Creating Small Church Communities: A Plan for Restructuring the Parish and Renewing Parish Life by Arthur R. Baranowski, Kathleen M. O'Reilly, Carrie M. Piro

In this third edition of his Creating Small Church Communities, Churer and a paous are to renewal faranors brought

church and a parish's journey to renewal. Baranowski brought the church into the homes of his people by restructuring his parish into Small Church Communities. The people of his parish do not just go to church, they are church.

His story can become your story. "I believe that our deliberate pastoral attempt to bring parishioners together into small groups can serve as a model for any parish, for all parishes. This book is an effort to share the vision which inspired us as well as the nuts and bolts of how we did what we did," says Father Baranowski.

Church leaders say the time has come to renew Catholic life through the faith and love discovered in the small group experience:

"Gives pastors a practical, concrete, down-to-earth way to get their parishioners in personal touch with one another, and that's what is absolutely essential in today's church. It is obvious that this is a real working pastor speaking. Covers the various difficulties that come up from experience rather than from some theory. The program is superb!" -Charles A.

Gallagber, S.J., Pastoral and Matrimonial Renewal Center

"...realistic, holistic and much needed. The plan is based on lived experience, good theology and the personal stories that even make it enjoyable reading. A preview of the American church around the corner." —Richard Robr, O.E.M., author, preacher, and founder and former codirector of the Center for Action and Contemplation

"...a timely response to the challenge we must face. The ideas and practical how-to will do much to raise awareness and is a book that will foster and promote a necessary dialogue.

Everyone involved in parish ministry should read this book."

-Vincent Dwyer, O.C.S.O., author of Genesis II

ARTHUR R. BARANOWSKI is a priest and pastor of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He is a member of the board of the National Alliance of Parishes Restructuring Into Communities.