tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217339292024-03-05T18:54:52.367-08:00Best Catholic BooksA book is a dangerous thing: it can change your life.
(I know from firsthand experience.)Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-17029884842222340332011-12-28T16:24:00.000-08:002011-12-28T16:24:39.966-08:00Guest Post: books on the "new" Mass<i>Sister Anne (from "<a href="http://romans8v29.blogspot.com/">Nunblog</a>") has spent the past year talking and studying about the new translation of the Mass, so she is providing a guest post on the books that can help you understand the what and wherefore of the changes in the Mass.</i><br />
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The new translation of the Missal (which went into effect on Nov. 27) provides a perfect opportunity for getting to know the Mass better, and Catholic publishers have been more than happy to provide the resources. While there are a number of new titles specifically on what's "new" in the Missal, the books that will have the longest "shelf life" are those that simply incorporate the changes into a solid presentation of the Mass itself.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935940007/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1935940007" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1935940007&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=bescatboo-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bescatboo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1935940007&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 1px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
One of those books is by Dr Edward Sri of the <a href="http://www.augustineinstitute.org/">Augustine Institute </a>(where just last Saturday our Sr Irene received her Master's in Biblical Theology). I was given a review copy of Sri's "A Biblical Walk through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do in the Liturgy" (my copy came with a handy laminated folder with the new translation of the unchanging parts of the Liturgy).<br />
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At first I thought I would just zip through the book and gather some interesting bits of knowledge to add to my liturgical information collection. Simply opening the book to leaf through its pages quickly disabused me of that idea. To casually flip through Sri's book seems almost sacrilegious. I realized that this is a book that deserves to be read in calm, not only without haste, but also without an agenda. It offers a deeply contemplative "walk" through the Mass, Bible in hand, in the company of Fathers and Doctors and Saints of the Church. The Confiteor alone takes up 5 pages of the book, and the Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy) is another 5! Every so often, Sri will pause, so to speak, and go behind the biblical and liturgical texts to the mysteries they express, inviting us to renew our whole participation at Mass, and not just learn stuff about it. Although there is a great amount of "stuff" here to learn, too.<br />
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I see that Ascension Press has also prepared a program for groups (with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935940015/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1935940015">student workbook</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bescatboo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1935940015&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935940031/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1935940031">leader's guide</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bescatboo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1935940031&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />): an ideal way to help prepare people not just for "changes ahead," but for the kind of profound reform that Pope Benedict has said always coincides with a renewal of Eucharistic faith.<br />
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The Diocese of Duluth, MN is offering a free e-book, entitled "<a href="http://www.dioceseduluth.org/cmanager/File/Office%20of%20Worship/Praying_the_Mass_Anew_by_Fr_Joel_Hastings.pdf">Praying the Mass Anew</a>." It gives an overview of the Mass in general as well as explaining the new translation. You can download it and print it as-is, or save it to your favorite e-reader! I have only scanned it so far, but it looks like a fine presentation of the Mass for adults; if you haven't really had any instruction on the Mass since your First Communion, you'd probably do well to download this one.<br />
<a href="http://dioceseduluth.org/index.php?PageID=652&QryParentID=651">On the website</a>, you'll also find the individual parts of the book, so you can read it online if you prefer. The Director of the diocesan Office of Worship even shared his PowerPoint presentations and notes, so you can study on your own--and a printable version of a "<a href="http://www.dioceseduluth.org/cmanager/File/Office%20of%20Worship/Pew%20Card%20-%208.5%20by%2011.pdf">pew card</a>" with the people's parts that you can take with you to Mass.<br />
What a service! (<i>Thanks, Father Hastings</i>!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1568549237/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1568549237" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1568549237&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=bescatboo-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bescatboo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1568549237" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
As a presenter on the new missal, I have spent the past year immersed in the texts and in texts about the texts. Today I just finished yet another book about the Roman Missal, this one by a Chicago priest (and consultant for Cardinal George). Of all the titles I have read this year, this is the book I would most highly recommend, both for the more sophisticated members of the "daily Mass crowd" and for parish staff members, especially those on liturgy committees. <br />
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Father Tuzik doesn't just give the background to the new translation of the Mass prayers or the lengthy process of the translation and its approval. As the subtitle says, he really offers "pastoral reflections" on the prayers themselves, highlighting texts that the earlier translation had not really delivered (with a kind of "before" and "after" treatment in columns, so you can see the precise word changes and appreciate the difference). He also (and this is where the book is truly unique and useful) goes into the less-frequented parts of the Roman Missal: not just the various votive Masses, but the abundant ritual masses (Baptism, Confirmation, etc.) which are now included in the altar book, and the other optional masses--and they are many! (Each category has its own chapter.) Within the treatment, he will give a few examples of specific prayers, and then offer suggestions about when that particular set of mass prayers would be best used in a parish setting. As Tuzik observed, most of the time priests use the Sunday prayer texts, when there are so many optional prayers that match the readings for the day and put into relief a dimension of faith that deserves a bit more attention.<br />
Among the Masses for various needs and occasions, there is the Mass "for the Progress of Peoples"; one "for Refugees and Exiles"; "In thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life." There is one Mass of thanksgiving whose prayers are suitable when people have been rescued from peril, and another Mass of thanksgiving where the prayers reflect more a sense of gratitude for successful endeavors. There are Masses for seedtime and Masses for harvest; Mass prayers for public officials (prayer may not be the most spontaneous thing that would occur to people when thinking of elected leaders!). There are Masses for the sick, and a Mass "for the Grace of a Happy Death" (which, Tuzik points out in that ever-present pastoral spirit, can be really suitable in the case of the terminally ill, acknowledging that they may even be longing for the Lord to come for them soon.) There's even a (how appropriate to our times!) Mass "for Chastity" whose prayers remind me of Ronald Knox's observation that virginity is not something slight and fragile, but something bold and grand, like a parade coming down the street: "Through the Sacraments we have received, O Lord, may our heart and our body flourish anew..."<br />
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His style is consistently pastoral and personal: refreshing in the field of liturgy! So, if you enjoy hearty reading of a theological bent, and haven't heard enough yet about the Roman Missal, or (above all) if you serve on your parish staff and assist the priests with liturgy planning, this is a book for you!<br />
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Regarding personal-sized "hand" missals, subscription missalettes and missal apps, <a href="http://romans8v29.blogspot.com/2011/11/missal-or-missalette-what-will-it-be.html">see a post I did</a> for my own blog. The Pauline edition of the Sunday and Daily Missals should be out early in the new year; maybe Sr Julia will invite me to do a post about them then!Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-72013632293621618192011-07-20T09:40:00.000-07:002011-07-20T09:40:41.477-07:00Up and ComingI actually haven't <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Catholic-Approach-Scott-Hurd/dp/081982691X?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">seen this book</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bescatboo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=081982691X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> yet, but we should have it in a week or two fresh and new from the publishing house...and the topic couldn't be more appropriate for our age. Doesn't it seem to you like we're either expected to hurry up and forgive rather thoughtlessly, almost reactively, or else go to war when someone wrongs us? And yet either approach short-circuits real forgiveness...<br />
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Amazingly, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmbraceForgiveness">Facebook page</a> for this yet-unpublished book is really active. If you like quotes (I've been collecting them for years), you'll find some really good ones on the Facebook page; when the book is released, I'm sure the quotes will come to life even more!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z6MYzTHMJaQ" width="560"></iframe>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-5342317974809097592011-06-08T08:11:00.000-07:002011-06-08T08:11:53.771-07:00Guest Post: Helping kids deal with deathI invited Sr Anne to reprint her blog post about a new Pauline book that she had more than a little to do with...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://store.pauline.org/Portals/0/158177.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://store.pauline.org/Portals/0/158177.gif" width="149" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This November my family will mark the fifth anniversary of Dad's death--and the fifth wedding anniversary for my sister Jane and her heaven-sent Jim. If you haven't been following me quite that long, </span><a href="http://romans8v29.blogspot.com/search?q=Jim+Katrina"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it's a great story</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Anyway, at Dad's wake (the morning of the wedding rehearsal), I noticed my seven-year-old niece sitting on the funeral parlor sofa, engrossed in a Harry Potter book. I felt frustrated that at a time when it is so fitting to speak of life after death, the meaning of life, the Body of Christ...there wasn't anything age appropriate for Claudia (who had lost her other grandfather a few months before).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A few months later, I was taking a 1 credit course to complete the requirements for a Certificate in Spiritual Formation. It was one of those situations where I would have taken anything they offered just to get that one last credit. As it turned out, the course was on bereavement ministry. And we had to do a project.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I turned in a sample "activity book" for a grieving child; something that would help a child process the experience of grief in the light of the Catholic faith. The professor liked the idea, so I submitted it to our publishing house. There my humble project took on dimensions far beyond what my 1-credit course equipped me for, so the editors entrusted its development to Kimberly Schuler, a school counselor, and to our own Sr. Mary Joseph Peterson (for the artwork). The result is a </span><a href="https://store.pauline.org/English/tabid/56/List/0/SortField/Rank/ProductID/3512/Default.aspx?txtSearch=I+will+remember"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">keepsake volume </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for children in primary or middle school; a kind of hybrid puzzle book, one-year journal and catechism. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So it looks as though my experience of loss has borne fruit for others in their time of loss. Isn't that how God tends to do things?</span>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-61464518545028376872011-04-04T09:54:00.000-07:002011-04-05T15:35:43.541-07:00Just one!A whole video about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933495251/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1933495251">just one book</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bescatboo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1933495251" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />? You know it's a good one.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SAdKJ1UvGqY" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Please pray for Mom, who is recovering from heart surgery. Thanks.</i>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-47516636025887187002011-03-04T14:10:00.000-08:002011-03-04T14:10:18.666-08:00Countdown to Volume 2!The Holy Father's new book is going to hit the bookstores soon. Do you have a copy on order yet? It would be hard to come up with a better book for your spiritual reading this Lent. After all, volume 2 of "Jesus of Nazareth" focuses entirely on Holy Week and Easter!<br />
If you pre-order with <a href="http://www.pauline.org/Locations/tabid/61/Default.aspx">one of the PBM bookstores</a>, you can not only reserve a copy, but get it at a discount. Meanwhile,<a href="http://www.ignatius.com/promotions/jesus-of-nazareth/excerpts.htm"> a few sections </a>have been made public ahead of time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdWjNtEln0LX7swUNEqoOyHbpR6C2B6_sL01cy1_5RNJ7UXw-s8ZWzF2-v34VIZH_Uest7TZuj6rJvboaSPbhl-YPCfsEhtRlS1bevF5gUmcZysgOETBT86tSeR-TbTc5ev4n/s400/Feb-10-incentive-%231-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="367" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdWjNtEln0LX7swUNEqoOyHbpR6C2B6_sL01cy1_5RNJ7UXw-s8ZWzF2-v34VIZH_Uest7TZuj6rJvboaSPbhl-YPCfsEhtRlS1bevF5gUmcZysgOETBT86tSeR-TbTc5ev4n/s400/Feb-10-incentive-%231-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sister Anne was in New Orleans during February and followed me around with her video camera, so before long you may get a few more book selections from me "viva voce"!Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-18341246494197192532010-12-17T13:09:00.000-08:002010-12-17T13:09:40.567-08:00Guest Post: Holding on to Hope<i>I'm importing this post from </i><a href="http://new.catholicmom.com/2010/11/13/catholic-book-review-holding-on-to-hope-by-sister-kathryn-j-hermes/"><i>CatholicMom.com</i></a><i> because it is a review of a fellow Pauline's most recent title (a helpful title, too, for difficult times).</i><br />
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<small>By <a href="http://new.catholicmom.com/author/abender/" title="Posts by Anne Bender">Anne Bender</a> • Nov 13th, 2010 • </small><br />
<div class="entry"><a href="http://new.catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hermes_hope.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-13583" height="150" src="http://new.catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hermes_hope-100x150.jpg" title="hermes_hope" width="100" /></a><em><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0819833959?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0819833959">Holding on to Hope: The Journey Beyond Darkness</a></strong><strong><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=catholicmomcom&l=as2&o=1&a=0819833959" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></strong></em><strong> by Sister Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP<br />
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I have been a fan of Sister Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP, ever since I read her books <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0819870773?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0819870773">Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=catholicmomcom&l=as2&o=1&a=0819870773" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></em> and <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00440DUCC?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00440DUCC">Making Peace with Yourself</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=catholicmomcom&l=as2&o=1&a=B00440DUCC" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></em>. Her words in these books brought me comfort and a sense of community in my darkness, helping me to realize that depression can happen to anybody, but it doesn’t have to define who we are or lead to restrictions in our lives.<br />
In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0819833959?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0819833959"><strong><em>Holding on to Hope</em></strong></a><strong><em> </em></strong>I found the same sense of comfort and support that I have come to acquaint with Sr. Hermes. The book is set up with sections on images, scripture, reflection questions, contemplative exercises, resting and inner healing exercises (written by Sr. Helene Cote, PM, MTS.) Throughout each chapter, the reader is lead into a spiritual healing experience based on the life of Christ.<br />
Some passages that I found to be especially helpful for me were those that dealt with the realization that God is always present, holding us as we heal, and supporting us in those moments when we fall back into darkness, such as:<br />
“This is the way it is. We cannot escape the waves of consolation and desolation that wash through our souls…we need to be able to dip back into the darkness here and there with graciousness and without fear in order to learn to relax there, where God is also present.” (p. 74)<br />
But perhaps, the most hopeful and helpful section of all was Appendix Two: A Process for Putting on Christ in Seven Stages. This section dealt with the letters of St. Paul that show his transformation as he “put on Christ.” We, too, are called to put on Christ and can accomplish this by following the example of this great saint. I plan to follow Sr. Hermes’ lead here by praying with her hopeful and serene words: “I want only Jesus, not my perfection or security or happiness. Knowing Jesus is more important to me than any of this. To share His sufferings is my greatest joy because I know He will let me share His resurrection.” (p. 142)<br />
As a wife and mother who has fallen in and out of depression many times in the past few years, I found that Sr. Hermes book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0819833959?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0819833959"><em>Holding on to Hope</em></a><em>,</em> will be a great resource for me to use whenever life becomes difficult and despair seems so near. In those dark times, I will reach for this book and hold on to hope.<br />
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<i>Many thanks to Sally Feller at Pauline Books and Media for this opportunity to review</i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0819833959?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0819833959"><strong><em>Holding on to Hope</em></strong></a><em>. </em><em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0819833959?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmomcom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0819833959"><strong><em>Order Holding on to Hope and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase</em></strong></a></em><br />
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</script></div>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-56892935909113792952010-09-15T12:57:00.000-07:002010-09-15T12:57:33.762-07:00Mailbox time!From Michael:<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Subject: I want a good life changing book.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><div>Hi, I stumbed led upon your blog when I googled "Catholic books that can change your life."<br />
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I am not a rapacious reader as I get bored quickly. But when I find a good book, I will read it through like a hungry kid eats popcorn. Most of the Catholic books I have read failed to capture my attention this way. I have had "epiphanies" when reading books before that have motivated me to change some aspect of my life, but I have yet to find a genuinely modern Catholic book that has been successful in pushing me to the next level spiritually. <br />
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I am a Catholic husband and father of a one-year old, and I work as a professional. I am trying to build a stronger prayer life as I receive spiritual direction and pray with my wife regularly. But I am seeking grace anywhere I can get it, even if it means it is in a book (something besides your standard prayer books or the Bible). So if you know of something that will appeal to someone in my state of life and keep my attention, by all means, please recommend it.</div><div><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fully-Human-Divine-Interactive-Christology/dp/0764811495?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Fully Human, Fully Divine: An Interactive Christology" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0764811495&tag=bescatboo-20" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And my answer: </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are a lot of books, but the first one that comes to mind is "Fully Human, Fully Divine" by Michael Casey. I've read it at least five times, underlined, hi-lighted, starred....so it's definitely worth reading if you have a chance. Say a prayer before you go book-hunting. There are so many books, a little Divine inspiration couldn't hurt!</span><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bescatboo-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0764811495" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-10025567995277971222010-08-31T19:21:00.000-07:002010-08-31T19:21:31.337-07:00The God of our Deepest Longings<a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Our-Deepest-Longings-Meditations/dp/159471200X?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The God of Our Deepest Longings: Seven Biblical Meditations" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=159471200X&tag=bescatboo-20" width="130" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bescatboo-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=159471200X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />A friend sent me this book and I put it in chapel with my prayerbooks. You never know when you need something new and different! I picked it up a while back and couldn't put it down. It was easy to read-only about a hundred pages, but I'm on my second time, much-slower, let's-relish-this reading. Even the chapter titles are worthy of a long meditation: "What are you looking for?" "Where do you live?" "What Supports you?" "Becoming Transparent."<br />
It's a thin book, but I guarantee that if you, say, started it on Ash Wednesday, you would probably still not be through it by Pentecost :) Or longer, depending on how much you get out of it, between the suggested Scripture readings, the questions for reflection.... But don't wait until Lent to get started: the end of summer is a perfect time to kick-start a resolution to spend more time in prayerful reading.<br />
I love finding new treasures and passing them on. This one would be an easy one to miss, but please don't. It covers the most basic desires of our heart and reveals the God of our deepest longings through the most beautiful passages of Scripture.Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-69988303523386087992010-08-21T14:22:00.000-07:002010-08-21T14:22:17.794-07:00New FeatureWe just finished recording a new album of inspirational songs; it won't be completely ready for quite some time (the instruments haven't been done yet), but just so you know.<br />
We're testing a <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/paulinebooks">CafePress site</a> that will allow you to support the mission of the Daughters of St. Paul and get some unique (and generally practical) items. Just so happens we are launching this trial balloon during a "free shipping" promotion at CafePress ("free" for orders over $40). So far there are only two main themes: Books (you knew that, right?) and New Orleans (you probably guessed that much, too).<br />
Here are a few samples:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/paulinebooks.464541742" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://images2.cpcache.com/product/464541742v4_350x350_Front.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/paulinebooks.464541673" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images3.cpcache.com/product/464541673v2_150x150_Front.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/paulinebooks.464541788" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images8.cpcache.com/product/464541788v3_150x150_Front_Color-Khaki.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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The mug and the book bag have a quote from Chesterton: "Literature is a luxury; Fiction a necessity." The apron says, "I'd rather be reading!"<br />
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And from the "Geaux Getters" department:<br />
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<a href="http://images9.cpcache.com/product/464541759v3_350x350_Front_Color-White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://images9.cpcache.com/product/464541759v3_350x350_Front_Color-White.jpg" width="175" /></a> <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/paulinebooks.464541757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://images7.cpcache.com/product/464541757v2_350x350_Front_Color-White.jpg" width="175" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/paulinebooks.464541776"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://images6.cpcache.com/product/464541776v2_350x350_Front_Color-White.jpg" width="175" /></a> <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/paulinebooks.464541768" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrbw7bzxfQ0kN1JFM8THZ-bQdQ4Aw7dOTWoMjucwg1yZkkI3FAnsZQOTXrrZpPx5xODp4_bIuTN3gCn1Z1icn8-KpagU_tYJ_lZsL7TMgUl2eYV3NoK53BjTTyHduikjaCvEQ/s200/mino.jpg" width="104" /></a>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-5893908243853607892010-06-24T16:11:00.001-07:002010-06-24T16:11:05.081-07:00don't judge a book... ...by its cover! I had to really overcome my distaste for orange in order to discover a couple of great books. (Don't make the same mistake.) <br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/T9eo0HkOTcI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/T9eo0HkOTcI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Two books in this video:<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0867169443&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00395ZYWW&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
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Lots of books by Fr. James Martin without orange covers:<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0829426442&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=158768036X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0829425829&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=158051099X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-75340739739377586352010-05-04T12:52:00.000-07:002010-05-04T12:52:18.396-07:00The Jesuit Guide...<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesuit-Guide-Almost-Everything-Spirituality/dp/0061432687?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><br />
My Facebook conversations with Jim (and his appeal to keep the blog updated) have convinced me to move from Facebook to Blogger for a few minutes to write about my current read.<br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lP+VdqQlL._SL110_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lP+VdqQlL._SL110_.jpg" /></a>Orange is my least favourite colour, so on that very superficial observation I almost didn’t pick up the best book I’ve read so far this year! I’m now more than halfway through Fr. James Martin’s excellent new book, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, and I should have known it would be hard to put down after gobbling up his last book, My Life With the Saints! It is SO readable; you could compare it to an easy going conversation with a good friend. Considering the topics covered, that’s saying a lot! (Lectio Divina, the Spiritual Exercises, the Vows, discernment, how to find God, how to pray, where to start etc.) I took it to chapel for spiritual reading, and almost (but not enough to stop) felt guilty for enjoying it so much.<br />
The Ignatian goal is to “find God in all things”. If you want practical and realistic ways to apply this to your own life, please get a copy of the book. I loved the stories, the examples, the humour, and the wisdom that can be applied right now where you are. Fr. Martin is able to take the gems of Jesuit Spirituality and translate them for absolutely anyone.<br />
If you want to know how you can find God – and how God can find you– in your messy, busy, difficult, complicated life, this book would be a good place to start. Books like these are worth their weight in gold, even if they’re orange.Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-56813053576902097772010-05-03T18:25:00.000-07:002010-05-04T18:51:07.169-07:00A conversation on FacebookI just heard from a new lover of Catholic Books. Jim starting looking for "Catholic books"; that's how he came across my many recommendations. Now we're continuing the conversation on Facebook. Since I haven't been able to update my blog very much, I thought you'd like to join in!<br />
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Jim: How I love your absolutely wonderful website! I am a Catholic inquirer, and earlier tonight did a google search for "Catholic books." Hours later, my Amazon Wish List is ridiculous thanks to you! Truly, your love of books and your love for God leaps off the page and I just wanted to express a thousand thanks. I remember browsing in the Alexandria Paulist Press shop, and chatting with a similarly enthusiastic Sister. You've made my night.<br />
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Jim: I just discovered Fr. Barron on your website, and found his Word On Fire site, which is outstanding. His videos are the finest explanations of the faith I've ever come across. I was knocked out by the interview with Mitch Pacwa, where he talks about truth and beauty, using Notre Dame Cathedral as an example. Nine years ago I visited Paris, and was simply overcome with emotion when entering ND. Fr. Barron describes precisely what happened to me. Truth was beauty and beauty was truth! <br />
It's just so rare to find art experts who aren't pretentious, and frequently on the snobby side, and that's why I love the work that both of you are doing. I'd like to see you have your own show on EWTN! <br />
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Me: Fr. Barron is great, isn't he? I really love the way he writes. <br />
Have you read "The Jesuit Guide to (almost) Everything" by Fr. James Martin? I'm in the middle of it right now and I'm really enjoying it! <br />
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Jim: I just re-read the Reed (of God, by Carryl Houselander) at Christmas, and it hit me even harder this time, and, I read The Way of The Cross every Advent. She deserves a much "wider audience" as they say. btw....your fans are eager for a blog update!Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-10437665750445354692009-12-24T13:24:00.000-08:002009-12-24T13:25:40.340-08:00Blessed Christmas!<iframe src="http://paulinecharismlive.magnify.net/video/Sisters-Singing-Good-Christians/player" width="420" height="451" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-51128248727192153902009-10-13T18:22:00.000-07:002009-10-13T18:24:00.736-07:00Readers' PollOur publishing house is doing <a href="http://pbmmarketing.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-reader-polls.html">an online poll </a>about readers' favorite online places to chat about books. Please join in!Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-54544932235590002512009-10-12T09:56:00.000-07:002009-10-12T09:56:00.631-07:00Can't Stop Browsing!The last few books I spotted on my visit to the Dedham bookcenter. (Have you been there? It's on Route 1, near the exit for Rte 128.)<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4HpFe8kV7Ds&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4HpFe8kV7Ds&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-54318273385478398072009-09-29T09:42:00.000-07:002009-09-29T09:42:00.403-07:00Still Browsing!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QXaIUdKFUHU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QXaIUdKFUHU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-41229753809585832592009-09-24T09:11:00.000-07:002009-09-24T17:37:35.206-07:00This one's mine!With the month of the Rosary starting in just a week, I don't think you'll mind if I do a little self-promotion here... The children's Rosary booklet first came out years ago (and it seems like it took me years<a href="https://store.pauline.org/English/tabid/56/CategoryID/559/List/0/catpageindex/3/Level/a/ProductID/3222/Default.aspx"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 211px;" src="https://store.pauline.org/Portals/0/149509.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a> to do all the illustrations!). When Pope John Paul II introduced the Luminous mysteries, I knew I was going to have to take out the pastels and update the book, but between running a bookstore (and running out of town for Hurricane Katrina), it took a little longer than anticipated. Finally, it's updated and available.<div><br /><div>The format is like the "Scriptural Rosary" (the one with the blue and white cover) that offers a short bible passage for each "Hail Mary." In this booklet, the thoughts are on a child's level. This would be good for children up to about ten years old. It includes a chart showing how to pray the Rosary, and each set of mysteries has its own little chart showing how the decades fall along the string of beads.</div><div><br />Speaking for myself, I find it easier to pray the Rosary when the rosary beads themselves are beautiful! (Now I make my own.) Do the children in your family have the kind of rosary that invites them to pick it up and use it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Other children's books on the Rosary:</div><div><a href="https://store.pauline.org/English/tabid/56/CategoryID/559/List/0/catpageindex/3/Level/a/ProductID/2954/Default.aspx"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 149px;" src="https://store.pauline.org/Portals/0/115985.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="https://store.pauline.org/English/tabid/56/List/0/ProductID/2869/Default.aspx?txtSearch=*&ProductName=I*"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 149px;" src="https://store.pauline.org/Portals/0/116091.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><a href="https://store.pauline.org/English/tabid/56/txtSearch/rosary/CategoryID/559/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/2786/Default.aspx"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 95px; height: 149px;" src="https://store.pauline.org/Portals/0/115995.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="https://store.pauline.org/English/tabid/56/CategoryID/559/List/0/catpageindex/4/Level/a/ProductID/2894/Default.aspx"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 99px; height: 149px;" src="https://store.pauline.org/Portals/0/144576.gif" border="0" alt="" /><br /><br /></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /><p>><br /></div><br /><div>"My First Book about Mary" is another book I illustrated (Sr Christine Virginia wrote it). Can you tell that Mary has a special place in my life?</div><div><a href="https://store.pauline.org/English/tabid/56/List/0/catpageindex/5/ProductID/2690/Default.aspx?txtSearch=*&ProductName=M*"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 111px; height: 149px;" src="https://store.pauline.org/Portals/0/144573.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-49507472475760017432009-09-21T10:47:00.000-07:002009-09-21T11:20:17.354-07:00After a number of setbacks, Sr. Anne finished the video book reviews we did this summer. Actually, she had enough footage for three videos, so I will be posting them one by one. Special thanks to Eric Groth at <a href="http://www.outsidedabox.com/videos.php">Outside da Box</a> (youth ministry DVDs) for the technical help!<div><br /></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t8TxCCpBvk0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t8TxCCpBvk0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-56403509904807955522009-09-11T09:37:00.001-07:002009-09-11T15:38:40.942-07:00Fr Barron's "Eucharist"<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1570757224&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="5" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" align="left"></iframe>I just finished reading Fr. Robert Barron's new book, "The Eucharist" and wanted to post a "must read" to the blog:) Honestly, this priest just gets better and better! Since I never miss any of his books, this one was on my to-read list and I ended up taking it home with me on vacation. In a very slim book of 141 pages he manages to give the most inspiring insights into the Eucharist that I have read in ages. He runs the gamut from "Babette's Feast" to Flannnery O'Connor to Thomas Aquinas. A whirlwind look, which at the same time manages to be profound and thorough....and surprisingly accessible, whether you happen to be a theologian or a housewife. Bottom line for me is the fact that you can't read it without being touched and grateful and rather in awe of the gift we've been given. A book that can do that is certainly worth the read. Thanks again, Fr.Barron, for another gem!Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-56952754417283407532009-08-20T06:49:00.000-07:002009-08-20T07:12:03.053-07:00Guest Blogger: Sr. Anne<div id="header"><p id="description"></p> </div> <!-- Begin #content --> <div id="content"> <!-- Begin #main --> <div id="main"><div id="main2"> <h2 class="date-header"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:19px;">Summer Reading</span></h2><div class="post"> <div class="post-body"> <div> <div style="clear: both;"></div>Over the past five weeks I've been able to read (or finish) reading a wonderful little stack of books, and get started on a whole new stack. (When I was in the playpen, my parents told me, "Books are our friends," and I believed them!)<br />Have you read any of these? What's on your bookshelf?<br /><br /><ul><li><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802862659?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802862659">Inhabiting the Cruciform God</a></i> (Michael Gorman): A terrific study of what Gorman believes is Paul's central "narrative" and the pattern of our life in Christ. You need some background in Scripture to follow him, though. (Sr. Julia has written and spoken at length about Gorman's fabulous "Cruciformity," which is a longer and less intensely scholarly presentation of the same concept.)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188860221X?ie=UTF8&tag=bescatboo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=188860221X">Facing the Dragon: Confronting Personal and Spiritual Grandiosity</a></span> (Robert L. Moore): a Jungian Christian analyst looks at the spiritual life and what the fathers would simply call the sin of pride. (I read this on retreat and it's full of bookmarks for me to go over with Jesus during the year.)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0867169192&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">Thank God Ahead of Time: The Life and Spirituality of Solanus Casey</a></span> (Michael Crosby, OFM Cap). I had heard about Fr. Casey, but this is the first I've ever read of his life. This book, too, now features a number of bookmarked spots for leisurely rereading.</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1400033535&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">Musicophilia </a></span>(Oliver Sacks). Subtitle is "Tales of Music and the Brain." Need I say more? (Sr. Barbara has the copy now. Our provincial, Sr. Margaret Timothy, borrowed it while I was in Boston.)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=086716882X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles with Jesus</a></span> (Fr. Dave Pivonka): Since I visited Campostela in 2006 (thanks again, <a href="http://somehavehats.typepad.com/">Karen</a>!), and cannot reasonably ever expect to make the whole Camino, I have enjoyed doing the Camino vicariously through the new of books that have been coming out by Catholic caministas like Joyce Rupp ("Walk in a Leisurely Manner") and others. Fr. Pivonka's book would be a terrific catechetical companion for the pilgrimage, because he relates the various aspects of camino life to dimensions of faith and spirituality. </li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1583333339&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul</a></span></span></span> (Stuart Brown). This is by one of those business gurus who goes around helping corporations loosen up and get their creative juices back. Brown is actually a psychologist who did years and years of study on the importance of play and how vital it is in shaping the brain and keeping us functioning as human beings. Play keeps us young! If we forget how to play, we also forget how to adapt to new or unexpected circumstances. We get stuck. We might even die. (Sr. Julia has this one right now.) </li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1594481717&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">A Whole New Mind: Why Right-brainers Will Rule the Future</a></span> (Daniel Pink). Another business guru book (he even cites some of the same stories and quotes as Brown in "Play"!); kind of the same idea as Brown's book, but covering six dimensions of "right-brain" activity with practical suggestions for exercising that muscle. (Sr. Maria Kim is now reading this one. I hope I get it back some day.)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1570758263&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">Franz Jagerstatter: Letters and Writings from Prison</a></span>. This Austrian farmer gave himself so wholeheartedly to the Gospel that he could not justify any cooperation with the Nazi government, not even hospital service (because he could not, in conscience, make the oath of loyalty to the party). What is remarkable about these writings is not that the writings are remarkable (although there are a couple of striking insights), but how this ordinary man found in such remarkable meaning in what sound like Catholic commonplaces: reason enough to stand up alone against the Third Reich.<br /></li><li><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cult-Saint-Thecla-Tradition-Antiquity/dp/0199548714/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250777465&sr=8-3">The Cult of Saint Thecla: A Tradition of Women's Piety in Late Antiquity</a></i> (Stephen J. Davis): This is a kind of archaology book focusing on the early devotion to St. Thecla, especially in the Egyptian church from around the 300's to the 500's. Amazing. Especially the Coptic footnotes.</li><li><i><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0814652638&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">Apollos: Paul's Partner or Rival?</a></i><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0814652638&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr"> </a>(Patrick J. Hartin): Another kind of scholarly book, but at 1/8 of an inch thick, it's no tome! This is a sociological approach to that eloquent evangelizer whom we meet in Acts 18 and hear about in 1 Corinthians. What do studies of ancient civilization have to teach us about Apollos' upbringing, expectations and method of evangelization? What do these same studies tell us about the relationships among Paul, Apollos and the Corinthians? (This little book is part of a series, "Paul's Social Network"; I'm waiting with baited breath for the volume on Prisca and Aquila, the dynamic duo of the New Testament.)</li></ul><br />Currently reading:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0143114247&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature</a> </span>(Steven Pinker). I am only on Chapter 2 of this investigation into how language works, how we learn it and use it, and what that implies.</li><li><i><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=030681112X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">In the Steps of St. Paul</a> </i>(H.V. Morton). Turns out this is a classic, first published in 1936. It came into my hands in Philadelphia when Sr. Cynthia (or maybe it was Sr. Barbara?) found it in the community library. Nondescript black cloth cover, pages mottled with age, it looked like a candidate for the dustbin, but the sister thought I'd be interested. I was. I am. It's a delightfully engaging travel book from a lost era, written in an equally delightful (and equally lost) style.</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1586171984&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">Jesus of Nazareth</a></span> (Benedict XVI). I confess I only opened this book a week ago. I have been so intimidated by what Time (or was it US News?) called the Pope's "stratospheric intellect" that I kept this amazingly lovely and readable text at arms length since its release! Don't make the same mistake I did. "Take and read."<br /></li></ul><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-5296636721107393032009-08-20T06:45:00.001-07:002009-08-20T06:49:38.057-07:00Coming soon!While I was in Boston (recording two new choral albums with the sisters: read all about it on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=daughters+of+st+paul+choir&init=quick#/pages/Daughters-of-St-Paul-Choir/29460415016?ref=search&sid=634746027.1563801194..1">Facebook</a>!), Sr. Anne took me and her video camera to the Pauline bookstore on Route 1. She promises a new "Best Catholic Books" video soon!<div>Meanwhile, Sr. Anne herself has compiled such an impressive list of books on her "Summer Reading" blog post that I invited her to share it with you as a guest blogger. Welcome, Sr. Anne!</div>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-70574593974417354302009-07-07T15:38:00.000-07:002009-07-07T15:41:32.568-07:00Bookshelf UpdateI wrote this review on Facebook quite a while ago, and just realized I hadn't shared it with the wider world. (Sorry!) <div><i><br /></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">The God of Our Deepest Longings: Seven Biblical Meditations</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">by Peter Van Breemen</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 247px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51IJqMoo-mL._SX160_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div>A friend sent me this book and I put it in chapel with my prayerbooks. You never know when you need something new and different! I picked it up last week and couldn't put it down. It was easy to read- only about a hundred pages, but I'm on my second time, much-slower, let's-relish-this reading. </div><div><br /><div>Even the chapter titles are worthy of a long meditation: "What are you looking for?", "Where do you live?", "What Supports you?", "Becoming Transparent". It's a thin book, but I guarantee that it would last you through Lent and probably through Pentecost :) Or longer, depending on how much you get out of it. Personally, between the suggested Scripture readings, the questions for reflection....I'll be at this one for quite a while. I love finding new treasures and passing them on. It would be an easy one to miss, but please don't. It covers the most basic desires of our heart and reveals the God of our deepest longings through the most beautiful passages of Scipture.</div></div>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-16042418943862792382009-06-05T10:51:00.000-07:002009-06-05T11:00:11.875-07:00New Book!<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bescatboo-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0802862659&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" align="left"></iframe>Michael Gorman, author of "Cruciformity" and "Apostle of the Crucified Lord" (see below) has a new book out: "Inhabiting the Cruciform God: Kenosis, Justification and Theosis in Paul's Narrative Soteriology." The title is intimidating, but Gorman's other books were so readable and so truly uplifting that I'm not overly intimidated by this one (not yet, anyway!). <div>I'm looking forward to reading this as the Year of St. Paul comes to a (triumphant?) close.<br /><div>I'll give you a full report later!</div></div>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-74461773346604903892009-04-05T13:34:00.000-07:002009-04-05T13:43:28.896-07:00"In Paradisum" in the News!A writer for the New Orleans "Times-Picayune" interviewed me and Sr. Anne for this <a href="http://nola.net/picayunes/t-p/ejpicayunes/index.ssf?/base/news-18/1238908924104180.xml&coll=1">article on our latest music release</a>. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Blessings for your Holy Week!</span>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733929.post-73752737933295245562009-03-18T11:14:00.001-07:002009-03-18T11:15:08.209-07:00New FavoritesSome of this information is already available (scroll down!), but I thought you would enjoy the video.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2pUu0x75qwo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2pUu0x75qwo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Sr. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286181378422886465noreply@blogger.com0