Author, Daryl Grigsby, joins FutureChurch to share about his new book, “Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering.” In his book, Grigsby profiles 36 contemporary Catholics who have worked for justice and human dignity. He features Catholics from diverse national and racial backgrounds; religious, lay, and ordained. During the presentation, Grigsby shares the origins of his book, how it’s organized, offers highlights about four of the Catholics who appear in the book, and takes questions from our community.

Daryl Grigsby is an author and commentator on contemporary Catholic issues. A retired public works director, he also holds a Master’s Degree in Theology and Pastoral Studies from Seattle University and is a graduate of the Sabbatical Renewal Program at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. He is a board member for Leadership Foundations, which resolves critical urban challenges around the world, and for FutureChurch. Grigsby is the author of In Their Footsteps: Inspirational Reflections on Black History for Every Day of the Year and is a frequent contributor to National Catholic Reporter and Black Catholic Messenger.

FutureChurch welcomes those who have read or are reading Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering (Paulist Press, 2024) by Daryl Grigsby to join with others via Zoom as we discuss the book. After beginning with prayer, attendees will be placed into small groups for sharing. After small groups, we'll come together for a large group conversation to share insights and thoughts from small groups. 

Please note: those who registered for our conversation with author, have been preregistered for this discussion. To view a recording of that event, click here.

About the Book: “Why am I still Catholic in light of the clergy abuse crisis, the Church’s teachings about and practices toward women and members of the LGTBQ+ community, the Church’s own complicity in and inadequate response to societal racism, and other scandals and issues?” Author and commentator Daryl Grigsby set out to answer this question for himself by writing his newest book, Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering (Paulist Press, 2024). In it, he profiles 36 contemporary Catholics who have worked for justice and human dignity.  He features Catholics from diverse national and racial backgrounds; religious, lay, and ordained. 

Daryl Grigsby is an author and commentator on contemporary Catholic issues. A retired public works director, he also holds a Master’s Degree in Theology and Pastoral Studies from Seattle University and is a graduate of the Sabbatical Renewal Program at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. He is a board member for Leadership Foundations, which resolves critical urban challenges around the world, and for FutureChurch. Grigsby is the author of In Their Footsteps: Inspirational Reflections on Black History for Every Day of the Year and is a frequent contributor to National Catholic Reporter and Black Catholic Messenger.

As so many in our midst are becoming increasingly marginalized and vulnerable you may be asking, “what can I do?” Led by the Spirit and rooted in our Gospel values, FutureChurch is pleased to offer this 2025 Lenten Series – “What Is Mine To Do?”

Inspired by the Anointing Woman of Mark’s Gospel (14:3-9), who – in Jesus’ words – “did what she could,” FutureChurch is offering several opportunities designed to help each of us prayerfully discern how we are being called to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable and marginalized and to uphold and defend the dignity of all people. 

Our series will begin on Wednesday, March 12, with an introductory evening of reflection and discernment, facilitated by the FutureChurch team, during which we will call to mind the gifts God has given to us. On the subsequent four Wednesdays, members of the larger FutureChurch network will lead us in prayer meant to increase our awareness of the struggles of these populations and learn about ways we can support them. Finally on Saturday, April 12, we will conclude our Lenten series with a two-hour retreat led by Sr. Nancy Sylvester, IHM – founder and director the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue, past president of LCWR, and past national coordinator of NETWORK, the Catholic Social Justice Lobby.

Join us for any or all of these programs as we begin to faithfully answer the question “what is mine to do?”.

Join FutureChurch as we welcome Sr. Christine Schenk for a conversation about her newest book!

Bending Toward Justice (Rowman Littlefield, 2024) tells the story of the rampant closings of Catholic parishes across the United States and documents the courageous advocacy of Sr. Kate Kuenstler and hundreds—indeed thousands—of ordinary Catholics whose persistence charted a new course in canon law. Sr. Kuenstler's expertise eventually gave increased leverage to the laity—and their parishes—in the struggle to preserve their parish homes, especially in ethnically diverse and poor neighborhoods. 

Christine Schenk, CSJ has worked as a nurse midwife to low-income families, a community organizer, an award-winning writer-researcher, and the founding director of an international church reform organization, FutureChurch.  Her first book Crispina and Her Sisters: Women and Authority in Early Christianity (Fortress Press, 2017) received a first place in history from the Catholic Press Association and her most recent work, To Speak the Truth in Love: A Biography of Sr. Theresa Kane RSM (Orbis Books 2019) received first place awards from The Association of Catholic Publishers and the Catholic Press Association. 

Schenk also writes a regular column for the National Catholic Reporter and is one of three nuns featured in the award-winning documentary Radical Grace. Schenk graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University and holds two masters’ degrees, one in science from Boston College and an MA in Theology "with distinction" from St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland.

With the fire of Pentecost and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, we at FutureChurch are engaging in a new project to recognize and celebrate communities that are embodying the mission of Pentecost. Over the next several months, we will be highlighting communities that have been emboldened to live the Gospel in new and creative ways. Today we introduce you to Ignatians West.

Excerpt:

 “It’s not rocket science,” Anne joked about the mission of Ignatians West. “It’s very simple. It’s bringing together mature adults (we don’t use the word retire anymore, we use the word mature!) who have life experience they’re willing to share, invite them to share those experiences with others who are in need, and then encourage them to honestly examine their faith.”

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