BOOK REVIEW: HEAR MY VOICE

It is an outstandingly good idea to read and discuss the Gospel reading with your children during the week before the Mass at which it will be read. Actually it is an outstandingly good idea for anyone to read and discuss the Gospel reading during the week before Mass at which it will be read. It helps the Gospel come alive, gives it more meaning, helps you stay in tune. It is alive in you already, have been mulling it over, have come up with some concepts, and then get to compare it with what the homilist is saying. Try it for a week or two and see if you are not more tuned in.

But how does one discuss it with your children? How can you be sure that you have the correct readings (without stealing a missalette?) How do you simplify it for younger minds? Jonathan Stamph wondered the same thing. He wanted something that would help him make the Mass for accessible for his two daughters. So he wrote a book (and hopes to write three.) It is called, “Hear My Voice; A Children’s Adaptation of Gospel Readings of the Catholic Mass for Year C.” The book is useful in several respects. First it has the reading as it will be heard on Sunday, a good thing for an adult to read through themselves. Next to that is a simpler version of the reading more on a child’s level. Lastly there is a page sized picture with a caption from the Gospel fit to ask children what they see, perhaps having them explain what they just heard by referencing the picture. There is also a calendar in the front of the book that will help keep you on track.
Mr. Stamph sent this book to Adam’s Ale for a review. There is no imprimatur and I have not read every single children’s version of the Gospel reading, but those I have read seem to be well in keeping with the Gospel. They are not tiny tot versions however. Below you can see an image from the book to see if you like the graphics.

If interested you can order this book from http://www.prayerpress.com/.

IS IT CHRISTMAS AGAIN ALREADY?

BOOK REVIEW

A priest friend of mine and I were having coffee yesterday and both of us sighed when it was mentioned that advent is just a few miles down the road. “Give me lent!” he said, “I’ll take it over advent any day.”

I will admit my love affair with advent and Christmas ended many, many years ago. I attribute this coldness between me and this season to my upbringing. My family was involved with the arts and so preparations for Christmas usually began around August. On my Mom’s side there were all kinds of concerts and performances to help others get into the Christmas spirit and my Dad was secretary of his lodge and so there was the Christmas party to prepare for. At church and school and places of employment every organization had Christmas parties which of course actually took place in advent. This, the market place frenzy that began with K-tel commercials that also began in August, and the fact that I had several friends who are Christmas freaks, completely turned me off to wanting to celebrate Christmas. By the time it actually arrived I was sick of it and looked more forward to putting it away in boxes than I had looked forward to getting it out.

These liturgical seasons need healing. We need healing. Santa at the mall does not work for anyone out of training pants. It takes time and you have to work at it.

Every once in a while something will catch me that will remind me once again the magic that advent and Christmas can have. There is something that will pull me out of the work of the season and into feeling the electricity in a dark, crisp, starry night that the best Christmas-out-too-soon decorations cannot capture.

“God With Us; Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas” is a wonderful tool for the healing of the sense of this holy and fully mysterious season. Greg Pennoyer and Gregory Wolfe have compiled a series of writing by six noted names in the Christian world. For every day of the advent and Christmas season one of these authors make comment on the day’s readings. These are not dry, ethereal, or analytical lessons, but engaging reflections. They are short, thought provoking doses of soothing medicine and inspiration that is accessible to busy, Christmas frantic persons. Each day is accompanied by a short prayer and gorgeous artwork. For each major feast day there is an explanation of the origin and nature of the feast.

When finished with my copy I had intended to pass the book along to one of my sisters but instead it will remain on my shelf as an excellent prayer and reflection resource. I am just sorry that I had to read it in one fell swoop for this review. But I do plan on engaging it again as we enter advent this year. Get this book especially if you have any reservations about the upcoming season or if you think that your focus might be off just a tad and share it with those who you think might be in the same boat. As stated in the preface, the healing of the season will not happen in one day, but something remarkable might happen when celebrating an entire season well.

For more information on this title from Paraclete Press please look here.

COME FLY WITH ME

A certain panic invades my bones as I near the end of a good book. I stretch out the time left together as long as possible and start searching the shelves for a new one to fill in once the inevitable happens.

Recently it seems more and more difficult to find a book that causes me to want to stay up late or carve out a precious few moments during the day to fit in the few extra pages. It is even more difficult to find such a book in the mainstream that is Catholic friendly or at least that which a priest with his collar on would not be embarrassed to read in public.

Well summertime readers, I think that here may be a treat for you. A while back I wrote you a review of a book by Mary Doria Russell called, “The Sparrow.” Now, let me be the first to assure you that I loath science fiction books almost as much as eating fish (and that's saying something), but that book was a winner, one of the few books that this reviewer has read more than once. Part of the fun is that the story begins just down the street from this parish in a town called University Heights. But the true thrust of the book dealt with questions of faith. The author places views not squarely in any camp so characters voice opinions that span the Catholic playing field and then some. It is done so well and even handedly that challenging thoughts are not in any way threatening while still being throught provoking.

Now Mary Doria Russell (a Clevelander by the way) has written a sequel entitled, “Children of God”. There are some adult themes and again perhaps some readers will find some challenging thoughts about the faith, but she has created a more than worthy follow up to her award winning first book. The theme as she puts it, “is about the aftermath of irreversible tragedy, about the many ways we try to make sense of tragedy.” She exposes our human frailty and dependence and the role that faith can play in this exciting story that makes you keep thinking long after you have set the pages down.

Intelligently written, well balanced, and thought provoking, it is on my list for summer reading. It is not strictly necessary to read the first book in order to read this one, but I highly, highly recommend that you do so.

YOU CAN BOOK ON PADRE PIO

Computers are wonderful tools but sadly they are quickly deteriorating one of the greatest accidental historical archives of our present age: that of the handwritten letter. Some might wish to point out that there are such things as blogs and other electronic bits of data that will exist forever out on the Internet and perhaps that brings with it its own advantages, but there is still something special about having that piece of paper in someone’s own handwriting in which they share intimate thoughts with a trusted other.

Once I bought an antique desk and underneath a drawer I found a letter written in a very precise female hand talking about a flu epidemic and her concern for her family. For me this was history flying up off of the page and slapping me in the face. Such is the power of the letter.

Fortunately for us the relative recent history of the Church finds that a good number of the faithful have written letters and diaries. Many have survived and are giving us an exciting insight into the thoughts of those we now call saints. Now we can ask the questions with purpose, “What were they thinking?” and “Were they really all that different from me?”

Recently a friend who sometimes guest blogs on this site said that she was rather relieved to read that Mother Theresa, when she was invited to speak in Las Vegas, wrote that she might die of fear and shyness. When faced with having to share her own faith in public she gained strength in knowing that even those we now consider great were burdened with the same fears that we “common folk” have.

To this end Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa has pulled together excerpts from the letters of Padre Pio that give us a unique insight into the thoughts of this modern saint. We find here not a man who finds the faithful Catholic life a walk in the park, but a man who struggled like we struggle, who had doubts like we have doubts, but who, in spite of it all, who remained loyal to God. In fact, his entire life seems to have been a living out of Psalm 13.

The unique aspect of this book is not that it presents you with the letters of Padre Pio which are many (and are already available to you in other books), but that this author has selected gems from many letters, about a paragraph or two each, sorted them into thirteen categories such as “I Do Not Wish to Offend God Again,” and “The School of Virtue,” and gives a short preface for each.

The author repeatedly emphasizes that this book will not give you a complete picture of the saint but does allow you, particularly those familiar with him already, a chance to hear him speak on his own behalf. Besides, who cannot resist wanting to know what it was like discovering that you have the stigmata from the man himself? In excerpt 117 he writes, “Yesterday evening [7.9.1911], something happened to me that I can neither explain nor understand. In the middle of my palms there appeared a spot of red almost in the shape of a penny, accompanied by a sharp and strong pain in the spot’s centre.”

The translations of the letters are extremely easy to read. The way the book is designed allows the reader to take in a short passage and set the book down and contemplate, a method I highly recommend to the cover-to-cover method I used in order to review this book for you.

Particularly if you already know and love Saint Pio, you might find this book fascinating. Others might gain spiritual strength in knowing that you are not alone in your struggles even among the saints.

WHAT: Words of Light; Inspiration from the Letters of Padre Pio
WHO: Compiled and with an Introduction by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa

GENERAL INFORMATION: Paraclete Press; Brewster, Massachusetts; 2000 – www.paracletepress.com

BOOK REVIEW: THE SHEPHERDS' PRAYER

From time to time I recommend books on this site but this is the first time I was asked to do so I thought I’d warn you by announcing, “BOOK REVIEW.”

Years ago one of the jobs I had included having to go to yard sales (can you believe it?) and from time to time personal treasures would be purchased. One of these treasures was an ancient, leather bound book by the title, “Night Scenes in the Bible.” In it, the author used his imagination to fill in gaps in the Biblical stories with pious fiction to lead the reader deeper into the mysteries of otherwise well known passages. One story in particular that really stayed with me over the years was “The Road to Emmaus.” I was in the seminary making a private holy hour and reading this book and was transported so deeply into the story that from that point on it became one of my favorite accounts from Scripture. It helped me see the story from different angles and place myself squarely in the prose.

“The Shepherds’ Prayer; A Christmas Novel” by Richard M. Barry does much the same thing. I must say that it never occurred to me that good citizenry of Bethlehem may not been overly thrilled about the Messiah being born in their town. Barry says of it, “. . . there was also great sadness that resulted in Bethlehem when Herod ordered the killing of all the male babies. Not much has been written or is ever said about that traumatic event and how it must have impacted the people of Bethlehem and their attitudes about the poor Galilean child who was the target of Herod’s wrath.” Don’t worry though; it is not a gruesome tale but one full of hope and joy, a tale truly for the Christmas season.

The term “novel” however might be a bit of an overstatement. When I was contacted they actually wanted to send two different books and when I heard the term “novel” I recommended they send only one as I would not have time to read and review two before Christmas. Well, as it turns out it is much shorter book than anticipated and the average reader could knock it out in a sitting or two. It is definitely not a literary masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a good contemplative story. I would probably recommend it more for younger readers who enjoy reading or for families that read and listen to stories together. If I had a family I would probably enjoy reading them a chapter at night (there are eight chapters) but as it is, I do think I’ll send copies to my Godchildren. There is a nice gift plate inside the book for such purposes.

If you go to their website HERE you can find out more about the book, read the first two chapters to make sure you would like it and if so, order copies of it or of the audio version.

WHY WASTE YOUR TIME AMONG THE WEEDS?

C. S. Lewis Once wrote, “A young man who wishes to remain an atheist cannot be too careful of his reading,” meaning, of course, if engaged too heavily with God and His truth he risked being converted. I would suppose the opposite to be equally as valid. “The person who wishes to remain a true son or daughter of God cannot be too careful of his entertainment.” This would explain the recent brouhaha in blog posts and forwarded Emails and the like over Philip Pullman’s book made movie, “The Golden Compass.”

Apparently the dark warnings of the intent of the movie are entirely well based and for this reason I intend on not seeing this film. But the usual argument for seeing the movie from Christians of all stripes is already being heard as regularly as the Salvation Army donation bells, “But how can I know and make up my own mind that it is bad unless I see the movie?” I do not think I have heard this argument from anyone who has ever walked out on a movie.

I grant you that it looks very attractive. If there were no such background information on the movie it would be on the top of my list of things to go see. That is a temptation too much to bear for many Christians especially when, “But Daddy, I really want to see it!” is thrown into the mix.

Forget all the arguments. In the end it comes down to love. We are to be in a true and loving relationship with God. If this were a make believe story about a parallel universe in which your spouse, or mother, or sister were villainized and defeated as the source of evil in the world would you still go see it? Would you allow your kids to? “But they are going to see it anyway.” Perhaps. But not by your hand.

But enough of that. That trash is already occupying too much of our valuable life.

OTHER THINGS:

On the more positive note here are a few recommendations for your entertainment:

Of course the movie Bella is still out. Make a statement with your entertainment dollars. Let the powers that be know how you wish to be entertained and how you will spend your entertainment dollars!

“Swimming with Scapulars: True Confessions of a Young Catholic” is a great read. My cousin bought it for me and though a good read for any thoughtful Catholic, it might be of particular note to young men who are or who are contemplating the life of a Catholic husband, father, son of God. Mathew Lickona shares his thoughts about the struggles of balancing what the world demands of us and what we owe to God. Poignant, humorous, honest, and orthodox, it is a nice bolster in the faith. Though an easy read it remains thought provoking and a book with which the average Joe can relate and find inspiration. Fr. Benedict Groeschel said, “Swimming with Scapulars shatters many stereotypes. If you have been wondering about the emergence of an informed and sophisticated group of orthodox young Catholics who take the spiritual life seriously, this book reveals this fascinating group.” Loyola Press 2005.

Finally, do you have a long commute? Tired of the banal offerings on the radio? Consider ordering a course from “The Teaching Company.” Finding some of the topics tantalizing (and on sale) several courses were ordered. There were the usual fear that the classes would be like so many I have had at “Catholic” institutions, that is, presenting what the Church teaches with a some obligatory passivity and then moving on to that which challenges the Church at every turn singing the praises of some supposed higher human endeavor. I can only take so much of that. As it turns out, though this is not a Catholic Company, whenever they deal with the Catholic Church it is done fairly and to an extent that is much more true to Church teaching than many Catholic courses I have taken.

The classes reviewed thus far have been on Saint Augustine, C. S. Lewis, and a history of the popes and the papacy. They are well presented, interesting, informative, and at times intriguing enough to cause the need to drive around the block once more. (The last third of the C.S. Lewis series would perhaps work much better as a review immediately after reading the works mentioned in the course however.) Perhaps the biggest drawback is the cost, but there are always classes on sale and several hours of courses can be purchased for about $20.

TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK XIV

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND – “I was beginning to understand how easy it is to be a heretic. One had only to say something heretical, which was easy to do when one knew little about the Traditions of the Church and the teachings of the Magisterium.” Fr. Jay Longacre

QUOTE II – “Our world will not die as a result of the bomb, as the papers say, it will die of laughter, of banality, of making a joke of everything, and a lousy joke at that.” – Carlos Ruiz Zaton

IN OTHER NEWS:

Rob over at Back to Catholicism sent this list of questions along to see what books grace my bookshelves.

NAME THREE NONFICTION BOOKS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ:

1. “Fire Within” by Thomas Dubay, S.M. – Every time I get a little off spiritually I start reading this book again on the spirituality of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross. My copy has twelve bookmarks and underlining or highlighting on almost every page.

2. “Violence Unveiled” by Gil Baily – This book will give you a whole different insight to the goings on in our times. Even if you do not buy the whole book it will make you think twice about the understanding why things are they way they are.

3. “The Problem of Pain” by C.S. Lewis – It is sad that people only really start taking this question seriously when they hit a hard patch in life. Unfortunately it is almost too late at that point because understanding it or at least accepting it has a lot to do with being in a relationship with Jesus Christ. This book will help.

NAME THREE BOOKS OF FICTION THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ:

1. “Ivanhoe” by Sir Walter Scott – This was the first novel I read on my own. I picked it because my grandpa taught himself a lot of the English language by reading this book and I can see why he chose it. It snagged my interests in reading classical literature ever since.

2. “The Seville Communion” by Alturo Perez-Reverte – I read this book on the plane on my first visit to Rome. It was the perfect companion. It since made its way throughout the family reading circle and has been well appreciated by all.

3. Gads, it’s hard limiting it to just one more. I’ll change my mind a thousand times. There are so many fighting for this position! So perhaps I will wimp out and just give you a fun summer read that I loved and has also made its rounds of the family but will eventually fade off into book oblivion. It’s good for a laugh though I do not like their ideas on architecture. “Rococo” by Adriana Trigiani.

NAME THREE AUTHORS EVERYONE SHOULD READ:

1. You’ve just gotta read Shakespeare.

2. Pope Benedict is just awesome. He is readable, practical, and to the point.

3. Dickens, because I love his works, they’ll pull you in and get you excited about classical reading, and I haven’t seen him on anybody else’s list yet.

THREE BOOKS NOBODY SHOULD READ:

The problem with this list begins with its great length and the fact that if I hate the book, I stop reading it, banish it from my thoughts and then send it to my sisters with a note that reads, “This is a horrible book, don’t read it.” Interestingly enough there was a book on this list (and see, I can’t even remember the title) that was by the same author as one of my must read books. When I go home and see the pile of books marked “discard” (which we never, ever do) maybe I’ll post them. This should do for now.

Thanks Rob – Adoro, I’m still working on yours!

My sister's cat just had kittens. Here are some pictures:

Here is a picture of a dandylion reflecting a red light that caught my eye on a bike ride the other night.

A blessed day to all!