Parishes building new churches struggle to find the right marriage of bricks and mortar to house the body of Christ.

On the last Sunday of every month, Father John Jamnicky gets on a scale. Within moments his weight loss is posted on a big chart in the fellowship room of his church. “At 65, I have probably lost and gained more weight than the whole parish combined!” says Jamnicky, laughing.

It's not as difficult—or expensive—as you might think to build a green parish.

Church design is evolving as people reawaken to the ancient wisdom that the environment is a series of exquisite interconnections. Forward-looking congregations are building and renovating in ways that reflect the belief that God resides in the world and all creation resides within God.

Editors' note: Sounding Board is one person’s take on a many-sided subject and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of U.S. Catholic, its editors, or the Claretians.

. . . you sent me a box of envelopes. Surely we need to warm up the welcome at our parishes, lest we become St. Mary of the Cold Shoulder.

One place we can and should be reminded of what true hospitality is—and given a chance to practice it—is in our parish.

I learned this lesson the hard way when my husband and I moved with our young family to a new town several years back.

In his interview with the editors, Msgr. Arturo Bañuelas weighs in on cultural issues in the parish. See our full interview with him, It takes a parish.

What's the key to promoting a Catholicism that isn't Eurocentric?