Presbyters and Lay Faithful in the Process of Parish Building in the Face of Todayʼs Challenges

Abstract

The appeal to carry out the work of the New Evangelization leads to changes in the general concept of pastoral work. It is essential to turn ‘inherited’ Christianity into ‘proposed’ Christianity and pastoral work that is concentrated on administering sacraments into the one that awakens and develops faith. In order to show faith as a personal relation with God more successfully the chaplaincy should become more missionary and evangelical in its character. The objective of the parish is to make a permanent effort in becoming a real sign that is the sacrament of the Kingdom of God. Among other things, it should be manifested in the promotion of the new form of ecclesial community that is the community of communities, the communion of services and charismata. The modern ecclesial movements are one of the most effective tools for evangelization available to the Church in the modern world. However, it seems that modern movements and associations that follow the theological renewal after Second Vatican Council are still underestimated and unemployed. Another important conclusion is the necessity to highlight the important role of the lay in the apostolic mission of the Church. The involvement of the lay in a Church life should take place through their active participation in liturgy. What is more, they ought to participate in services and assignments to realize the communional parish vision. Creating small basic communities that reveal church communion and become evangelization centres may result in parish activation and renewal, and at the same time practicing cooperation between the shepherds and the lay. A parish community understood as cooperation between the clergy and the laity becomes the real sign of the Church.