The Hands-On Parish: Reflections and Suggestions for Fostering Community

by William J. Bausch

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0896224015
• ISBN13: 9780896224018
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Twenty-Third Publications
• Length: 219 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A resource, but more of a case study than a roadmap

This book was my assigned reading in the early 90's, when I took a Pastoral Ministry Formation class offered to the lay ministers in my diocese. I read it through briefly, then put it on my shelf. When I was selected this year for the parish council, I decided to give it another look. What I see now is a book which provides, through practical insight, a vision of what your parish could look like in 10 years, if you had a good long range plan for your parish's ministry to the People of God and if you had a willing parish priest in your corner. That's because it emphasizes setting long range goals and empowering lay ministers with the tools they need to minister effectively. You'll find the material a little dated. Some of the things he suggest have already happened, in particular the explosion of the Hispanic population and the needs which have risen as a consequence of that. Certainly the scandals within the church have colored the sentiments of many U.S. Catholics. But the suggestions are sound and more importantly I think the book serves as a good tool for promoting dialogue with other lay ministers and within the parish council. Bausch doesn't try to convince you that he has the model for how all parishes should run. But he does have practical experience, and his successes are worth a read. Above all he makes the case for healthy community a community created, enriched and strengthened by the People of God - not a community ministered to by the clergy alone. There are limitations. First, as I said earlier, it is dated. Second, he refers almost exclusively to his own parish with little advice for implementing the ideas in another parish. But he states those limitations from the beginning. In other words, he's not trying to come up with YOUR answers. He's merely trying to witness to the journey that his parish community has been taking, and what they've learned along the way. Should you wish to share this journey with others within your own community, I think it could be a great, fresh conversation. It's important to ask the question, "What will be doing in 10 years? The same old thing? Or will we adapt to meet the needs of the People of God? HOW will we do this?" It's worth the investment. I will be sharing it with my pastor and parish council. It's a good book to take off the shelf and put into practice.