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Parish Life

Bring remarried Catholics back to the table

Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Bring remarried Catholics back to the table
The Austrian bishops have offered remarried Catholics a path to the sacraments for 30 years now. Let’s follow suit.A number of years ago, during a forum for divorced and remarried Catholics at a Jesuit retreat house in Austria, a woman shared her story: “After my divorce I went through a long period of deep self-doubt and depression. In addition I had difficulties with my two children.

Parishes: Let's stop ignoring domestic violence

Friday, October 14, 2011
Parishes: Let's stop ignoring domestic violence
It’s time for parishes to help battered spouses and their children step out of the shadows and get the assistance they need.Not long ago Juan and Carmen came to see me to register for the baptism of their third child. I had officiated at their wedding 10 years before.

Off the corporate ladder: Working for the church

Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Off the corporate ladder: Working for the church
Some professionals are quitting their day jobs and stepping up to a new spiritual calling.if someone had told Barbara Evans a decade ago that she’d be working as the director of religious education for a parish in New Jersey, responsible for the faith formation of children and teenagers, she’d have told them they were crazy.She had a solid corporate job as director of financial operations for a co

Degrees of service: More on lay ministry programs

Friday, January 13, 2012
Degrees of service: More on lay ministry programs
What types of lay ministry formation programs are available?

Not in it for the money: Why some Catholics jump off the corporate ladder and into church ministry

Friday, January 13, 2012
Not in it for the money: Why some Catholics jump off the corporate ladder and into church ministry
Those who enter lay ecclesial formation programs do so for a variety of reasons, but not usually because they expect to find a job with a whopping paycheck at the end.

Hold the applause: Save the praise for God alone

Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Hold the applause: Save the praise for God alone
We’re all part of the Body of Christ, so why are a select few soaking up all the attention at Mass?

Let's not make Mass about the ministers

Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Let's not make Mass about the ministers
Please click HERE if not redirected in 5 seconds.//

Business schooled: Experts weigh in on church management

Friday, June 17, 2011
Business schooled: Experts weigh in on church management
Father Tom Sweetser, S.J., says it’s not in his capacity to reform the entire U.S. church, but he knows he’s making a difference in the scores of parishes where he has consulted. It is what he is able to do.

The parish that works: Business practices for the church

Friday, June 17, 2011
The parish that works: Business practices for the church
Synergy, efficiency, and compliance aren’t just for business. They’re also important for a stronger church.Imagine the moment (with a choir in the background for good measure): Under a banner proclaiming “Welcome Home!” a lapsed Catholic opens the beautifully crafted doors to the parish where she hopes by God’s grace to renew her faith life in Christ and the holy church.

Resources for parishes that want to work

Friday, June 17, 2011
Resources for parishes that want to work
  Resources for running a parish using business' best practices
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