In The Seven Secrets of Successful Catholics, well-known author Paul Wilkes pinpointed the special qualities that make individual Catholics successful. In his new book, he traveled the country to discover the qualities that make Catholic parishes successful -- excellent in some special way. The results of his search have produced an in-depth look at eight extraordinary parishes, a directory of hundreds of great parishes throughout the country, and listings of those traits common to excellence that other parishes can emulate.Wilkes sees his book as a survival guide for anyone picking a new spiritual home, as well as anyone-lay or clergy-working in a parish. Not every excellent parish excelled in every area, but together they touched on all aspects of parish life: from finances to devotions, social action to renovations, adult education to outreach to the unchurched. Also, the parishes themselves are widely different, ranging from inner city to suburban, conservative to liberal, co-pastorates to churches without a pastor, homogenous to ethnically diverse-showing that excellence can be produced anywhere.