In the quest to re-establish a parish as a platform for evangelisation and apostolic service in the world, the author explores with St Teresa of Avila the two main pillars of a parish: prayer and apostolic action. He asserts that a parish is fundamentally a school for prayer and apostolic action for its members. Paul VI called it a 'prayer association'. Its return to quality prayer and meditation on the word of God will lead to effective evangelisation, deeper faith and greater apostlic service to the world.