Holy Ghost in the Catholic Machine

"""Frankly, Catholic clergy seldom deliver homilies worthy of the sacraments we celebrate: vibrant, relevant, life-changing. J. E. Sigler brilliantly explains why that is and, more, what to do about it: stop regarding preachers as lightning rods or (at best) conduits of the Holy Spirit, and instead enable them to be reservoirs of inspiration. If only homilists would adopt Sigler's method, the faithful would at last truly be nourished by the word of God."" --Fr. Tom Margevičius, director, Office of Worship, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis ""In a Church looking for solutions to problems, this book is a step in the right direction. The interviews and real-life answers from priests in the trenches are relatable and inspirational; the research is enlightening--a great read for seminarians, priests, and the laity!"" --Fr. Jonathan P. Meyer, pastor, All Saints Parish ""Drawing from interviews with parish priests, J. E. Sigler invites the reader into a discussion about the interaction between pastoral practice and ecclesial context. Those interested in fostering a culture of Catholic homiletic excellence will find a number of points for ongoing exploration and implementation."" --Fr. Andrew Ricci, rector, Cathedral of Christ the King ""As a passionate preacher, I have learned a lot from this study of charismatic and bad preachers' self-image, preparation, and 'blindness' to structural tensions. Its realistic ecclesiology, reflecting both Weberian structures and the Holy Spirit, gives a better understanding of the 'overwhelmed' preacher. As such, it is a relevant aid for the formation of priests and a 'must' for bishops, those responsible for formation, and preachers themselves. The laity will also read it with profit."" --Fr. J�zef Niewiadomski, professor for systematic theology, University of Innsbruck ""Today's teachers and preachers of the gospel face the challenge of communicating persuasively to a highly diverse and divided culture. Institutional pressures, educational shortcomings, and the daily grind of ministry contribute to the enormity of this challenge. J. E. Sigler's call for directed and Holy Spirit-filled preaching offers a way forward that promotes pastoral care and healthy congregations. It will resonate deeply with faithful communicators and Christ followers."" --Robert H. Woods Jr., executive director, Christianity and Communication Studies Network ""J. E. Sigler's study addresses an area of Catholic Church life that requires attention: preaching. Sigler brings an empirical, systematic lens to this under-appreciated area to understand what is happening on the ground and why. The experiences of priests and Sigler's analysis and recommendations need consideration so that preachers can be supported to fully and personally proclaim the Word of God."" --Joel Hodge, senior lecturer in theology, Australian Catholic University"