The Parish: Mission or Maintenance?
A ground-breaking presentation by Fr. Michael Sweeney and Sherry Weddell given to priests, seminarians, and lay students in Rome in February, 2000. The Parish: Mission or Maintenance? offers a challenging, comprehensive, and practical look at the Church's teaching about the apostleship of the laity, the essential part of the priestly office in forming lay apostles, the importance of gifts discernment, and the untapped potential of the local parish in making real apostolic formation and support available to every Catholic. (Also available bound, in a 40 page book, at nominal cost. Order your copy by phone (toll free) 1-888-878-6789).
"An argument for argument's sake," Fr. Michael Sweeney
Article from the summer 1998 newsletter.
"The role of the parish in the new evangelization," Bishop Robert Christian, O.P.
Article from the summer 1998 newsletter.
Collaboration with the Laity, Fr. Michael Sweeney, O.P.
According to Pope John Paul, II and the Second Vatican Council, the proper role of lay men and women in the Church is a collaborative one: by virtue of baptism and confirmation, all Catholics are called to bring Christ into every human situation and to be co-responsible for this work of the Church in the world. Fr. Michael takes a look at what work needs to be done toward the Christian formation of the lay faithful before this goal can be reached.
Government in the Church, Fr. Michael Sweeney, O.P.
A look at the implications for the Church's government and for parish life of Church teaching about the role of the lay faithful.
Pope John Paul II Speaks on Charisms
From a 1994 general audience.
The Strategic Role of Lay Catholics in the Dominican Mission, Sherry Weddell
What can Dominican parishes (and all Catholics) learn from the experience of evangelical Protestants in mobilizing their laity for the work of the Church?
Guiding Principles of the Lay Apostolate
Pope Pius XII
Address of His Holiness to the Second World Congress of the Lay Apostolate October 5, 1957.
How might a parish begin?
Making Disciples Equipping Apostles: The Parish as a House of Formation for Adult Catholics
Also available at a nominal cost from our bookstore.
For a list of downloadable brochures about our programs, click here.