Reilly's Church Supply

New Releases for February

2012-02-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

Lent & Easter Wisdom from St. Alphonsus Liguori

Devoted to prayer & the passion of Christ theRedeemer, Alphonsus demonstrates how we can live our lives more fully forJesus.

Bring Lent to Life:Activities & Reflections for Your Family

Don’t just give something up for Lent! Gather yourfamily, & with Kate Basi’s fresh ideas, you will Bring Lent to Life!

Welcome Risen Jesus:Lenten & Easter Reflections for Families

These exercises are designed to engage your householdduring the Lenten season by tying scripture & reflection to your dailylife.

Will I See My Pet in Heaven?

This charming book is the children’s edition of thebestseller, I Will See You in Heaven (more than 25,000 copies sold). Itcomforts & explains to children that God loves & cares for allcreatures, including & especially those we are close to.

After Miscarriage: A Catholic Woman’s Companionto Healing & Hope

Offering solace & wisdom, Karen Edmisten shares herown thoughts & those of other women who have miscarried. Passages fromScripture & soothing words from other sources enrich these pages.

DatingGod:Live & Love in theWay of St. Francis

Drawingfrom the Franciscan tradition, Dating God encourages us to see St.Francis's spirituality, challenging us to reexamine our own spirituality,prayer, & relationships. It invites us into a more intimaterelationship with our Creator.

From Death to Life

Bishop Schönborn,editor of the monumental Catechism of the Catholic Church, presentsprofound reflections on the meaning of death, judgment & eternal life,& the Church's teachings on this eschatological dimension of our faith.

Spiritual Vitamins:365 Positive BibleVerses

Take one a day. Takethem to improve your health & well-being. You won’t usually see resultsimmediately, & their positive effect may be subtle, but they will workinside of you to make you healthy. A good Bible verse stays in your system,providing nutrients & help when you need it most.

God Will Provide:
HowGod’s Bounty Opened to Saints – and 9 Ways It Can Open for You, Too

A specialistin human goodness & saints, Treece offers the fruits of years of researchon how God meets the materials needs, in varying ways, for his people. In thislively book she offers copious examples of 9 universal principles to live by soyou can join those who know, in good times or bad, God will provide.

Pete and Repeat:Can You Spot the Differences?

Pete & Repeat is a 2-cartoon panel that has appearedin St. Anthony Messenger since the 1960s. The 1st cartoon in a panelpresents a drawing; the 2nd cartoon has 8 subtle differences from the 1st drawing.

Discover Christ:Developing a Personal Relationship with Jesus

Many peoplehave lost their sense of purpose in life, or perhaps never took the time todevelop one in the first place. Through personal stories, Scripture & testimonies, the authors invite readers to find their purpose in a personalrelationship with Jesus Christ.

Broken Path:How CatholicBishops Got Lost in the Weeds of American Politics

Renownedpro-life leader Judie Brown was appointed twice by Pope John Paul II & again by Pope Benedict XVI to the Pontifical Academy for Life. In her bold newbook, she addresses both the political intrigue in the hierarchy of America'sCatholic Church & the challenges faced by modern Catholics in this great nation.

New Releases for January 2012

2012-01-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

New Books

Turning To God InTough Times: Prayers To Comfort the Heart & Sustain the Spirit

When we are going through tough times, we need to turn tothe light of God’s love, but we often find it difficult to do so. This bookwill help readers move toward God and away from hopelessness & despair.

The Life of Jesusof Nazareth for Children

Here is the complete life story of Jesus, written in anengaging way for children. The short chapters are filled with interestingdetails & are true to the biblical text. The book begins with Jesus’ birth& ends with his ascension into heaven.

The Wonders of theMass

Quotes Saints, plus Our Lord Himself in revelations tovarious Saints. Filled with incomparable insights on the glories of the Mass.

Between Heaven & Mirth:Why Joy, Humor& Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life

Father Martin assures us that God wants us to experiencejoy, to cultivate a sense of holy humor, & to laugh at life’sabsurdities-not to mention our own humanity. Fr Martin invites believers torediscover the importance of humor & laughter in our daily lives & toembrace an essential truth: faith leads tojoy.

New CDs

Someone To Watch Over Me

Singing sensation Susan Boyle presents her 3rd album withsongs that are emotive & reflective in response to the outpouring of lifestories from so many people who wrote letters to her from around the globe. Thealbum comprises a diverse mix of songs that take you on a journey of selfdiscovery, with a variation of tempos that stir the innermost emotions. Fromthe beautiful & light to the dramatic, haunting & soul searching. Susanagain injects her own inimitable style into new material & classics fromsome of the golden ages of music.

His Love Remains

At age 23, Collin Raye converted to Catholicism,searching & believing that "there had to be more" than what heexperienced in other churches. Collin became an American country musicsuperstar, selling more than 7 million records, while charting 15 #1 hits inthe 1990's. His new release, His Love Remains, capturesfor the first time the source of his rock solid personal inner strength whichcarried him "through it all" during many trials of personalsuffering, including the loss of his precious granddaughter Haley, who diedfrom a rare neurological disease.

Everything Changes

The 1st new album by the Nashville songbird in severalyears is a winner. This is not "Marriage and Family 101" anymore! Abit further along on that journey, with more experiences of life, family, love& marriage, these songs reflect the changes that come with launching kidsout into the world: letting go, rolling with reality, learning not totake trouble personally & resting in the rhythm of perseverance. Authentic& organic, this original collection is an essential companion for thosebeginning to suspect that, in this grand adventure, everything changes.

Our Lady Mother of God

This glorious anthology features Marian chants from the 2great traditions of Christianity, the East & the West, from the finestchant monasteries in the world. These are chants born from prayer &contemplation. They praise God through Our Lady. The words are sacred, oftentaken from the Holy Scriptures, particularly the Psalms. Traditional chant embellishesthe liturgy, but also shapes the soul of the one who performs it.

December New Releases

2011-11-30T15:09:00.001-08:00

A Year with theAngels

MikeAquilina presents a new volume of contemplations & prayers about those mostmysterious of all created beings: the Angels. Beautifullycrafted pages, with durable Premium UltraSoft dual tone binding, ribbon marker,gold edges.

Vatican II: It’sImpact on You

Whilewritten from a Catholic perspective, all Christians will find this book to be afascinating look at a time in recent world history when truth &a; gracejoined for what the author calls "the most important religious event ofthe twentieth century."

TheCatholic Briefcase

This book helps Catholics integratetheir faith with their jobs through practical tips, relevant examples, & the inspirational stories of others who have successfully learned how to bringtheir Catholic identity with them to work.

Handbook for Today’s ParishLeaders

In today's Church, an increasingnumber of laypeople participate in parish ministry. In this book, leadingcatechist Ginger Infantino gives current & future parish leaders the toolsto help their parishes carry out the mission of Christ.

A Cardinal Newman PrayerBook

This is a comprehensive gathering ofthe luminous prayers of the newly beatified Cardinal Newman. The only Newmanprayer book, it is ideal for both those who love Newman’s work & for thosegetting to know Newman for the first time.

Inside the Mass: A SpiritualReflection on the New Translation

For the Christian who is seeking to not only further hisor her understanding of the Holy Mass, but to magnify the love with which he orshe approaches this Sacrifice,Inside the Mass will prove invaluable.

ACatholic Christmas

Fascinatingstories of some favorite saints make their legends come alive, while thehistory & lore surrounding some of our most popular feasts will help youunderstand the importance of keeping the Mass in Christmas.

Prepare the Way: Daily Meditations for Advent

Withhis daily meditations, Dr. Ronald Thomas provides a 27-step path along which wecan journey more deeply into Jesus' loving heart, & through which Jesus cantravel more deeply into ours.

Knit One, Purl a Prayer: ASpirituality of Knitting

What knitting does for our minds, bodies, & spirits, & how knitting helps people reduce stress, overcome loss, form friendships, & connect with a community are addressed. Most important, the author shows readers & crafters how knitting can become prayer.

Divine Mercy: Triumph over Cancer

How can Divine Mercy help those with cancer face the challenges & even triumph over this life-threatening disease? This cancer doctor, who is deeply committed to The Divine Mercy message, provides spiritual & practical help for cancer patients & survivors, as well as their families & caregivers.

RediscoverLent

Thesetimely & inspirational words will help renew your enthusiasm for beingCatholic, while encouraging you to delve more deeply into the spirituality ofthe lenten season—a perfect companion for individual reading or for groupstudy.

Simplifyingthe Soul: Lenten Practices to Renew Your Spirit

Award-winningauthor & Benedictine oblate Paula Huston invites readers to de-cluttertheir minds, hearts, relationships, & souls in a book of daily Lentenpractices woven from the gospels, the Desert Fathers, & the author’s ownwealth of spiritual experience

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November New Releases

2011-11-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

New Books

Whatthe Saints Said About Heaven

What the Saints Said About Heaven: 101 Holy Insightson Everlasting Life combinesScriptural passages, saintly writings, & prayers from the heart, allorganized into a daily meditation format.

A Book of Saints forCatholic Moms

Lisa M. Hendey, founder ofCatholicMom.com, leader in Catholic news media, & author of TheHandbook for Catholic Moms, introduces 52 holy companions as guides forthe high calling of Catholic motherhood.

The Devil YouDon’t Know

With insight reminiscent of TheScrewtape Letters, Rev. Cameli challenges readers to reconsider whatthey've always believed about the devil. Cameli paints a challenging,unsettling portrait of the devil as a formidable adversary who works greatharm, often in quiet, less-seen ways.

Why Priests Are Happy

Stephen Rossettipresents the findings from the most comprehensive survey of priests' happiness& spiritual lives ever undertaken. From this survey of 2,500 priests from23 dioceses in the U.S., Rossetti discovered that American priests enjoy anextraordinarily high rate of happiness & satisfaction, among the highest ofany profession.

Conversations with Mother Teresa

Renzo Allegrirelates his impressions upon meeting this “diminutive woman in love with God”in a way that makes us feel as if we were there with him. He also includeslesser known stories about her life: her Albanian family; her successful planto place a miraculous medal in the Kremlin; & the suffering she felt whenleaving her convent to launch her new mission.

Saint Clothilde

Inthis book for young people, Queen Clothilde tells the exciting story of herlife from her point of view. Though it reads like a diary, all of thehistorical facts have been thoroughly researched & verified by reliablesources.

Shirt of Flame:A Year with St.Therese

Inthis remarkable memoir, you will see how a convert with a checkered past spendsa year reflecting upon Saint Therese of Lisieux - & discovers the radical faith,true love, & abundant life of acloistered 19th-century French nun.

Dragon Slayers

Soyou want to be a Dragon Slayer, do you? Well then, you have picked the rightbook. So begins Sir Wyvern Pugilist's new guide for preparing the young toengage the snarly & slimy monsters presently inhabiting our world.

Prayingin Black and White: A Hands-on Practice for Men

Prayingin Black and White honors the unique wiring of men & offers a simple, concreteapproach to prayer. With a pen & a piece of paper, men are free to bringtheir skepticism, task-orientation, self-sufficiency, & independence into anew connection with God.

FlunkingSainthood

Thiswry memoir tackles 12 spiritual practices in a quest to become more saintly,including fasting, fixed-hour prayer, the Jesus Prayer, gratitude,Sabbath-keeping, & generosity. What emerges is a funny yet vulnerable storyof the quest for spiritual perfection & the reality of failure, which turnsout to be a valuable practice in & of itself.

Thank God: Stories ofGratitude, Harvest & Home

This beautiful book celebrates autumn & anticipatesthe season of Thanksgiving. It challenges people to live in a way that blessesGod, from whom all good things come. Includes reflections from a wide array ofauthors as well as many songs, psalms, & prayers.

Becoming the Woman God Made You toBe

Sharing personal stories & practical advice, Tammy Evevard addresses the issues women face as we struggleto find our true identity.

October New Releases

2011-09-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

October New Releases

A Spiritual Guidefor the Unemployed

Join Timothy Mullner on his sometimes-rocky journey of renewedfaith after unexpectedly losing his job. In seeking to make sense of hisexperience while he was out of work, Mullner wrote prayers that helped form thefoundation of this book.

LiveAdvent at Home

This day-by-day booklet for families is aperfect companion for the season. Each week begins with a reflection on theGospel for parents & children to read together, followed by daily reflections,activities, & simple prayers for a meaningful & fruitful Advent.

Advent & ChristmasWisdom of St. Liguori

This book encourages the reader to set aside time each day toreflect upon a specific Scripture passage while providing a suggested activityfor Christian living during the Christmas season.

The DesertFathers: SaintAnthony and the Beginnings of Monasticism

This book takes the reader back to the hourwhen monasticism was born & describes the life of those revolutionaryChristians who sought God in the Egyptian desert, focusing on the life &work of St. Anthony, whose experiences of the spiritual life have a timelessbeauty & validity.

Ida Elisabeth, A Novel

Ida Elisabethexamines the difficulties inherent in male-female relationships as they areexperienced in contemporary society. Undset's descriptions of the Norwegianpeople & countryside coupled with her profound understanding of the humanheart won her worldwide literary acclaim. Both are powerfully displayed in thismoving story about fidelity & mercy.

Ten Universal Principles: ABrief Philosophy of the Life Issues

Jesuit FrSpitzer sets out in a brief, yet highly-readable style, 10 basic principlesthat must govern the reasonable person's thinking & acting about lifeissues. A highly-regarded philosopher, Fr. Spitzer provides an intelligentoutline for talking about human life, making this book a powerful tool forpersuasively articulating & effectively inculturating a prolife philosophy.

Medjugorje: What’s Happening?

This book takes the reader from day 1of the apparitions to the present, adding tidbits of new information. Best ofall, it presents Medjugorje in the context of several famous, approvedapparitions of Our Lady, thus giving the reader a new perspective.

The Life of Sr. Marie de Mandat-Grancey & Mary's House inEphesus

Once rebuilt, Mary’s housebecame a place where Muslims & Christians assembled in peace side by sideas they came to honor Mary. This book will inspire readers with the remarkablestory of a faith-filled woman’s life & her quest to discover the house ofthe Blessed Virgin in Ephesus.

Streams of Contentment

For the first time, author, speaker, psychologist, & spiritualguide Wicks opens a window into his personal life, relating stories of the people& places that have shaped his spiritual perspective in youth & early inhis professional career.

Prayerfulness

Drawing from spiritual writing, Wicksexplores 7 steps to growth in prayerfulness, incl. creating simple rituals,honoring life’s fragility, facing difficulties directly & befriendinganger. 30 days of reflections, quotations, & questions guide readers toform or strengthen a practice of daily prayer.

Sinner

Lino Rulli has a style & personality nottypically found in the world of religious media. In this fast & funnycollection of stories from his own life, The Catholic Guy speaks honestly abouthis failures, successes, & embarrassing moments. His "regularguy" approach to Catholicism is both humble & hilarious.

Holy Spirit 101

Holy Spirit 101offers readers a basic approach to coming to know this mysterious Person of theTrinity. Author John Gresham, dissects the difficult concept of the HolySpirit, its place in history & scripture, as well as its connection to ustoday.

Compassion: Living in theSpirit of St. Francis

Compassion guides us through the life of Francis tracing his growthfrom a selfish, materialistic young man to the humble, holy saint beloved bymillions. With this book as your guide, you can do simple things every day todiscover a more compassionate, open, fearless & loving life—just as St.Francis did.

The Father’s Tale

A modern retelling of the parables The GoodShepherd and The Prodigal Son.

TheLittle Flowers of St. Francis

Thesestories of St. Francis & his first followers have inspired millions ofpeople over the centuries.

Book Review- Women, Sex, and the Church

2011-09-27T07:35:00.000-07:00

Women, Sex, and the Church

Edited by Erika Bachiochi

In the modern world, the Catholic Church is often labeled misogynisticand out of touch with society. Issues like pre-marital sex, abortion, and thepriesthood cause division within the Church. The Church’s position on thesetopics is called sexist and archaic. But in reality, the Church’s teachings onsex, marriage, contraception, and the priesthood are entirely consistent withfeminist ideology and have the best interest of women and children at theircore.

In Women, Sex, and the Church, various experts have pooledtheir theological and catechetical wisdom to present thought-provoking essayson the Catholic Church’s most controversial teachings. The book is a collectionof insights based on science, social research, and empirical data supportingthe Church’s teachings and explicating those teachings in a logical andconvincing way.

If you are looking to better understand Church teachings, lookingfor a source to help you explain them to others, or trying to reconcile yourfaith and love for the Catholic Church with the more difficult to understanddoctrines, this book is an amazing and intelligent addition to your library.

September New Releases

2011-09-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Saints on Call

Saints on Call willhelp mothers in every walk of life to pray & reflect on the opportunitiesfor holiness found in daily life. Designed with the on-the-go mom inmind--& featuring over 50 reflections--this book is helpfully categorizedby a mother's daily situations and struggles.

Jesus Invites Me tothe Feast

JesusInvites Me to the Feast is a colorful, engaging 1st Communion journal that will guide yourchild closer to God as they prepare. With essential faith developmentexercises, author Christine Skinner helps young followers along the path totheir most important meal yet.

Precious Gifts: Biblical Reflections on the Eucharist

PreciousGifts wedssolid biblical scholarship & thoughtful reflections to bring more depth toour experience of the Eucharist. We have to invest ourselves in all itselements: from listening to responding, from standing to kneeling, & more.

Through Another Lens:Reflections onthe Gospels Year B

Through poetry you can enter aprayerful space, a space that renews & empowers. Through Another Lens analyzes& reflects on the Sunday Gospels through spiritual poetry.

The Living Church: Old Treasures, NewDiscoveries

Context shapesbehavior & provokes questions. As men & women adapt to new times &ways, their faith, too, must adapt. Christopher M. Bellitto carefully explainshow 7 key elements developed through the centuries & became part of theCatholic tradition.

Rediscover Advent

From the author of the best-sellingbook Rediscover Catholicism comes an inspiring new way to rediscoverAdvent.

Marriage 911

Greg & Julie thought divorce wasthe only way out of their lifeless, loveless marriage. A faithful priest guidedthem back to the truths of the church, & as they began to incorporate thesetruths into their lives, they were able to restore the love they once had. Marriage911 chronicles their journey back from the brink of divorce to maritalhappiness.

Homegrown Faith: Nurturing Your Catholic Family

A series of insightful & oftenhumorous weekly reflections on raising faithful Catholic families, HomegrownFaith draws on familiar situations—sibling rivalry, fender-benders, lost shoesbefore Mass—to reveal unexpected sacramental riches.

God’s on thePhone: Stories of Grace in Action

You'll be touched by the stories of: a booklover's decision to give awayher library,

an agnostic who is innocentlychallenged by a little boy, two young women who share a common loss.

Friendship withJesus

In thisbeautifully illustrated book, Amy Welborn introduces Pope Benedict's profoundyet simple answers to various questions put to him by children in Rome who hadrecently made their First Holy Communion.

Whatto Do When Jesus is Hungry

The Catholic Church has traditionally called these 6 actsof kindness-along with a 7th, burying the dead -- the "Corporal Works ofMercy." In this down-to-earth yet inspiring guide, Fr Apostoli, C.F.R.,explains the Corporal Works of Mercy & illustrates multiple ways we can dothem in our modern everyday life.

A NewFriendship:The Spirituality & Ministry of the Deacon

“What is a deacon?" "What does a deacondo?" These are questions pastors, parishioners, & deacons themselvesoften ask. Monsignor Buelt answers these questions through an engagingconversation with the Scriptures, the Eucharistic liturgy, & churchteaching on the diaconate.

August New Releases

2011-08-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

New Books

The Artist’s Rule

Nurturing Your Creative Soul withMonastic Wisdom

This twelve-weekcourse draws on the insights and practices of Benedictine spirituality toexplore the interplay between contemplation and creativity.

The Evangelization Equation

The Who, What, and How

Fr Wehnerexplores the challenges & the opportunities in American culture forspreading the Gospel, while giving a full presentation of the cultural,historical, pastoral, & theological background of his topic.

The Compact Catholic Prayer Book

Catholics will use this handy treasury of prayers eachday to pray the blessings of morning, noon, and evening and to recite theshort, one-sentence "prayers on the run" for busy times.

Mary’s Life in the Spirit

In short meditations, Fr. Montague focuses on variousaspects of Mary’s life & the Spirit’s involvement in each of them. He alsoreflects on her collaboration with the Spirit in building up the Church as wellas her various apparitions.

The Emotions God Gave You

Inthis insightful and easy-to-read book, Catholic therapist Art Bennett and hiswife Laraine explain how our emotions affect us and how our thoughts,attitudes, and behavior can affect our emotions.

The One Thing

Inthis deeply personal bestseller, Matthew Kelly reflects on the challenges ofpassing faith onto children. Written 10 months after the birth of his 1stchild, he writes about his own faith, why religion has played such a powerfulrole throughout history, why so many people are leaving the Catholic Church& the hopes he has for his.

2012 Prayer of the Faithful

Thislarge-print workbook contains sample prayers and suggestions, along withpractical tips for writing and leading intercessions.

2012 Abide in My Word

MassReadings at Your Fingertips

Messenger- Summer Reading Book Review

2011-07-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Many people have heard of Mattie Stepanek the "Heartsong Boy", been touched by his message of peace, or been inspired by his poetry. Few have heard the incredible story of his life, or seen behind the scenes to know the incredible struggles and joys this young man went through. Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs written by Mattie's mother, Jeni tells the amazing story of Mattie's life and work as a peacemaker.

Even though Mattie passed away just short of his 14th birthday, his impact on the world has been incredible. This book describes Mattie's hopeful and loving outlook on life, in spite of insurmountable obstacles. Jeni Stepanek writes with love and passion about her son's closeness to God and his overwhelming desire to take God's message of peace, love, and playfulness to all people. We read of Mattie's relationships with his family, his friends, and celebrities. What this one boy accomplished with so few material resources and so little time is astonishing and motivating.

Full of sadness, hilarity, and inspiration Messenger will encourage and inspire you to share your Heartsong with the world.

A Willing Heart- Summer Reading Book Review

2011-07-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

So many people of faith are searching for a way to serve. We often feel drawn to give of ourselves, but with the frantic pace and busy schedules of our lives, it seems nearly impossible to find the time or opportunity to serve.

Marci Alborghetti has written an insightful and inspiring book to help those of us who desperately want to serve, but don't know how or where to begin. A Willing Heart, How to Serve When You Think You Can't is a beautifully written, short book (so important for those of us on a tight schedule!) that leads the reader through the beginning small steps toward a life of service.

Using quotes from scripture, lives of the saints, personal anecdotes, and challenging practical applications, Alborghetti gently guides the reader toward making small and subtle changes in attitude and behavior that will open your heart to hearing God's call. She understands the conflict we all have between wanting to to great things, and having little to no time to do even the small ones.

Each chapter ends with a prayer and questions for contemplation or discussion. A Willing Heart is perfect for invigorating small groups, or personal growth toward a life of service.

July New Releases

2011-06-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

New Books

Ablaze: Stories ofDaring Teen Saints

These stories comealive with vivid storytelling & saintly challenges designed to inspirereflection & enflame your heart. Through prayers, images, & maps, catcha glimpse of a saint's world that carries lessons for our own & discoverhow you can set our world ablaze with love for the Lord!

Women, Sex, andthe Church

The women whowrite in this volume challenge the common misconception that the CatholicChurch's teachings are anti-women & anti-sex. Rather, these women believethat it is precisely the Church's controversial teachings on abortion, sex,marriage, & contraception that bespeak the Church's love of women-&reverence for sex.

Why CatholicBibles are Bigger

Did the Catholic Church add books to the Bible in reaction toProtestantism or did Protestants remove 7 books from the Old Testament? Much rides on the answer to this question, but there hasn’t been a book,written by Catholics, dedicated to this topic since 1897! Now, YOU canlearn the whole story behind the lost books of the Protestant Old Testament.

New CDs

Chants of Angels

Using the ancient melodies & texts of the earlychurch, each chant depicts a new aspect or story of these heavenly guardians,guides & friends, from the most intimate plea to our own guardian angels,to the great announcement made to the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel.

Worship and Bow Down

No one bridgesthe two musical worlds of Catholic liturgical music & Contemporary Christianmusic like John Michael Talbot. This new recording will bring the beauty of theSacred Liturgy (the Catholic Mass) and its new translation to many ears and hearts.

Unplanned- Summer Reading Book Review

2011-06-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

No topic is more notorious for flaring tempers and causing outrage than abortion. Sometimes it seems that people are so entrenched in their beliefs that trying to persuade those on the pro-choice side of the debate to rethink their position and choose life is a lost cause. Abby Johnson's book, Unplanned shows this isn't so.

Johnson was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic that performed abortions for eight years. A vehement advocate for the pro-choice camp, Abby Johnson seemed like the last person who would have a conversion and become a champion for Life. Unplanned chronicles her journey and her conversion story.

Filled with personality and enthusiasm, Unplanned not only tells Abby's story, but through seeing her conversion, the reader witnesses the power of prayer in the struggle to save lives from abortion, and gives insight into the quiet power of love and dedication.

Full of hope, honesty, forgiveness, and joy, Unplanned pulls no punches. It is a quick and fulfilling read, and one that educates and illuminates, without preaching or shouting on a soapbox.

The Living Mass- Summer Reading Book Review

2011-06-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

The Living Mass:Changes to the Roman Missal and How We Worship is a must-have book for understanding the upcoming changes to the liturgy as the Roman Missal, Third Edition is implemented in Mass this fall. Easy to read, informative, and clear, The Living Mass is a fantastic reference to understanding just what changes have been made, and why. This is the perfect book for liturgists, or those looking for a better understanding of the history and future of the Mass.

The book begins with a brief, highly understandable history of the Mass, from the time of the apostles to the present. Never dull or dry, Fr. Lucatero gives even the novice a clear picture of the evolution of the Catholic sacred texts.

The second half of the book places the current prayers in Mass next to the upcoming changes. The changes are in bold and each has a concise explanation for the reasons for revision. The reader can see at a glance all the changes to the Gloria, Creeds, and more.

In a mere 64 pages, Fr. Lucatero prepares the reader for the upcoming changes, and places them in the rich context of the historical Mass. This book is a great study guide for small groups, parish classes on the Roman Missal, Third Edition, or the curious church-goer.

June New Releases

2011-05-31T15:49:00.000-07:00

New Books

TheGospel Way of Mary

Theauthor takes us on a journey through Scripture of key events in the life ofMary. With keen & profound insight, he helps us see these familiar passagesas a journey of trust & surrender not only for Mary but for us as well.

The Living Mass: Changes to the Roman Missal & How We Worship

By looking at the changes being made in the new translation of theRoman missal, this book will help the reader understand why our liturgycontinues to be both a new tradition & a living tradition.

Life,Death, & Catholic Medical Choices

Revs. Black & O'Neil bringprofessional training in Catholic ethics into dialogue with questions thatpeople in the pews must face. Using precise language, they help us understand thecore values of respect for life & human dignity that are the heart of moralanalysis & pastoral theological reflection.

Rezando En Colores(Praying in Color - Spanish Edition)

Prayingin Color has forever changed the way thousands of people pray. Drawing is halfthe prayer; the other half is transporting the visual memories or actualphysical images with you to pray throughout the day.

New CDs

Restingin God’s Love

Instrumental Hymns of Meditation & Peace byRupert Parker

You will relax & meditate to the sounds of theElectric Harp, Keyboards & Percussion.

Golden Rose: Lady of Knock

New DVDs

Changing Sides: How a Pro-life Presence Changed the Heartof a Planned Parenthood Director

Thisfilm tells the powerful true story of the conversion of a dedicated PlannedParenthood director to a leading Pro-life Activist. Abby Johnson was thedirector of the abortion facility that was the launching pad of the bold newpro-life effort - 40 Days for Life.

Heaven Is For Real- Summer Reading Book Review

2011-05-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

Looking for a good read this summer? Reilly's will be reviewing a book a week, giving you the low-down on our new releases.

Our first selection has been receiving lots of national attention. Heaven is For Real is the story of a little boy, Colton Burpo, who changed his family's understanding of heaven after a near-tragedy. At the age of four, Colton nearly died from a burst appendix. Heaven is For Real tells of Colton's trip to heaven, and the messages and people he met there.

Filled with scriptural accounts of heaven, as well as the emotional impact this little boy's experience had on his community, Heaven Is For Real is a feel-good, easy read. Pastor Todd Burpo's writing is light and home-spun, more like a conversation over lunch than a traditional novel. Without getting bogged down in theology, Burpo touches on the effect that his son's vision of heaven had on his ministry, without preaching to the reader. The family's awe and belief in what their son shared with them over the years following his illness is apparent on every page. Heaven is For Real is the Burpos' chance to share their excitement over their son's trip to heaven with the world.

If you are looking for a short and sweet ray of sunshine, give Heaven is For Real a try.

New Releases- May

2011-05-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Commandments We Keep

With simplicity & clarity, TheCommandments We Keep unpacks each of the 10 Commandments using a 3-prongedapproach: discover how the it was understood in the Old Testament, understandhow Christ fulfilled it in his life & teaching, & examine the personal& practical implications of each for life today

PrincipledMinistry

More than a “how-to” leadership guide, it offers real-lifeexamples of principled ministers who are serving the Catholic Church &invites readers to incorporate these disciplines into their own leadershipstyle.

Revelations of DivineLove

JulianOf Norwich’s work is dense, deeply intuitive, & theologically complex. Thistranslation liberates Julian & her inspired insights from the linguisticjungle & presents her work in a style & format which breaks throughnot only to her deepest meanings, but to the character of the gentle womanherself.

At Home with God: A Complete Liturgical Guidefor the Christian Home

By translating ancient rhythms of our Faith intoaccessible, easy-to-use tools, At Home w/ God helps families rediscover thevibrancy of our Faith in everyday life.

A Willing Heart

In the spirit of gospel teaching on time,talent, & treasure, bestselling author Alborghetti weaves together wisdom,humor, personal stories & a series of attainable goals in this vision ofChristian action that is at once a beautiful meditation on spiritual growth& a guide to discovering practical ways to serve.

Prayingthe Psalms w/ the Holy Fathers

There’sno part of the Bible that speaks to the human heart more deeply than thePsalms. These reflections will inspire you to praise God with your whole heart.

The Gift of BlessedJohn Paul II

Cardinal Wuerl explores the spiritual & pastoral wealth ofJohn Paul’s writings as found in his encyclicals & apostolic exhortations.The Cardinal unfolds these treasures for us, presenting not only Blessed JohnPaul’s teachings, but also suggesting how we can apply them in our lives as weface the challenges of being a disciple of Christ in the world today.

Prayingwith Blessed John Paul II

Readers will be inspired by his life & spirituality as theylearn to pray as he did. Each of the fifteen meditations relates biographicaldetails about the pope along with selections from his writings or speeches.

The AppallingStrangeness of the Mercy of God

Thisbook is the powerful story of an amazing woman, RuthPakaluk, who converted to Catholicism at Harvard, married her collegesweetheart & joyfully welcomed 7 children. She became a renowned pro-lifeleader & brilliant debater, who was struck with breast cancer & died atthe young age of 41.

Faith Of My Heart CD

SacredChoral music of Frank Liszt

April New Releases

2011-04-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

New Books

Education of Catholic Girls

Practicalas it is pious, witty as it is wise, this collection of counsels not only helpseducators in school or at home meet Catholic girls special intellectual needs,it offers sage strategies for whole-person formation: showing us how to helpour girls grow into virtuous Catholic women.

Mysteries of Mary

The Mysteries of Mary shows how the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary isperfectly & intimately identified with that of her Son. It is both a reflectionon the most profound moments in Mary’s earthly life, from the ImmaculateConception to Cana to Pentecost, & a systematic approach to the doctrine ofMary’s spiritualmaternity.

The Catholic Church & Science

This book proves the doctrines of the Faith & the facts of scienceare not contradictory, but in fact harmonize together. The Faith, in union withtrue science, illustrates a universe whose uncanny order & precision pointto the purpose-built design of an intelligent creator.

St. Albert the Great

St Albert was a scientist, theologian, & philosopher; a teacher,preacher, & negotiator; a shrewd shepherd & an unflinching defender ofthe Faith. The time has come to re-discover St. Albert’s greatness, & toprofit from his prodigious wisdom & virtue as did his famous student, St.Thomas Aquinas.

Fragments of Your Ancient Name

Withover one million books sold in her career, Joyce Rupp presents her newestundertaking: a unique collection of daily meditations that draw from Christian,Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, & other sources, offering wisdom & insight aboutthe God who is beyond all names.

Pathway To Our Hearts

Archbishop of Toronto & respected Bibleteacher Thomas Collins presents an accessible approach to praying the Sermon onthe Mount in the tradition of lectio divina, or sacred reading, creating afresh & accessible perspective on an ancient practice.

The Mass:Glory, Mystery, Tradition

Employing eloquent prose & elegant black-and-whitephotography, bestselling authors Wuerl and Aquilina team up to lead Catholicsthrough the different parts of one of the most sacred of traditions.

Heaven is for Real

This is the true story of Colton Burpo, the four-year oldson of a small-town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips fromconsciousness & enters heaven.

Jesus & theWomen of Faith, Hope & Love

Come to a deeperunderstanding of the transforming love of God through these guided reflectionson the encounters between Jesus & 3 women in the Gospels.

Mining the Meaning ofthe Bible

Mining the Meaning of the Bible is perfect for pre-teens throughconfirmation classes. This great resource uses graphical representations to aidin learning in ways that appeal to this age group.

Prayer in theDigital Age

In his 2nd book,Matt Swaim brings to light the obstacles to prayer inherent in ourdigitally-connected culture & explores both the challenges & benefitsof living a Christian life in the 21st century.

The 5 W’s of OurCatholic Faith

Each session in this easy-to-use 10-part study bringsparticipants to a deeper level of knowledge & understanding about theCatholic faith. The approach used in this series touches on critical themes& topics in a simple yet engaging manner & offers questions for furtherreflection &/or discussion.

March New Releases

2011-02-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

March 2011 New Books

Unplanned:The Dramatic True Story of a FormerPlanned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life LineUnplanned is a heart stopping personaldrama of life-&-death encounters, a courtroom battle, & spiritualtransformation that speaks hope & compassion into the political controversythat surrounds this issue.

Manalive

This classicnovel by the brilliant G. K. Chesterton tells the rollicking tale of InnocentSmith, a man who may be crazy-or possibly the most sane man of all. In this delightfully strange mystery,Chesterton demonstrates why life is worth living, & that sometimes we needa little madness just to know we are alive.

Holiness is Always inSeasonThisinspiring volume presents the Pope's numerous reflections on many saintsarranged according to the calendar year. He shows how the life of each sainthas something unique to teach us about virtue, faith, courage & love ofChrist

Fire of Love: A Historical Novel About St. John of the Cross

In this historical novel, love is at the very center of the drama, forSaint John of the Cross became one of the Church's foremost experts on intimacywith God. His mystical poems on divine love are considered some of the greatestverses ever written.

Into Your Hands, Father: Abandoning Ourselves to the God Who Loves Us

In this simple butprofound book, Father Stinissen distinguishes 3 degrees or stages inabandonment.

Romeo & JulietTheIgnatius Critical Editions represent a tradition-oriented alternative to popular textbook series,& are designed to concentrate on traditional readings of the Classics ofworld literature.

What We Can’t NotKnow

Inthis new revised edition of his groundbreaking work, Professor J. Budziszewskiquestions the modern assumption that moral truths are unknowable. With clear& logical arguments he rehabilitates the natural law tradition &restores confidence in a moral code based upon human nature.

The World of St. PaulJosephCallewaert's engaging work on St. Paul reads like a novel. With inviting, evendramatic, prose, it recounts the story of the great Apostle to the Nations. Thisis no dry tome or ponderous biography. Nor is its subject a "safe"historical figure, irrelevant to the issues of today: St. Paul remainscontroversial.

Writing to God

Designed for useduring any 40-day period, Writing to God relieves readers of theself-consciousness of trying to pray “the right way,” inviting them to praywherever the pen leads!

Treatise on theLove of God

Francis de Sales's literary masterpiece was originallypublished in 1616 while he was Bishop of Geneva. This modern edition of thetreatise preserves de Sales's gentle prose, his enthusiasm for God, compassion,& good humor.

Manage the Mess of Family StressDivided into easy-to-read chapters, each ending with reflection, Managethe Mess of Family Stress offers solutions & ways to manage familystress through a variety of techniques, including working through naturalpersonality differences & loving forgiveness.

Plant the Seed

Invite children to come & see what life with Jesus Christ isall about. Filled with creative ideas to help catechists & parentsencourage children in grades K-3 to live the gospels in their lives each day,Plant the Seed includes a variety of learning activities.

Update: Roman Missal, Third Edition

2011-02-03T17:37:00.000-08:00

We are beginning to receive information about the Roman Missal, Third Edition. There will be a chapel edition as well as an altar edition. We are taking pre-orders via our website so that we can ship the books as soon as they are released, in order to allow parishes maximum time to prepare for the November 27th implementation date.

If you are looking for supplemental materials to help prepare for the upcoming changes to the Mass, Reilly's carries several titles and can order more.

Parish Guide to Implementing the Roman Missal, Third Edition
$9.95

From the publisher: "This parish guide will help leaders-priests, liturgists, musicians, DREs, principals, teachers, youth ministers, and volunteers-bring this new translation to life in the parish. The guide includes practical resources to create the parish implementation plan including a calendar, ministry-specific suggestions, "to do" lists, bulletin inserts, homily helps, and a comprehensive bibliography of other available materials. Reawaken your parish's love for the Eucharist as you introduce them to the changes in what they say and hear through the simple, practical steps laid out in this parish guide."

Understanding the Revised Mass Texts
$1.25
From the Publisher: Written by Paul Turner, a priest of the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, this booklet provides a brief yet deep explanation of how and why the prayers and responses of the Mass are changing. It will help you understand these new words so that you will be able to participate at Mass when the translation is ready to use. Because changes have been made to the Order of Mass since its recognitio in 2008, a second edition of Understanding the Revised Mass Texts is now available.

Understanding the Revised Mass Texts, Leader's Edition
$8.95
From the Publisher: The second edition of this Leader's Edition is the companion to the booklet, Understanding the Revised Mass Texts, written by Paul Turner with additional material by Kathy Coffey. The booklet is reprinted in this Leader's Edition with page specific catechetical notes for adult faith formation session leaders.
Inside you will find:

A pastoral introduction;
Outlines for eight adult faith-formation sessions;
An image of the corresponding page from the Understanding the Revised Mass Texts booklet with marginal notes explaining each page;
Annotations for matching up the leader¿s edition with the pamphlets; Arrows and highlighted texts emphasizing important concepts;
Charts comparing the current and forthcoming translations;
Engaging questions for discussion during sessions;
Take home reflections;
A notes section for you to write down thoughts and ideas.

In addition, the Diocesan Committee on the Roman Missal is offering a series of workshops on the Missal.
Western Deanery: Feb. 15, 2011, Our Lady of the Valley, Caldwell
West Central Deanery: Feb. 16, 2011, Our Lady of the Rosary, Boise
Eastern Deanery: March 2, 2011, Christ the King, Idaho Falls
Southern Deanery: March 3, 2011, St. Jerome, Jerome
Northern Deanery: May 11, 2011, St. Pius X, Coeur d’Alene
North Central Deanery: May 12, 2011, Our Lady of Lourdes, Lewiston

SCHEDULE:

For Parish and School Personnel:

6:30 - 7:00 - Prayer, welcome.
7:00 - 7:30 - Why is the text changing?
7:30 - 8:00 - What are the changes?
8:00 - 8:30 - Sharing, questions.

For Musicians:

6:30 - 7:00 - Prayer, welcome.
7:00 - 7:30 - Why is the text changing?
7:30 - 8:30 - Learning/practicing new
musical settings.
8:30 – 9:00 - Sharing, questions.

For more information contact Tish Thornton: tthornton@rcdb.org

February New Releases

2011-02-02T13:04:00.000-08:00

February 2011 New Books

My Other SelfClarence Enzler, author of the multi-millioncopy sellerEveryone’s Way of the Cross, guides readers inprayerful conversation with Christ wherein the reader is personally addressedas “my other self” & is urged to embody Christ’s love & compassion toothers.

Out of the Ordinary

Joyce Rupp’s characteristic creativity & reverence for thedivine are on full display in this collection of prayer resources forbirthdays, holidays, holy days, transitions, & many other occasions,helping readers enter more deeply & reflectively into the liturgical &seasonal celebrations of their lives.

Grace Abounds

Edith Prendergast, R.S.C., the longtime director of the LA ReligiousEducation Congress (the nation’s largest annual gathering of Catholics), stirsreaders’ enthusiasm & fires their imaginations with this inspiring set ofreflections on faith & the call to serve one another in the Church &the world.

Handbook of Sacraments forToday’s Catechist

This quick-reference guide for today's catechist includesactivities as well as instruction, & fills the need for an energetic,complete, & easy-to-understand exploration of the Sacraments.

Blessings & Prayersfor Married Couples

This inspiring book provides an aid to couples for continuing tofind praying together a natural act for a lifetime of love. It will make athoughtful gift, whether for newlyweds, couples celebrating theiranniversaries, or Marriage Encounter participants.

On Easter Day in the Morning

This hardcoverbook is great for story time, at home or at school, & is the perfectintroduction to Holy Week & Easter for little ones.

Finding Your Hidden Treasure

Through silent prayer & meditation, and by discoveringthis ancient way of finding God, the author provides insight & guidance foryour spiritual journey. He then outlines a practical approach, moving fromsilence to action, & explains how to take God's love to others in everydaylife.

Light of the World

Neverhas a Pope dealt so directly with such wide-ranging & controversial issuesas Pope Benedict XVI does in Light of the World. Taken from a recentweek-long series of interviews w/journalist Peter Seewald, this book tackleshead-on some of the greatest issues facing the world of our time.

Pictures from the Gospels: A Coloring BookSimple butinviting line drawings invite young children to learn about the life of Jesusas they color in the most important events of his life.

Verbum Domini: TheWord of God in the Life & Mission of the Church

The Holy Father affirms that the word of God is at the heart ofour faith & at the heart of every activity in the Church. He calls for anincreased emphasis on the Bible in catechesis & pastoral work, &recommends lectio divina, or prayerful reading of Scripture, so that allbelievers can encounter Christ in his the living word.

How to Get to I Do: ADating Guide for Catholic Women

10 yrs of eye-opening experiences on the Christian datingscene equipped Amy Bonaccorso to offer hard-hitting advice that will help youget real, get practical, & get married.

Set Free to Love: Lives Changed by the Theology of the Body

Testing the Theology of the Body in his own life,LeJeune discovered the spiritual impact of the experience changed his life aswell as his marriage & led him to discover others whose lives had also beentransformed by Pope John Paul II's teaching.

January New Releases

2011-01-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

New Books For January

A Time to Plant

A Time to Plant is a deeply human story of one man's attempt to make simple living a reality as a spiritual discipline for himself, as a model for his children, & for the good of creation.

Encounter the Cross:Meditations on the Seven Last Words of Jesus

This book presents thoughtful meditations on each of Christ's sayings from the cross, followed by questions for further reflection and a simple heartfelt prayer

The Lion, the Mouse and the Dawn Treader

This book will delight fans of C. S. Lewis with new insights into one of his classic stories, & will also help the more casual reader (& movie-goer) to understand the rich meaning behind this charming children's adventure

Good Food for Life

The perfect gift for yourself or anyone on your list who enjoys good food & needs a burst of inspiration & how-to for making meals healthy AND enjoyable.

Holding on to Hope

Depression, burn-out, financial disaster, death of a family member, or emotional chaos come to us all. We get through, but we want something beyond mere survival. This book is about the something more: the unexpected, refreshingly, surprisingly new things God wants to do for you.

Praying with Women of the Bible

Scripture scholar Bosetti leads the reader in a lectio divina on the women featured in the Old & New Testaments. Utilizing scripture, meditation, prayer, & questions for the reader's own life, Bosetti crafts an insightful & enlightening analysis of the compelling women mentioned throughout scripture.

Angels: Help from on High

Drawing from the official teaching of the Church, popular devotion, & the writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, this book provides information about the angels. It also contains stories of encountering the angels, & a collection of prayers for their intercession.

Motherless

Motherless takes the reader on a riveting behind-the-scenes journey around the globe to the boardrooms &laboratories where the architects of The Life Sciences Revolution are preparing Mankind's Final Solution... & into the confessionals & chanceries where the Church's response is being challenged.

Fatima for Today

Fr Apostoli carefully analyzes the events that took place in Fatima & clears up lingering questions & doubts about their meaning. He challenges the reader to hear anew the call of Our Lady to prayer & sacrifice, for the world is ever in need of generous hearts willing to make reparation for those in danger of losing their way to God.

Lent & Easter Wisdom from St. Benedict

The latest addition to Liguori's popular series of seasonal meditation books provides not only Scripture readings for the seasons of Lent & Easter, but pairs them with a daily selection from the cherished writings of St. Benedict.

Liturgy 101

Liturgy 101 will empower you to more fruitfully participate in sacred liturgy by helping you to understand, appreciate, love, & celebrate the sacraments that Christ has entrusted to the Church.

Mindful Meditations for Every Day of Lent & Easter

The true meaning of Lent and Easter finds its voice in Mindful Meditations. This Lectionary-based volume of reflections, prayers, questions to ponder--plus ways to put each daily Scripture reading into practice--brings this season to life.

Jesse Tree: 4th Wednesday- Zechariah, Anticipation

2010-12-22T12:50:00.000-08:00

Fourth Wednesday of Advent
Zechariah, Anticipation

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we remember Zechariah, husband to Elizabeth and father of John the Baptist. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in his old age to announce that he was going to be a father. Zechariah did not believe the angel, and because of this was made unable to speak. When the baby was born, Elizabeth wanted to name him John as the angel had told her. The Jews have a tradition in which a baby can only be named after a relative, and since there was no one by that name in their family, the neighbors and relatives argued that she could not name the baby John. Zechariah wrote on a tablet, "His name is John." and was again able to speak.

Today's story is another that parallels the coming of the kingdom and the promises of God with the waiting and anticipation of pregnancy. As we saw with Abraham, and as we will see with Mary, God brings his gifts to his people in his own time, and against all odds. This joyful waiting for blessings mirrors the waiting for a baby, and we can reflect this in our own Advent waiting as well.

Today, think of blessings or opportunities that you are waiting for. Offer your time of waiting up to God in joyful prayer of anticipation. If the wait is long, pray for patience to wait for God's time.

Today's Focus: Zechariah, Anticipation
Symbol: Writing tablet
Scripture: Luke 1:57-80

Yesterday's Focus: Elizabeth, Joy
Tomorrow's Focus: Joseph, Trust

Jesse Tree: 4th Tuesday- Elizabeth, Joy

2010-12-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

Fourth Tuesday of Advent
Elizabeth, Joy

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we place the image of mother and child on the Jesse tree as we remember Mary sharing her joyful news with her kinswoman, Elizabeth. In today's scripture we read the words we now say in the Hail Mary and the Magnificat as the two women sing their joy over their pregnancies. We feel a great sense of blessing in this short scripture. Both Mary and Elizabeth know that they are doing the will of God, and that their sons are special. They know that with the coming of these children, the world will never be the same. What happiness! What joy!

Today, remember your own mother. Imagine the joy she must have felt in knowing that you were about to enter the world. Imagine her nervous excitement. If you are a parent, recall your anticipation as you waited for your own child. Think about the amazing mystery that God chose to be manifest to the world in such a commonly extraordinary way.

Today's Focus: Elizabeth, Joy
Symbol: Mother and Child
Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Yesterday's Focus: Mary, Hope for the Future
Tomorrow's Focus: Zechariah, Anticipation

Jesse Tree: 4th Monday- Mary, Hope for the Future

2010-12-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Fourth Monday of Advent
Mary, Hope for the Future

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

The white lily symbolizes Mary, mother of Jesus. As we near Christmas day in the this fourth week of Advent, we remember the immediate family of Jesus.

In today's scripture, we read of the Annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel. We recall Mary's, "yes" to God's call in a story of joy and expectancy. We see the coming of the Messiah who has been foretold and foreshadowed every step of the way in scripture up until this point. It is in this story that we realize that we are on the brink of the culmination of our Biblical story, a love story in which God sends into the world, through Mary, his only son. Mary's yes opens the door to joy and excitement as we realize that this is it, the savior is coming. Mary opened her heart to God's will, humbly accepting the great responsibility that He asked her to bear. Thanks to her acceptance, we are about to embark on the story of Jesus, the Messiah and redeemer.

Today, take a moment to quiet the stress and preparations for Christmas from your mind, and allow the joy and anticipation for the culmination of the Christmas story to fill your heart. Jesus is coming! Rejoice!

Today's Focus: Mary, Hope for the Future
Symbol: The white lily
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Yesterday's Focus: John the Baptist, Repentance
Tomorrow's Focus: Elizabeth, Joy

Jesse Tree: 4th Sunday- John the Baptist, Repentance

2010-12-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

Fourth Sunday of Advent
John the Baptist, Repentance

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we begin reading scriptures from the New Testament as we meditate on the Jesse Tree, and we place the shell as a symbol of the last prophet, John the Baptist. Today's scripture tells us of the birth and ministry of John as he prepared the people for the coming of Jesus.

We can see John as a prophet in the tradition of the other great prophets on our tree, Isaiah, Elijah, and Jeremiah, among others. John called the people to repentance, and he called them to service. Even as he baptized them in the Jordan, he rebuked the people and spurned them on to love the poor and act justly. We see John linking the prophets of the past with the message of love that Jesus brings.

We also read in these chapters the family lineage of Jesus, tracing back to Adam and Eve. We see in Luke 3:23-38 many of the names that we have remembered in our Advent journey. We are almost to Christmas, and we are nearing the time of Christ in our meditation.

Today, look for a time this week to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.

Today's Focus: John the Baptist, Repentance
Symbol: The shell
Scripture: Luke 1:57-80, 3:1-207:18-30

Yesterday's Focus: Nehemiah, Return & Rebuilding
Tomorrow's Focus: Mary, Hope for the Future

Jesse Tree: 3rd Saturday-Nehemiah, Return & Rebuilding

2010-12-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Third Saturday of Advent
Nehemiah, Return and Rebuilding

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we place the image of the city wall on the Jesse Tree in remembrance of Nehemiah. The people of Judah had been dispersed in captivity until there was only a remnant left. Nehemiah prayed to God, asking Him to allow the people to be gathered together again, if they would return to follow Mosaic law. Nehemiah begged permission from the current king to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, and he gathered the people together to rebuild. With much prayer, faithfulness, and hard work (even in the face of enemies) the people of Judah succeeded in rebuilding the city. Once the walls were rebuilt, Nehemiah took steps to make sure that the people kept the sabbath holy, and followed the law of Moses so that they would remain faithful to their covenant with God.

Today, look for areas of your life, ministries you are in, or work you do that is struggling, or has fallen apart. How can you begin to bring your work in line with what God wants? Are there areas in your life that need to be brought back into faithfulness with God?

Today's Focus: Nehemiah, Return and Rebuilding

Symbol: City Wall

Scripture: Neh 1:1-2:8, 6:15-16, 13:10-22

Yesterday's Focus: Habakkuk, Waiting

Tomorrow's Focus: John the Baptist, Repentance

Jesse Tree: 3rd Friday- Habakkuk, Waiting

2010-12-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

Third Friday of Advent
Habakkuk, Waiting

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

The stone watchtower symbolizes Habakkuk today. The book of Habakkuk is a short one, and slightly difficult to ready, but one that carries an important message.

Habakkuk cries out to God, asking why He does not intervene against the enemies of judah, as well as against the evil people from Judah. Habakkuk is especially distraught over the destruction the Chaldea has brought. God answers Habakkuk as he answered Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Elijah: the people are being punished for their wrong doing. The twist in Habakkuk is that the people are not just being punished for idol worship, but also the destruction and harm they have visited on other nations. God includes all of creation in this explanation, even citing the destruction of the forests in Lebanon as a reason for His anger. We see in this book destruction and violence against people and against creation as sinful. God tells Habakkuk that it is the job of just and righteous people to keep their faith in God through the trials they are facing, and they will weather the storm against their enemies, eventually returning to the Promised Land.

Today, with one week left until Christmas, focus on waiting prayerfully and faithfully. Make every preparation a gift of prayer. Pray for the recipients of gifts as you wrap them, pray for the hungry as you prepare food. Make your Advent waiting a gift of love.

Today's Focus: Habakkuk, Waiting
Symbol: Stone Watchtower
Scripture: Hab 1:1-2:1, 3:16-19

Yesterday's Focus: Jeremiah, The Exile
Tomorrow's Focus: Nehemiah, Return and Rebuilding

Jesse Tree: 3rd Thursday- Jeremiah, The Exile

2010-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

Third Thursday of Advent
Jeremiah, The Exile

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

As we remember Jeremiah, tears are placed on the Jesse Tree. It fell to Jeremiah to tell the people of Israel and Judah that God was angry once again over their idol worship, and that God considered the covenant to be broken. The punishment for this was to be the attack on and captivity of the Israelites by Babylon.

Jeremiah was not a popular person when he spoke the word of God. He was beaten, imprisoned, taunted, and reviled. But Jeremiah stayed faithful to God, calling the people to repentance and understanding. God also remained faithful to Jeremiah. After the fall of Jerusalem, Jeremiah was freed from prison and kept safe from his enemies.

Today, pray for the strength and courage to speak the truth, even a personal cost. Think back on a time when you were too afraid to speak out, and ask God's forgiveness.

Today's Focus: Jeremiah, The exile
Symbol: tears
Scripture: Jer 1:4-10, 2:4-13, 7:1-15, 8:22 through 9:1-11

Yesterday's Focus: Isaiah, The Call to Holiness
Tomorrow's Focus: Habakkuk, Waiting

Jesse Tree: 3rd Wednesday- Isaiah, The Call to Holiness

2010-12-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

Third Wednesday of Advent
Isaiah, The Call to Holiness

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

The fire tongs and hot coal are placed on the Jesse Tree today. We recall the prophet Isaiah today and his call to Judah to be a holy people. The book of Isaiah is full of prophecies about the coming Messiah.

In the first chapter, we see a shift in the way the people are asked to act out their faithfulness. In earlier books we see God asking for sacrifices and offerings, we see the people being called to prayer and worship. In Isaiah we hear God calling for justice for all people, and care for the poor as a way for the people to show their love: "When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you; Though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow." (Isa 1: 15-17)

Today, think of someone you encounter who is in need of justice or defense. If you cannot think of someone you know personally, consider making a donation to a food bank, or to a shelter. Look for ways to bring justice to the world.

Today's Focus: Isaiah and the Call to Holiness
Symbol: Fire tongs and hot coal
Scripture: Isa 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11 through 9:7

Yesterday's Focus: Hezekiah, Faithfulness and deliverance
Tomorrow's Focus: Jeremiah, The exile

Jesse Tree: 3rd Tuesday- Hezekiah, Faithfulness and Deliverance

2010-12-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

Third Tuesday of Advent
Hezekiah, Faithfulness and Deliverance

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Hezekiah was a king of Judah. He is noted in scripture for his faithfulness to God. We see in the story of Hezekiah the continuing covenant with the descendants of David. Hezekiah was a faithful leader who destroyed idolatry, conquered many areas surrounding Judah, and kept his people focused on the will of God.

When it looked like the Assyrian army was going to destroy Judah, Hezekiah turned to prayer. He asked all of the people to pray and fast, and he asked the prophet Isaiah to lead the people in their petitions. Hezekiah begged the Lord to defend them against the Assyrian assault, not to save his kingship, but rather so that all people would know the Lord is the true God. God answered Hezekiah's prayer, killing the Assyrians in their camp, and turning them away from their invasion.

Today, reflect on times when you have do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Have you let glory, your own ego, or some other attitude get in the way? Today, focus on doing right not to look good, but rather so that others may see the goodness of God through you.

Today's Focus: Hezekiah, Faithfulness and Deliverance
Symbol: Empty tent
Scripture: 2 Kng 18:1-19:19, 32-37

Yesterday's Focus: Elijah, Threat of False Gods
Tomorrow's Focus: Isaiah, The Call to Holiness

Jesse Tree: 3rd Monday- Elijah, Threat of False Gods

2010-12-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

Third Monday of Advent
Elijah, Threat of False Gods

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we remember the prophet Elijah as we put the image of the stone altar on the Jesse Tree. Elijah's mission was to challenge the Israelites through words and signs.

The people had fallen to worshiping Baal and would not repent. Elijah brought them word from God that no rain would fall and their would be a great drought. The queen was furious and Elijah had to go into hiding. God provided food and water for him, as well as for the widow who eventually sheltered him.

Later we see a test between the prophets of Baal and Elijah. Whichever god lit the fire would be the true god. While the prophets of Baal waited, Elijah taunted them. No fire appeared. When Elijah built his altar and prayed to the Lord, fire appeared and lit the offering. The people believed in the true God and rain returned to the land.

Today, think of a false idol in your life. This Advent season is gift giving or receiving becoming a false idol, distracting from the celebration of the birth of Jesus? Think of a step you can take to turn away from your idols and act on it.

Today's Focus: Elijah, Threat of False Gods
Symbol: Stone altar (alternative, the raven)
Scripture: 1 Kng 17:1-16, 18:17-46

Yesterday's Focus: David, a shepherd for the people
Tomorrow's Focus: Hezekiah, Faithfulness and deliverance

Jesse Tree: 3rd Sunday- David, a Shepherd for the People

2010-12-12T16:20:00.000-08:00

3rd Sunday of Advent
David, a Shepherd for the People

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we place the image of the shepherd's crook on the Jesse Tree. We remember David, from whose line Jesus is descended. David's father, Jesse, and his family were shepherds. David was the youngest and a skilled harper. In today's scripture, we see Samuel's anointing of David, as well as the entrance of David into King Saul's court as a harper.

Today's Jesse Tree readings are filled with the scriptural imagery of shepherds that permeates both the history and the life of Christ. We again see a call to leadership beginning with the Spirit, and an anointing. These themes appear over and over again in the Bible. We see in them our call to love and lead, and to be caretakers while at the same time being cared for.

Today think about people who you care for or "shepherd". Pray for the wisdom to guide and love them as Jesus would.

Today's Focus: David a Shepherd for the People
Symbol: The shepherd's crook (alternative image is the harp)
Scripture: 1 Sam 16:1-23-17:58, 2 Sam 5:1-5, 7:1-17

Yesterday's Focus: Samuel, the Beginning of the Kingdom
Tomorrow's Focus: Elijah, Threat of False Gods

Jesse Tree: 2nd Saturday- Samuel, The Beginning of the Kingdom

2010-12-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

2nd Saturday of Advent
Samuel, The Beginning of the Kingdom

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

The crown on the Jesse Tree symbolizes the beginning of the line of kings of Israel.

Today's scripture readings begin with the call of Samuel. Samuel hears a voice calling him by name and mistakes it for the voice of Eli. Once he realizes that it is the Lord calling him, Samuel embarks on his ministry as the last of the Old Testament judges. We see Samuel call the Israelites back to the way of God once more. Again they have fallen away and again they are punished, this time by losing the ark of the covenant to the Philistines. After recovering the ark, the people under the guidance of Samuel turn back toward righteousness. They ask Samuel in his old age to find them a king to lead and unite them. Samuel argues, believing that a king will become a tyrant, but he speaks to the Lord and God tells him to find the people a king. Samuel finds Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, and anoints him as king and leader of Israel.

Today, think of times when your own wants and ideas have seemed so important, you forgot to pray and ask the guidance of God. Take some time today to quiet your own desires and be open to the will of the Lord.

Today's Focus: Samuel and the Beginning of the Kingdom
Symbol: Crown
Scripture: 1 Sam 3:1-21, 7:1-8:22, 9:15-10:9

Yesterday's Focus: Gideon, Unlikely Heroes
Tomorrow's Focus: David, A shepherd for the people

Jesse Tree: 2nd Friday- Gideon, Unlikely Heroes

2010-12-10T13:24:00.000-08:00

2nd Friday of Advent
Gideon, Unlikely Heroes

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we place the symbol of the clay water pitcher on the Jesse Tree as a reminder of the Judge Gideon. Gideon's story is a less-known story than those already on the tree, but a very human and relatable one.

After the death of Joshua, Israel fell away from worshiping the Lord. How normal! Teachers and parents often good behavior from children and then it all falls apart when they leave the room. God was angered by Israel's idolatry and refused to help them overcome the surrounding nations any further. He withdrew His help. He sent judges to bring the people back around to true worship. The first of these was Gideon.

When God called Gideon, he did not believe (much like Moses) that he was qualified to speak with any authority and tell the Israelites how to live and pray. But God gave him signs and tools to lead the people back into the fold. How much are we like Gideon, waiting for some external reason to speak up for the truth? We often fear that we do not have the words, or that no one would listen to us, because what authority do we have? But one does not have to be rich, powerful, or even clever to speak out for rightness and justice. God dwells in every one of us and when we speak out for the poor, the oppressed, the hungry, that indwelling invests us with all the authority we need.

Today, think of all the unsung heroes and role models in your life. Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for placing people in your life who lead you toward holiness.

Today's focus: Gideon, Unlikely Heroes
Symbol: Clay water pitcher
Scripture: Judges 2:6-23, 6-8

Yesterday's Focus: Joshua and the fall of Jericho
Tomorrow's Focus: Samuel, the beginning of the Kingdom

Jesse Tree: 2nd Thursday- Joshua and the Fall of Jericho

2010-12-09T15:25:00.000-08:00

2nd Sunday of Advent
Joshua and the Fall of Jericho

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today's Jesse Tree ornament is the ram's horn trumpet. The horn reminds us of the story of Joshua. The scripture for today begins with the Israelites entrance into the Promised Land. After all of their years in the desert, Moses passed away and Joshua was chosen to lead the people across the Jordan and into the land they had been waiting for since their exodus from Egypt.

The second scripture tells the story of the battle at Jericho. The Israelites brought down the city walls not through force, but instead through solidarity and faithfulness to the will of God. The lesson for us in this story is the amazing power that the people of God have when they work together to do good in the world. We see this reflected in the New Testament, Matthew 18: 19-20: "Again, (amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Today, think of "battles" in your daily life, or issues in the world that you are concerned about. Could collective prayer help? Could you gather your Christian community to help you? What wrongs could you right if you brought together a group of the faithful?

Today's Focus: Joshua and the Fall of Jericho
Symbol: Ram's horn trumpet
Scripture: Joshua 1:1-11, 6:1-20

Yesterday's Focus: God and the Torah at Mt. Sinai
Tomorrow's Focus: Gideon, Unlikely Heroes

Jesse Tree: 2nd Wednesday- God and the Torah at Mt. Sinai

2010-12-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

2nd Wednesday of Advent
God and the Torah at Mount Sinai

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today's Jesse Tree symbol is that of the Ten Commandments. Today we reflect on the cementing of the covenant between God and his chosen people through the handing down of the law to Moses.

God tells Moses that the Israelites are His chosen, and a priestly people. He says that He will hold us dear, but we in turn must follow these commandments. When Jesus was asked which of these ten commandments was the most important, instead of choosing one he said, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31) This did not overrule or abolish the ten commandments, but rather encapsulated all ten into two universal and clear commandments. These two incorporate all of the original commandments.

Today, think of outward ways to show your love of God and neighbor. What visible, tangible thing can you do today to show your preparation for Advent? Rather than hiding your preparation under the proverbial bushel basket, let that love and readiness for God's love shine forth today. How can you visibly show your faith today?

Today's Focus: God and the Torah at Mt. Sinai

Symbol: tablets

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-20, 20

Yesterday's Focus: The Israelites, Passover and Exodus

Tomorrow's Focus: Joshua and the Fall of Jericho

Jesse Tree: 2nd Tuesday- Israelites, Passover and Exodus

2010-12-07T11:11:00.000-08:00

2nd Tuesday of Advent
Israelites, Passover and Exodus

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we remember the Passover and Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt as we put the paschal lamb symbol on the Jesse Tree. The Israelites in Egypt were delivered out of slavery by God's signs and power. Moses spoke on behalf of God to Pharaoh to free his people. He was the conduit for the plagues that God sent to the Egyptians as they held the Israelites captive. The blood of the lamb was the sign for the Angel of death to pass over the homes of the faithful. This final sign, the slaying of the firstborn of Egypt, opened the door for Moses to lead the people out into the desert.

The sacrificial lamb both hearkens back to the story of the sacrifice of Isaac and forward to Jesus' role as the sacrificial lamb of our salvation. Each time we see this image, we also see God renewing and cementing his covenant with His people. Sacrifice and promise are once again at the forefront of the history of Jesus, and the Christian people.

Today, recall a time you were saved or delivered from harm. Recall a time in which someone set their own needs aside in order to serve or help you. Say a prayer of thanksgiving.

Today's Focus: Israelites, Passover and Exodus
Symbol: Lamb
Scripture: Exodus 12:1 through 14:31

Yesterday's Focus: Moses, God's Leadership
Tomorrow's Focus: God and the Torah at Mount Sinai

Jesse Tree: 2nd Monday- Moses, God's Leadership

2010-12-06T14:58:00.000-08:00

2nd Monday of Advent
Moses, God's Leadership

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

The symbol of the burning bush is placed on the Jesse Tree today. The burning bush reminds us of the story of Moses' birth, youth, and call to leadership.

The story of Moses is probably one of the best known scriptural stories. Joseph and his brothers' descendants in Egypt have become slaves. Pharaoh sentences all first born Hebrews to death, and Moses' mother saves him by placing him in a basket in the river where Pharaoh's daughter will find and raise him. After growing up in Egypt, Moses has a confrontation that ends in his murdering the other man. He flees to Midian and begins a new life.

One day as Moses is tending his father-in-law's sheep when God speaks to him from the burning bush. He calls Moses to return to Egypt and free his people. Moses does not want this task, and he tries desperately to change God's mind. God continues to call Moses to be a leader and free the Hebrew people. He gives Moses signs and help to begin his work.

Today, spend some time in silence. Quiet your heart and mind and be open to God's call. Where is God leading you at this time? Set aside your worries and fears. If God is calling, he will provide all you need to do His will. Moses is our best example of God not calling the qualified, but rather qualifying the called. Open your heart to hear and accept that call.

Today's Focus: Moses and God's Leadership
Symbol: The burning bush
Scripture: Exodus 2:1 through 4:20

Yesterday's Focus: Joseph
Tomorrow's Focus: The Israelites, Passover and Exodus

Jesse Tree: 2nd Sunday- Joseph

2010-12-05T12:08:00.000-08:00

2nd Sunday of Advent
Joseph

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today's focus is Joseph and God's Providence. There are two appropriate symbols, the sack of grain, or the multicolored coat.

Joseph was gifted with visions and the ability to interpret the dreams of others. He remained steadfast to the will of God, choosing to do the right thing, even when it was difficult. Time and time again those closest to Joseph are jealous of him, and cause him harm when he will not turn away from the right path. His brothers beat him and sell him into slavery, then his master's wife lies and accuses him of seducing her when he rejects her advances. Both times God makes sure that good comes from Joseph's suffering, and that Joseph's side of the story comes to light.

The story of Joseph inspires us to faithfulness, even when everything seems to be working against us. God will provide, and He can make beauty and good out of even the worst situations if we remain faithful and allow Him to work through us.

Today, call to mind your most frustrating or painful situation. Look for the goodness that has or still might grow from it. How have you grown? What opportunities do you have in this situation? How can you remain positive and focused on God in light of this struggle?

Today's Focus: Joseph
Symbol: Sack of grain, or the Coat of many colors
Scripture: Genesis 37, 39:1-50

Yesterday's Focus: Jacob
Tomorrow's Focus: Moses and God's leadership

Jesse Tree: 1st Saturday- Jacob

2010-12-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

1st Saturday of Advent
Jacob

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we place the symbol of Jacob's ladder onthe Jesse tree. This image reminds us of Jacob's vision of heaven and his relationship with God.

After usurping his brother's birthright, Jacob flees into Canaan to escape Esau's anger. He tricked his father and wronged his brother, and yet God did not abandon him. Jacob chooses to sleep at a shrine, and in a dream sees a ladder reaching up to Heaven, with angels ascending and descending. God reiterates the promise made to Abraham when he tells Jacob that he will be the father of a great nation. God tells Jacob that He will protect him always. Jacob wakes, amazed and says that if God truly protects him and provides for his needs until he returns to Isaac, he will worship God as the Lord.

Think about times that you have placed conditions on God, or times you have attempted to bribe God with good deeds or changes if He will just do as you ask. Recall also times you have placed conditions on your love for your family and friends. Remember that true love and faith do not come with strings attached. Recommit to selfless love of God and others.

Today's Focus: Jacob
Symbol: Ladder
Scripture: Genesis 27:41-28:22

Yesterday's Focus: Isaac and the Offering
Tomorrow's Focus: Joseph