The Lost Art of Walking on Water: Reimagining the Priesthood [Paperback]

Michael Heher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

With bursting congregations, shrinking ranks and a priest sexual abuse scandal in the headlines, no group seems more beleaguered of late than Roman Catholic priests. This book of essays by a priest is candid, thoughtful, honest, sometimes funny and filled with hope and practical suggestions for parish priests today. Facing such challenges as prayer, obedience, celibacy, depression and church leadership, he offers a call to greater transparency and trusting faith. Even turbulent times are graced. Father Heher believes priests can do more than survive this difficult time; they have the capacity to grow more resilient, relaxed, effective and loving.

Highlights:

--there are many books about priests but few to priests themselves by one of their own --engagingly written --insightful reading for lay people

Editorial Reviews

Review

I am sure the word 'timely' will be used quite often to describe Heher's book-and it is surely that. -- Chrys McVey, O.P.

Read this book for its honesty and its wisdom, then buy a copy for everyone you know. -- Ann Patchett, author of Bel Canto

This is the most articulate, charming, and persuasive book I have ever read on the priesthood. -- Gerald O'Collins, S.J., Professor of Theology at the Gregorian University, Rome

About the Author

Mike Heher is a Roman Catholic priest who has served ten years as pastor of St. Irenaeus Church in Cypress, California. His essays have appeared in America, Church and Image. He has served as Vicar for Priests and has a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He presently serves as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Orange.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809142708
• ISBN-13: 978-0809142705
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #971,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally Someone Is Saying What So Many Priests Are Thinking, May 18, 2005

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Lost Art of Walking on Water: Reimagining the Priesthood (Paperback)

I'm not sure if the reason I enjoyed reading THE LOST ART OF WALKING ON WATER was due to new ideas on priesthood by its author. In truth, very little of what Michael Heher states is all that radically new. He speaks of ways to pray, keep celibacy in check, being authentic to the call, having a public persona, and most of what would be expected from a priest and in a book about ministry. Yet as I read the book, I found myself fully engaged and rarely felt as if I was reading the same old thing. I think the reason is Heher has the ability to say what so many priests are thinking and have been thinking for years, but do not always state. Unlike so many who have added to the volumes that have been written about priesthood and presbyteral ministry in the Catholic Church of the United States in the past few years, Herer is in active ministry as a priest and knows the effects of the recent clergy sex abuse scandal on priests and people alike. While the scandal is ever present in his work, it is hardly the focus as would be the case in writers such as Donald Cozzens. He knows that the priesthood is in a fragile state at this time, understands what it is like to loose credibility so quickly and how difficult it is to regain it, knows what the solution is but also understands that the solutions are hardly to become a reality any time soon and encourages his brother priests to persevere. The book is almost free of ideological bias and should be a source of empathy and encouragement to priest striving to serve God's Church and a wake up call for those who side by, are quick to complain, and do little to enrich and enliven their ministry.

While the book is written primarily for priests, it is a book that could be read by anyone interested in the health and future of the Roman Catholic Church. Ultimately it is a hopeful book, but it also reminds the reader of how much work needs to be done.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, Honest and Heartfelt, March 24, 2005

By 

Book Woman "Book Woman" (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lost Art of Walking on Water: Reimagining the Priesthood (Paperback)

Fr. Heher does a wonderful job of putting today's priesthood in perspective. His refreshing style made the book enjoyable, the subtle humor and heartfelt words made it impressionable. I loved the book and the insight. Being a lay person it was a good look into the heart of the priest. Kudos Fr. Heher!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy Priest, November 24, 2009

By 

Elmer Romero (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lost Art of Walking on Water: Reimagining the Priesthood (Paperback)

I never read such a joyful book on the priesthood. Fr. Michael Heher has been given a special grace to share with us his priesthood in a different way. I wish God can give us more priests like Fr. Michael.I laughed a lot reading his book.