“Divine Renovation: Bringing your parish from maintenance to mission” by Father James Mallon is a multifaceted, multileveled book written for those intentionally willing to invest in Christ and His Church. The purpose of this investment is to refocus and create a dynamic Church that will be vibrant and Christ filled for the following generations including my sons, their wives and my grandchildren and really all people of God!
This book is written by Father Mallon who is pastor of Saint Benedict Parish in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for the purpose of parish renewal and evangelization. It has a discussion guide written by the folks at the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as our Cardinal Blasé Cupich. In the workbook the Cardinal states: “..our aim is to make disciples, build communities and inspire witness.. that we take up this venture together, ever relying on the guidance of Christ.”
Each of the seven chapters have such meaningful words that people see as part of their everyday life work. As a person who has recently taken up some activities that assist the strength of my body, the strength and health of my relationship with Christ is one hundred times more important. Walking through the gym, one sees as many as 250 people ‘working out’. We need to put that same energy into the work of our discipleship, where we get people invited to be with Christ and His community. As Pope Francis says in Evangelii Gaudium “I am a mission on this earth: that is the reason why I am here in this world.” Mallon in Chapter one says: “we have forgotten who we are and what we are called to do as a Church’. Mallon further states: “It is said that it is not so much that the Church of Christ has a mission, as that the mission of Jesus Christ has a Church.” Mallon finishes the chapter by relating the work in his parish: “Since 2014, we have seen almost 2,000 people participate in Alpha, with 20% to 30% being non-churchgoers….we have seen hundreds of lives changed and transformed as people encountered the person of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
In Chapter two, Mallon outlines the work of specific Popes and tells us that the second Vatican Council points out that: “Holiness and mission are not new in the teaching of the Church, but the stress on the Universal nature on these things was relatively new. The idea that the call to holiness and mission is rooted not in ordination or in religious profession but in baptism has been so forgotten that it was revolutionary.” In explaining Aparecida Mallon states that “ …in Latin America is a profound commitment to authentic renewal and a clear grasp of what is truly at stake. The Aparecida document is the document of the Magisterium of the Church. Although it is a call t action for the Church in South America, it would be a real mistake to ignore its importance for the universal Church and not only because the man who would become Pope Francis had strong hand in shaping it.” The author then proceeds to let us know the importance of Aparecida to every person’s life.
In Chapter three, Father Mallon, helps us to understand the sins of the universal Church. “Among the many tasks of the shepherd is that of keeping watch and warning the sheep of approaching dangers. We shepherds need to acknowledge our failure to recognize the signs of the times and to sound the alarm, even at the risk of disturbing the peace. We shepherds were supposed to be keeping watch, giving warning of the approach of an enemy and calling for urgent preparation but the clergy has failed and this is painful.” I would say, this is what seemed to be important to me in this chapter, so much of what is written is important as our own context becomes clear.
In Chapter four, Mallon lays out the issues that need to be removed in order for growth to occur. At the end of the chapter he states:” Now that we have looked with honesty at the acute need for renewal in our church, and have cleared the floor of the junk that hinders our ability to truly receive and live the Gospel, we begin to lay a foundation and prepare a welcoming and warm home.”
In Chapter 5, Father Mallon gives insight into how to transform the culture of the Parish community. Here he probes into the issue of culture, values, our common values and the expression of our values to each other and the larger community. Mallon then gives attention to giving priority to the weekend. At a recent meeting of lay leadership, I suggested we read the Gospel of the day and then talk about it for 15 minutes. There was little support to do this as an hour meeting is all we could ask of others? I was somewhat stunned but the fact that we would lengthen the meeting held as something we were not willing to do. Father Mallon states that we should look at the Eucharist as the most important thing we could take part in on any Sunday. Maybe we should change the Mass times and make the celebration of Mass all day on Sunday even if I have to attend the 3:15 Mass! The author also believes that the celebration of the homily should be our time of intently listening to the Scriptures. The preaching needs to be on what was proclaimed –the Scriptures! There are so many important aspects to this chapter it needs to be read.
The main focus of Chapter 6 is the sacraments, as our greatest pastoral opportunity. Mallon describes new models of pastoral care. The most important program to me in my parish is RCIA or adult Baptism. Our time and resources should be spent on the sacraments. We need to make all preparation family based so that in preparing for first Communion the entire family would take part in the catechesis. The reception of the sacraments need not be regulated to certain times in people’s lives or their ages but rather their preparation and understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ at this time.
In Chapter 7, Mallon discusses the essential role of leadership. Father Mallon has stated that “The primary role of the leader of any organization is to develop and communicate a vision for what can be. “Hybels defines vision as a picture of the future that produces passion in us.” In defining charisms, he points out that vision may begin with the leader but it cannot remain solely in the mind and heart of the leader. It must be communicated and shared in a compelling way that invites others to receive it, take ownership of it and even change and adjust it. Father Mallon continues by defining the aspects of a strategic plan and how they are locked into the vision in a symbiotic manner.
In the conclusion, Father Mallon quotes Rick Warren in which he states: “God has used me to do great things, because I expected him to do so.” Jesus promised that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us.
Reading this book and its accompanying workbook brings us the grace and blessings to do God’s work of discipleship here on earth. What I wrote is just a smattering of the wonderful ideas of Catholicism that he relates. Put all other books down and read this one. It is that affirming of Christ and His Church.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2018
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Top reviews from other countries
Manchega
Para llevar adelante una parroquia de discípulos misioneros.
Reviewed in Spain on December 12, 2017
P. George Elsbett
Deep renewal with solid foundations
Reviewed in Germany on October 3, 2016