Seasons of Reading

Winter 2011-2012

2011-10-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

A priest, a rabbi, and a minister walk into a bar...

So you've heard that one have you?

Sure, there are plenty of jokes about religion and the religious, but let's face it, humor and laughter aren't exactly the first things people think about when they think about faith and the those who profess it. In fact, more often than not, religious people are considered a dour and sober bunch. While that might not be entirely fair, it's certainly true that we could all be better about living our faith more joyfully. After all, if we truly believe the things that we say we believe, shouldn't we be the most joy filled people of all?

In his new book, Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life, Fr. James Martin reminds his readers of the importance of humor and laughter in the lives of believers. Fr. Martin shares his personal stories, examines scripture, and looks to the writings and lives of the saints--and tosses in a few jokes to boot--to illustrate that a good sense of humor is a worthy virtue and one of the best ways we can all spread the Good News.

Fr. Martin writes, "Preparation for heaven forms the basis of a great deal of Christian theology. Life, in this understanding, is not so much a test as it is a rehearsal. And one way of preparing for something is by doing it...In that case, why couldn't earthly joy, humor, and laughter be a way of preparing for a lifetime of happiness? Why not allow yourself to enjoy a little heaven on earth?"

Here's a short video of Fr. Martin describing his new book.

If you're someone who is convinced that God has a sense of humor--and maybe especially if you're someone who is not, please join us in reading our Winter book selection, Fr. James Martin's Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life.

From December 1 through February 29, Between Heaven and Mirth will be available at St. Patrick's Book & Gift for 20% off the regular retail price. We'll do our best to keep plenty of copies in the store, but if we happen to be out, we will take special orders. This book would make an excellent Christmas gift. Pick up an extra copy or two to give away. In these tough times, a gift that puts a smile on someone's face might be one of the best gifts of all.

Fall 2011

2011-08-10T06:51:00.000-07:00

On the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011, the Third Edition of the Roman Missal will be implemented throughout all English-speaking regions in the world.

These changes to the liturgy are bound to heighten our awareness of what it is that we say and do every time we gather to celebrate Mass, and so what better time to take the opportunity to learn more about the Church's most perfect prayer? To that end, we have selected the new book Catholic Mass for Dummies as our Fall book recommendation.

Of course, there are lots of great books about the Mass to choose from, but some of them are admittedly difficult to read and understand. After all, it is a broad and deep subject. This book, however, is accessible to readers of any age and any level of understanding about our faith.

Catholic Mass for Dummies describes in a concise, thorough, and--most importantly--accurate way the meaning of the Mass, its history, the role of the participants, the parts of the Mass, and much more. The authors also address the changes that will be made to the liturgy, describing what those changes will be and what they mean.

Whether you're just starting out, are simply curious, or have been going to Mass for years and could use a refresher, Catholic Mass for Dummies is sure to teach you something new. The more we know about the Mass, the more meaningful it becomes and the richer our experience will be every time we celebrate the Eucharist.

Beginning September 1 through November 30, Catholic Mass for Dummies will be available for purchase or special order at St. Patrick's Book & Gift at 20% off the regular retail price. Stop by and pick up a copy.

FYI...If you're looking for more about the Catholic faith in general, we can also highly recommend Catholicism for Dummies by the same authors. Both publications are an excellent addition to any Catholic home library.

Summer 2011

2011-04-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

Generally speaking, spiritual works are not what you would consider page-turners. You know, a book you just can't put down. More often they tend to be books that you take your time reading so that you can let the author's message sink in slowly. Usually. But that is not the case with the book that has been selected for our Summer of 2011.

This summer we are recommending Dr. Brant Pitre's new book, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper, a book that is so intriguing, so enlightening, and so well researched and documented that once you start reading it, you won't want to stop.

As its lengthy title implies, this work examines the Last Supper through the lens of first century Judaism and offers a fresh depth of meaning to the events of Christ's New Passover and ultimately to our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic Bread and Wine.

Anyone who has begun even the most basic study of Scripture has likely developed the understanding that Jesus Christ did not fit Jewish expectations of the Messiah. In the most general of terms, we can see that one part of their expectation was political, but that is only one part of the promise of the Messiah--the New Moses. Dr. Pitre does an excellent job of delving into all aspects of what the Messianic hope meant and then describing how Jesus has fulfilled each and every one of those hopes and expectations in abundance.

As disciples of Christ we are promised that we will know Christ in the breaking of the bread. A thoughtful reading of this important work is sure to develop an even deeper knowledge of what that promise entails as well as a deeper reverence for the source and summit of our faith, the Eucharist. Be sure to put Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist at the top of your summer reading list.

From June 1-August 31, you can purchase Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist at St. Patrick's Book & Gift and get 20% off the retail price. We have several copies available, but if we happen to be out of stock, be sure to let us know and we will be happy to order a copy for you.

Earlier this year, Dr. Pitre was interviewed by Kris McGregor on "Inside the Pages" on the Spirit Catholic Radio Network. The interview is divided into two parts. You are welcome to listen here or download the files from the Discerning Hearts website. You might want to come back and listen to this interview after you've read the book--no spoilers!

Part 1:

Part 2:

Spring 2011

2011-02-14T08:44:00.000-08:00

Whenever I think of the late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, I think about the expression "tough love." He was a man, a brilliant man, who was passionate about his faith and not afraid to express what it really means to be a Christian--what it costs to become a disciple of Christ. His love for God and for his fellow man gave him the courage to say things others might avoid. He would risk hurt feelings, tested sensibilities, and an offended ego rather than let anyone off the hook in the extremely difficult vocation of becoming a saint.

This spring our Seasons of Reading book selection is a meditation by Fr. Neuhaus on the Seven Last Words of Christ entitled, Death on a Friday Afternoon. Fr. Neuhaus invites his readers to linger on Good Friday--not to rush to the victory of Easter Sunday--and explore the meaning of that horrifying and still wonderful day in history when when God turned the worst evil into the greatest good. Fr. Neuhaus writes, "We must not turn away from what we have done to God, lest we be found to have turned away from what he has done for us. It is not easy to look, to really look and see."

It is not easy. We are urged to spend time at the foot of the cross witnessing Christ's suffering through the eyes of Mary and John. We are urged to imagine that day through the eyes of Dysmas, the good thief. We are urged to remember that, in fact, we were there. We were there when we crucified our Lord.

This is a profound work that will challenge you to think, really think about what Good Friday means to all of us. In one of the most often quoted passages of this work, Fr. Neuhaus states, "If what Christians say about Good Friday is true, then it is, quite simply, the truth about everything."

I hope that you will make Death on a Friday Afternoon a part of your own Lenten/Easter observance. It will be available for purchase or special order in St. Patrick's Book & Gift at 20% off the regular retail price from now until the end of May.

Winter 2010

2010-11-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

Every year during Advent and Christmas we are reminded of our Christian duty to help out those who are less fortunate. There are giving trees, food and toy drives, and Salvation Army bell ringers outside the malls.

Of course, writing a check is one thing. It's another thing to help someone face-to-face.

In her first book, Thrift Store Saints, Jane Knuth writes about her experiences doing just that as a volunteer for the last fifteen years at a St. Vincent de Paul's Thrift Store in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Knuth writes candidly about the challenges involved in helping people who are not always so easy to help and how those challenges had become a part of her own spiritual journey.

As you read Thrift Store Saints, you can't help but reflect on your own attitudes and preconceptions as Knuth reminds us that the needy are not simply problems for us to solve. In fact, the truth is, you probably won't be able to solve all the problems in someone else's life, but there is the chance to pray together, do what we can, and learn from one another's experiences.

Here's Jane Knuth describing her new book:

You may also want to visit Jane's blog at ThriftStoreSaints.com.

Beginning in December and through the month of February, you may purchase a copy of Thrift Store Saints in St. Patrick's Book & Gift for 20% off the regular retail price. If you're searching for ideas for Christmas, you might want to think about picking up an extra copy for giving.

As always, we hope you appreciate our book recommendations. Please leave your comments or suggestions below. And enjoy Thrift Store Saints!

Fall 2010

2010-08-22T04:40:00.000-07:00

It's the Back to School season! That time of the year when Moms and Dads rejoice, kids groan, and grandparents are grateful for a break.

Whether or not you are sending someone off to class, why not take advantage of this season of learning to work on your own education about the Catholic faith? A greater understanding of our faith enriches our participation in the sacraments, deepens our relationship with God, and makes us better able to pass our faith on to the next generation.

With that goal in mind, we have chosen the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our fall book selection.

Sometimes referred to as the "mini Catechism", the Compendium is written in an easy-to-read question and answer format. This incredible little book clearly and briefly describes the fundamental and essential truths of our faith, and refers back to those sections of the larger Catechism for those who may wish for more detail.

"Why was the world created?"
"Why does God permit evil?"
"For what purpose did God create man and woman?"
"What is original sin?"

These and many other questions that we all ponder on our spiritual journey are addressed through the truths of our faith and in a manner that the average layperson can readily understand.

We hope that you'll take this opportunity to add the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to your own Catholic book collection. Speaking from experience, we're sure that you too will discover that this is a book that you will refer to again and again when you are searching for answers to your own questions of faith, or when you are looking for answers to those questions that you may get from your co-workers, friends, and family.

From now until the end of November, the Compendium will be available for purchase or special order at 20% off the regular retail price in St. Patrick's Book & Gift.

And since we were closed for several weeks this summer for our big move, as a bonus we are extending the discount on our summer selection, God Help Me: How to Grow in Prayer by Jim Beckman. This is an excellent and practical guide for anyone who is looking to improve their prayer life.

Summer Selection

2010-05-10T15:47:00.001-07:00

Although I've known many deeply faithful people in my life, I've never met a person yet who is completely satisfied with the quality of their prayer life. No matter how blessed someone is by the gift of prayer, there always seems to be a desire to be able to spend more quality time in prayer, to be more focused in prayer, and to have prayer become a natural part of the day and not just one more thing we're "supposed to do."

That's why I was determined to choose a book on prayer for my summer recommendation.

And once I started checking around, I kept coming across the same title---God, Help Me: How to Grow in Prayer by Jim Beckman.

I kept hearing about how much of an impact this book was having on its readers. I kept hearing about how this book was a prayer book for people of all ages and at all stages of their spiritual walk. And I kept hearing how this book was one of the most practical new guides for prayer on the market.

I think you'll agree that this is a book that lives up to the hype.

Right from the opening pages of the book, I found insights about prayer that made me think about my own attitudes about prayer:

"I previously approached prayer as a kind of drug. I used it to help me feel close to God, to give me experiences of his presence. But as with a drug, I could choose when to take it, and I could sometimes go without it.

Prayer now has become more like air. It's not really an option: I can't breathe without it: I can't live without it."
Jim Beckman

I hope that you'll consider putting this book on your summer reading list.

As a special summer promotion, from June 1-August 31 you will be able to purchase this book at St. Patrick's Book & Gift for 20% off the regular retail price. We will have several copies available in the store and will also accept special orders if we sell out.

Let us know what you think of the book, or if you have recommendations for future selections.

Spring Selection

2010-02-24T11:26:00.001-08:00

Last December marked the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Archbishop Fulton John Sheen. Even if you're too young to remember his hugely popular radio or television programs, you've no doubt heard about this charismatic man who had an incredible gift for making the complex accessible to many.

It's hard for us to imagine this today, but in the late 1950's an estimated 30 million viewers would tune in weekly to watch Sheen speak about everything from theology to psychology to the current events of the day. "Life is Worth Living" was scheduled opposite "The Milton Berle Show" and would often win in the ratings! Milton Berle even joked about how Sheen was so popular even though he used such old material.

In addition to his radio and television work, Sheen was also a prolific writer, and Life of Christ is considered to be his masterpiece. Citing scripture and adding his own unique insights, Sheen makes the gospels come to life. Since its publication in 1958, millions of readers have come to know Christ better through this incredible work.

During this Lenten and Easter season, when we all make a better effort to increase our faith and come to a better knowledge of our Savior, we hope that you'll join us in adding this wonderful book to you own devotions.

From now until April 30, Life of Christ will be available at St. Patrick's Book & Gift at a special promotional rate of 20% off the regular retail price. Several copies are available for immediate purchase, and when those have sold out, we will be happy to accept special orders at the same discount price. All special orders must be pre-paid.

You are welcome to leave your comments about this book or about our reading program in general at this site. Let us know if you enjoy the books we have been recommending--or not--or would like to suggest a title for a future selection.

Life of Christ Bonus!
This summer our Bible study group also read Life of Christ and was provided with a study guide. If you would like to use this guide for your own reading of this book, you are welcome to do so. I will add a link to the original guide as well as the leader's guide with responses. One request--if you do use the guide, please leave a comment letting us know that you did so. Thanks.

Life of Christ Study Guide

Life of Christ Study Guide w/Responses

Winter Selections

2009-11-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

This winter we're going to try something a little different for our book selection. Instead of choosing one book, we're going to go with two----one for the women and one for the men. Equal Opportunity Spiritual growth!

For the women, we've selected Choosing Beauty: A 30-Day Spiritual Makeover for Women by Gina Loehr. As we well know, we live in a world that focuses almost exclusively on youth and physical beauty. Every year, women spend millions of dollars on beauty products and treatments. Of course, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be pretty, but real and lasting beauty comes from within. This book is designed to help women develop the virtues that let us reflect that inner beauty.

There are some online resources that you may be interested in exploring to enhance your experience of reading this book. The Catholic Book Club Podcast has an ongoing series of chapter-by-chapter discussions. And an interview with the author is available on the Catholic Spotlight Podcast. There is also a transcript of the interview if you would prefer to read the interview.

Now, for the men we've chosen Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You to Be by Fr. Larry Richards. You may already be familiar with the author of this book. He is a popular speaker and retreat leader and has his own daily radio program on Relevant Radio. He is a straight-talking, highly motivating personality who has impacted the faith of thousands. If you would like to learn more about Fr. Richards, you can visit the website for his foundation, The Reason for Our Hope.

There are also several audio and video segments available online. If you do a search on YouTube, you'll find several listings for Fr. Richards. You can also listen to an interview on the website for Ignatius Insight.

At a time of year when many of us are making resolutions for the New Year, I hope that you'll resolve to join others in our parish and read these books. Pick one up for yourself, buy one for someone else, and pass them around. I think that you'll find them both to be thought provoking and inspirational in your own spiritual journey.

During the entire month of December, you can order both books at a special discount rate of 20% off the retail price. So hurry in and get your copies today.

Any feedback on your impressions of either of these books is welcome. Enjoy!

Fall Selection

2009-08-18T14:55:00.001-07:00

This fall marks the beginning of the third year of our Seasons of Reading book club here at the Church of St. Patrick. We're making a few changes this year, but our goal remains the same--to bring great Catholic literature to the members of our parish.

In previous years, we've announced the entire year's reading program all at once and offered them at a package price. This year we're going to try something new. This year we plan to unveil each reading selection as the new season approaches. So, now you can purchase only the books that are of interest to you.

We will announce each selection with a flyer in our church bulletin. For a limited time, you may order your copy of the book at a special discount through St. Patrick's Gift & Book Store. All orders must be prepaid. When you order your copy, you will have the opportunity to indicate whether or not you are interested in participating in a group discussion for the book, and if there are enough people who would like to do so, a time will be arranged. Once the book order arrives, we'll let you know when you can pick up your copy and start reading!

The first book that we are going to read this fall is Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life by Fr. Dominic Grassi and Joe Paprocki.

As you probably know, the Mass gets its name from the old Latin dismissal, "Ita missa est." That commission we receive at the end of Mass to "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord" is so important that it has become the name of the entire rite. Mass isn't just one hour; it is something that we live out for the rest of the week!

If Mass has become routine or just a habit for you, or if you would like to learn more about the Mass and how it can shape the other 167 hours of your week, this is the book for you.

Visit St. Patrick's Gift & Book by September 27, 2009 to order your copy at a 20% discount off the retail price. Again, all orders must be prepaid.

We also encourage you to offer your feedback about this ministry. Let us know if you appreciate the book recommendations, if you use the website, or if you like the changes that we are making to the program. You can leave your comments on this site or contact us through the church.

Thanks for your participation!

Concluding Year Two and Looking Ahead

2009-07-31T18:09:00.000-07:00

August wraps up the second year of St. Patrick's reading group. I hope you enjoyed this year's selections as much as I did. In fact, I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. Each one is so different and reminds me how each of us has such a unique journey to salvation.

Plans are already in the works for the year ahead--with a few changes.

While the book recommendations seem to be appreciated, we continue to struggle to gain participation in getting our readers together for group discussions. So, we're going to continue, but will only schedule the discussions if there are enough of our readers who request a meeting.

We are also going to be making changes in the way books are purchased, so stay tuned for the details.

The important thing is to continue to learn about our faith so that every day we can develop an even deeper relationship with God.

For those of you who are interested, I thought I would provide a link to a copy of the study guide for our summer book that has my personal notes included.

Study Guide for The Diary of a Country Priest w/Responses

If you find this guide helpful, please leave a comment. (I am on the fence about providing study guides for our next season. Your comments--or lack thereof--will help me decide.)

The Diary of a Country Priest

2009-05-26T11:12:00.001-07:00

Copies of our summer book are now available for pick up or purchase at St. Patrick's Gift & Book store. There is also an accompanying study guide that you can download from this site or pick up in hard copy form in the store.

Study Guide: The Diary of a Country Priest

This is the very first novel that we have read in our group. It is set in a small village in the northern part of France and is the fictional diary of the local parish priest. This novel is considered on of the great classics of Catholic literature.

If you're interested, this novel was made into a movie in 1951. I was able to get a copy on our Netflix account, so it is easily available for viewing. The movie is in French with English subtitles. I can't recommend it too strongly--it's a pretty melodramatic and maudlin interpretation--but it was interesting to watch after having read the book.

God Is Love

2009-05-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

It doesn't look like we're going to be meeting this month to discuss our Spring selection, God Is Love. I do hope you enjoyed reading this encyclical. It's a small publication, but it packs quite a punch--theologically speaking.

Love is a complicated topic. It's a word that's has become so overused and misused that, in many ways, it has lost its meaning. We say we "love" a movie and that we "love" God. Obviously, we are describing two very different things with the same expression. Not only that, but what do we mean when we say we love God? How does that change the way that we live, think, and treat one another? These are all questions that the Holy Father addresses in this beautiful reflection.

For those of you who might be interested, I thought that I would post a link to the file for our study guide for this book that has my personal notes included.

Study Guide for God Is Love w/Notes

Update and New Books Available

2009-02-25T07:24:00.000-08:00

Did you enjoy the book selections for our winter season? You can't go wrong with Dickens, and prayer is always something that warrants time for improvement. Once you have finished with these books, don't forget to pass them on. They won't do anyone any good on your book shelf. If you don't have anyone you would like to share them with, please consider donating your copies to the church library.

I was hoping for a better turnout at this month's discussion group. Book sales were excellent for this choice--it's the first time we've ever sold out of all the copies that were purchased! Obviously, everyone likes the reading part. I'm just not sure how to encourage more to participate in the discussion part of belonging to a book club. We have tried day meetings, night meetings, and various days of the week, but never had a really strong showing of those who have registered. I welcome any suggestions you may have on how we can get this going.

If you were unable to attend, here is a link to the study guide with my personal notes.
Study Guide w/Responses: Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To

Our spring selection is the first encyclical letter of the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, "Deus Caritas Est, God Is Love." It's true, our Holy Father is a brilliant theologian, but you don't have to feel at all intimidated about reading this work. It is written in a highly accessible style and has many beautiful reflections about God's love for us and how we are meant to respond to that boundless affection and care.

Copies of the book are available for pick up or purchase in St. Patrick's Book & Gift Store. There are also copies of the accompanying study guide, or you are welcome to print it from the link below or from the link on the church website.

Study Guide: Deus Caritas Est, God Is Love

February Book Discussion Group Scheduled

2008-12-16T16:37:00.000-08:00

Join us on Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30pm in the Fine Arts Room at the Church of St. Patrick to discuss Anthony DeStefano's "Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To." Bring your copy of the book, the study guide, and your own notes to the meeting.

See you then!

Winter Book Selections Have Arrived!

2008-11-18T17:50:00.000-08:00

The winter books have arrived and are available for pick-up or purchase at St. Patrick's Gift & Book store. This season we will be reading two books: Charles Dickens' " A Christmas Carol" and Anthony DeStefano's "Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To."

If you've never read this Dickens classic, you're in for a treat. Sure, the movies have been great, but they can't capture Dickens' way with words. The book is cleverly written, funny, and the perfect reminder that we are all companions on the same journey. The working title for this novella was "The Sledgehammer." Advent is always a good time to be "hit" with a good morality tale.

"Ten Prayers" is Anthony DeStefano's second book following his very popular "A Travel Guide To Heaven." This book will get you thinking about how and why you have conversations with God.

The study guide for our winter books is available at the link below or can be picked up in the church store. We will be scheduling a group book discussion session in February. Watch the bulletin or check back to this site for details.

Enjoy your winter reading!

Study Guide: "A Christmas Carol" and "Ten Prayers"

"My Life With The Saints" Update

2008-11-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

Hope you enjoyed our fall book. Fr. Martin's spiritual memoir might get you thinking about your own spiritual history. If you can, think about thanking someone who had an impact on helping your faith grow. If that's not possible, thank God for sending them your way.

You are welcome to print out a copy of my notes on the study guide that we used for this book.

"My Life With The Saints" Study Guide w/Notes

A Short Video with Fr. James Martin

2008-11-10T18:16:00.000-08:00

Recently, the folks over at the Busted Halo website released a video in cooperation with Fr. James Martin about the saints. Since we are reading My Life with the Saints this season, I thought you might enjoy it.

Second Season Book Selections

2008-08-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

The books for the second season of our reading club have been selected, and registration forms are now available at St. Patrick's Gift & Book Store. We will be reading five books this year with the addition of a special winter bonus.

Our first book this fall, "My Life with the Saints" by Fr. James Martin, is one that I know everyone will enjoy. You may already be familiar with the author. Fr. Martin has appeared as a guest on many television programs and is an associate editor of America the National Catholic Weekly magazine. His style is conversational, and he brings a humorous, modern, realistic, and reverent perspective to the faith. This book received several awards and was even selected as one of the "Best Books of 2006" by Publisher's Weekly.

Later on we will read a book on prayer, a Christmas classic, the first encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI, and end with a novel. I'm excited to begin another year. I hope you are too. We have tried to keep the price of the books as low as possible for those of you who register for the entire set. If you order the five book set, you will receive almost $60 worth of books for only $45.

Feel free to post your comments or questions on this site, and check back soon for information on our first discussion sessions which will be held in November. Click on the link below to print our study guide for "My Life with the Saints."

Study Guide: My Life with the Saints

Update: He Leadeth Me

2008-08-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to those of you who attended today's discussion group for Fr. Ciszek's wonderful book, He Leadeth Me. I always enjoy the conversations and look forward to other opinions of the books that we read together. I think our first year was a big success.

As promised, the video of the interviews with Fr. Ciszek can be found below. If you have a sluggish Internet connection, you may have to wait for them to load, but I think you'll find that it is worth it.

If you are interested, you are welcome to print out a copy of the study guide that has the responses that I prepared for our discussion. Sorry, but I was not able to successfully load the registration form for the 2008-09 Seasons of Reading group, so I'm afraid you will have to wait for the "official" one that will come out in the bulletin. If you miss that bulleting, there will be extra copies available in St. Patrick's Gift & Book Store and through the church web site.
Study Guide w/Responses for He Leadeth Me

Date Set for "He Leadeth Me" Discussion Group

2008-06-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

Please join us at the the Church of St. Patrick on Thursday, August 7 at 9:00 A.M. for the discussion group for Fr. Walter Ciszek's book, He Leadeth Me. Bring your book, your study guide, and your opinions and comments, and we'll share our thoughts on this incredible book.

Because of low attendance--actually, no attendance--at our last evening session, I have not scheduled an evening session for this book. However, I would be happy to accommodate any interest to do so. If you would like to attend an evening session, leave me a message on this site, and if there are enough requests, I will set up a group.

If you would like to learn more about Fr. Walter Ciszek, you may want to watch the following videos. The parts of the program that were available online have been divided into three sections.

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

He Leadeth Me

2008-05-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter J. Ciszek is the book that I selected for our summer read. It is a book of private reflections by a priest who spent twenty-three years in Russian labor camps after being accused of acting as a Vatican spy. Now you may be wondering why I would choose such a story for this time of year, but once you start reading, I think you'll agree that Fr. Ciszek's message is uplifting and inspiring and that he has something to teach all of us about how our faith can sustain us when life gets tough, or even just plain dull.

Copies of this book are available in St. Patrick's Gift and Book store. I have also prepared a study guide for this book that can be picked up at the book store or can be printed from this link:
Study Guide for He Leadeth Me

An optional discussion group for this book will be scheduled in August. I will list a date on this site as soon as I have it, and I will have an announcement placed in the bulletin as we get closer to August.

Update: The Return of the Prodigal Son

2008-05-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is a link to a copy of the study guide for this book that has my own personal notes attached. Don't look for any great wisdom, but it might be helpful in case we don't get around to discussing all of the questions during our group sessions.

I hope you enjoyed the book. Fr. Nouwen was a prolific writer--publishing over forty books, so if you enjoyed this selection and would like to read more of his publications, we now carry several of his titles in St. Patrick's Book Store.

Study Guide for The Return of the Prodigal Son w/Responses

If you would like to learn more about Fr. Nouwen, you may wish to visit the website of The Henry Nouwen Society.

Book Discussion Group Scheduled for May

2008-04-23T08:00:00.001-07:00

The book discussion group meetings for The Return of the Prodigal Son by Fr. Henri Nouwen will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2008. A morning session will begin at 9:00AM and an evening session will begin at 6:00PM. Both sessions are scheduled to meet at St. Patrick's Church in Rm 111.

To prepare for our discussion, in addition to reading the book, you may want to review a copy of the study guide that I have prepared as an aid to our discussion.
Study Guide for The Return of the Prodigal Son
Please bring your book, a copy of the study guide, and your own notes and questions to the meeting.

See you then!

Update: Reasons to Believe

2008-02-28T19:24:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who attended one of today's discussion groups for our Winter selection, Reasons to Believe. I enjoyed both sessions very much. It's great to witness such enthusiasm for our faith along with a strong desire to learn more.

We may not have gotten to every question on the study guide, and so you are welcome to print out a copy that includes my personal notes.
Study Guide with Notes: Reasons to Believe

Just below this update you will find all the information on our Spring selection, The Return of the Prodigal Son.

Thanks again. Hope to see you in May.

The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

2008-02-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

Even though I knew we'd be well into Lent before we would begin to read this selection, I specifically chose this book with this special season in mind. The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen is a story of his personal spiritual journey that is sure to get you thinking about your own. Fr. Nouwen reflects on the well known parable of the prodigal son and how that story is portrayed in Rembrandt's famous painting. His insightful comments will give you a deeper appreciation for this familiar parable, a little lesson on art, and plenty to think about in your relationships with God and those around you.

Copies of this book are currently available in St. Patrick's Book & Gift Store. The accompanying study guide is also available for pick up or can be printed from this link:
Study Guide: The Return of the Prodigal Son

If you use this site to print your study guide, please click on the comments button below and leave me a message to let me know that you have visited the site.

I'm sure that you'll enjoy this book. It's my personal favorite of the four books that we are reading this year. Because this is a small book, you may be tempted to read it quickly, but take your time. Nouwen packs a lot of meaning and insight into a few pages.

This is a copy of Rembrandt's painting of The Return of the Prodigal Son in which all of the surrounding figures are visible. At one point in the book, Nouwen discusses the four figures surrounding the father and son embracing, but the reproductions on the book's cover make this hard to see.

Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith

2008-01-01T19:41:00.000-08:00

With the Winter selection for our reading group, we will be reading something quite different from our first book. Reasons to Believe by Scott Hahn falls in the literary genre of apologetics. Apologetics is a branch of theology that is concerned with proving the truth of Christianity, and in this case the truth of Catholicism.

Copies of this book are available in St. Patrick's Gift & Book Store. The accompanying study guide prepared for our group is also available.
Click here to print:
Study Guide: Reasons to Believe

The optional book discussion groups for this selection are scheduled for Thursday, February 28. There will be a morning session that begins at 9:00AM and and evening session that begins at 6:00PM. The sessions usually last 1 1/2 to 2 hours--trust me, the time goes quickly. We are meeting at the church in Room 111. If you are joining us in reading these books, but have not yet attended the discussion group, I would encourage you to consider doing so. The discussions we had about The Story of a Soul were very interesting, and I think those who attended were glad they came. Don't worry! None of us are theologians.

If you use this site to print your study guide, please click on the comments button below and leave me a message to let me know that you have visited the site. I would like to know if the links work and whether or not an online site is helpful for this group. I think it could be a great tool for communication with the readers at St. Pat's.

The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux: The Story of a Soul

2007-12-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

The Fall selection for the first year of St. Patrick's new book club was the Catholic classic about St. Therese of Lisieux--known to millions as the Little Flower. We are very pleased to have had several people register to purchase all four selections this year, and the reactions of those who attended our first two book discussion groups was favorable. Thank you to all of you who decided to give this a try.

If you would like a copy of the study guide that was made available for this book, please click on the link below.
Study Guide: The Story of a Soul.
If you were unable to attend our discussion groups for this book and would like a copy of the same study guide with the addition of my notes, please click on the link below.
Study Guide with Notes: The Story of a Soul