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Excellent Catholic Parishes
June 15, 2007
Excellent Catholic Parishes, The Guide to Best Places and Best Practices
by Paul Wilkes
published by Paulist Press in 2001.
Reviewed by Sr. Pauline MacDonald, RSHM
Sometimes it is good for us to see our world with new eyes. That’s what this book does for people who are working full time or volunteering in parishes. It has been around for a while and is worth a read. Different types of parishes are profiled and diverse gifts of the Spirit are evident in each of the creative and empowering approaches to doing and being parish.
There aren’t any magic bullets here and one size does not fix all. What oozes from these pages is the spirit of creativity, energy and hope that is not always evident in day–to-day “business as usual” parish life. I recommend that you read it if you are willing to ask yourself afterward: How can I think and act more creatively in my present situation? What gifts can I unleash in others, for the good of the whole parish? What would happen in my parish if I were willing to collaborate for the good of the parish? What would happen if I were to collaborate with someone in another parish for the good of both parishes?
Readers will have to come up with responses as different as the parishes in which they minister. There are great things happening among pastors, religious educators, lay leaders, in big city, inner-city or small town parishes, in large parishes, small parishes, clustered parishes and priestless parishes, in stable neighborhoods and in changing neighborhoods.
Enjoy reading this inspiring and challenging study. I found it to be a real page turner.
Pauline MacDonald, RSHM – O.L.A. Regional Pastoral Council
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