Sent Out Into the World

"""Rev. McGourty's book restores the importance of rituals, such as the Order of the Dedication of the Church, as essential components of evangelization, the revitalization of parish communities, and the praxis of journeying together as a community of faith."" --John Elmer Abad, associate professor of systematic and historical theology, St. Augustine's Seminary of Toronto ""While liturgical ceremonies for the Dedication of a Church are not very frequent in our day, Fr. McGourty believes that the Order of the Dedication of a Church articulates powerfully the evangelizing mission of every parish community. I am certain that this work will help parish communities and local churches to reflect upon the vocation that the church building, through its symbolism, inspires in each of us. Sent Out into the World presents a badly needed liturgical theology for the contemporary Catholic Church."" --Thomas Rosica, CSB, SSL, founding CEO of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television Network ""An insightful and practical liturgist, Michael McGourty draws out the theological riches that are in the Order of the Dedication of a Church to illustrate how our understanding of who and what we are as Christians (the Church) is manifest in the building (the church) in which we gather to worship and from which we are sent out."" --Gary Franken, bishop, Diocese of St. Paul in Alberta ""Fr. McGourty's very thoughtful, well-researched, and well-written book invites the local parish community to discover its mission as part of the Mystical Body of Christ and to become a visible sign on earth of the Church in heaven. In our unprecedented era of the 'virtual parish, ' this book offers a timely reminder that in order for the parish community to realize its 'authentic ecclesial and spiritual identity, ' the faithful must never lose their focus upon the real presence of Christ, who journeys with us on our pilgrim way."" --A. Robert Nusca, president, St. Augustine's Seminary of Toronto"