About the Book
Drawing on the wisdom gleaned from thriving mega-churches and innovative business leaders while anchoring their vision in the Eucharistic center of Catholic faith, Fr. Michael White and lay associate Tom Corcoran present the compelling and inspiring story to how they brought their parish back to life. Rebuilt: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, and Making Church Matter is a story of stopping everything and changing focus. When their parish reached a breaking point, White and Corcoran asked themselves how they could make the Church matter to Catholics, and they realized the answer was at the heart of the Gospel. Their faithful response not only tripled their weekend mass attendance, but also yielded increased giving, flourishing ministries, and a vibrant, solidly Catholic spiritual revival. White and Corcoran invite all Catholic leaders to share the vision, borrow their strategies, and rebuild their own parishes. They offer a wealth of guidance for anyone with the courage to hear them. 'Rebuilt is an excellent resource for parishes seeking new ideas and a fresh approach to bringing the faithful closer to Christ in the third millennium.'
- Most Rev William E Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore
About the Author :
Michael White is a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and serves as pastor at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland. During his tenure, the church has more than tripled in attendance and its commitment to the Church's mission has grown, evidenced by the significant increase of giving and service in ministry. He resides in Timonium, Maryland.
Review :
"A barn burner." ¡A AiI think it will be a bit of a barn burner when it comes out.¡A } Rev. Michael Roach Pastor of St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church Manchester, MD "If you love your parish, read this book." "Father Michael White, whom I have known for many years, and his pastoral associate, Tom Corcoran, write with remarkable honesty and humor, telling us about what happened to them. Through trial and error, success and failure, and with some unexpected experiences along the way, they leanred a lot about parish life. But most of all, they learned to fall in love with their parish... This is a book that takes the New Evangelization seriously... If you love your parish, read this book." From the Foreword by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan Archbishop of New York "An excellent resource for parishes." ¡A AiRebuilt is an excellent resource for parishes seeking new ideas and a fresh approach to bringing the faithful closer to Christ in the third millennium.¡A } Archbishop William E. Lori Archbishop of Baltimore "Humorous, candid, and insightful." ¡A AiRebuilt answers the most important question challenging our parishes today: How do we form communities of faith-filled disciples called to ongoing conversion and service? It is humorous, candid, and insightful¡ªan exciting and practical guide for clergy and laity who take the New Evangelization seriously.¡A } Most Reverend Joe S. VA N¢squez Bishop of Austin "A must-read for pastors and future pastors." ¡A AiThis story of Catholic parish renewal is a must-read for pastors and future pastors. It provides an amazing testimony to the transforming power of God¡¯s love when we say a generous yes to following Jesus in true discipleship, centered in word and sacrament.¡A } Rev. John Horn, S.J. President-Rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary Archdiocese of St. Louis "An eminently practical how-to book." ¡A AiThis is an eminently practical how-to book by two ordinary parish leaders doing extraordinary work. They challenge us to learn from their experience of growing a healthy parish built on the radical call of Gospel hope, focused on making disciples, and committed to reaching the lost.¡A } Theresa Rickard, O.P. Executive Director Renew International "Stunningly honest." "Vibrant parishes are essential if we are going to re-propose the genius of Catholicism to the people of our times. Rebuilt is much needed and well written. White and Corcoran are stunningly honest, insightful about the real problems facing parishes today, and passionate about helping your parish become the best version of itself.¡A } Matthew Kelly Author of Rediscover Catholicism "White and Corcoran challenge us." ¡A AiWhite and Corcoran challenge us to recognize that our parishes have become consumer exchanges, and, as such, have lost their transforming power in people¡¯s lives. They remind us that in order to recapture our zeal and enthusiasm we need to return to the basics of proclaiming the Word of God, seeking out those who are lost, and inviting them to come back home and join in the rebuilding.¡A } Rev. Richard Vega Pastor of St. Frances of Rome Parish Azusa, CA "A parish¡¯s transformation." ¡A AiFor the reader who doesn¡¯t just want to read about a parish success story but wants to have a conversation about how it happened, Rebuilt shares how vision, courage, mistakes, success, discernment, and grace shaped a parish¡¯s transformation into an evangelizing congregation.¡A } Susan Timoney Executive Director Department of Evangelization and Family Life Archdiocese of Washington "A most welcome resource." ¡A AiOne would think there are a lot of great books about parishes given their importance. There aren¡¯t. Michael White and Tom Corcoran give us a long overdue and frank discussion of parish mission, ministry, and structures. This is a most welcome resource for everyone concerned about Catholic parishes.¡A } Christopher C. Anderson Executive Director National Association for Lay Ministry "Refreshingly honest and down-to-earth." "Refreshingly honest and down-to-earth story of one parish¡¯s journey to becoming a vibrant Catholic community. Practical suggestions offer ways to creatively build up your parish and its mission." Marti R. Jewell Assistant Professor of Theology University of Dallas School of Ministry "Shows it¡¯s possible to answer Jesus Christ¡¯s call." ¡A AiIn Rebuilt, White and Corcoran show how it¡¯s possible to answer Jesus Christ¡¯s call to make disciples of all nations by cultivating an infectious energy and enthusiasm in today¡¯s Catholic parishes.¡A } Rev. Neil F. Wack, C.S.C. Pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church South Bend, IN "Congratulations on a great book!" ¡A AiWhite and Corcoran have detailed what few Catholic leaders have accomplished ©¤ how to turn a traditional parish inside out to evangelize in a systematic way. Congratulations on a great book!¡A } Rev. Robert S. Rivers, C.S.P. Author of From Maintenance to Mission "The reader finishes this book with hope." ¡A AiFr. White and Mr. Corcoran move from analyzing the all-too-typical-problems that they faced in their parish to presenting a clear, detailed, good-humored, and concrete pathway to their destination: a life-giving Catholic parish. The reader finishes this book with hope.¡A } Carol Nevin Abromaitis Professor of English Loyola University Maryland "A real treasure, a pearl of great price!¡A } ¡A AiThis is practical theology at its best. Bravo to Michael and Tom who have clearly described the essence of parish life in light of the Gospel mandate, ¡®Go and make disciples!¡¯ All pastors who desire to increase the spiritual health of their parish will find their work easy to read and hard to put down¡ªa real treasure, a pearl of great price!¡A } Michael J. Begolly Pastor of Mount Saint Peter Catholic Church New Kensington, PA
