The Obligations and Rights of the Pastor of a Parish: According to the Code of Canon Law

Rating:
Summary: Should be in the hands of every Catholic
Review: I was very much impressed with the book by Monsignor Sweeny. It is user friendly and easy to read. The book clearly explains the rights and obligations of a pastor, it should be read by every pastor, parish staff member, indeed it should be read by every parishoner. It has been of tremendous help to me in my ministry and I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A Pastor & User of Canon Law
Review: This book does an excellent job of bringing together the Teachings of the Second Vatican Council, and the Codes in Canon Law that flow from it, into a meaningful presentation that provides a "vision" for the Pastor as to what the parish should & could be. It also provides a "focus" by which the Pastor can evaluate himself or the parish as to "How am I doing?" or "How are we doing as a parish?"
Studying Canon Law is one thing. But bringing the various codes together as applying to the various aspects of pastoral and parochial life is another. Msgr. Sweeney does and excellent job in doing this. For example, with respect to the ten basic characteristics of a parish, he pulls the basic canonical references as follows:
1.Eucharistic community - c. 528 §2.
2.Parish represents the visible Church constituted throughout the world - some vague traces may be seen in cc. 839 §1 and 204 §~1-2. This appears to have developed more as a theological conclusion about an element of ecclesiology rather than as matter which could be the subject of legislation.
3.Relationship of liturgical life of a parish to the bishop being fostered in the spirit and practice of clergy and laity - a vague and tangential reference in cc. 528 §2, 592 §2.
4.Encouraging a sense of community within the parish -c. 529 §1.
5.Greatest effort at establishing community spirit to be made in common Sunday celebration - traces in cc. 1247, 1248.
6.Word of God to be preached to all - cc. 528 §1, 767.
7.Catechetical instruction for all ages as their needs may require - cc. 528 §1, 773-780.
8.Spirit of missionary activity and evangelization cc. 791 §~1, 3, 4, 225 §1 and 275 §2.
9.Fostering religious vocations - cc. 233 §~1-2, 385 and 791, 1°.
10.Parish outreach to persons in special circumstances -cc. 528 §1 and 592 §1.
Worthwhile reading! Should be used in Seminaries. Good for reflection & planning! Nice price! The average person can benefit greatly from this. It is not just for priests, deacons and religious. I wish more Catholics had knowledge of what it teaches.