Community:  The Catholic Parish   

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Publisher Information

1)      Abinante, Mary de Silva.  God Saw that it was Good:  Work and Leisure in the Christian Life.  Seattle, Washington:  Ministry Center for Catholic Community, 1995.

     “The process used in this booklet applies current thinking about how adults learn and grow in their faith.  It presumes that we all come with life experiences, insights, and a living faith which create a foundation and context for our growth in faith.  Through mutual reflection on our lives and the challenge of our Catholic tradition, we are led to recognize new possibilities in the choices we make in daily life.”

      Reference Number:  A-00013

2)      Amodei, Michael.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Youth Ministry.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2002.

 “In any easy to read, conversational style Michael Amodei shares insights and ideas on the elements of a successful youth ministry, from mentoring, to retreats, to ministering to junior high students, and much more.  Filled with hands-on suggestions, this booklet is a great companion and resource for any youth minister.”

 Reference Number:  A-00092

3)      Anderson, Christopher.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Catechetical Leader DRE and CRE.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2003.

 “Catechetical leaders at all levels perform a crucial and multi-task ministry.  Here Chris Anderson reflects on the history and role of catechetical leadership in the Church, and he highlights the qualities needed to successfully fulfill this demanding vocation.”

Reference Number:  A-00093

4)      Arbuckle, Gerald A.  Refounding the Church Dissent for Leadership.  Maryknoll, New York:  Orbis Books, 1993. 

    “Why is the official Church leadership in such confusion today, why are there so many efforts to restore the Church to the pre-Vatican II model, and why is dissent so vigorously discouraged? The author helps readers to clarify the purpose and styles of leadership/government required in contemporary Gospel communities, using religious congregations as examples of Gospel-oriented communities in an in-depth case study.  Gerald Arbuckle helps readers to understand how collaborative leadership/government is to be exercised in religious congregations and to appreciate the value of dissent in decision-making.  Readers are encouraged to name the obstacles to effective prophetic congregational leadership within and outside religious congregations and are offered practical ways of overcoming them.”

      Reference Number:  A-00014

5)      Baker, Thomas.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Deacon.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2002.

 “Thomas Baker offers a clear perspective on the role of the deacon in the Church today, and looks at the many opportunities for developing the ministry both in the parish and out in the world.  Practical, informative, and inspiring, this book is an asset to all deacons and those considering this ministry.”

 Reference Number:  B-00258

6)      Baranowski, Rev. Arthur.  Faith Sharing for Small Church Communities:  Questions and Commentaries on the Sunday Readings.  Cincinnati, Ohio:  St. Anthony the Messenger Press, 1993. 

    “For each Sunday and major feast, a “Scripture Focus provides a brief commentary on the lectionary readings; “Life Focus” gives at least one set of questions to spark faith sharing.  Material is provided for all three cycles of the lectionary.  In addition to enriching small church communities, the “Life Focus” questions can be used by any parish groups seeking to incorporate faith sharing into their regular meeting format.”

      Reference Number:  B-00051  

7)      Baranowski, Arthur R., O’Reilly, Kathleen M. and Piro, Carrie M.  Praying Alone and Together.  Cincinnati, Ohio:  St. Anthony the Messenger Press, 1988.

     “God works in the everyday as well as in the major events of life—but we have to be paying attention to notice…this prayerful “paying attention” to life is an art that develops with practice.  Praying Alone and Together fosters this art through the private discipline of daily reflection in addition to regular group sessions for sharing prayer and supporting individual effort.  This book provides everything small group members need to learn and practice the art of prayer.  The specific goals of this 11-session workshop are to enable people: to recognize God communicating to them though their experience, to begin to talk about God in a personal way, and to voice a prayer response in a group setting.”

      Reference Number:  B-00052

8)      Baranowski, Arthur R.  Pastoring the Pastor.  Cincinnati, Ohio:  St. Anthony the Messenger Press, 1988.

    “The real test of how serious a parish is about restructuring into base churches is how much effort it puts into training and supporting pastors for these small faith communities.  These pastors, or pastoral facilitators, are the link between the Small Basic Christian Community and the parish; they are also what keeps the small faith community a church.  Pastoring the Pastor provides everything a parish staff or core team needs to train and support pastoral facilitators (PF’s) within the Called to Be Church process.” 

      Reference Number:  B-00055

9)      Bausch, William J.  The Total Parish Manual:  Every Thing You Need to Empower Your Faith Community.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 1994. 

    “In this innovative, Imaginative, and empowering work, popular author and collaborative community.  He investigates the question “What is the parish?” and further, “What is the Church?” using his insights as a springboard to effectively creating a parish that is focused, contemporary, liturgically-based, and responsive to the lives of its members.  The Total Parish Manual is filled with anecdotes, descriptions, examples, and step-by-step procedures to help the reader implement the ideas expressed in the book.  There are seven main parts to this volume, as well as a concise Introduction:  Parish Basics, Rhythms &Reflections, and Parish Pages, which contains over a hundred pages of handouts and resource materials to support the techniques described.  Full reproduction rights are given for all material in this manual.  The writings is honest, direct, and fully respectful of Catholic teaching and tradition.  Bausch gives useful information on such essential areas of Christian ministry as recruiting volunteers, marriage rites and preparation programs, rituals for seasonal and ordinary time, parish organizations, lay ministries, small faith communities, community outreach and evangelization, and parish social activities.  This book is based on the actual manual that Bausch has used successfully in his own world-renowned parish over the last twelve years, revised and expanded for popular use.  For all who work in any type of parish ministry, The Total Parish Manual will help make their parish truly “come alive.””

      Reference Number:  00194

10)      Berger, Alison.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Catechist.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2002.

 “Alison Berger invites catechist to probe the heart of their vocation:  to help those they minister with to know, celebrate, live, and contemplate the mystery of Christ and so grow in communion with him.  With stories, reflection questions, and concrete suggestions, she guides us in exploring the spiritual and practical dimensions of catechizing as Jesus did.”

 Reference Number:  B-00257

11)      Boudreau, Albert H.  The Born-Again Catholic.  Locust Valley, New York:  Living Flame Press, 1980.

    “Millions of Christians claim a born again experience—a rich and lasting relationship with God as Father.  Can a Catholic have such a revitalizing experience and remain a good Catholic?  This book not only says yes, it proves that the born again experience is Catholic Christianity at its best.  It answer questions, dispels doubts, and leads the reader into a rich and exciting relationship with their heavenly Father.  It provides a chance to recapture the faith that so many find slipping away.  An exciting treatment of a fascinating subject backed by competent Catholic authority.  The book has been granted an Imprimatur.”

      Reference Number:  00193

12)      Brennan, Patrick J.  The Evangelizing Parish Theologies and Strategies for Renewal.  Allen, Texas:  Tabor Publishing, 1987. 

    “Though there has been an explosion of ministries in the past twenty years, the parish continues to be the most consistent tool for touching people’s lives.  In this book, Fr. Brennan shows that the parish can be a dynamic and forceful source for personal and communal renewal.  Fr. Brennan reveals that there are real theologies of evangelization in the Catholic tradition.  But theology is useless unless it is teamed up with effective strategies for bringing about renewal at the parish level.  Parish staff members—professionals and volunteers—need to grab on to the tasks of evangelization and renewal.  This book is a practical and informative guide for anyone who wishes to take a leadership role in parish renewal.  It is a must for anyone working at the parish level to bring about God’s kingdom.”

      Reference Number:  B-00056

13)      Brennan, Patrick J.  Parishes that Excel Models of Excellence in Education, Ministry, and Evangelization.  New York, New York:  The Crossroads Publishing Company, 1992. 

    “The stories, models, and leaders discussed in this book in no way include all the excellent parishes that I have encountered.  They are but a sampling, exhibiting excellence in areas that I consider cutting-edge issues for the future.  I offer them with pride, not to demean perhaps greater innovations on the part of the communities not represented here, but to enable you, the reader, to swipe, swap, enhance, and become even more excellent in your ministry.”

      Reference Number:  00195

14)  Brennan, Patrick J.  The Reconciling Parish A Process for Returning of Alienated Catholics.  Allen, Texas:  Tabor Publishing, 1990. 

     “In this resource book for parish staffs and leaders, Fr. Brennan addresses a subject that is often ladened with difficulty—a need for parishes to engage in a ministry of reconciliation to returning and alienated Catholics.  This thought-provoking analysis recommends a blending of the RCIA and the ancient Order of Penitents into a remember, return, and rebirth process that gives greater care and ministry to the hurt of alienated members of the Church.  An excellent companion book to The Evangelizing Parish, this book includes model sessions to help the reconciling parish focus on the mysteries of the Creed, and an appendix composed of adaptations of the RCIA for this reconciliation process.”

      Reference Number:  B-00057

15)  Brennan, Patrick J.  Re-Imagining the Parish.  New York, New York:  The Crossroads Publishing Company, 1994.

      Reference Number:  B-00058

16)      Browne, Elizabeth J., PhD.  Creating an Inclusive Worship Community:  Accommodating All People at God’s Table.  Liguori, Missouri:  Liguori Publications, 2003.

    Reference Number:  B-00239

17)      Camille, Alice.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Lector.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2001.

 “The ministry of lectoring is so much more than simply reading from the lectionary on Sunday.  Alice Comille shapes the history and practice of lectoring with examples and tips for effective reading, while highlighting the spiritual needs of this ministry.”

Reference Number:  C-00216

18)  Celebrating the Great Jubilee Year 2000.  Washington D.C.:  United States Catholic Conference, 1999.

      Reference Number:  00197  

19)  Come as You Are a Beginning Experience for Small Groups.  Marysville, Michigan:  The National Alliance of Parishes Restructuring into Communities, 1997. 

      Reference Number:  00198

20)  A Common Sense for Parish Life.  Chicago, Illinois:  Liturgy Training Publications and Allen, Texas:  Tabor Publishing, 1995.

    “Two publishers, one associated with liturgy and one with religious education, join to challenge themselves and parish staff and council members:  Are we acting like this is a business or a church?  What’s a church supposed to look like in this time and place?  What is the common sense of our life as a parish?  In a series of principles, brief reflections and questions, the author offers parishes—especially the ones that have already worked hard to be vital and good places—a way to challenge themselves:  Where do we go from here?  What is there in our normal way to conducting parish life that needs fresh examination?  The special concentration is on the relationship between the liturgy and catechesis and between these and the struggle to love justice and serve the world’s needs.”

      Reference Number:  00206

21)  Cook, Timothy J.  Architects of Catholic Culture:  Designing & Building Catholic Culture in Catholic Schools.  Washington, D.C.: National Catholic Education Association, 2002.

      Reference Number:  C-00180

22)  Chervin, Ronda.  Why I Am a Charismatic a Catholic Explains.  Liguori, Missouri:  Liguori Publications, 1978.

    “The fire and the dove, the gifts of the Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity…all of these have long been a familiar part of Catholic prayers and devotions.  But today they have taken on new life, depth, and meaning in the charismatic movement.  In this book, popular author Ronda Chervin speaks candidly on such misunderstood topics as prophecy, healing, and the gift of tongues.”

      Reference Number:  C-00048

23)  DeSiano, Frank, CSP and Boyack, Kenneth, CSP.  Creating the Evangelizing Parish.  New York, New York:  Paulist Press, 1993.

    “Challenges those who realize the importance of evangelization and are eager to make an impact on Catholic Church life today.  Coauthors Frank DeSiano and Kenneth Boyack clearly explain the definition of evangelization and offer for further clarification, an “encounter model” of evangelization which specifically places the ministry into the framework of personal relationships.  The authors then describe actual parish dynamics and organization in terms of their universal evangelizing purposes as understood by the church.”

      Reference Number:  D-00028

24)  Downs, Thomas.  The Parish as Learning Community.  New York, New York:  Paulist Press, 1979.

    “The term “lifelong learning” is very much in vogue today, and lifelong religious education is very much a concern of the contemporary Church.  The Parish as Learning Community examines the local Church as the place where such learning takes place, and demonstrates the interdependence of the learning adult and the growing parish.  It is the author’s view that lifelong learning is “an integral and essential dynamic for healthy parishes.”

      Reference Number:  D-00030

25)  Doohan, Leonard.  The Lay-Centered Church Theology & Spirituality.  Minneapolis, Minnesota:  Winston Press, Inc,1984.

      Reference Number:  D-00031

26)      Dues, Greg & Walkley, Barbara.  Called to Parish Ministry:  Identity, Challenges, and Spirituality of Lay Ministers.  Academic Renewal Press, 2003.

27)  Duquin, Lorene Hanley.  When a Loved One Leaves the Church.  Huntington, Indiana:  Our Sunday Visitor, 2001. 

"If you have picked up this book, it's because someone you love has fallen away from the Catholic faith.  You may be carrying your pain silently.  You may be ashamed to admit that a spouse, child, or sibling is no longer a practicing Catholic.  You may have questions and concerns but don't know where to turn.  On thing is certain, however.  You're hurting.  There is help.  You can find comfort, understanding , and the strength to go on.  You can be free from guilt and self-blame.  You can let go of pain, suffering and heart ache.  You can still have a relationship with your loved one.  You can be at peace once again.  Discover how in When a Loved One Leaves the Church, a practical guide to living with, loving, and praying for those you deeply love."

Reference Number:  D-00097

32)   Foley, Gerald.  Family Centered Church a New Parish Model.  Kansas City, Missouri: Sheed & Ward, 1995. 

    “Today’s Families often find themselves frustrated with the lack of support they receive from church ministry.  Challenging his readers to speak out for change, Gerald Foley encourages parishes and parishioners to focus upon the broader needs of their families rather than on the specific needs of the institution.  Calling for essential paradigm shifts within the parish, Foley also urges pastoral ministers and church members to commit to improving their family ministries.  By offering more support to families, the core of strength for most parishioner, these paradigm shifts will in turn revitalize the parish itself.”

      Reference Number:  F-00011

33)  Friedl, Francis P. and Reynolds, Rex.  Extraordinary Lives Thirty-Four Priests Tell Their Stories.  Notre Dame, Indiana:  Ave Maria Press, 1997.

    “Despite a garage of negative press, a recent poll found that 70 percent of American Catholic priests say they definitely would choose to be priests again.  Also, most priests are generally satisfied with the quality of their work performance, approve of their bishop and pope, and do not favor a dismantling of celibacy requirements for priests.  Monsignor Francis Friedl and lay person Rex Reynolds thought it would be worthwhile and informative to explore more personally and with grater detail the stories of what happy priests thing about their vocation.”

      Reference Number:  00208 

34)      Gaudette, Nancy.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Eucharistic Minister.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2001.

“Here Nancy Gaudette lays a foundation of tradition and church teaching for the eucharistic minister.  She builds on the importance of knowing what we represent as a minister of the eucharist, and shows how this work carries over into our everyday lives.”

 Reference Number:  G-00110

35)      Greenleaf, Robert K.  The Servant Leader Within:  A Transformative Path.  Mahwah, New Jersey:  Paulist Press, 2003.

 “The question of leadership has always been a crucial one for human society.  Whether in politics, business, or education thoughtful people have always asked, "What makes a great leader?"  In 1970, with the publication of his now classic essay "The Servant as Leader," Robert K. Greenleaf answered the question with a revolutionary idea whose influences continue to be felt strongly to this day.  Greenleaf proposed that truly great leaders are not motivated by the selfish desire to increase their own power or prestige, but by a yearning to help others.  In other words, a great leader is, first and foremost, a servant to others.  The present volume is a collection of Greenleaf's most important essays on the subject of servant-leadership, including the original 1970 version of "The Servant as Leader."  Also included is "Teacher as Servant," a brilliant parable in which Greenleaf demonstrates how the servant-leadership model can be developed in a university.”

 Reference Number:  G-00111

36)      Greenleaf, Robert K.  Servant Leadership:  A Journey Into the Nature of Legitimate Power & Greatness.  Washington, D.C.:  Paulist Media Works, Inc., 1977.

 “With the publication of Servant Leadership in 1977, a new paradigm of management entered the boardrooms and corporate offices of America.  Robert K. Greenleaf, a retired AT&T executive, proposed that service ought to be the distinguishing characteristic of leadership.  Not only would it create better, stronger companies, he said, but business leaders themselves "would find greater joy in their lives if they raised the servant aspect of their leadership and built more serving institutions."  In the quarter century since these ideas were first articulated, the notion of servant leadership has gained ever more disciples in business schools, among executives, in government and in public and private institutions.  Greenleaf was among the first to analyze the qualities of leaders and followers-and the necessity for leaders to be attentive to the needs of others.  In this respect the leader becomes a follower.  Such a leader, said Greenleaf, constantly inquires whether "other people's highest priority needs are being served. Do those served grow as persons?  Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?"  The true leader is also a seeker-alert to new possibilities, open, listening and ready for whatever develops.  True leadership, then, is an inner quality as much as an exercise of authority.  The present volume originated as essays and talks treating servant leadership as a general principle and the way it has been lived by particular people.  Sections of the book deal with leadership in education, in foundations, in churches, in bureaucracies, and with the role of the United States as a world leader.  It closes with a spiritual reflection on Robert Frosts' poem "Directive."  The reflection, in Greenleaf's words, is "partly and acknowledgement of [Frost's] influence on me and partly sharing with those who are on the search for what I have now come to see as servant leadership, and who, sooner or later and in their own way, come to grips with who they are and where they are on the journey.”

 Reference Number:  G-00112

37)  Heins, Peggy Prevoznik.  Becoming a Community of Salt and Light.  Notre Dame, Indiana:  Ave Maria Press, 2003.

"In their document "Communities of Salt and Light:  Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish," the U.S. Catholic bishops demonstrated that the parish is to be a place where the work of charity, justice, and peace thrives, Becoming A Community of Salt and Light helps the parish become such a place.  This book is for anyone engaged in the work of social ministry:  parishioners, social justice committees, pastors, directors of religious education, and even liturgy committees.  Accessible and informative lesson plans help facilitators lead groups of parishioners in an exploration of their relationship to the parish and to the work of charity, justice, and peace.  The resource materials included are invaluable to today's parish.  The commitment to live the social mission of the church is for each of us.  Becoming A Community Of Salt And Light is the key to understanding--and then acting upon--this commitment.”

Reference Number:  H-00327 

38)  Heney, Rev. David.  Motivating Your Parish to Change:  Concrete Leadership Strategies for Pastors, Administrators, and Lay Leaders.  San Jose, California:  Resource Publications, Inc., 1998.

      Reference Number:  H-00022

39)  Ivory, Thomas P.  Conversion and Community a Catechumenal Model for Total Parish Formation.  New York, New York:  Paulist Press, 1988.

    “The restoration of the adult catechumenate places the process of initiation in the center of parish life.  In so doing, the Rite of Christian Initiation draws on the wisdom of the Church’s tradition and provides a vision which can enliven every dimension of a parish life.  In this innovative book, Rev. Thomas P. Ivory explores the vision of the R.C.I.A. and the catechumenal model of the Church it proposes.  Using a wealth of examples form parishes around the U.S., he demonstrates the impact a catechumenal model can have on adult education, sacramental preparation, children’s catechesis, Catholic Schools, outreach to the alienated and ministerial formation.”

      Reference Number:  I-00004 

40)  Jewitt, Bernard C.  The Role of the Parish Priest in Catechetical Ministry.  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:  National Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education, 1977.

      Reference Number:  J-00007

41)  Kehrwald, Leif.  Caring that Enables a Manual for developing Parish Family Ministry.  New York, New York:  Paulist Press, 1991.

     “Presents simple, easy to employ strategies for meeting the social, pastoral, and educational needs of families in the parish.  The strategies are designed specifically for volunteer teams, and do not create new, burdensome parish programs.  Author Leif Kehrwald provides step by step instructions and reproducible handouts for the employment of three specific strategies for parish family ministry.”

      Reference Number:  K-00008

42)  Kendzia, Tom & Kendzia, Mary Carol.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Music Directors, Choir, Songleaders, Accompanists.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2003.

 “Music done well can add depth and beauty both to liturgy and to the faith life of a parish.  Here Tom and Mary Carol Kendzia offer insights into the art of pastoral music, focusing on skills, spirituality, and the place of music in the Church today.”

 Reference Number:  K-00123

43)  Kleissler, Thomas A., LeBert, Margo A., and McGuinness, Mary C.  Small Christian Communities A Vision of Hope.  New York, New York:  Paulist Press, 1991.

      Reference Number:  K-00009

44)  Kleissler, Thomas A., LeBert, Margo A., and McGuinness, Mary C.  Resources For Small Christian Communities A Vision of Hope.  New York, New York:  Paulist Press, 1991.

      Reference Number:  K-00010

45)  Kollar, Judith Ann.  A User-Friendly Parish Becoming a More Welcoming Community.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 1998.

    “What is it about certain parishes that makes people feel welcome?  Brings them back Sunday after Sunday? Engages them and makes them willing to be more involved?  Is your parish user-friendly?  Judith Kollar’s answer and approach reflects that popular quote:  “God is in the details.”  Without downplaying the importance of theological and liturgical elements in parish life and ministry, the author points out some of the seemingly trivial, day-to-day elements that actually affect the way a parish functions and the way it is perceived, whether by parishioners, visitors, of inquirers.”

      Reference Number:  K-00011 

46)      Lakeland, Paul.  The Liberation of the Laity:  In Search of an Accountable Church.  New York, New York:  Continuum Publishing Company, 2002.

"The first half of The Liberation of the Laity concentrates on the fortunes of the laity, theologically speaking, between Vatican I (1870) and Vatican II (1962-65).  It examines the growth of the "new theology" in France in the 1940's and 1950'sand shows how in the work of one of its leading practitioners, Yves Congar, much of the vision of the laity expressed at Vatican II was anticipated.  Seeing the years after the council as decades of missed opportunities to recognize the role of the laity, the book then turns to a series of constructive proposals for the liberation of the laity, and thus the liberation of the church."

47)  Laz, Medard.  Making Parish Meetings Work.  Notre Dame, Indiana:  Ave Maria Press, 1997.

    “A step-by-step guide on how to plan for, conduct, and evaluate meetings on both the and diocesan levels.  It deals with such key issues as qualities for effective leadership, how to plan and establish agendas, how to conduct a successful meeting, how to involve board and committee members effectively, how to follow up and evaluate a group’s effectiveness, and how to insure that members believe they are making a contribution and not wasting their time.  Fr. Medard Laz offers a wealth of practical advice and is always mindful of the necessity of prayer and the guidance of the Spirit.”

      Reference Number:  L-00023

48)  Lewinski, Ron.  Making Parish Policy.  Chicago, Illinois:  Liturgical Training Publications, 1996.

"As parish communities continue to implement and celebrate the revised rites of the church, the need for sacramental policies and procedures has become more evident.  Ron Lewinske offers Making Parish Policy as a guide for parishes that are discovering the need for a process and the tools for developing such policies and procedures for worship.  The goal of this book is to help communities develop a strong and rich liturgical tradition."

Reference Number:  L-00078

49)  Leadership a Practical Journal for Church Leaders.  Carol Streams, Illinois:  Christianity Today, Inc., 1991.

      Reference Number:  00209

50)  Madrid, Patrick.  Search and Rescue:  How to Bring Your Family and Friends Into-Or Back Into-the Catholic Church.  Manchester, New Hampshire:  Sophia Institute Press, 2001.

“You don't have to become a biblical scholar or a theologian to be an effective spokesman for the Catholic Faith.  In fact, even though you don't know all the answers and can't explain every aspect of the Faith, you can begin winning soul to the Church right now...using prayer, friendship, and common sense.  It sounds almost too good to be true, but in Search and Rescue Patrick Madrid explains why these are among the most effective, time-tested methods for bringing family and friends into-or back into-the Church.”

Reference Number:  M-00182

51)  McKinney, Mary Benet, O.S.B.  Sharing Wisdom a Process for Group Decision Making.  Allen, Texas:  Tabor Publishing, 1987.

     “One of the most demanding tasks of contemporary Christianity is the process of group decision making is simple:  the person with the highest authority makes the decision.  In a church that has come to treasure collegiality, the process is not quite so simple.  Here, decision making is a process of sharing wisdom and arriving at the best possible decision for all involved.”

      Reference Number:  M-00055  

52)  Mich, Marvin L.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Social Justice.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2002.

 “With stories and examples, Marvin L. Mich illustrates the may ways people today live out the log tradition of Catholic social teaching.  He offers a direct challenge to see our ministry not only as service to the parish community, but to our families, our neighborhood, and to the world community, as well.”

 Reference Number:  M-00206

53)  Mick, Lawrence E.  I Like Being in Parish Ministry:  Presider.  Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publications, 2001.

 “Fr. Mick succinctly illustrates the role of the presider at liturgy, noting areas of practical concern and emphasizing the importance of faith and prayer in the life of the presider.  The book also includes a chapter for lay presiders.”

 Reference Number:  M-00207

54)  New Parish Ministries.  Minneapolis, Minnesota:  Winston Press, Inc., 1982.

     “New and exciting things are happening in parish ministries!  More and more lay persons and religious are becoming involved, along with pastors and pastoral teams, in a variety of parish services.  This book, a series of “how-to-do-it” handbooks, provides ministers with very practical materials on what to do in each of 10 key ministries, how to do it and who to involve.  It presents pastors with a rich set of resource materials helping them involve their laity and religious in many important dimensions of parish life.”

      Reference Number:  00210

55)  Osborn, Linda.  Good Liturgy Small Parish.  Chicago, Illinois:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1996.

    “Many of the documents and teachings about the liturgy that have come out since the Second Vatican Council assume that parishes have large numbers of people willing to help out.  Most of the parishes held up as examples of churches with good liturgy do indeed have a large staff of fulltime workers and many, many people coming to celebrate.  “But,” asks Linda Osborn, the author of Good Liturgy, Small Parishes, “what if your choir consists of only four or five people on a good day and your RCIA program has only one candidate? What if your liturgy committee is you and your pastor?  In other words, what if you are part of a small parish?”  This book is addressed to those who work in small parishes and celebrate the liturgy in those communities.  It is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.”

      Reference Number:  O-00008

56)  Ryan, G. Thomas.  The Sacristy Manual.  Chicago, Illinois:  Liturgy Training Publications, 1993.

      Reference Number:  R-00025

57)  Senter, Mark III.  Recruiting Volunteers in the Church.  Wheaton, Illinois:  Victor Books a Division of Scripture Press Publications Inc., 1990.

     “Are you tired of asking for help? Are you even more tired of getting no for an answer when asking people to serve?  Be assured, you’re not alone.  Surveys show that the number one problem facing churches today is finding enough staff for their programs. What’s a leader to do?  Mark Senter III has wrestled with recruiting problems in three churches over a period of eighteen years.  He tackles the topic not as a detached observer, but as a committed participant and fellow-sufferer.  Recruiting Volunteers in the Church offers step-by-step procedures and an abundance of resource materials to help leaders in their recruiting.”

      Reference Number:  S-00055

      58)  Sexual Harassment: Serious Business Leader’s Guide.  Mill Valley, California:  Kantola Productions, 1993.

             Reference Number:  00811

59)  Sofield, Loughlan, Hammett, Rosine, and Juliano, Carroll.  Building Community.  Notre Dame, Indiana:  Ave Maria Press, 1998.

      Reference Number:  S-00057

60)  Sweetser, Thomas P., S.J. & McKinney, Mary Benet, O.S.B.  Changing Pastors:  A Resource for Pastoral Transitions.  Kansas City, Missouri:  Sheed & Ward, 1998.

      Reference Number:  S-00164   

61)  Towson, Louis A.  The Effective Church Committee:  A Member’s Handbook.  San Jose, California:  Resource Publishing, Inc., 2000. 

    “Become a Spiritual Giant.  Serve on a Church Committee.  Serving on a church committee may not sound like a spiritual-growth opportunity, but it is.  Certainly meetings can be long.  Assignments can be difficult.  Feelings can be hurt.  But, as the author of The Effective Church Committee says, the Gospel gets carried out in the real world—and a church committee is as real as it gets.  Besides, committees are where the action is.  If you learn to play your part, committee work can proceed more smoothly and even become a pleasure.  This entertaining book tells you how to make it happen.  It spells out your role, tells you what to expect of yourself and your leaders, and gives you some ideas for making your time on the committee easier and more productive.”

      Reference Number:  T-00011

62)  Towson, Louis A.  How to Run a Committee or Organization:  A Manual for Church Leaders.  San Jose, California:  Resource Publishing Inc., 2000. 

     “How to Run a Committee or Organization will help you do a better job—not just by taking you through the nuts an bolts but by changing how you think about this important work.  For the author, leading a committee or an organization is more than a way to get things done.  It can have its fun, even amusing, moments.  More important, it is a chance to encounter Christ.  The process itself working efficiently and with sensitivity to all parties—becomes “a way to honor God as worthy as any other form of praise.”  In Part I, dedicated to running the church committee, you will learn how to value authority and responsibility, how to recruit committee members, how to plan, how to run a meeting, how to encourage creativity, and how to adopt good reporting practices.  Part II is dedicated to the broader responsibility of running an organization.  If you use this manual, you will not need to re-invent the wheel.  The huge appendix is filled with checklists and useful forms that will make your life easier today.” 

      Reference Number:  T-00012

63)  Walters, Thomas P.  Handbook for Parish Evaluation.  New York, New York:  Paulist Press, 1984.

    “A collection of evaluative instruments and processes developed by religious educators in the Archdiocese of Detroit.  It is designed to assist catechetical leadership in assessing the effectiveness of the parish programs.  It is specifically intended for use by directors of religious education, sectional coordinators, section heads, education commission members and pastors.  This handbook provides leadership personnel with the information and direction they need to conduct a variety of program evaluations.”

      Reference Number:  W-00009

64)  Whitehead, Evelyn Eaton and James D.  Community of Faith Crafting Christian Communities Today. Mystic, Connecticut:  Twenty-Third Publication, 1993.

     “Offers a practical analysis of what makes community groups work, along with a theological look at key elements in a spirituality of Christian community.  Drawing on theological, sociological, and strategy perspectives, the book provides a comprehensive blueprint for and effective ministry of community formation.”

      Reference Number:  W-00012

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