new catholic books & media · booklet that features 5-minute prayers to say around the advent...

Inspirational Media for Today’s Catholics Winter 2012 • Vol. 3, No. 4 www.NewCatholicBooks.com • $2.50

By Christopher FenoglioEditor in Chief

The new church year is justaround the corner, as are theseasons of Advent and

Christmas. The prophetic words ofJohn the Baptist (Mt 3:3) comequickly to mind, as does the tunefrom the musical Godspell: “Pre-pare ye the way of the Lord!”

New on the shelves of Catholicbookstores this fall are a number ofbooks that will help you and yourfamily prepare the way for theLord prayers, reflections and inspi-rational passages.

“A Catholic Family Advent”(Franciscan Media) was written bySusan Hines-Brigger, a mother offour. Her book offers a solution tobusy family schedules with littletime for spiritual experiences. Eachdaily entry during Advent offersScripture for reflection, a shortmeditation, a fresh idea for an easyfamily activity, and a short prayer.

“O Radiant Dawn” (Ave MariaPress), written by Lisa M. Hendey(CatholicMom.com), is a smallbooklet that features 5-minuteprayers to say around the AdventWreath. Each of the 28 differentdevotional services in this peren-

nial book are rooted in scripturalimages of light.

A number of books combine in-spirational prayers with passagesfrom Scripture or other writers tocreate spiritual guides for Advent.

“Exploring Advent with Luke”(Ave Maria Press) by TimothyClayton shows us how many of thechallenges faced by the major char-acters in Luke are no differentthan those we face today. Theweekly reflections will guide thereader from Advent through theTwelve Days of Christmas.

“Advent and Christmas Wisdomfrom St. Vincent de Paul” (LiguoriPublications) by John E. Rybolt,CM matches passages from St.Vincent’s writings with seasonalprayers and actions. St. Vincent,patron of charities and volunteers,dedicated himself at a young age tothe care of the poor and most aban-doned. Allow St. Vincent’s wisdomto guide your Advent meditationsand inspire you to live as he did,with true disregard for the thingsof this world and a heart on fire

Continued on page 2...

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – Contempo-rary Christian music pioneer JohnMichael Talbot now adds “Motiva-tional Minister” to his many titles,traveling over nine months peryear throughout the world renew-ing the faith of Christians of all de-nominations. It is this newdirection which he captures in hisnew three DVD collection “NothingIs Impossible.”

Talbot shares, “the old JohnMichael has died and the new onehas been born again, and this DVDcaptures the excitement and powerof that rebirth.”

Rebirth has been a theme forTalbot’s ministry these days. Whena fire devastated John Michael’smonastery in April of 2008, JohnMichael began a new format ofitinerant ministry traveling fromparish to parish to raise money torebuild his community’s home.Concert tours were replaced bytwo- or three-night parish mis-sions. It became clear that God wasnot only using his ministry to re-build the monastery but to bringfulfillment to an original vision.

Talbot reflects, “God gave me avision of itinerant ministry goingfrom parish to parish in a time ofgreat need in our culture. I believethat our current ministry is fulfill-ing that vision. The CatholicChurch has nearly died in recentyears, but God is raising us to new

life in Christ if we will but acceptit. We are rebuilding the churchone parish at a time, and renewinghearts one life at a time!”

Today, Talbot’saudiences are sur-prised to find he isno longer the manwho simply sitswith his guitar andsings sacred songs.Looking like a char-acter out of scrip-ture with long hairand flowing beard, Talbot walksamid the crowd as he preachesfrom…his iPad! Talbot openlystates, “I am a cool Monk.”

“We recorded this DVD collec-tion live to capture all the excite-ment we are seeing across Americain our parish missions. I want toreach as many as I can, and mak-ing this DVD was the obvious an-swer. Individuals to groups willbenefit from the different topicscovered and each of the threeDVDs contains teaching, prayerand, of course, sacred music. Wewanted to provide this as a servicefor God’s people and keep the priceas low as possible. We producedthis from our own production andpublishing company as part of ourNot for Profit ministry. We praymany will be blessed by it.”

For more information, pleasevisit: www.johnmichaeltalbot.com.

Our Sunday VisitorMarks a Century of‘Serving the Church’WASHINGTON (CNS) — OurSunday Visitor is celebrating 100years of “serving the church,” as abig headline proclaims on thefront page of the September 30thcentennial issue of its flagshippublication, OSV Newsweekly.

The issue ishuge: 128 pagesin all, spread outover four 32-pagesections, withmost pages hav-ing a reproduc-tion of a frontpage from eachyear of theweekly newspaper’s 100 years ofpublication. The special issue cov-ers the history of the newspaperagainst the backdrop of keyevents in Catholicism and society.

Although the special OSVNewsweekly is what mostCatholics will experience from thecentennial, it has been far fromthe only thing happening to markthe anniversary, according toGreg Erlandson, Our Sunday Vis-itor president and publisher.

On the actual 100th anniver-sary date of the first issue, May 5,Our Sunday Visitor hosted anopen house at its headquarters inHuntington, Ind. “We had allsorts of things for the visitors,”Erlandson recalled, with staffthinking “maybe we’ll get 400people. A thousand ended upcoming to components of it.”

Our Sunday Visitor also co-sponsored this year’s CatholicMedia Convention, held in Indi-anapolis, with The Criterion, theArchdiocese of Indianapolis’newspaper.

The last big public part of thecentennial was a daylong affairSept. 28. First off was a sympo-sium featuring Cardinal FrancisE. George of Chicago speakingabout apologetics, author ScottHahn talking about the newevangelization, and attorneyHelen Alvare discussing religiousliberty issues. The topics, Erland-son told Catholic News Service ina Sept. 26 telephone interview,Continued on page 2...

New Books Help Faithful PrepareFor Seasons of Advent & Christmas

John Michael Talbot Tours NationWith Multi-Night Parish Missions

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Continued from page 1.with generosity and love.

“The Little Way of Advent –Meditations in the spirit of St.Thérèse of Lisieux” by Fr. GaryCaster (Servant Books) focuses onSt. Thérèse’s Little Way, as well asher deep insights into the ChildJesus and the Holy Face. FatherCaster shows the connection be-tween the innocent child and thecrucified Savior, thus providing fora rich Advent experience.

“Preparing for Christmas: DailyMeditations for Advent” by RichardRohr (Franciscan Media) is a collec-tion daily meditations, comprised ofprayers, Scripture and questionsfor reflection that help us focus ouranticipation for “the adult Christ, the Cosmic Christ,” who challengesus to empty ourselves, to lose our-selves, to surrender.

“A Mary Christmas” by Kath-leen M. Carroll (Franciscan Media)helps us realize more fully thatsince Advent asks us to wait in joy-ful hope, we have no better teacher

than Mary, the Mother of OurLord. Her Seven Joys transformthe Christmas season by remindingus to savor glad tidings, close rela-tionships and new beginnings.

Last, but notleast, is a littlebook I wish I hadwritten: “52 Lit-tle Lessons fromIt’s A WonderfulLife” by BobWelch (ThomasNelson). Thisbook reminds us,as does the film,that our lives can change everyonearound us – for better or worse. Asyou read through the pages, youcan revisit the defining lessons inthis classic and beloved film at anytime during the year, not just dur-ing Christmas! If you’re like me,you seen this great film manytimes. Still, when you read thisbook, you’re bound to discoversomething new.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Advent & Christmas books...

Continued from page 1.are “things Archbishop (John) Noll(Our Sunday Visitor’s founder)would have been interested in.”

Following the symposium was tobe a “Mass of rededication andthanksgiving” for Our Sunday Visi-tor’s work for the church, followedby a dinner and an after-dinnertalk on Catholic media and the newevangelization.

“And after that we’ll all collapsefrom exhaustion,” Erlandson saidwith a laugh.

Planning for the 100th anniver-sary observances started about twoyears ago, Erlandson said, but thedetail-oriented planning began inearnest 12 to 18 months ago.

The concept for a spanning-the-century edition of OSV Newsweeklyrevealed there were some gaps in thenewspaper’s archives. Even after

those gaps had been filled, somebound volumes of the newspaper hadto be shipped to North Carolina,where special scanning equipmentcould produce a copy of the selectedfront pages with sufficient quality tobe reproduced for the special issue,Erlandson told CNS.

Erlandson noted how ArchbishopNoll saw the need for a Catholicnewspaper in Indiana. He was aparish priest at the time. In 1925,he was named the bishop of FortWayne. He was elevated to arch-bishop in 1953; he died in 1956.(The diocese was re-designated FortWayne-South Bend in 1960.)

“Archbishop Noll was really aquite remarkable guy. He’s an earlyadapter. He was an entrepreneur.He had a way of seeing what theneeds of Catholics were and a wayof responding to those needs before

they themselves knew it,” such asintroducing offertory envelopes, astaple inProtestantcongrega-tions, Er-landsonsaid.

“Thereare a lotof fasci-natingstories: him having one of the firstradios in Fort Wayne, having one ofthe first televisions in Fort Wayne.Primarily he was (publishing)books, pamphlets, periodicals. Thatwas the way. But he saw there wasa real need out there for somedepth of coverage,” he added. “Theway we phrase it is ‘forming, in-forming and defending.’”

Indiana is sometimes thought ofas the home of the Ku Klux Klan’sresurgence in the 1920s. “Even be-fore there was a publication calledThe Menace, which saw Catholicsas stealing the jobs of Americanworkers,” there was an attitude“Catholics could not be good citi-zens, Catholics follow the com-mands of the pope, Catholics workfor less money. Sound kind of famil-iar?” Erlandson said.

Archbishop Noll “dealt with thatkind of anti-Catholicism. ... He wasa great apologist. He had a very

strong ecumenical streak. All thosetasks are still valid tasks,” he said.

“Even though we have a verywell-educated Catholic populace,they’re not well-educated in termsof the faith,” he continued. “That’swhy Catholic News Service exists.That’s why all the Catholic newspa-pers exist. People would do well tokeep in mind that Catholics needresources that are other than main-stream and secular.”

Our Sunday Visitor has morethan 1,700 Catholic book, pamphletand textbook titles in print, and itdelivers the OSV Newsweekly viaprint, the Web and now on e-devices.

Will Our Sunday Visitor bearound in 2112 to celebrate a 200thanniversary?

“It’s hard to predict where we’regoing to be in 20 years, let alone100 years,” replied Erlandson, whoworked 1986-89 at Catholic NewsService’s Rome bureau. “The paceof change is accelerating. But it’strue in Catholic media in general.The need for Catholic content is notgoing to go away, whether in news-paper form, book form, e-book formor some other form that hasn’t evenbeen invented yet.

“We’re not a newspaper company,we’re not a book company, we’re acontent company. We’re findingways to provide that content inways that people need,” he added.

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The Year of Faith: A Bible StudyGuide for CatholicsFr. Mitch Pacwa, S. J. • Our Sunday Visitor$9.95 • 96 pages • ISBN 978-1-61278-623-0

The popular EWTN priest helpsCatholics embrace Scripture to for-tify one’s faith with a step-by-stepguide to faith rejuvenation andwith the goal to rediscover one’s di-rection in life by following Christmore closely.

Where To From Here?Brian Grogan, S.J. - New City Press$17.95 • 187 pages • ISBN 978-1565484528

Father Grogan explores the Chris-tian vision of life after death, begin-ning with the notion that everyinhabitant of this planet contributesto the shaping of God’s project – thelife of the world to come.

Living Evangelization: ThreeMinute Reflections of FaithJoan Mueller • New City Press$7.95 • 72 pages • ISBN 978-1-56548-456-6

As St. Francis said, “Preach at alltimes. When necessary, use words.”Guided by Pope Benedict XVI’s let-ter Door of Faith, the author offersdaily scriptural reflections on thegift of faith, conversion, Mary as amodel of faith, and living evange-lization.

Seasons of the Soul: An IntimateGod in Liturgical TimeCarla Mae Streeter, O.P. • New City Press$9.95 • 100 pages • ISBN 978-15656484511

There is a difference in our litur-gies depending upon the season:Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter,or Ordinary time. Yet in each sea-son, there is an opportunity for adeeper, more intimate relationshipwith God.

The Best of Being CatholicKathy Coffey • Orbis Books$17.00 • 168 pages • ISBN 978-1570759789

The Catholic Church embodiessimple, profound ideas that make apositive difference in peoples’ lives:community, spirituality, family,peace, justice and universality.This book reminds us of these posi-tive values and practices.

The Word of the LordSteven C. Smith, Ph.D. • Our Sunday Visitor$16.95 • 256 pages • ISBN 9781612785882

Exploring seven essential princi-ples for Catholic Scripture study,the book’s clear, straightforwardapproach overlays Scripture studywith an explanation of how it re-lates to Catholic faith and beliefs.

A Noble TreasonRichard Hanser • Ignatius Press$17.95 • 293 pages • ISBN 978-1586175573

Tells the true story of SophieScholl and the White Rose revoltagainst Hitler, a story of faith-in-spired idealism that triumphs overideological tyranny despite thebloody and seemingly final destruc-tion by the state.

Loving Work: A Spiritual GuideMike Hayes • Orbis Books$16.00 • 120 pages • ISBN 978-1570759888

The author of “Googling God: TheReligious Landscape of People inTheir 20s and s,” who left a promis-ing career in sports radio, givesreaders a spiritual road map tofinding the work one loves andbringing love to the work one does.

Yours is the ChurchMike Aquilina • Servant Books$14.99 • 136 pages • ISBN 978-1616364342

This book celebrates the key rolethe Catholic Church has played inculture, history, and society, detail-ing the many ways the Church hastransformed our world with art,music, peace and human dignity.

Wrapped Up: God's Ten Giftsfor WomenTeresa Tomeo & Cheryl Dickow • Servant Books$15.99 • 134 pages • ISBN 978-1616364335

This book and its companion jour-nal draws upon both the deep wis-dom of Scripture and a savvy graspof modern culture to help readersrecognize God’s gifts, including love,forgiveness, and a joyful attitude.

Holy Family Prayer BookMissionaries of the Holy Family • Liguori Pub.$8.99 • 112 pages • ISBN 978-0764822179Spanish ISBN 978-0764822186

Traditional and original prayersfor everyone are included to keepyour family spiritually grounded.Use this book to pray often thatyour family grows in forgiveness,peace and love.

Kateria Tekakwitha: Model of BraveryBarbara Yoffie • Liguori Publications$4.99 • 32 pages • ISBN 978-0764-822377

Juan Diego: Mary’s Humble MessengerBarbara Yoffie • Liguori Publications$4.99 • 32 pages • ISBN 978-0764-822384

These two Early Reader books willintroduce young readers to thevirtues of two new saints fromNorth America. Each book containsa map showing where each saintlived and ministered.

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Reading the Old Testament, 2nd Ed.Lawrence Boadt • Paulist Press$24.95 • 510 pages • ISBN 978-0809147809

A classic in 1984, this new editionhas updated archaeological reports,new and redrawn maps, increasedattention to Jewish-Christian bibli-cal interpretations, and incorpo-rates last three decades of biblicalscholarship.

Holy Bible – Knox TranslationMsgr. Ronald A. Knox • Baronius Press$54.95 • 1,472 pages • BaroniusPress.com

A new, black leather edition of theKnox Bible, whose translator wascalled in 1948 by Time magazinethe “man who made the great 20thcentury bible.”

Doing Well and Doing GoodRichard J. Neuhaus • Image$15.00 • 317 pages • ISBN 978-030795560

A 20th anniversary printing of animportant, classic work on faithand money. Called a “challenge tothe Christian capitalist,” the authordraws on the writings of Pope JohnPaul II and seeks to bestow a bless-ing on business. The common gooddepends on it.

From Willow Creek to Sacred HeartChris Haw • Ave Maria Press$15.95 • 236 pages • ISBN 978-1594712920

Bestselling author recounts hisspiritual journey through evangeli-cal Christianity and his return toCatholicism in this respectful andengaging look at the megachurchmovement and a heartfelt expres-sion of love for the Catholic Church.

Hungering and Thirsting for JusticeEdited by Lacey Louwagie & Kate WardACTA Publications$9.95 • 96 pages • ISBN 978-0879464912

Ten real-life stories by young adultCatholics trying to discover how tocarry out their faith in their dailylives. Readers will be inspired andchallenged by the young adults'passion, dedication, courage andlove for God and others.

What Must I Do to be Saved?Marcus Grodi • Coming Home Network$6.95 • 92 pages • ISBN 978-0983082965

Explores the continuity between theOld and New Testaments and ana-lyzes the “Me and Jesus” reduction-ist approach to Christianity and inlight of the historic Christian faith.

Despite his agnosticism,author effectively arguesfor Jesus’ existence

Reviewed by Brian Welter, CNS

In “Did Jesus Exist?,” New Tes-tament scholar Bart Ehrmansuccessfully refutes the idea

that Jesus never existed, pointingout the weaknesses and irrele-vancy of points raised by the so-called mythicists, who fight beliefin God partly by denying the his-torical person of Jesus of Nazareth.

Ehrman uses well-known writ-ings to prove his point. The differ-ing and independent traditions wehave about Jesus, many of whichare found in the New Testament,show that Jesus wasn’t simplymade up by a group with anagenda.

These sources show that Jesusreally lived. Ehrman points outhow St. Paul cites older Christiantraditions in his writings, such asancient hymns which acted ascreeds. Luke uses many ancient au-thorities in Acts of the Apostles,usually in the form of speeches. TheGospels, with much in common,also differ greatly in many areas,which indicates the variety ofgroups attesting to Jesus’ existence.

How could so many Christianand non-Christian sources exist in-dependently about a man who hadbeen made up? Such a diverse col-lection of stories shows that manyhad seen and heard Jesus, andtalked about him to others. Mostlyjust commonsense, this re-flects the author’spoint that themythicists mis-lead people withfaulty logic thathides their athe-ist agenda.

Ehrman takesthings one stepfurther, showinghow religious his-tory sheds lighton Jesus’ existence: “The idea of asuffering Messiah ran so counter toScripture and the righteous expec-tations of God’s people that it wascompletely unthinkable, even blas-phemous.” Jews at the time did in-deed believe that the coming of theMessiah was at hand. Yet he wouldbe a triumphant anointed one, aking ready to overturn the socialorder and install God's chosenruler.

The crucifixion of Jesus cer-tainly happened, then, because itwas such a terrible shock, some-

thing that people had no notion ofever happening. What would any-one gain from making up some-thing so at odds with Jewishmessianic expectations?

A big book, “Did Jesus Exist?”leaves no stones unturned.Ehrman spends at least one chap-ter examining each of his majorreasons for believing that Jesus ex-isted. Much more than a narrowpolemic against mythicists,Ehrman offers a general introduc-tion to the life and times of Jesus ofNazareth, with a particular focuson the surrounding cultural milieu.

Ehrman argues forcefully thatmythicists themselves often misun-derstand this culture. In refutingJesus and indeed Christianity,they have argued that Mediter-ranean peoples worshiped dying-rising gods, and that Christianshad simply copied this.

James Frazer’s “Golden Bough”supposed this, as did mythologistJoseph Campbell. Campbellclaimed that all religious belieforiginated in a few key, identicalconcepts, and that all religionsshared the essentials.

Ehrman shows the uniquenessof basic Christian belief. Frazerand others were simply projectingChristian doctrine onto these otherreligions. Their arguments have

been strongly refuted by scholars.No precedent existed for the basicChristian belief in the Son of Mandying and then rising.

Ehrman, an agnostic himself,doesn’t aim to destroy anyone’sfaith, though he avoids discussingthe virgin birth, Jesus’ miraclesand the resurrection as historicalrealities.

Readers are not forced to agreewith his agnosticism on thesepoints, so believers can still take alot away from the book.

Based on the available scholar-ship, Ehrman provides a clearimage of who he thinks Jesus was.A first-century apocalyptists, Jesusbelieved in the supernatural worldof angels, demons and the devil,and that God would come within avery short time to overturn the so-cial order. Jesus followed the Jew-ish law, but not as the Phariseesdid. He preached the heart of thelaw as loving God first, and thenyour neighbor as yourself.

He was concerned with the poor,yet without having an agenda offixing society himself. He left thatin God’s hands.

“Did Jesus Exist?” offers a wide-ranging assessment of Jesus andthe early Jesus movement. Thoseoverly sensitive to challenges totheir faith will find the book trou-

Book Reviews from the Catholic News Service and Staff


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Did Jesus Exist?by Bart D. EhrmanHarperOne$26.99 • 361 pagesISBN 978-0062204608

blesome and unhelpful.Readers with a greater thirst to

be challenged and learn somethingwill find it a satisfying read with-out having to compromise theirdeeper convictions.

Brian Welter is studying for hisdoctorate in systematic theologyand teaching English in Taiwan.

Book makes importantcontribution to discussionof lay ministries

Reviewed by Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSCCatholic News Service

For Catholics who have grownup after the Second VaticanCouncil, lay educators, litur-

gical ministers, social servants anda host of other ministers in theparish are a familiar sight.

Some may presume these arehelpers for the religious andpriests, others that these are em-ployees or volunteers. However,there is a deeper understandingand practice of the church behindthe presence of these ecclesial layministers, which is both new andevolving in the Catholic theology ofthe church.

“In the Name of the Church”makes an important contributionto this discussion, featuring the vo-cational and authorization dimen-sions of these new ministers andministries.

The council moved from an un-derstanding of church, often fo-cused on its institutional andclerical elements, to a theologyrooted in the vocation of all thebaptized in the differentiated bodyof Christ, where ordained and layare common disciples of Christ inserving the one mission of thechurch. Within the variety of thelay vocation, many are called tomarriage, most are called to laborin the world, but some carry a vo-cation to service within the church.

The understanding of these rolesand the structures of the churchthat support and form them areearly in their evolution. The U.S.bishops have given helpful direc-tion to the development at thisstage of its history: “Co-Workers inthe Vineyard of the Lord” (2005).This volume is the result of a con-sultation among the bishops, the-ologians and experiencedministers, providing an interdisci-plinary exploration that will in-evitably contribute to thedevelopment of these ministries.

Characteristic of these min-istries is leadership, authorization,collaboration with priests and bish-ops, and appropriate formation.The volume ends with eight conclu-sions: Lay ecclesial ministries arethe work of the Holy Spirit, are

rooted in baptism and are a gen-uine vocation. They create a dis-tinctive set of relationships withinthe church, serve in the name ofthe church, are authorized by thebishop or his delegate, are investedby rituals which affirm and cele-brate the particu-lar ministry, andrequire systemsof support andconsistent policyacross the churchin the UnitedStates.

The book, di-vided into 10chapters, includesa keynote addressby Chicago Cardi-nal Francis E.George and anappendix listing the 43 networks,universities and institutions thatsponsored the 2011 CollegevilleNational Symposium on Lay Eccle-sial Ministry, on which the book isbased.

The first part of the book in-cludes an overview of the church'steaching on this category of min-istry and the collaborative theologi-cal approach serving the processoutlined in the volume. The secondpart focuses on vocation from atheological and biblical perspective,with an exemplary essay on one ofthese ministries, directors of reli-gious education. Three essays onauthorization follow, from theologi-cal, canonical and episcopal pointsof view. The last part includes twoessays on the ritualization appro-priate to these ministries, usingthe formation, certification andcommissioning ritual of the Arch-diocese of Chicago as the example.

Ecclesial lay ministries were de-veloped out of the mission needs ofAfrica and Latin America beforethe council. The renewed under-standing of baptism, ministry andcommunion developed in the coun-cil gave a doctrinal basis and uni-versal impetus to a renewed layvocation, including ecclesial voca-tions within them.

The variety of cultures and ec-clesial needs and leadershiparound the world have begun to fillout this vision of the council withan emerging theology and practiceof ministry. This volume harvestssome of the best U.S. thinking onthe understanding and implemen-tation of ministry. It will be impor-tant reading not only for ecclesialministers, lay and clergy, but forall informed Catholics in leader-ship, so that this vision may imbuethe full life of the church in the21st century.

Brother Gros, a member of theBrothers of the Christian Schools,is resident scholar in Catholic stud-ies at Lewis University inRomeoville, Ill.


Book Reviews

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In the Name of theChurch:Edited by William CahoyLiturgical Press$19.95 • 221 pagesISBN 978-0814634233

Saints of the Roman Calendar: Updated and Revised Edition

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The Divine Call of Mary: Scriptural Perspectives

Dr Shirley Sullivan

The New Testament passages involving Mary reveal what God was teaching her. In turn, we can apply these lessons to ourselves. In this way, Mary becomes a model for all her

divine love to others.


St Pauls/Alba House 2187 Victory Blvd, Staten Island NY, 10314 www.stpauls.us 1-800-343-2522

A Year with the BibleBy Patrick Madrid

Join Patrick Madrid and discover the majesty andpower of scripture in “A Year with the Bible: Scrip-tural Wisdom for Daily Living.” Sewn two-tonebinding, ribbon marker and gold edges. Theperfect gift!

Saint Benedict Press List $44.95….Now just $35.95 • ISBN 978-161890-395-2

The Secret Life of Pope John Paul IIBy Lino Zani with Marilù Simoneschi

“The Secret Life of Pope John Paul II” is the storyof the Pope as you’ve never seen him before, atplay and prayer in his beloved mountains.

Saint Benedict PressList $21.95...Now just $15.36 • ISBN 978-161890-404-1

Thomas Merton and Thérèse Lentfoehr: The Story of a FriendshipRobert Nugent, SDS

Tells the story of the 20-year friendship between the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, and Sister Thérèse Lentfoehr, as it emerges in the more than 100 letters they exchanged. In the

thing, and is the true cement of the Church built by Christ.’


St Pauls/Alba House 21 87 Victory Blvd, Staten Island NY, 10314 www.stpauls.us 1-800-343-2522

If Aristotle’s Kid Had an iPodBy Conor Gallagher

Gallagher masterfully weaves Aristotle, scientificstudies, pop culture and parenting tales togethermaking “If Aristotle’s Kid Had an iPod” a funny,informative, and indispensable guide for any par-ent who wants to pass on the secrets of a happy lifeto their kids.

TAN BooksList $26.95…Now just $18.87 • ISBN 978-161890-414-0

A Christmas with Christ: Finding Joy Each DecemberAlexander J. Basile

This book serves as a reminder that including Jesus in our activities during Advent and Christmas can make everything special.

ISBN 0-8189-1338-X 112 pages $8.95 Prod Code: 1338-9


Mary and the Saints – 2013 Calendar

Stunning 2013 Mary and the Saints 12” x 12” WallCalendar designed to inspire greater devotion tothe Blessed Mother. Includes Sundays & FeastDays for the both the Ordinary & ExtraordinaryLiturgical Calendar.

TAN BooksList $11.95….Order 5 or more for $8.96 eachISBN 089555-932-06

God’s Word 2013: This very attractive book contains the Bible readings set

for personal notes. Pray with it, share it and make your life a daily celebration with the Word of God.

ISBN 9789350151242 456 pages $11.95 Prod Code: 5-1242


Perfect Model for All PrayerJanet Marie Moisewikz

If we want to know what kind of prayer is pleasing to the Father, we only have to look at the prayer Jesus gave us, the Our Father. We can model all our prayer on its pattern. The author helps us to do so by examining each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer in detail.



Genius Born of Anguish: The Life and Legacy ofHenri NouwenBy Michael W. Higgins and Kevin Burns

An intimate look at this important spiritualwriter’s life, enriched with the personal accounts ofsome of the people closest to him: friends, family,and colleagues. A twelve-page photo section isincluded.

Paulist Press$17.95 • Paperbound • ISBN 978-0-8091-4785-4

Liturgy: The Illustrated HistoryBy Keith F. Pecklers

A remarkable history of liturgy from its origins inthe second century to its manifestations in thepresent day church. With its vast array of extraor-dinarily produced illustrations and maps in fullcolor, it takes into account architecture, art,culture, literature, and politics.

Paulist Press$79.95 • Hardcover • ISBN 978-0-8091-0604-2

The Most Beautiful Images from the Bible:Sharing the Stories with ChildrenBy Katia Mrowiec

Twenty exquisitely illustrated scenes from theOld and New Testament, accompanied by a sim-ple devotion and Bible verse. This one-of-a-kindbook, with its extraordinary art, will be a titlethat adults and children will want to sit downand read again and again. Ages 5 and up.

Paulist Press$19.95 • Hardcover • ISBN 978-0-8091-6766-1

Season of Mystery:10 Spiritual Practices forEmbracing a Happier Second Half of LifeBy Paula Huston

Paula Huston—a grandmother and a caretakerfor her own mother and in-laws—offers 10 spiri-tual practices for the second half of life. A Sea-son of Mystery encourages people in the secondhalf of life to embrace the riches that come onlywith growing older.

Loyola Press$14.95 • Paperbound • ISBN 978-0-8294-3754-6

Becoming Catholic, Again: Connecting the FaithWe Were Taught with the Faith We LiveBy Catherine Wiecher Brunell

Catherine Wiecher Brunell, a young Catholic wifeand mother, helps Catholics move from a childhoodfaith to an adult faith. Brunell examines how tomaintain an authentic spiritual life and a connectionto the Church in a postmodern world.


Roman Missal Personal Edition

This new Personal-size edition of The RomanMissal is an ideal smaller size for transport,preparation, and on-the-go prayer. Measuring5x7, this Missal includes the same interior con-tent as WLP’s Deluxe and Value Editions withtwo color text in black and deep red and tworibbons for place-holding.

World Library Publications$69.95 • ISBN 978-1-58459-618-9

Saved by Beauty: A Spiritual Journey with Dorothy DayBy Br. Michael O’Neill McGrath, OSFS

Come along on a spiritual journey as Br. Mickeydepicts the life of Dorothy Day through his signa-ture acrylic paintings and written essays. Dis-cover new insights about this journalist, socialactivist, and devout Catholic convert, in a uniqueand creative way that doesn’t follow the normalpath of a typical biography. A great gift!

World Library Publications$39.95 • ISBN 978-1-58459-576-2

Advent Calendar

For each of the first 24 days of December, thereis a mini board book that relates a Bible story,offers a special prayer or Psalm, or features anappropriate Christmas song. Once you read eachlittle book, you can then hang it on your Christ-mas tree by its golden loop. Full color. 10 pagesper minibook.

Catholic Book Publishing Company$19.00 • No. 840/22 • ISBN 978-0-89942-969-4

Online Religious Education

CatechismClass produces a variety of inte-grated Catechism and Scripture programsfor adults and children in the areas of FaithFormation, Sacramental Preparation, andBook Summaries. Supported by CardinalDolan, Cardinal Burke, and others!

Visit www.CatechismClass.com to purchase$1.99 – $54.95 • Use code Xmas12 to save 10%.

What’s So Funny about Faith?: A Memoir fromthe Intersection of Hilarious and HolyBy Jake Martin, SJ

“What’s So Funny about Faith?” is a wry, heart-felt memoir from Jake Martin, a professionalcomedian who just happens to be a Jesuit. Bysharing stories from his life, Martin shows howfaith can grow through the medium of humorand laughter.


Fearing the Stigmata: Humorously Holy Stories of aYoung Catholic’s Search for a Culturally Relevant FaithBy Matt Weber

Matt Weber—a Harvard graduate, television pro-ducer, and certified rosary-bead carrier—illus-trates for young adult Catholics both the realchallenges and the immense joys of publicly livingout the Catholic faith in this humorously holybook.



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Fifteen Faces of GodBy Michael Manning

“Michael Manning reveals the stories of Jesus asones which highlight the activity of God in our every-day lives. Through Manning’s expert guidance wesee the many faces of God that we encounter eachday but sometimes miss.” – Father Edward L. Beck,ABC News Contributor

www.Wordnet.tv • (888) 496-7363$18 + $2 S/H, extra for Intl • ISBN 978-0-385-53161-0

Emanuel: The Music of ChristmasBy Mary Corby, Chris Fenoglio and the St. Henry Ensemble

Take a prayerful journey from Advent throughChristmas with this album of 16 beautiful rendi-tions of your favorite Christmas hymns, includingO Come, O Come Immanuel, Silent Night, O HolyNight, Adeste Fidelis, The Beautiful Mother, Joy tothe World, Child of Our Dreams and nine more!

JRF Music • www.JRFmusic.com$14.95 • CD of 16 songs

Kristin and the Santa SecretBy Christopher Fenoglio

Based upon the author’s true experiences, thisheartwarming poem gives parents the faith-filledwords and a simple method to help answer the ulti-mate question asked by children every Christmas:“Mommy, is Santa Claus real?” The answer can befound within.

Stopher Publishing • www.KristinAndTheSantaSecret.com$9.95 • Full color Booklet

Native Footsteps: Along the Pathof Saint Kateri TekakwithaMark G. Thiel & Christopher Vecsey, editors

This book gathers together thirteen historical docu-ments, twenty-five interviews, and twenty-sevenillustrations and color photographs, to celebrate thecanonization of Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680),the “Lily of the Mohawks,” first Native AmericanCatholic saint.

Marquette University Press • (800) 247-6553$20 • ISBN 978-0-87462-089-4

Three Minutes a Day, Volume 47By The Christophers

Real-life stories and reflections for each day ofthe year, along with brief Scripture verses andprayers, will help you put your faith into actionand “light a candle rather than curse the dark-ness.”

The Christophers$10.00 • 374 pages • ISBN 0-9841038-8-0


Prayer & Reflection for Catholic Homes

Your Divine Mercy Chris Padgett

Catholic speaker and songwriter, Chris Padgett, has taken The Divine Mercy Chaplet, a sacred and personal prayer, and created one of the most uplifting

and spiritual albums of the year. With rosary in hand— and this album filling the room, your senses, and your heart—pray along with The Divine Mercy Chaplet in its entirety. Along with the spoken and sung prayer you will find three compelling, original songs by Padgett. A wonderful beginner’s companion for those who are unfamiliar with The Divine Mercy Chaplet and a magnificent addition to the prayer times of those already familiar with this special devotion.ISBN 978-1-58459-617-2WLP 008471 CD ................................................$10.00

Saved by BeautyA Spiritual Journey with Dorothy DayBrother Michael O’Neill McGrath, OSFS

Foreword by Robert Ellsberg

Come along on a spiritual journey with Dorothy Day, journalist, social activist, and devout Catholic convert, through the paintings and writings of Brother Mickey McGrath. Discover new insights about this beloved Catholic icon. Explore her life, spirituality, and the connections between Dorothy, the writings of St. Francis de Sales, and the call we each have to continued conversion in our own lives. An inspiration for all believers and a beautiful gift!ISBN 978-1-58459-576-2WLP 017356 Hardcover with dust jacket ..........$39.95

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Religion professorexplores power of wordsas catalyst for controversy

Reviewed by Rachelle Linner, CNS

Stephen Prothero, a professorof religion at Boston Univer-sity, has compiled diverse

texts and genres – song lyrics, let-ters, legal documents, essays,proverbs and fiction – into an Amer-ican bible, a canon to illustrate ourshort but contentious history.

Prothero’s bible is an abbreviatedversion of the Christian one: Gene-sis, Law, Chronicles, Psalms,Proverbs, Prophets, Lamentations,Gospels, Acts and Epistles. The doc-uments he has chosen cluster logi-cally in these books: earlydocuments in Genesis, fiction inChronicles, song lyrics in Psalmsand letters in Epistles. Within eachbook he mixes documents from dif-ferent times and different authors.

Law, for exam-ple, includes theConstitution(1787) and twoSupreme Courtdecisions: Brownv. Board of Educa-tion (1954) andRoe v. Wade(1973). Psalms in-cludes the lyrics of“The Star Span-gled Banner”(1814); “God BlessAmerica” (1938) and “This Land isYour Land” (1940.) Proverbs, themost diverse section, ranges fromChief Joseph’s “I will fight no moreforever” (1877) to Calvin Coolidge’s1925 declaration that “The businessof America is business” and RonaldReagan’s “evil empire” in 1983.

Prothero’s criteria for inclusion isthat a text must have “served as acatalyst for later controversy.” Eachof these documents had, and have,an afterlife, and illustrate how “theAmerican people talk back, agree-ing, disagreeing, or in some casescreatively misreading what theirforebears have said.”

Prothero introduces each textwith a concise explanation of its au-thor, context and influence on ournational conversation. We are ableto read the original document (infull or as illustrative excerpts) andso gain a better sense of how hon-estly and accurately it has been in-terpreted. Finally, there are pages ofcommentary that illustrate how thetext has been used – or misused.

The format of the book makes it awonderful resource for a historyclass, debate team or book club. Thecacophony of the American voicewould overwhelm anyone who at-tempted to read it straight through.It is better to read it slowly, one bib-lical book at a time, carefully listen-

ing to the commentaries elicited bythe text. Reading slowly allows us toparticipate in this “heritage of voicesas deep and high and different asthe Mormon Tabernacle Choir andthe Boys Choir of Harlem.”

The melding of text and commen-tary is the book's most distinctivefocus: it shows, rather than tells us,what the American conversation hasbeen. But it is also the area wherewe have to trust the editor – who,like all of us, has his own politicaland religious biases, whether theyare made explicit or not. This is nota reason not to read this valuablebook, but simply to be aware thatthis is an edited book.

The range of authors is remark-able; any book that includes Sen.John Kerry, Rep. Henry Hyde, Wen-dell Wilkie, William Faulkner,W.E.B. DuBois, Sarah Palin andDaniel Webster (to name just a fewparticipants in this national conver-sation) deserves to be calledcatholic, in the sense of universal. Itis surprising, though, to find so fewCatholic voices (why Father CharlesCoughlin and Mary Daly and notCardinal Joseph Bernardin andDorothy Day?) It is a particularlydisappointing omission because thechurch has given deep thought tothe common good, which is reallyProthero’s subtext.

The inclusion of voices of reason,instead of polemics, could haveshown a way to ameliorate the par-tisanship that “The American Bible”rightly rejects. “What ails us is notjust a matter of the words we chooseor the tone we adopt. There is alsothe matter of our collective amnesia.The chain of memory linking us tothe great voices of our collective past... has been broken.”

“The American Bible” can help re-store that chain of memory. It isn’t aperfect book, but it’s good enough fora less than perfect experiment indemocracy.

Rachelle Linner, a freelancewriter and reviewer, has a master’sin theological studies from WestonJesuit School of Theology.

Son’s biography illustratesSargent Shriver’s legacy ofgreat works, ‘being good’

Reviewed by Mark Barry

How many of us have startedon a journey to one destina-tion, only to land in an-

other? I suspect that was the casefor Mark Shriver in writing “AGood Man.”

After his father’s 2011 death,Shriver wanted to know why somany people focused not on his fa-ther’s tremendous legacy, but onhis being “good.”

Few talked of the Peace Corps hecreated or President Lyndon John-

son’s “War on Poverty” that he mas-terminded or the public events hechoreographed following the 1963assassination of President John F.Kennedy, his brother-in-law.

Likewise, fewtalked of his contri-butions to the Spe-cial Olympicsmovement with hiswife and itsfounder, EuniceKennedy Shriver.

They just talkedabout how “good”he was. Why waseveryone minimiz-ing his father’s ac-complishments? Inthe author’s mind,his father had been a great man.

Starting with his own recollec-tions and those of his siblings andadding family archives, he began tobuild the pile of puzzle pieces.

Shriver added input from ex-tended family and friends and hisfather’s associates (at least the fewwho remained) for more.

He studied the Shriver family’sroots in Maryland and hit upon theinfluence of his father’s faith on whohe was. He began to comprehendthe significance of the fact that Sar-gent’s godfather was CardinalJames Gibbons, the revered arch-

bishop of Baltimore from 1877-1921. He began to understand the im-

plications of the gift of faith that hisgrandparents had given his father.

He studied Sargent’s relation-ships, not so much with the high-and-mighty, but with everydaypeople, especially with the manknown as “Rags,” who started outas his father’s driver and ended upa de facto family member.

Finally, he had the benefit of his-tory, since much of what his fatheraccomplished was in the public’s eye.

The puzzle picture began to takeshape as the pieces were assem-bled. As he snapped together thelast few, Mark Shriver had his ownepiphany.

He finally understood why it wasbetter that his father be remem-bered as “good” rather than “great.”In doing so, he appreciated withmuch greater clarity his father’slife lessons.

Mark Shriver, somewhat hurt,started his search wanting to knowabout his father. His journey endedwith a new approach to life andfamily. No longer important to dogreat things, Mark Shriver simplywants to be good.

Although aware of “Camelot” hisentire life, Mark Barry’s apprecia-tion for Sargent Shriver’s contribu-tions to that era is relatively new.

The American Bibleby Stephen ProtheroHarperCollins$29.99, 531 pagesISBN 978-0062123435

A Good Manby Mark K. ShriverHenry Holt & Company$24.00 • 288 pagesISBN 978-0805095302


Books & Pamphlets • July – September 2012

1. US Catholic Catechism by USCCB (USCCB)2. Magnificat Monthly Missal by Pierre-Marie Dumont (Magnificat)3. Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle (Simon & Schuster)4. Catholic Book of Prayers (Catholic Book Publishing)5. New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition (Catholic Book Publishing)

6. Sunday Missal 2013 (Catholic Book Publishing)7. Bless My Child by Julie Cragon (Ave Maria Press)8. 2013 Workbook for Lectors by Mary A. Ehle and Margaret Nutting Ralph

(Liturgy Training Publications)9. Good News New Testament (Catholic Book Publishing)10. How to Pray the Rosary (Pauline Books & Media)

11. Pieta Prayerbook by Various Authors (Miraculous Lady of Roses)12. Jesus at my Side by Julie Cragon (Our Sunday Visitor)13. Pray the Rosary by J. M. Lelen (Catholic Book Publishing)14. The Gospel According to Luke by Michael Patella (Liturgical Press)15. Como Rezar el Santo Rosario (Pauline Books & Media)

16. Porta Fidei – Gate of Faith by Pope Benedict XVI (Catholic Truth Society)17. Together for Life/Revised by Joseph Champlin (Ave Maria Press)18. Give Us This Day: Daily Prayer for Today's Catholic by Order of St. Benedict

(Liturgical Press)19. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson)20. Communion of the Sick (Liturgical Press)

The Catholic Top 20 – Best Selling Books, Music & FilmsChildren & Teen Books • July – September 2012

1. First Communion Catechism by Bennet Kelley (Catholic Book Publishing)2. Youcat by Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, editor (Ignatius Press)3. Catholic Youth Bible by Brian Singer-Towns (St. Mary's Press)4. Mass Prayers for Young Catholics by Annie Teich (Pflaum)5. Mass Explained for Kids by Jaymie Stuart Wolfe and FSP Maria Grace Dateno

(Pauline Books & Media)

6. My Rosary Coloring & Activity Book by Virginia Helen Richards and D. Thomas Halpin(Pauline Books & Media)

7. Holy Mass in My Pocket by Daughters of St. Paul (Pauline Books & Media)8. Catholic Book of Prayers by Rev. Lawrence Lovasik (Catholic Book Publishing)9. Seven Sacraments by Rev. Lawrence Lovasik (Catholic Book Publishing)10. Mass for Children by Rev. Jude Winkler (Catholic Book Publishing)

11. My 15th Birthday Teaching Materials by Perta Alexander (Pauline Books & Media)12. Bible for Little Ones Board Book by Maite Roche (Pauline Books & Media)13. Going to Confession by Rev. Lawrence Lovasik (Catholic Book Publishing)14. Rosary in my Pocket by Daughters of St. Paul (Pauline Books & Media)15. The Ten Commandments by Rev. Lawrence Lovasik (Catholic Book Publishing)

16. Thank You Dear God! by Mary Elizabeth Tebo (Pauline Books & Media)17. Holy Eucharist Coloring & Activity Book by D. Thomas Halpin, FSP (Pauline Books & Media)18. Catholic Child's Prayer Book by Rev. Thomas J. Donaghy (Catholic Book Publishing)19. My First Catechism by Rev. Lawrence Lovasik (Catholic Book Publishing)20. My Picture Missal by Rev. Lawrence Lovasik (Catholic Book Publishing)

Music & CDs • July – September 2012

1. Then Sings My Soul by The Priests (Sony MasterWorks)2. Chaplet of Divine Mercy by Vinny Flynn (MercySong Ministries)3. Chants of Mary by Gloria Dei Cantores Schola (Gloria Dei Cantores)4. Into Great Silence by The Monks of the Grande Chartreuse (Jade Records)5. Harmony by The Priests (RCA)

6. The Priests by The Priests (RCA)7. Celtic Lullabies by Eden's Bridge (Word Entertainment)8. How Can I Keep from Singing by Noel Henry (Glenside)9. Sacred Songs of Mary by Various Artists (Valley Entertainment)10. There Can Be Miracles by Daughters of St. Paul (Pauline Records)

11. Amore Infinito: Songs from JPII Poems by Placido Domingo (Deutsche Grammophon)12. WOW Hits 2012 by Various Artists (Wow)13. Catholicism Soundtrack (Word on Fire)14. His Love Remains by Collin Raye (Cradle Concepts)15. Daily Prayers (Nostalgic Hymns)

16. Greatest Gospel Songs by Perry Como (RCA)17. Sacred Treasures by Various Artists (Valley Entertainment)18. Sacred Treasures III by Various Artists (Valley Entertainment)19. (tie) Amor Sal y Miel by Johann Alvarez (CD Baby)Catholic Marian Classics Vol. 6 by the Cathedral Singers & Richard Proulx (GIA Publications)Chant from the Hermitage by John Michael Talbot (Troubador for the Lord)

Films & DVDs • July – September 2012

1. For Greater Glory (Arc Entertainment)2. The Way (Arc Entertainment)3. Padre Pio Miracle Man (Ignatius Press)4. October Baby (Provident Films)5. Catholicism (Word on Fire)

6. Francis & Clare of Assisi (Ignatius Press)7. Padre Pio: Between Heaven and Earth (Ignatius Press)8. Therese (Xenon)9. Jesus for Kids (Vision Video)10. Song of Bernadette (20th Century Fox)

11. Saint Rita (Ignatius Press)12. Molokai: The Story of Father Damien (Vision Video)13. St. Anthony (Ignatius Press)14. St. Phillip Neri - I Prefer Heaven (Ignatius Press)15. There Be Dragons (20th Century Fox)

16. Edith Stein: The Seventh Chamber (Ignatius Press)17. Adventures of St. Paul (Pauline Press)18. Courageous (Sony Pictures)19. Miracle of Marcelino (VCI Entertainment)20. The 13th Day (Ignatius Press)

This issue’s best-selling books & media charts were compiled from actual retail sales data from July 1 through September 30, 2012 as reported by Abundant Graces (Bethlehem, Penn.), Newman Book-store (Washington, D.C.), Paulist Press Book Center (Costa Mesa, Calif.), St. Mary’s Bookstore & Church Supply (Nashville, Tenn.), Pauline Books & Media Centers (12 locations nationwide) andVeritas Catholic Bookstore (Houston, Texas). For more information about the above books & media products and for links to the websites of these Bookstore Reporters, visit our website at the addressbelow. Sponsored by the Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) and the Catholic Retailers Association (CRA). © 2012 Stopher Publishing.


Author brings complexphilosophy to bear onparenting problems today

Reviewed by Peggy Weber, CNS

Conor Gallagher has a gift. Hecan make the complex seemsimple – even enjoyable.

He takes the serious writings ofAristotle and other philosopherand applies them to the art of par-enting while also adding referencesto “Star Wars,” “Jerry Maguire”and “Sandlot” along the way.

His book “If Aristotle’s Kid Hadan iPod: Ancient Wisdom for Mod-ern Parents” really offers somegood advice to those who are tryingto raise children in today’s world.

Gallagher is not just a philoso-pher spouting ideas from“Nichomachean Ethics.” He is thefather of eight children under theage of 10. It’s a wonder he foundthe time to write this book!

Gallagher holds a master’s de-gree in philosophy from TheCatholic University of America. Healso earned a law degree there.

He and his family are involved in

their own publishing house andhave released videos that try andexplain church teachings in a mod-ern and easy-to-understand manner.

In this book, he demonstratesthat Aristotle hada good under-standing of humannature that helpsall people, but es-pecially in theforming of youngminds. He writesin his introduc-tion: “When I wasstudying philoso-phy in graduateschool, I noticedthat Aristotle’sconcepts of mod-eration, habit formation, friend-ship, pleasure versus happiness,and so on – were very helpful inraising my three little kids.”

This book is quite practical andorganized well. After each chapter,Gallagher offers a “playlist” thatsummarizes the points of the chap-ter. The book also contains Aristo-tle’s Parenting Assessment Test,Aristotle’s Dictionary for Parents,and Notes with helpful links.

This book is significant and in-spiring, but it is not really spiritualuntil the last chapter. (There is agood reference to King David inChapter 4.) In the final chapter,Gallagher focuses on “Why YourKid Exists.” He writes that that ul-timately “your kid was made toworship God.”

This book is certainly a welcomeaddition to any parent’s bookshelf.Sometimes parents are just caughtup in a flurry of activities – manynecessary ones like cooking andlaundry.

But this book asks families tothink about what is important tothem and why.

The book is not just a parentingguide. It also provides food forthought for others as they see howAristotle might help them live avirtuous life. Teachers might behelped by this as well.

This book is wonderful. The onlyquibble might be the title. It triestoo hard to be catchy.

Gallagher has a gift for explainingphilosophy well. Here’s hoping he isworking on something regardingThomas Aquinas! He would have alot to say about parenting and life!

Peggy Weber is a reporter andproducer for Catholic Communica-tions in the Diocese of Springfield,Mass.

If Aristotle’s KidHad an iPodBy Conor GallagherSt. Benedict Press$26.95 • 376 pagesISBN 978-1618904140


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For only $100 a year, your store can connect toother Catholic retail stores and learn more aboutcustomer service, marketing, spirituality, mer-chandising, training and more. There are alsospecial discounts and new product informationfrom NEW CATHOLIC BOOKS & MEDIA.

Don’t delay, join today at http://bit.ly/CatholicRetailersAssociation.Author’s Corner – Colleen Carroll CampbellParish: St. Clement of RomeDes Peres, Missouri

New Book: “My Sisters theSaints: A Spiritual Memoir”(Image Books)

Most of your journalistic writ-ing has focused on news andpolitics. What inspired you totake such a personal turn inthis new book?

The truth is, I was forced intoit. I was drawn to writing aboutthe themes at the heart of thisbook – the tensions between ourhuman desires for both freedomand commitment, spiritualgrowth and worldly success,avoidance of suffering and thewisdom that comes only throughtrials. I was especially drawn towriting about how these tensionsplay out in the lives of womenstruggling to reconcile theirChristian faith with contempo-rary feminism.

Most of the saints you cite asguides were contemplativesand many were cloisterednuns. Did it surprise you thatyou could relate to thesewomen?

Yes, it did. The real basis of myconnection to these women wasour shared search for meaning,longings for both love and libera-tion, and struggles to overcometemptations and faults. The con-templative dimension of these

saints was also theirgenius, and I learnedthat the true contem-plative does not seekto escape life but tolive it more fully anddeeply. These women of prayertaught me a lot about how to liveas a woman of action in the world.

You express frustration withhow few books there were tohelp you deal with your jour-ney through infertility. What’smissing from the way infertil-ity is often addressed in reli-gious circles?

For starters, compassion. Whenyou are dealing with infertility,you get a lot of unsolicited advice:Just pray! Just relax! Just adopt!But advice is usually the lastthing you want. What you reallywant is a baby. And failing that,you want someone to acknowledgeyour grief and its validity withoutgiving you a lecture.

What I most needed was a wayof making sense of my trial andgetting through it. I needed helpunderstanding my value as awoman even if I never bore biolog-ical children.

Many questions led me to dis-cover the writings of St. EdithStein, a philosopher who wrotepoignantly – and, for me, veryhelpfully – about the meaning of awoman’s maternal desires and theway those desires can be fulfilledin all walks of life.

Campbell THIS CHRISTMAS

JOSEPH PEARCE

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Sister Wendy’sBible TreasuryStories and Wisdom through the Eyes ofGreat PaintersSister Wendy Beckett

A journey through the Bible with Sister Wendy, accompanied by some of the greatest artists of all time. Over 50magnificent color illustrations.

978-1-57075-972-7 144pppbk with French flaps $35

Friends in ChristPaths to a New Understandingof ChurchBrother John of TaizéThis book for both seekers and practic-ing Christians high-lights the importance of friendship for human community. A

worldwide network of friends in Jesus has incredible potential to change the world for the better.

978-1-62698-000-6 192pp pbk $22.00

Loving WorkA Spiritual Guide to Finding the Work We Love and Bringing Love to the Work We DoMike HayesFrom the author of Googling God, a “down-to-spirit” guide to discovering the work you weremeant to do.

978-1-57075-988-8 128pp pbk $16

Vatican IIFifty Personal StoriesWilliam Madges and Michael J. Daley, eds.Fifty distinguished authors, theologians, journalists. spiritual writers and pastoral leaders review and elaborate on the 50th anniversary of the Council.

978-1-57075-993-2 272pp pbk $28

In the Beginning Was the Spirit Science, Religion, and Indigenous SpiritualityDiarmuid O’Murchu“Helps us understand how the Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of the whole humanhistory.” —Peter Phan

author, Being Religious Interreligiously

978-1-57075-995-6 260pp pbk $22

AdamGod’s BelovedHenri J.M. NouwenThrough the story of Adam, a severely handicapped young man from the L’Arche Daybreak Community, Nouwen found a new way to tell God’s story of Jesus and the story of all of us, broken

and yet beloved, who lives in a world charged with the mystery of God’s love.

978-1-57075-994-9 136pp pbk $20

JesusA New Understandingof God’s SonJoseph F. Girzone“Girzone has spent many years speak-ing about, contem-plating and writing about a Jesus to whom people eas-

ily gravitate, a ‘partner’ who is with us throughout all life’s events.” —America

978-1-57075-985-7 384pp pbk $20

The Best of Being Catholic Kathy CoffeyA kaleidoscope of ideas, gems, andvalues found inbeing Catholic—beautiful, simple,profound insightsthat make a positive difference in peoples’ lives today.

978-1-57075-978-9 176pp pbk $17

Redeeming the PastMy Journey fromFreedom Fighterto HealerMichael LapsleywithStephen KarakashianForeword byArch. Desmond TutuAn Anglican priestactive in the struggle

against apartheid survives a letter bomband begins a new ministry. “A wonderfultestament to what the gospel can makehappen.” —Rowan Williams

978-1-57075-992-5 240pp hc $25.00

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Food for Heart, Mind & SoulFood for Heart, Mind & Soul

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Book & Movie Reviews from the Catholic News Service and Staff

Big Al and friends teachchildren and parents howto deal with grief and loss

Reviewed by Shellie Braeuner

As adults, we realize that lifeisn’t fair. We all find it hardto wrap our heads around

the fact that sometimes bad thingshappen to people who just don’t de-serve it.

But this is somuch harder forchildren to un-derstand. Littleones look to us tomake things fairand have hardtime under-standing whenwe just can’t.

Fr. Joe Kempfexplores thesetopics in his book“Sometimes Life Is Just Not Fair.”In this book, Big Al, Fr. Joe’s child-like monster, explores conceptssuch as loss, grief and sadnessthrough a series of poems, prayersand short vignettes.

The first ten chapters explorethe grief process, from understand-ing that a loved one has diedthrough the healing. Fr. Kempf ex-plores feeling of sadness, lonelinessas well as the desire to move on and

continue to grow. Each section rein-forces the belief that death isn’t thelast goodbye. Fr. Kampf teachesthat, as Catholics, we believe ineternal life with God.

What I found especially helpfulwas that there are chapters thatdiscuss personal loss, but there arealso chapters that help children un-derstand when friends are goingthrough loss. Children, like adults,often want to help someone whogrieves, but are at a loss about

what to do and say.There is a special section at the

end of the book that is designed forparents, teachers and caregivers ofany child who is suffering from loss.This section gives concrete sugges-tions for helping a child deal withimpending death, sudden death andgrief. Arranged in simple bulletpoints to go along with the children’stext, it’s easy for any adult to use.This is especially helpful if the deathhas left a grieving parent as well.

The book also includes a CD withBig Al and children talking about afriend who has lost her mother. Thecharacters touch on all the points ofgrieving, always focusing back onthe Promise of Easter and eternallife. These points are reinforcedwith a series of poems and a song.

Altogether, this is a book that cangive comfort to any child facing loss.

Shellie Braeuner is the Children’sBook Reviewer for New CatholicBooks & Media.

Sometimes Life IsJust Not Fairby Fr. Joe KempfOur Sunday Visitor$19.95 • 64 pagesISBN 978-1612785929

Wreck-It Ralph (Disney)

This clever 3-D animated ad-venture, directed by RichMoore, ponders the meaning

of life inside a video arcade ma-chine once the “Game Over” mes-sage appears.

The peren-nial bad guy(voice of JohnC. Reilly) of thetitle wants to bejust like hisgood-guy oppo-nent (voice ofJack McBrayer).So he abandonshis game forothers in searchof fame and glory. Along the way heencounters a violent warrior (voiceof Jane Lynch) and an outcast(voice of Sarah Silverman) from aracing game with whom he bonds.

The pair unites to overcome prej-udice and embrace their differ-ences, offering a positive lesson inself-esteem for young viewers.

Mild cartoonish violence, somerude humor. The Catholic NewsService classification is A-II –adults and adolescents. The MPAArating is PG – parental guidancesuggested, some material may notbe suitable for children.

new catholic books & media · booklet that features 5-minute prayers to say around the advent...

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