December 2013:
Rebuilt: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, Making Church Matter
By Michael White and Tom Corcoran
Review: Those in ho-hum parishes and even those in pretty good parishes will find this book a source of great ideas, practical suggestions, and hope for parish life. White and Corcoran, pastor and current pastoral associate at a parish in the Baltimore archdiocese, are blazingly honest—and funny—about what ailed the parish when they arrived, what they tried that flopped dismally (and why), and what they did that finally worked.
They concentrated on reaching “the lost”—those who routinely drove right by their church. They lost some longtime folks, but they didn’t mind. You may disagree with some of their pronouncements about parish life, but that only makes the book all the more interesting.
—Catherine O’Connell-Cahill, Senior Editor, U.S. Catholic
Ave Maria Press says: Drawing on wisdom gleaned from thriving megachurches and innovative businesses, while anchoring their vision in the Eucharist, Father Michael White and Tom Corcoran present the inspiring story of how they brought their parish back to life.
Paperback: $16.95
Available at bookstores or from Ave Maria Press: 1-800-282-1865 or shop online at www.avemariapress.com.
Order now from Ave Maria Press.
Questions for Discussion
1. Which part or parts of the authors’ story most captures your attention?
2. What connections did you draw between Church of the Nativity and your own parish as you read the book?
3. What are three important takeaways for you after reading Rebuilt? What will you do with these insights?
4. The authors present many challenges to the status quo in Catholic parishes. Are there any of these challenges that you feel ready to address in your parish? Talk about concrete ways that you might begin to do so.
