This anniversary issue ofC21 Resourcesmagazine, “The Church in the 21st Century Center - 20 Years,” is a celebration that takes both a look back and forward at the C21 Center's work and mission. Unique to this issue is information on the many programs and resources developed by the Center that are available to parishes, schools, and individuals everywhere - all complimentary and accessible online.

Additionally, this issue contains a selection of articles (newly commissioned, recently published, and rediscovered from previousC21 Resourcesmagazines) that address topics relevant to the key challenges facing the Church today. Our hope is that readers will engage with and share this information far and wide. Please contact us atchurch21@bc.edufor further information.

Information Referenced in This Issue

A timeline with various men and women speaking

The Church in the 21st Century Center Highlights (pages 2-3):

C21 Highlights

Measuring Parish Vitality (pages 4-5):

Photo Credits (from left to right):Catholic Leadership Institute; St. Ignatius Loyola New York Parish; Yiting Chen, Boston College; Catholic Leadership Institute

St. Ignatius Church with parishioners singing

Dear Future Church (pages 6-7):

Student Voices Project

Mass & MingleProgram

Three young women sitting on the grass in discussion

Share Your Faith Stories (pages 8-9):

Agape LatteProgram

Faith FeedsProgram

A group of Boston College undergrads smiling and waving together

Young People: Temples of the Holy Spirit (pages 10-11):

Ever to Excel Program

C21 Highlights

Catholic Schools: A Way Forward (pages 12-13):

Breakfast with GodProgram

Faith Feeds for Catholic EducatorsProgram

People singing in a church

Living Catholicism: A Church in Need of Its People (pages 18-19):

C21 Resources-Living Catholicism: Roles and Relationships for a Contemporary World

Fr. Michael J. Himes (1947–2022) was a diocesan priest from Brooklyn, New York, a distinguished theologian, and a faculty member at Boston College for almost three decades. His life and work continue to inspire countless students, colleagues, and people across the world. We hope to honor his legacy by sharing his words of wisdom through not only his writing, but also his recorded conversations with the Boston College community.

Lanterns sitting together at night

Lighting the Way (pages 20-21):

C21 Highlights

Priestly Ministry and the People of God (pages 22-23):

To Serve the People of God: Renewing the Conversation on Priesthood and Ministry

A group of people walking together with the title, "Synod 2021 2024 / For a Synodal Church / Communion / Participation / Mission

The Synod: A Transformative Process (pages 24):

C21 Highlights

Women in Ministry: Voices (page 25):

Pope Francis blessing two children with their parents

The Joy of Love (page 26-27):

Two people jumping with their arms reached up and the outline of a heart lit between them in the sky

Thou Shalt: Sex Beyond the List of Don'ts (pages 28-29):

C21 Book SeriesInformation

C21 Highlights

Witness to Love (pages 30-31):


A Golden Painting with a scene of the Crucifixion

A Wondrous Adventure: The Catholic Intellectual Tradition (pages 32-33):

A Golden Painting with a scene of the Crucifixion

Critical Challenges for Catholic Higher Education (pages 34-35):

Guides and Videos on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition

A hummingbird splashing the top of water

Finding God in the Catholic Imagination (pages 36-37):

Listen to our GodPod featuring poet Paul Mariani

A computer, tablet, and phone with the text, "Digital Ministry" and a playlist of videos on screen

Best Practices in Digital Ministry (page 39):

Over 200,000

Free Faith Feeds Guides downloaded

1.1 Million Views

Of C21's video resources on

Over 4,000

High School and College students surveyed for the Student Voices Project