It s no surprise that most adult Catholics remain active in their faith because they were formed by their parents. This is the kind of faith formation that lasts a lifetime! Parents are the key players. And the fact is, no one else can do this particular work of faith formation. 
 Study after study highlights the importance of parental example. People experience less difficulty with drug and alcohol abuse, depression and suicide, and family tension when they regularly come to church; children and teens are more likely to do well in school, stay close to their families, and experience a greater sense of wellbeing when they regularly participate in Mass and parish activities with their families. 
 All of this leads to the important conclusion that those who work in parish ministry as volunteers or leaders must find a way to bring parents into the learning experience of their children. They must have great expectations of those parents, expectations the parents will meet if they partner with them and coach them to form their own children. 
 In this book then, we will guide catechists, teachers, pastors, principals, and parish catechetical leaders to take a secondary role (as coaches), to help parents play the primary role (as teachers) in the faith formation of their children. These leaders will then learn to expect parents to take the primary role in forming their own children. The feedback they get from parents as has been witnessed so often through this coaching method will be overwhelmingly positive.

Great Expectations: A Pastoral Guide for Partnering with Parents

Bill Huebsch

Leisa Anslinger

Religion & Spirituality

Twenty-Third Publications

Does parish life really matter? Do people really need community anymore? Are there really "successful parishes" out there? 
 The author says a resounding "yes" to all three in this engaging and challenging invitation to parish leaders. Her first seven chapters offer essential principles that have evolved from discussions with pastoral leaders in a variety of ministerial settings, as well as careful study of sacred Scripture, theology, Church documents, and current research. 
 Section tow pulls all the principles together by offering "seasonal renewal" focus points with examples of how the seasons can lead parishioners toward a living relationship with Christ--with Sunday Eucharist at the center. 
 The concluding section offers an "Appreciative Process for Planning and Development," to help pastoral leaders build on what is already contributing to positive, dynamic life within their parishes.
 Turning Hearts to Christ is a dynamic and essential planning resource for pastors, parish leadership teams, pastoral staffs, pastoral council members, faith formation, evangelization, and stewardship committee members.

Turning Hearts to Christ: Engaging People in a Lifetime of Faith

Designed as a formational tool for engaged couples to guide them through each decision of the wedding liturgy, this resource provides suggestions for creating a cohesive Liturgy of the Word. Along with full texts of each of the readings from The Order of Celebrating Matrimony with pastoral commentary, couples can use this resource together to select the readings for their wedding liturgy and gain insight as to why they may choose a particular reading.

United in Christ: Preparing the Liturgy of the Word at Catholic Weddings

Jennifer Kerr Breedlove

Charles A. Bobertz

Mary A. Ehle

Christopher J. Ferraro

Mary G. Fox

Corinna Laughlin

Biagio Mazza

Liturgy Training Publications

Unidos en Cristo: Preparar la Liturgia de la Palabra para una boda católica is perfect for parish staffs to provide couples with a high quality and pastoral resource for preparing all aspects of the Liturgy of the Word for their wedding. Unlike other resources on the market, Unidos en Cristo presents a focused and simple resource to help couples select the most necessary parts of the wedding liturgy. The commentaries explain the meaning of the Scripture text through the lens of the needs of the couple. Bulk pricing is available for large quantity purchases.

Unidos en Cristo: Preparar la Liturgia de la Palabra para una boda católica (Spanish Edition)

This easy-to-use resource provides initiation ministers with the pastoral tools needed to lead dismissal sessions with adults preparing for Baptism. Through reflection and discussion, each dismissal session guide helps to develop the catechumen s relationship with Christ, self, and neighbor by internalizing the Word, concentrating their prayer around the Scriptures, and becoming familiar with the teachings of the Church. The step-by-step format makes leading the dismissal an easy and prayerful experience.

The Living Word™: Leading RCIA Dismissals, Year B

Victoria M. Tufano

This easy-to-use resource provides initiation ministers with the pastoral tools needed to lead dismissal sessions with adults preparing for Baptism. Through reflection and discussion, each dismissal session guide helps to develop the catechumen s relationship with Christ, self, and neighbor by internalizing the Word, concentrating their prayer around the Scriptures, and becoming familiar with the teachings of the Church. The step-by-step format makes leading the dismissal an easy and prayerful experience.\nThe Living WordTM: Leading RCIA Dismissals, Year A includes: Guides for dismissal sessions for every Sunday and Holyday of Obligation of Year A Seasonal overviews, Scripture backgrounds, and preparation materials for catechists Seasonal dismissal texts for the priest celebrant Complete reflection texts with discussion sparkers on the readings of the day Centering ideas and closing prayers Suggestions for additional catechetical topics that are connected to the readings of the day An appendix with dismissal guides for the Rite of Acceptance, Rite of Sending, Rite of Election, and the three Scrutinies

The Living Word™: Leading RCIA Dismissals, Year A

This easy-to-use resource provides initiation ministers with the pastoral tools needed to lead dismissal sessions with adults preparing for Baptism. Through reflection and discussion, each dismissal session guide helps to develop the catechumen s relationship with Christ, self, and neighbor by internalizing the Word, concentrating their prayer around the Scriptures, and becoming familiar with the teachings of the Church. The step-by-step format makes leading the dismissal an easy and prayerful experience.

The Living Word™: Leading RCIA Dismissals, Year C

A liturgically-based pastoral and practical resource for couples preparing for marriage. It will help them discuss important issues related to communication, finances, reconciliation, sex, spirituality and prayer, and discipleship. It will help ground a couples formation through the lens of the Marriage rite and provide tools for discussion.

Marriage in the Lord, Seventh Edition: A Catholic Formation Resource

Kyle S. Turner

Lauri Przybysz

All you are, have, and will be is God s and is entrusted to you. You are called to steward it very well. It is my hope this booklet will help you explore the varied dimensions of this deeply spiritual way of life. 
 With these words, Leisa Anslinger begins this guide to authentic stewardship a model for re-imagining and re-focusing our lives as disciples. She opens our eyes to all the ways we may already be serving, how much more we will find ourselves able to do, and how a life of stewardship can enrich our lives.

30 Days on Stewardship: Reflections and Inpiration on Sharing God's Gifts

With people pulled in so many directions today, helping people feel connected to each other, to the parish, and to God is a major challenge for parish leaders. How do we build a stronger community, in which more and more people are getting involved and growing in faith together? For the past fifteen years, Leisa Anslinger has been working with and listening to parishioners and parish leaders, and in this book she offers eight time-tested and practical ways to help build community by building connections between people. This is an indispensable book for pastoral teams, volunteers, parish councils, and all who work to awaken, inspire, and build the life of your parish.

8 Ways to Build Parish Community: A Practical Guide for Ministers and Parish Leaders

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Books by Leisa Anslinger