Thursday, September 1, 2011

September New Releases


Saints on Call

Saints on Call will help mothers in every walk of life to pray & reflect on the opportunities for holiness found in daily life. Designed with the on-the-go mom in mind--& featuring over 50 reflections--this book is helpfully categorized by a mother's daily situations and struggles.




Jesus Invites Me to the Feast

Jesus Invites Me to the Feast is a colorful, engaging 1st Communion journal that will guide your child closer to God as they prepare. With essential faith development exercises, author Christine Skinner helps young followers along the path to their most important meal yet.


Precious Gifts: Biblical Reflections on the Eucharist

Precious Gifts weds solid biblical scholarship & thoughtful reflections to bring more depth to our experience of the Eucharist. We have to invest ourselves in all its elements: from listening to responding, from standing to kneeling, & more.




Through Another Lens: Reflections on the Gospels Year B

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




The Living Church: Old Treasures, New Discoveries

Context shapes behavior & provokes questions. As men & women adapt to new times & ways, their faith, too, must adapt. Christopher M. Bellitto carefully explains how 7 key elements developed through the centuries & became part of the Catholic tradition.
Rediscover Advent

From the author of the best-selling book Rediscover Catholicism comes an inspiring new way to rediscover Advent.









Marriage 911

Greg & Julie thought divorce was the only way out of their lifeless, loveless marriage. A faithful priest guided them back to the truths of the church, & as they began to incorporate these truths into their lives, they were able to restore the love they once had. Marriage 911 chronicles their journey back from the brink of divorce to marital happiness.





Homegrown Faith: Nurturing Your Catholic Family

A series of insightful & often humorous weekly reflections on raising faithful Catholic families, Homegrown Faith draws on familiar situations—sibling rivalry, fender-benders, lost shoes before Mass—to reveal unexpected sacramental riches.






God’s on the Phone: Stories of Grace in Action

You'll be touched by the stories of: a booklover's decision to give away her library,
an agnostic who is innocently challenged by a little boy, two young women who share a common loss.






Friendship with Jesus

In this beautifully illustrated book, Amy Welborn introduces Pope Benedict's profound yet simple answers to various questions put to him by children in Rome who had recently made their First Holy Communion.





What to Do When Jesus is Hungry

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





A New Friendship: The Spirituality & Ministry of the Deacon

“What is a deacon?" "What does a deacon do?" These are questions pastors, parishioners, & deacons themselves often ask. Monsignor Buelt answers these questions through an engaging conversation with the Scriptures, the Eucharistic liturgy, & church teaching on the diaconate.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

August New Releases


New Books


The Artist’s Rule
Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom

This twelve-week course draws on the insights and practices of Benedictine spirituality to explore the interplay between contemplation and creativity.






The Evangelization Equation
The Who, What, and How 

Fr Wehner explores the challenges & the opportunities in American culture for spreading 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 each day to pray the blessings of morning, noon, and evening and to recite the short, one-sentence "prayers on the run" for busy times.








Mary’s Life in the Spirit

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






The Emotions God Gave You

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







The One Thing

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






2012 Prayer of the Faithful

This large-print workbook contains sample prayers and suggestions, along with practical tips for writing and leading intercessions.










2012 Abide in My Word
Mass Readings at Your Fingertips

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Messenger- Summer Reading Book Review


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.



Monday, July 11, 2011

A Willing Heart- Summer Reading Book Review


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. 

Thursday, June 30, 2011

July New Releases


New Books


Ablaze: Stories of Daring Teen Saints

These stories come alive with vivid storytelling & saintly challenges designed to inspire reflection & enflame your heart. Through prayers, images, & maps, catch a glimpse of a saint's world that carries lessons for our own & discover how you can set our world ablaze with love for the Lord!



Women, Sex, and the Church

The women who write in this volume challenge the common misconception that the Catholic Church's teachings are anti-women & anti-sex. Rather, these women believe that 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 Catholic Bibles are Bigger

Did the Catholic Church add books to the Bible in reaction to Protestantism 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 can learn the whole story behind the lost books of the Protestant Old Testament.







New CDs


Chants of Angels

Using the ancient melodies & texts of the early church, 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 bridges the two musical worlds of Catholic liturgical music & Contemporary Christian music like John Michael Talbot. This new recording will bring the beauty of the Sacred Liturgy (the Catholic Mass) and its new translation to many ears and hearts.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Unplanned- Summer Reading Book Review


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.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

The Living Mass- Summer Reading Book Review


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.