Book Review: Divine Renovation: From Maintenance to a Missional Parish

Divine Renovation: From Maintenance to a Missional Parish

James Mallon

In the world of Catholic Evangelization I find that there is much being written about the subject while the word “Evangelization” is bantered about in parishes but there is actually little Evangelization occurring.  Fr. James Mallon’s book challenges all of this. Divine Renovation is an engaging book for individuals and parishes seeking to cultivate communities of disciples who desire a relationship with Jesus and his Church in vibrant and dynamic ways.

Highly acclaimed for his work with parish renewal and the New Evangelization in Canada and the U.S., Fr. Mallon shares with readers the many ways for bringing a parish to life. Through prayer, theology, humorous and colorful stories, as well as the clarion call for organizational health, Mallon challenges all to rethink fossilized models of parish life, from membership-based communities to assemblies of intentional disciples of Jesus who proclaim and share the good news with all peoples. The goal is to move from maintenance to mission. Accessible and engaging, Divine Renovation turns to many ecclesial writings on Evangelization and mission so as to articulate practical ways for injecting new life into parishes and encourages new strategies to seek out those who have left the church as well as those who don’t know the Lord. Pastors, parish ministers, and individuals concerned about dwindling church membership will be inspired by this book and turn to it as an important resource as Jesus calls all the baptized to “Go and make disciples…” (MT 28:19).

-Very Rev. David G. Caron, OP, D. Min.

Vicar of Evangelization, Archdiocese of New Orleans