ON THE COVER:  Chapel of the Transfiguration, Jackson, Wyo.

From Inside ML: Who do we say we are? How we answer that question says a lot about how we perceive the world around us and our relationship in community. How we recognize the Christ living in us and manifest in others is based on this. The way we understand creation and our place in it depends on this. Asking the question “What is church?” is something we should do more often, and as something more than an academic exercise. Right now this question is of critical importance as we see different ways of worship, different models of community life, and different languages causing conflict to the very breaking point of the church. A sort of spiritual violence erupts and suddenly foundations no longer seem so firm. The late Cardinal Avery Dulles, SJ, spoke wisely of this, in words that might have been spoken today, “When paradigms shift, people suddenly find the ground cut out from under their feet. They cannot begin to speak the new language without already committing themselves to a whole new set of values that may not be to their taste. Thus they find themselves gravely threatened in their spiritual security” (Models of the Church, Exp Rei ed. [New York: Image, 1991], 31).(More)

FEATURES

What is church?
The state of the question

Grieving the Holy Spirit: Not a job description for the community of disciples
Timothy Backous and William C. Graham
Stretching toward the reign of God

A preview of coming attractions: How the reintroduction of the Tridentine rite will guide the new age
William C. Graham
Model for the emerging church 
 

Church: A divine adventure story for parishes
Joni Woelfel
Storytelling church issues

DEPARTMENTS

Inside ML Church / Donna M. Cole

Worship Times Reform and rumors of reform; H1N1 precautions; and more / Todd Flowerday

Bulletin Inserts / Paul Turner
Easter Duty
"Hell" in the Creed

Liturgical Spirituality Triduum – Easter 2010 / Kay Murdy

Ritual Formation Mystagogy / Darren M. Henson

Keeping the Faith The ins and outs of living as church / Leisa Anslinger

Sacred Space Faith mingles service, sorrow, and joy / Mary Patricia Storms

The Word Alive Building church in your lector group / Anne Louise Bannon

Bridge Work Almost white garments / Ron Raab

Moving Rite Along This is the church / Ada Simpson

Sung Prayer The vocation of the liturgical composer (part 1) / David Haas

At the Table of the Word On the empty tomb / Bruce Janiga

For more bulletin insert resources, try the Index of Bulletin Inserts

Calendar

Marketplace

• Parish Resource Directory

Discussion of Current Issue

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!