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    Great Catholic Parishes: A Living Mosiac
    Unavailable
    Great Catholic Parishes: A Living Mosiac
    Unavailable
    Great Catholic Parishes: A Living Mosiac
    Ebook223 pages3 hours

    Great Catholic Parishes: A Living Mosiac

    By William E. Simon and Timothy M. Dolan

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    What is really happening in the Catholic Church in North America? Are parishes thriving or dying? Is dissatisfaction among Catholics growing or are they becoming more engaged in the evangelizing mission of the Church?

    Businessman, professor, and philanthropist, William E. Simon Jr. has been highly influenced by the dynamic and inspiring Catholic parishes he has attended for more than 25 years. In 2012, he founded Parish Catalyst, an organization devoted to researching and supporting the health and development of Catholic parishes. Great Catholic Parishes looks at Simon’s insights and the success stories of 244 vibrant parishes to show what makes them great.

    In 2012 and 2013, Simon and his team studied 244 Catholic parishes to determine what made them exceptional. The study found that all of the parishes shared four foundational practices that led to a profound sense of belonging within their parish communities and a deepening commitment to discipleship:
    • Share leadership by using clergy and lay staff with the best talents and skills to direct the community
    • Foster spiritual maturity and plan for discipleship by offering a variety of formation programs and ministry opportunities to reach parishioners at differing points in their lives
    • Excel on Sundays by dedicating significant time, energy, and money to liturgical celebrations that parishioners and visitors find welcoming
    • Intentionally evangelize by challenging insiders to look outward and providing service programs, social events, global mission opportunities, and pastoral care at key sacramental moments that focus on inviting outsiders to deeper relationship with Christ and the Church.
    In Great Catholic Parishes, Simon shares personal stories such as finding a welcoming parish home and what he learned about evangelizing from a mission trip to Kenya. Pastors from exceptional parishes offer helpful ideas, strategic advice, and practical strategies, as well as anecdotes about lay ministry development initiatives and reworking religious education so that it is family focused and web-based. You will also learn creative solutions to familiar challenges such as spiritual stagnation among parishioners, reconciling diverse needs in the parish, allowing the pastor to focus on pastoring and preaching, and reaching youth and young adults who leave the Church in disproportionate numbers.

    Each chapter closes with either crucial takeaways or a summary of practical challenges that will help pastors and leaders focus on growth and excellence.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAve Maria Press
    Release dateSep 23, 2016
    ISBN9781594714184
    Unavailable
    Great Catholic Parishes: A Living Mosiac
    Author

    William E. Simon

    William E. Simon Jr. is founder and chairman of Parish Catalyst. He is the author, with Michael Novak, of Living the Call: An Introduction to the Lay Vocation. Simon serves as co-chairman of the investment firm William E. Simon & Sons and the WIlliam E. Simon Foundation, as well as adjunct professor in UCLA's law school and economics department. Early in his career, Simon was an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York and later was the 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee in California. For many years, he and his wife, Cindy, have helped those in need by underwriting scholarships, athletic and recreational programs, and faith-based efforts in urban areas. The Simons have four children and make their home in Los Angeles.

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