A Message for Its Own Time

This book is written for Catholics and fellow Christians seeking a vision of the Church which inspires great hope in these challenging times.

The Church is God's process of healing and developing humanity. Father Brian Murphy highlights its history of change and development, and suggests how the present trials are intense preparation for the future. God has led us into the desert where all true renewal begins, in order to be prepared for a wonderful new spring.

Each of us needs to become more deeply 'the type of worshiper the Father wants': that is to 'worship in truth' by rediscovering the treasures of the faith, and to 'worship in spirit' through contemplation, the prayer of the heart (John 4:24). Then the Church will be more effectively empowered to continue its mission to baptise all people into the life of the Trinity, and to renew the face of the earth.

In the last part of the book Anne Bardell stresses the need for Adult faith formation, giving many practical examples. She discovered that most Catholics seem content with their level of faith knowledge. However, once introduced to the deeper riches of the history and truths of the faith, people were eager to know more as their thirst for faith formation grew.

She argues for the essential need for centres or hubs of faith formation in every parish. It is essential that practising Catholics are encouraged to access these hubs as a normal part of parish life. They should also be accessible to parents leading their children through the Sacraments of Initiation. This requires the training of leaders equipped to support people as they travel ever deeper into their relationship with Jesus.

Anne Bardell B.Div., M.Ed, Lic. Div. (Cat). Her experience as chief Catechist and Pastoral Assistant in parishes with Fr. Brian for 32 years reached every level of parish learning from young children, teenagers, to young and more seasoned Catholics which provides the background for the practical examples offered here. She argues for the new concept of Catholic parishes developing as hubs to provide adult faith formation as a normal part of parish life. It requires faith formation for well trained leaders to equip them to support concerned Catholics as they travel more deeply into their relationship with Jesus.

Fr Brian Murphy is a priest of 53 years' experience in parishes in northern England. Since his retirement from parish responsibility he has concentrated on writing in order to contribute to the discernment of how the Holy Spirit is speaking to the Church of today. His emphasis is on hope and the need for a mental and spiritual renewal by all Church members. There is a strong spiritual reading element throughout his writings.