Parish vitality does not just happen. It is the result of intentional choices by parish leaders who are mission driven. To that end we encourage you to download and distribute a parish Planning Survey which has been used in over a dozen parishes already to establish a clear and compelling direction for the future. Contact the Office of Parish Life for instructions on best methods of distribution. The Office of Parish Life provides expert analysis and a report of findings at no charge. The Office of Parish Life also provides courses, retreats and workshops that a parish or vicariate can use to equip their leaders to reach these goals. Please consider the materials available in the Evangelization Resource Request form. Complete the form and return it to the Office of Parish Life, 795 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14203, call 716-847-5531 or email: parishlife@buffalodiocese.org to obtain the resources to review.
Evangelism - How We Can Reach Unchurched Larry and Mary (Fr. Martin Pable)
Ash Wednesday Welcome Cards
Christmas Welcome Cards
Art of Hospitality (Rev. Eduardo Montemayor)
Dealing with Discouragement in Evangelization (John J. Boucher)
Everyday Evangelization (St. Leo Church, Tonawanda)
Parish Evangelization Team Manual (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
St Paul Teach Us to Evangelize - Study Series (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Seven Steps to Make the Parish Shine (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Too Few in the Pew (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Fishing with Nets or with Poles (Lorie Duquin)
Home Visitation Manual (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)
Outreach Programs
www.oncecatholic.org or www.catolcosregresen.org
www.catholicscomehome.org
www.livingtheeucharist.org
www.catholicsreturninghome.org
www.alphausa.org
www.Landings-International.org
www.bustedhalo.com
Living the Faith
We invite you to hear the stories of Jennifer Reis, Father Roy Herberger, the Win Family and Bishop Edward Kmiec who are so full of enthusiasm for their Catholic Faith. It is so often said that the best way to spread the good news of the Gospels is for people to tell their stories - of how God has been present in their lives and what this means to them in the community we call Church. We hope you enjoy the sincerity and the vibrant hope in these four short descriptions of their journeys.
Printed Resources
When Someone You Love Leaves the Church (Lorene Hanley Duquin, Our Sunday Visitor, 2001)
Faith Rediscovered: Coming Home to Catholicism by Lawrence S. Cunningham (Paulist Press)
Christian Hospitality (Archdiocese of Louisville, KY)
Practicing Catholic by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk (St. Anthony Messenger Press)
Returning Home to Your Catholic Faith: An Invitation by Sally Mews (Liguori Publications)
While You Were Gone: A Handbook for Returning Catholics by William J. Bausch (Twenty-Third Publications)
When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics (Melanie Rigney and Anna M. Lanave, Twenty-Third Publ 2009)
The Mission Driven Parish (Patrick J. Brennan, Orbis Books 2007)
Lay Ministers, Lay Disciples: Evangelizing Power in the Parish (Gerding and DeSiano, Paulist Press 1999)
Great Ideas from Great Parishes (Mary Ann Jeleson and Carole Garibaldi Rogers, Renew Int’l, 2003)
From Maintenance to Mission: Evangelization and the Revitalization of the Parish (Robert S. Rivers, CSP).
Could You Ever Come Back to the Catholic Church? (Lorene Hanley Duquin, Alba House, 1997)
"Seeking an Annulment", “Top 10 Reasons to Come Back to Church” and more.and other pamphlets by Lorene Hanley Duquin and others from Our Sunday Visitor (800-348-2440); www.osv.com/pamphlets ($14.95 packets of 50) Leaflets Liguori Publications (800-325-9521); www.liguori.org ($6.95 packets of 25)
A Time to Listen . . . A Time to Heal, A Resource Directory for Reaching out to Inactive Catholics. No. 5-306 (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 800-235-8722, www.usccb.org)
Yes, I Can Believe (Frank DeSiano, CSP, Paulist Press). Wake Up, Lazarus! On Catholic Renewal by Pierre Hegy Jump Start: Evangelization Starter Kit (Paulist Evangelization Ministries) Awakening Faith (a six-week, 90 minute session program published by Paulists Evangelization Ministries) is designed to invite both inactive and even active Catholics "to feel something about their faith again".
Catholics Continuing the Journey (a faith-sharing program for small groups by Sally Mews) a six weekly two-hour session for those who have recently returned to the Church and for others who are seeking to renew and strengthen their faith. Inviting Catholics Home (a six-week session aimed at helping Catholics return to Church) by Sally Mews.
101 Questions & Answers on the Bible (R. E. Brown, Paulist Press)
Catholic Q & A: Answers to the Most Common Questions about Catholicism (J.J. Dietzen, Crossroad Publishing)
Remaining Catholic: Six Good Reasons for Staying in an Imperfect Church (Rev. Martin Pable, ACTA Publications)
Why be Catholic? Understanding our Experience and Tradition (R. Rohr & J. Martos, St. Anthony Messenger Press)
Catholicism: Now I Get It! by F.S. Smith (Our Sunday Visitor)
Quest - a several Sunday, scripture-based reflection booklet for those who gather in small Christian communities (Archdiocese of Hartford, CT).
Longing for the Holy: Spirituality for Everyday Life Ronald Rohlheiser, OMI) a twelve-session process for spiritual and pastoral renewal based on selected insights from his book, The Holy Longing.
Reclaim the Fire: A Parish Guide to Evangelization (Rev. Martin Pable)
Faith sharing materials - many choices available for online purchase from www.renewintl.org. The Impact series booklets are designed for small groups (six sessions every two or three weeks).
Resources (in print and web) contact:
Office of Parish Life : 716-847-5531
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