholic Education Institute and former president of Loyola University Chicago. He is coauthor with Melanie M. Morey ofCatholic Higher Education: A Culture in Crisis.Melanie Moreyis senior director for research and consulting at NarrowGate Consulting, a division of the Catholic Education Institute.

Father John J. Piderit, S.J. and Melanie M. Morey once again exercise their critical insight to identify the pressing questions which affect parish life in the United States today and propose practical strategies to address those questions. Drawing on their analysis of our Catholic past, they challenge our imagination to apply effective solutions to issues that touch the lives of all engaged in the life of the local Church. Msgr. Paul R. Sanchez, Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel RC Church, Astoria, NY

The parish is the most dynamic center of Catholic life in the Church. Dr. Morey and Fr. Piderit have offered a thoughtful study to guide church leaders in continuing to renew the culture of the parish so that it can meet and transform the challenges of a secular, often oppositional, wider world. Dr. Mary Cross, Archdiocese of Seattle

This is a spirited book. Motivated by love for the Churlƒ›