Outskirts Press, INC.

Rebuilding a Catholic Parish with Brick, Mortar, and Living Stones

There is nothing in the training of a Roman Catholic priest to prepare you for the adventure of being a pastor. The pastor is chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief security officer, personnel director, human resources officer, counselor, and chief bottle washer and janitor. A pastor's job encompasses such sublime things as celebrating Mass and performing weddings and funerals to such mundane things as unplugging stuffed toilets and rescuing people stuck between floors on the elevatorà

While pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry, New Hampshire, Father Joseph Lorenzo penned a weekly column for the church bulletin called "The View From My Window." These funny, touching, and inspiring essays were a cornerstone to his ministry, meant to guide his flock of nearly 10,000 toward a deeper understanding of the role of the Church and as a rededication to building up the Kingdom of God on Earth. Through heartwarming and often humorous homilies and recollections, Father Joe regales us with tales of growing up in an Italian Family, his experience of life in a Franciscan friary, his travels to the Holy Land, and his desire to rebuild a Catholic parish much in need of spiritual and physical repair. Father Joe manages to cast aside the barriers that often separate a congregation from its spiritual leaders, and reveals himself as a fellow Christian soul on the path to salvation.

The View From My Window's First Review
Father Joseph Lorenzo’s, “View From My Window,” is a wonderful collection of thoughts and personal recognitions. From his humor, to the serious moments, to his journey that led him to where he is now, I thoroughly enjoyed every single word.
He shares deeply personal thoughts about his thousands of parishioners, his family, friends, and most importantly, his God. I was fascinated by the fact that before I read this, I didn’t have a clue who this man was, or that he even existed; however, after reading his insightful, loving, warm, humorous, heartfelt “view,” I truly believe I would know him anywhere.
Not being Catholic, I thought for sure I would be bored reading this book, but I have never been more mistaken about anything. He has given me new insight into a religion that I never understood. While I don’t think I’ll be converting anytime soon, I have a much better understanding of what Catholicism is about and what being a priest, friar or nun truly involves.
Father Joseph has given me a newfound respect for their order and their choice to serve God and man in their vocations. I felt for him as he spoke of losing each of his parents and I laughed with each light-hearted story he shared. Lucky is the teenager and adult alike who has had the pleasure of knowing him.
I applaud Father Joseph for his candor, honesty and no-nonsense approach to what he believes. I could write a review that goes on as long as his book does, but I’ll leave you with this…pick up a copy today. Whether you’re Catholic or not, you will find such joy pressed between these pages and you come away with a rich feeling of peace when you’ve finished reading. Thank you Father Joseph and God bless you.
Terri Ann Armstrong, Editor/Poet/Author of “My Soul Has Spoken,” and
“Where Do I Begin?” www.terrisheart.com, www.freewebs.com/rteditingservices/