I am reading “Rebuilt” by Father Michael White and Tom Corcoran. The book tells of how their parish was “rebuilt” from being a self-serving community into a place of growth and discipleship. It focuses on changing the consumerist culture.
In chapter 5, the authors describe the parish when they arrived. “It was clear the purpose of the place had become maintenance of the status quo. … Nativity [the parish] enabled and even encouraged members to remain demanding consumers, and we ignored everybody else. Nativity was sinking into irrelevance because we had no vision for reaching the lost and no plan for the spiritual growth and maturity of our members. There was no understanding of even the need for life-change, much less how to affect it.”
On the cover, Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s quote reads, “If you love your parish, read this book.” I would have said, “Read this book (period), take it to your pastor and parish leadership, then ask, ‘Is our parish fostering growing discipleship by challenging the regulars and bringing in new people to the faith?’” If not, ask yourselves, “What can we do to help our parish accomplish this? What is it that we can do to rebuild our parish?”
Makana Aiona is the diocesan coordinator for Young Adult Ministry.
