“If the Church is ever going to actualise its full potency as a force for good it will happen only when the parish is at the centre of the work of compassion and justice, and the work of compassion and justice is at the centre of the parish.”

What is the future of the American Church? Building on the legacy of the Catholic Church's robust historical witness, the inspiration of Pope Francis, and his own experiences as parish minister, Catholic Worker member, and founder of JustFaith Ministries, Jack Jezreel presents a unique vision for renewing parish life.
Promoting an outward, mission-oriented identity that connects evangelisation, faith formation, service, spirituality, and social justice, he argues that a true “Vatican II” parish knows that ministry is done by everyone, everywhere— not exclusively by clergy and not primarily on parish property. He ties this to Pope Francis’s vision of a community of missionary disciples and the call of “encounter.”
The book is leavened by Jezreel's reflections on scripture and his own personal experience of family, parish ministry, service, and work for social justice. He ends the book with a practical guide for implementing these principles in your own parish.