2024 Book Reviews
Catholic Women's Book Group
Ratings 1–5 †
December 2024
His Angels at Our Side, Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and the World by Fr. John Horgan (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from EWTN reviews
Fr. Horgan unveils the surprising role of the angels in our lives -- and what you must do to gain their help. You will learn how to imitate the angels in prayer and how they offer you the enlightenment and the encouragement God so desperately wants to give you. By praying with the angels, you will be strengthened for what lies ahead, better able to discern and do the Lord's will in all your actions. Learn how angels are invisibly present at every moment of your life, and how they can pray with you and for you, amplifying your praise by reflecting it directly to God face-to-face. Angels do not form a separate universe -- they are an integral part of our own world sent forth for the sake of our salvation. They are pure spirits who communicate to us God's grace, His goodness, and His truth.
Comments from the group:
His Angels at Our Side, Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and the World by Fr. John Horgan (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from EWTN reviews
Fr. Horgan unveils the surprising role of the angels in our lives -- and what you must do to gain their help. You will learn how to imitate the angels in prayer and how they offer you the enlightenment and the encouragement God so desperately wants to give you. By praying with the angels, you will be strengthened for what lies ahead, better able to discern and do the Lord's will in all your actions. Learn how angels are invisibly present at every moment of your life, and how they can pray with you and for you, amplifying your praise by reflecting it directly to God face-to-face. Angels do not form a separate universe -- they are an integral part of our own world sent forth for the sake of our salvation. They are pure spirits who communicate to us God's grace, His goodness, and His truth.
Comments from the group:
- First off, I thought the book was way too long and he seemed to jump around a lot. I did like what he had to say about St. Joseph, that he was chosen for ALL eternity to be the foster father of Jesus and a special companion to the Blessed Mother. They raised Jesus together as parents.
- I never knew that each Church has its own angel looking over it, perhaps several. I also found it interesting when he talked about Lucifer when he was created was the most magnificent of all the angels but he refused God’s plan and turned his gaze inward on his own created beauty. I tended to jump around a lot in the book to read what I was most interested in. It was long!
- It was not my favorite book, I’ve never thought of angels a lot. But I did like the different prayers the author offered for saying simple prays to Jesus. “Jesus, I want what You want for me.” I can teach it to my grandkids.
- It’s mentioned that in the book of Tobit that the angel Raphael reveals himself to Tobit and reminds Tobit of a good deed he had done, “demonstrating that the angels rejoice in our good words and present them to the Lord as offerings of worship and prayer.”
- We can also pray to the Guardian Angels of our children for extra protection and to ask our Guardian Angel to talk to the GA of someone we might have to have a hard conversation with. They are our special help and comfort.
- Great subject but I would not recommend this book. It was too long and did a lot of beating around the bush too many times.
November 2024
My Badass Book of Saints, Courageous Women Who Showed Me How to Live by Maria Morera Johnson (†††††)
Synopsis: (taken from the book cover)
In this edgy, honest, and often audacious book of Catholic spirituality, blogger and popular podcaster Maria Morera Johnson explores the qualities of 24 holy women who lived lives of virtue in unexpected and often difficult circumstances. The author shares her experience as a first-generation Cuban American, educator of at-risk college students, and caregiver for a husband with ALS. Through humorous, empowering, and touching portraits of 24 spiritual mentors who inspired her, Johnson shows how their bravery; integrity, selflessness, perseverance, and hope helped her and can help others have courage to reach for a closer connection to God.
Comments from the group:
My Badass Book of Saints, Courageous Women Who Showed Me How to Live by Maria Morera Johnson (†††††)
Synopsis: (taken from the book cover)
In this edgy, honest, and often audacious book of Catholic spirituality, blogger and popular podcaster Maria Morera Johnson explores the qualities of 24 holy women who lived lives of virtue in unexpected and often difficult circumstances. The author shares her experience as a first-generation Cuban American, educator of at-risk college students, and caregiver for a husband with ALS. Through humorous, empowering, and touching portraits of 24 spiritual mentors who inspired her, Johnson shows how their bravery; integrity, selflessness, perseverance, and hope helped her and can help others have courage to reach for a closer connection to God.
Comments from the group:
- I loved reading the author’s story and how she related each of her struggles with those of a certain saint. It showed me that I have to be strong enough to show my faith through some of the struggles I experience. Like she said, “My goal is to get to heaven.”
- I really liked this book. It introduced me to so many saints I never heard of. I also liked her little quotes of wisdom at the start of each chapter.
- I was particularly interested in her story about her cousin ‘living’ her calling and going to Rwanda to help the people through the 1994 genocide—yes there are saint all around us, and I agree with that. It was in that chapter she quoted St. Teresa of Avila: “joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God.”
- The book made me reflect on my life as she reflected on hers. She could see the hand of the Blessed Mother in her life as she remembered her mother saying a blessing when she said goodbye “May the Blessed Virgin accompany you.”
- I particularly liked the chapter on Irena Sendler and (a Saint I never heard of) St. Christina the Astonishing. The quote from Sandler at the beginning of the chapter explains the chapter….”You see a man drowning, you must try to save him even if you cannot swim.” St. Christina’s story I thought amusing…she was the original flying nun!
- I loved her Litany of the Saints prayer at the end of the book. I need to pray more to the Saints for their help and guidance. “All of these saints lived a virtuous life, but Mary, our Mother, excelled in every virtue.” The author puts her whole spiritual life out for all to see and she did a wonderful job of it. “I look to Mary as a reminder that God calls us to a life of holiness on earth so that we can become saints in heaven. I look to Mary as a model for this holiness….”
October 2024
Padre Pio, Stories and Memories of My Mentor and Friend by Fr. Gabriele Amorth (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from Google Books Review
This colorful memoir offers a rare, up-close glimpse of the life and personality of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, the beloved Italian monk who was blessed with extraordinary gifts. The late Fr. Amorth—well-known as an exorcist —enjoyed over two decades of a close friendship with the holy, quirky Padre Pio, whom he considered his spiritual father. Adding his own personal experience to a foundation of biographical research, Amorth gives an entertaining and illuminating account of perhaps one of the best-known saints of the twentieth century. In this book, we span from Padre Pio’s childhood—where he cured himself of a disease by wolfing down all his mother’s fried bell peppers—to his miracle-filled priesthood, to his Italian gift for mimicry, humor, and storytelling. Rather than a plaster image of a saint, this book is a portrait of a fully human kind of holiness, proof that even the most astonishing graces can be lived out with simplicity and joy.
Comments from the group:
Padre Pio, Stories and Memories of My Mentor and Friend by Fr. Gabriele Amorth (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from Google Books Review
This colorful memoir offers a rare, up-close glimpse of the life and personality of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, the beloved Italian monk who was blessed with extraordinary gifts. The late Fr. Amorth—well-known as an exorcist —enjoyed over two decades of a close friendship with the holy, quirky Padre Pio, whom he considered his spiritual father. Adding his own personal experience to a foundation of biographical research, Amorth gives an entertaining and illuminating account of perhaps one of the best-known saints of the twentieth century. In this book, we span from Padre Pio’s childhood—where he cured himself of a disease by wolfing down all his mother’s fried bell peppers—to his miracle-filled priesthood, to his Italian gift for mimicry, humor, and storytelling. Rather than a plaster image of a saint, this book is a portrait of a fully human kind of holiness, proof that even the most astonishing graces can be lived out with simplicity and joy.
Comments from the group:
- I thought the author really captured Fr. Pio’s essence, doing an excellent job explaining his devotion to prayer, offering everything he did to the Lord for others. It’s a great book to give as a gift to others.
- I found it so interesting that Fr. Pio didn’t always give absolution with every confession…he knew whether the sinner was truly sorry for the sins committed or not.
- This book is so well written. I never realized the amount of suffering he went through handed out by his own superiors because….perhaps they were jealous of his popularity?? And yet he says instead: “All have their cross; all ask that it be taken away. But if they knew how precious it is, they would be asking that it be given to them.”
- He was SO connected to the suffering and passion of Jesus. And yet he wrestled with demons constantly.
- I learned so much about Padre Pio, that he was many different things to different people. He was an Italian Franciscan Capuchin, Catholic priest, friar, teacher, mystic, and maybe most famously, a stigmatist. I knew much of this and it was good to see the dates: in 1918, he began to bear the wounds of Christ that would come and go over a period of weeks and never could be explained. The wounds became permanent and remained on his body for 50 years until his death.
- The book was filled with such good information. Even JPII went to see him when he needed special prayers. What impressed me is that he never said anything about the “higher ups” always degrading him and even taking away the ability to say Mass publicly for quite some time. Yet Fr. Pio never complained.
- His life WAS the prayer. What an inspiration he was to so many people…and even now.
- This is a book I need to reread again to absorb even more…to meditate on his holiness more.
September 2024
A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest by Burke Masters and Mike Sweeney (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from Book coverBurke Masters had the perfect game plan for his life: he was going to become a Major League Baseball player. As a star infielder for Mississippi State with a game-winning grand slam to help his team reach the College World Series, he was well on his way to the career of his dreams. But little did he know that his life-changing call would not be from a recruiter to join the Major Leagues--it would be from God to become a priest. In this page-turning memoir, Fr. Burke takes readers on an intimate personal journey--from his childhood outside of Chicago, to his success in baseball, to his conversion to Catholicism, and finally, to his acceptance of his vocation. Amid severe doubt and personal loss, he learned to embrace his fundamental identity--not as an athlete, but as a beloved son of God and a spiritual father to God's people. Fr. Burke's story is a powerful reminder that God's plan for us is so much greater than our own; that it fulfills our dreams in ways greater than we could have imagined; and that if we only have the courage to say yes, every moment is an opportunity for a grand slam for God.
Comments from the group:
A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest by Burke Masters and Mike Sweeney (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from Book coverBurke Masters had the perfect game plan for his life: he was going to become a Major League Baseball player. As a star infielder for Mississippi State with a game-winning grand slam to help his team reach the College World Series, he was well on his way to the career of his dreams. But little did he know that his life-changing call would not be from a recruiter to join the Major Leagues--it would be from God to become a priest. In this page-turning memoir, Fr. Burke takes readers on an intimate personal journey--from his childhood outside of Chicago, to his success in baseball, to his conversion to Catholicism, and finally, to his acceptance of his vocation. Amid severe doubt and personal loss, he learned to embrace his fundamental identity--not as an athlete, but as a beloved son of God and a spiritual father to God's people. Fr. Burke's story is a powerful reminder that God's plan for us is so much greater than our own; that it fulfills our dreams in ways greater than we could have imagined; and that if we only have the courage to say yes, every moment is an opportunity for a grand slam for God.
Comments from the group:
- WOW! This is an outstanding testimony to our Lord. Fr. Burke brings God to live in your life right where you stand. Fr. Burke's journey makes it easy for us to see that we can live a life doing God's will and still be very human.
- This is an excellent book for anyone to read and should be recommended reading for young people trying to discern life with our Lord.
- His life story was interesting to read --his journey into baseball and his journey to became Catholic.
- He had a strong disciple to achieve what he wanted—and he did in baseball. He used the same drive to answer God’s call to the priesthood.
- I enjoyed listening to some of the podcast interviews offered.
- I would recommend this book especially for high school-age kids.
August 2024
I Burned for Your Peace by Peter Kreeft (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from Book Cover
Popular author and philosopher Peter Kreeft delves into one of the most beloved Christian Classics of all time--'Augustine’s Confessions’. He collects key passages and offers incisive commentary, making Confessions accessible to any reader who is both intellectually curious and spiritually hungry. The Confessions is a dramatic personal narrative of a soul choosing between eternal life and death, an exploration of the timeless questions great minds have been asking for millennia, and a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God. This book is not a scholarly work but an unpacking of the riches found in Augustine’s text. It is existential, personal, and devotional, as well as warm, witty, and thought-provoking. With Kreeft to guide them, readers of Confessions can overhear and understand the intimate conversation between a towering intellect and the God whose peace he a last humbly accepts.
Comments from the group:
I Burned for Your Peace by Peter Kreeft (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from Book Cover
Popular author and philosopher Peter Kreeft delves into one of the most beloved Christian Classics of all time--'Augustine’s Confessions’. He collects key passages and offers incisive commentary, making Confessions accessible to any reader who is both intellectually curious and spiritually hungry. The Confessions is a dramatic personal narrative of a soul choosing between eternal life and death, an exploration of the timeless questions great minds have been asking for millennia, and a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God. This book is not a scholarly work but an unpacking of the riches found in Augustine’s text. It is existential, personal, and devotional, as well as warm, witty, and thought-provoking. With Kreeft to guide them, readers of Confessions can overhear and understand the intimate conversation between a towering intellect and the God whose peace he a last humbly accepts.
Comments from the group:
- I really enjoyed this book! I liked how it was designed: putting St. Augustine’s thoughts in small paragraphs and then Kreeft’s thoughts and explanations next. It helped me understand where St. Augustine was coming from. And Kreeft’s insights are amazing and inspirational!
- I really had to think about Kreeft’s thinking when he commented that “perhaps heaven and hell are the very same thing, and “the difference between heaven and hell is that people in heaven love the light of truth and people in hell hate it.”
- I think this book should be mandatory reading! I got so much out of it! All of Augustine’s writings are a prayer to God…he talks directly to God in each sentence. Makes me think I need to change some of my praying to “God, this is how it is…and this is how I feel about it. HELP!!”
- I underlined so many thoughts of Augustine’s that Kreeft explained so well and often in great detail.
- The greatest quote of St. A.: “For Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee.” He wrote that for all of us because it is an eternal truth. And Kreeft explains is as: “one of the greatest sentences ever written, the basic theme of this book and of life itself.”
- The book just got better the farther in I read. Kreeft got deeper and deeper in his thoughts on Augustine’s writing. Augustine suffered from lust of the body and he did not want to give it up for God. Kreeft sees the pride that must be broken before salvation or Heaven or even union with God is possible. He says “humility and honesty are the two virtues that are an absolutely necessary preliminary to all the others.” …and the book just gets better.
- We can see the great struggle in Augustine in his writings, his struggle between good and evil. But through the prayers of his sainted mother, Monica, (who appears to have been a thorn in the side of her confessor) Augustine becomes the great saint that he was. I pray that St. Monica prays for my children now as well.
- I liked Kreeft’s ending comment about a medieval statue of St. Augustine that gave him an open Bible in one hand and a burning heart in the other. “What would a statue of modern man (or me) have??? A smartphone and a pillow?”
July 2024
The Rocking Chair Prophet by Matthew Kelly (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from Amazon book reviews: Listening to that voice is the difference between happiness and misery, wonderful memories and heartrending regrets. The Rocking Chair Prophet is a transformational story about reclaiming that voice and the unmitigated joy that comes from following it. It is a rich exploration of life and the human condition. It’s an invitation to rediscover yourself and reorient your life. Matthew Kelly has masterfully woven into the story a piercing wisdom that is thought-provoking on a life-changing scale. It is stunning that one book can have something so meaningful to say on so many topics. This is destined to be a book readers return to time and again, a book that speaks to us anew in every season of life.
Comments from the group:
The Rocking Chair Prophet by Matthew Kelly (†††††)
Synopsis: Taken from Amazon book reviews: Listening to that voice is the difference between happiness and misery, wonderful memories and heartrending regrets. The Rocking Chair Prophet is a transformational story about reclaiming that voice and the unmitigated joy that comes from following it. It is a rich exploration of life and the human condition. It’s an invitation to rediscover yourself and reorient your life. Matthew Kelly has masterfully woven into the story a piercing wisdom that is thought-provoking on a life-changing scale. It is stunning that one book can have something so meaningful to say on so many topics. This is destined to be a book readers return to time and again, a book that speaks to us anew in every season of life.
Comments from the group:
- I loved the book and would give it 10 stars if I could. It’s a book I would buy for each of my children.
- I liked the way the book was laid out—starting with a tragedy but realizing you have to keep going. Daniel remembered what his grandma said to always be a good listener and he went from there, remembering that people don’t always learn at the same pace.
- He had some wise thoughts he shared with others… “Life is choices. We build our lives one choice at a time.” “Life isn’t about doing or having. It’s about becoming. Who you become is infinitely more important than what you do or what you have.”
- I liked the chapter on health… “What is the secret to vibrant physical health? --Laugh a little each day, sleep deep and long, hydrate plentifully, eat to fuel your body—not out of boredom or for entertainment—and take a long walk in a quiet place each day.”
- This is definitely not a Catholic book. Jesus said, "Anyone who wishes to follow me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." The main message in the book is to listen to the voice within you. There is no mention of searching for God, doing God's will. We are given these unsubstantiated statements of "It is written" without any authoritative standing or reference. The principles put forth in Matthew Kelly's book are good, but I have trouble getting over a lack of Catholic ideals.
- There were some wise thoughts, but where is it written when he so numerously said… “It is written: ‘All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.’ Or ‘Live simply,” “Be friends in your own silence.” I did like: “Our need to give is much greater than other people’s need to receive. Their need to receive is obvious; our need to give is hidden. And as desperate as their need to receive appears, our need to give is even more desperate.”
- He touched on depression as a manifestation of unmet needs. “It is always asking: What needs are not being met in your life?” And pages later he talked about our unrecognized spiritual needs as being the greatest threat to your happiness and wholeness. He said “we are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” “Your soul is your essence.” “Alienation from God is alienation from self.”
- His journey through grief was familiar to me, and I recognized his journey’s ending…hope.
June 2024
Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, A Heart on Fire by James Kubicki, S.J. (†††††)
Synopsis: Review taken in part from Catholic Book Direct: In “A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus”, (winner of a 2013 Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers) Rev. James Kubicki, S.J., presents a persuasive and engaging guide to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an age-old and often misunderstood Catholic devotion. He delves into the rich theological and spiritual roots of the devotion and demonstrates how the faithful may encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus in one another, scripture, the sacraments, and especially in the Eucharist. Fr. Kubicki, the national director of the Apostleship of Prayer, brings to life the rich imagery associated with the devotion’s history and provides a contemporary look at traditional devotions like the Twelve Promises, family consecration and enthronement, the Sacred Heart Badge, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, holy hours, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Comments from the group:
Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, A Heart on Fire by James Kubicki, S.J. (†††††)
Synopsis: Review taken in part from Catholic Book Direct: In “A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus”, (winner of a 2013 Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers) Rev. James Kubicki, S.J., presents a persuasive and engaging guide to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an age-old and often misunderstood Catholic devotion. He delves into the rich theological and spiritual roots of the devotion and demonstrates how the faithful may encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus in one another, scripture, the sacraments, and especially in the Eucharist. Fr. Kubicki, the national director of the Apostleship of Prayer, brings to life the rich imagery associated with the devotion’s history and provides a contemporary look at traditional devotions like the Twelve Promises, family consecration and enthronement, the Sacred Heart Badge, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, holy hours, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Comments from the group:
- I really enjoyed the book and of course there was a lot I’ve already heard about and knew. He definitely had some food for thought: “Without freedom love is impossible.” And his quote from St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “Do not pursue spectacular deeds. What matters is the gift of yourself, the degree of love that you put into each one of your actions.”
- I was waiting for the author to include my personal favorite: CCC 2563 “The heart is the dwelling-place where I am, where I live… the place to which I withdraw.” The catechism explains it so well. Fr. Jim wrote “It is the place of truth…the place of covenant.” I loved his explanation “the measure of a man’s love for God depends upon how deeply aware he is of God’s love for him.” And there is no measure of God’s love for us…it is infinite.
- The author pointed out that pictures (paintings) of The Sacred Heart do not appeal to a lot of people and so they are not drawn to a devotion to Jesus’ sacred heart—so true. And: “Wisdom is not so much knowledge of the head as of the heart. God and “the love of Christ” surpass all knowledge.” didn’t realize it until I read that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is still suffering for us.
- I liked the quote that the Lord spoke to St. Faustina Kowalska “I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion.”
- The author explains how to spend a Holy Hour and suggests just resting in Jesus’ presence. “Five minutes of silent adoration in the Lord’s presence communicates more love than sixty minutes of insightful and consoling prayers.
- I loved the last few chapters where he gives examples and prayer suggestions that we can use and say to increase our devotion to the Sacred Heart.
- I’ve slacked off on my morning offering, but this one I can remember "Heavenly Father, I offer you this day, all that I do and think and say, uniting it with what was done by Jesus, your only Son. Amen."
May 2024
Becoming Women of the Word, How to Answer God's Call with Purpose and Joy by Sara Christmyer (†††††)
Review taken from Catholic Market: The women God called to bring his chosen people into the world were ordinary women who struggled with emptiness, oppression, infertility, and loss—yet who found strength and hope in God. In her first book, Sarah Christmyer pairs the stories of key Old Testament women with stories of women she has known to show us how we can hear God, say yes to his call, and share him with the world just as they did. Breaking open the scriptures to reveal the historical, cultural, and biblical context in which Old Testament women lived, the author breathes new life into their stories and makes their lives surprisingly relatable. In the process, she shares stories from her own faith journey and the lives of family and friends to show how the same principles that turned ordinary women into heroines of the faith are true for our lives today.
Comments from the group:
Quotes of Note:
Becoming Women of the Word, How to Answer God's Call with Purpose and Joy by Sara Christmyer (†††††)
Review taken from Catholic Market: The women God called to bring his chosen people into the world were ordinary women who struggled with emptiness, oppression, infertility, and loss—yet who found strength and hope in God. In her first book, Sarah Christmyer pairs the stories of key Old Testament women with stories of women she has known to show us how we can hear God, say yes to his call, and share him with the world just as they did. Breaking open the scriptures to reveal the historical, cultural, and biblical context in which Old Testament women lived, the author breathes new life into their stories and makes their lives surprisingly relatable. In the process, she shares stories from her own faith journey and the lives of family and friends to show how the same principles that turned ordinary women into heroines of the faith are true for our lives today.
Comments from the group:
- I learned so much about these OT women with the author’s great insight, and I could identify with so many of them. She (the author) made it so easy to read and understand.
- I liked how she drew her own family into the same type of situations the OT woman had—I could really relate—I’ve been in those situations also.
- She gave an excellent reflection and questions at the end of each chapter that I found to be very helpful and gave so much food for thought.
- I loved reading about her family life as she grew up, though not Catholic, they had such a love for the Bible and the Lord. And I especially loved their joy and as she described spontaneous singing for a full hour, one worship song after another. She said there was power in the gatherings they had in their house as she grew up, power in the prayers and power in the singing.
- Her book reminded me to think about all the women in my life who are holy and inspirational and to thank God for His wisdom in putting them in my life. All the women in the OT led to Mary and all were ordinary women and all so relatable.
- There are so many lessons we can learn from the struggles, insecurities, and all the hardships these OT women had. God used them as He can use us with the same struggles.
- She quotes Peter Kreeft: “Faith in God and the hope that it brings is not a wish or a feeling, it’s a rock-solid certainty, a guarantee, an anchor.”
- She asks “Who is your God?” I loved her answer: “He’s the God who puts up with our faults and shows mercy again and again. He’s the God who died for us and who works tirelessly to bless us.”
Quotes of Note:
- “When we give out of our emptiness, God fills us.”
- “God is a God of seeing…he sees our troubles and tends to us.”
- He stretches out His hand and asks: “I’m going this way. Are you coming?”
April 2024
Beautiful Eucharist by Matthew Kelly (†††††)
This is My Body, A Call to Eucharistic Revival by Bishop Robert Barron (†††)
Synopsis: Note: The book group read two books on the Eucharist by two different authors for this month. Each book was rated on its own merit. Synopsis taken from book covers.
“Beautiful Eucharist” is a stunning collection of life-changing reflections about Jesus truly present in the Eucharist and wonderfully present in our lives by twelve different individuals. The world needs the healing and hope only Jesus can provide and He is waiting in the Eucharist to transform families, Churches, communities, and the culture as a whole.
“This Is My Body” Excellent, short, but somewhat of a dense read on the sacrament of the Eucharist. As with all Barron's books, this is a solid offering. Especially commendable for its deep dive into Scripture (OT and NT) to draw out the significance of the Eucharist. Barron packs an enormous amount of information, analysis, and contemplation behind his explanation of the Catholic Church's beliefs about the Eucharist.
Comments from the group:
Beautiful Eucharist by Matthew Kelly (†††††)
This is My Body, A Call to Eucharistic Revival by Bishop Robert Barron (†††)
Synopsis: Note: The book group read two books on the Eucharist by two different authors for this month. Each book was rated on its own merit. Synopsis taken from book covers.
“Beautiful Eucharist” is a stunning collection of life-changing reflections about Jesus truly present in the Eucharist and wonderfully present in our lives by twelve different individuals. The world needs the healing and hope only Jesus can provide and He is waiting in the Eucharist to transform families, Churches, communities, and the culture as a whole.
“This Is My Body” Excellent, short, but somewhat of a dense read on the sacrament of the Eucharist. As with all Barron's books, this is a solid offering. Especially commendable for its deep dive into Scripture (OT and NT) to draw out the significance of the Eucharist. Barron packs an enormous amount of information, analysis, and contemplation behind his explanation of the Catholic Church's beliefs about the Eucharist.
Comments from the group:
- I enjoyed reading “Beautiful Eucharist” and reading each person’s true story and their different journeys to Jesus. ll were moving and inspirational. I found Bishop Barron’s book a bit of a challenge with all his doctrinal words I kept having to look up, but educational.
- I loved reading the combination of both books together, two very different approaches to explaining the true presence of Jesus. One more personal, the other, Bishop Barron’s, was more scholarly (albeit less enjoyable)
- “Beautiful Eucharist” was a wonderful book. I especially liked “We are God’s beloved in a world that is greatly in need of the very gifts Jesus Christ came to give. Through, with, and in Him, hope overflows.” As for the other book—I stopped reading after page 45. It was too hard.
- One story in “Beautiful Eucharist” that struck me, almost to tears, was the story about a priest in China who was under house arrest and locked up in his house next to the Church. He had to watch the church being destroyed and the tabernacle thrown out the window scattering all the consecrated hosts. A young girl came at night for several nights and consumed one host each night until the last was left. When she knelt down to receive Jesus on her tongue, she made a noise getting up and two soldier rushed over, saw what was going on and beat her to death. Such LOVE for the true presence of Jesus in the consecrated hosts!
- There were so many things I liked about “Beautiful Eucharist…I liked the quotes after each chapter, a verse to live by, the prayer, and especially the suggested books for further reading!
- After reading all these different stories of different people I am struck by how lucky we are to have our Chaple of Perpetual Adoration. We can stop in any time and ask Jesus for His advice.
- “Jesus awaits you in the Eucharist.”
- ANYTIME! ALL the TIME Jesus is listening.
March 2024
What We Believe, The Beauty of the Catholic Faith by Marcellino D'Ambrosio and Andrew Swafford (†††††)
Synopsis: (Taken from the book cover) What is the Catholic Church all about? What does it mean to be Catholic? What do Catholics actually believe? The Catholic Church is extraordinary! Founded by Christ himself, the Catholic Church is where we encounter God in his Word, His sacraments, and His saints. The Church faithfully proclaims the fullness of faith, leaving no truth out. It proclaims the fullness of life, leaving no person out. It calls all to repent and to believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the source of all life and salvation. Written by Marcellino D’Ambrosio and Andrew Swafford, “What We Believe” presents and explains the essential teachings of the Catholic Faith in a readable, approachable way.
Comments from the group:
What We Believe, The Beauty of the Catholic Faith by Marcellino D'Ambrosio and Andrew Swafford (†††††)
Synopsis: (Taken from the book cover) What is the Catholic Church all about? What does it mean to be Catholic? What do Catholics actually believe? The Catholic Church is extraordinary! Founded by Christ himself, the Catholic Church is where we encounter God in his Word, His sacraments, and His saints. The Church faithfully proclaims the fullness of faith, leaving no truth out. It proclaims the fullness of life, leaving no person out. It calls all to repent and to believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the source of all life and salvation. Written by Marcellino D’Ambrosio and Andrew Swafford, “What We Believe” presents and explains the essential teachings of the Catholic Faith in a readable, approachable way.
Comments from the group:
- I found the book explains so much more of what we believe and in such understandable detail, all the truths of the Faith.
- The authors talk about prayer and how we need to pray more (so true for me), and then they explain the many types of prayer with many wakeup calls for me. For one, I should go “pre-prayered” before I go to Mass and then give a heartfelt thanks for the miracle that I just witnessed. As he said, “We must pray for the boldness to share the good news with others—with love and tact, but also with boldness.”
- I had heard of the acronym for ACTS before: Adoration (praising God), Contrition (calling to mind our sins), Thanksgiving (for all God has given us—namely His son), and Supplication (we have so many needs and God wants us to go to Him.
- I was glad to read that they put such great importance on a Catholic Education. It is in school and in our church that we are surrounded in an atmosphere of faith.
- I thought I knew it all about our Catholic faith, but they offered so much more and explained things so much better than I ever heard before. It’s a great book to give to others.
- I underlined: “The Rosary is more than a vocal recitation of memorized prayers: …it is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ. As Mary always points to her Son and tells us to “do whatever He tells you.”
- This was so well said: “We trust the Church in its witness to the Savior--we do not rely on the Church AS our savior.”
- The book was filled with how we should live as Catholics and I especially liked their emphases on the Works of Mercy at the end: forgiveness and forbearance as Works of Mercy, praying for the needs of other, for the living AND for the dead are spiritual works of mercy—things I’ve forgotten about. This was a GREAT book to read. I underlined so much!
February 2024
See Yourself as God Does, Understanding Holy Body Image Through Catholic Scripture by Shannon Whitmore (††)
Synopsis: (Taken from Ascension Press review) Deep down, many Catholic women struggle to accept that they are made in the image of God. In a broken world filled with lies about women's physical beauty, they have a hard time seeing themselves as beautiful and hand-crafted by God. “See Yourself as God Does: Understanding Holy Body Image Through Catholic Scripture” helps Catholic women encounter the truth about holy body image and regain a reverence for God’s gift of their bodies. Through her personal experience, St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Scripture, and more, the author reveals to Catholic women how God sees their bodies. She in turn hopes Catholic women will discover their identity as a masterpiece of God and how to build holy body image as Catholics.
Comments from the group:
See Yourself as God Does, Understanding Holy Body Image Through Catholic Scripture by Shannon Whitmore (††)
Synopsis: (Taken from Ascension Press review) Deep down, many Catholic women struggle to accept that they are made in the image of God. In a broken world filled with lies about women's physical beauty, they have a hard time seeing themselves as beautiful and hand-crafted by God. “See Yourself as God Does: Understanding Holy Body Image Through Catholic Scripture” helps Catholic women encounter the truth about holy body image and regain a reverence for God’s gift of their bodies. Through her personal experience, St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Scripture, and more, the author reveals to Catholic women how God sees their bodies. She in turn hopes Catholic women will discover their identity as a masterpiece of God and how to build holy body image as Catholics.
Comments from the group:
- I did not like this book though there were a few good points. She talked about fighting food all the time when she should have been fighting sin. She did say that God’s definition of perfection is different than ours and that we all should focus on the beauty of our souls and not of our bodies. But she kept focusing on her pour body image over and over again.
- The author definitely has a self-image issue--she kept bringing it up over and over and it never seemed to end. I’ll agree that many of us use food instead of prayer when we really need to be comforted by our Heavenly Father.
- I thought there would at least have been a conclusion to her eating disorder that she would mention. It sounded like her life was out of control most of the time.
- It appeared to me that she had a real battle with the devil and I thought the book depressing and unenjoyable. She jumped from topic to topic and I was glad when I finished it!
- I thought her writing was very superficial with too much dwelling on herself to the point that a reader would easily miss the few mentions of the spiritual side of her writing.
- After reading all about her battle with food she finally says “Food is not our enemy and never was meant to be. Food gives us life.” And only later she mentions Jesus being our bread of life, that He became FOOD for us. Yeah! Finally!
- This book wasn’t for me, perhaps for a much younger generation. I don’t even remember going through the struggles she’s been through when I was younger. I did like her mention that Christ bears the wounds of his crucifixion, even after rising from the dead. The martyrs are often depicted with the marks of their death as well, presumably because they will bear these scars at the resurrection of the body as beautiful priceless pearls.
January 2024
Holy Moments, A Handbook for the Rest of Your Life by Matthew Kelly (††††)
Synopsis: (taken from the Book’s cover)
You have so much more to offer. You know it. You have sensed it for some time now. This sacred truth has been bubbling up in your soul. But you have never known quite what to do about it. All that is about to change. Some ideas are so powerful that simply becoming aware of them changes our lives forever. Holy Moments is such an idea. It is profoundly simple, astonishingly practical, and once you discover it your life will finally makes sense. It's time to let Holy Moments show you what is possible. It is time to explore your soul-potential.
Comments from the group:
Holy Moments, A Handbook for the Rest of Your Life by Matthew Kelly (††††)
Synopsis: (taken from the Book’s cover)
You have so much more to offer. You know it. You have sensed it for some time now. This sacred truth has been bubbling up in your soul. But you have never known quite what to do about it. All that is about to change. Some ideas are so powerful that simply becoming aware of them changes our lives forever. Holy Moments is such an idea. It is profoundly simple, astonishingly practical, and once you discover it your life will finally makes sense. It's time to let Holy Moments show you what is possible. It is time to explore your soul-potential.
Comments from the group:
- I thought the book was a simple read and full of common sense. He said that Holy Moments are choices with powerful and positive consequences like being a Good Samaritan
- He talked about a Holy Moment being a single moment in which we open ourselves to God and make ourselves available to Him--an active moment we make happen in collaboration with God.
- I underlined a lot of different places that were important comments: “Prayer-guided action is powerful—seek God’s counsel before you act.” “The Holy Spirit yearns to coach, mentor, advise, and guide us every moment of our lives.”
- I liked his list of different holy moments that we can use one per day as new-year resolutions—like encouraging or praising someone, being patient with someone who drives you crazy, overlook an offense against you, fill your spouse’s car with gas, praying for someone, etc.
- I’m a big fan of Matthew Kelly and loved his one-liners. It was a good book to read at the beginning of the year and I can make a journal of all the Holy moments I’ve created for this new year to come.
- Holy Moments are like the seed that falls on the good soil or on rocky ground. Kelly says that most people have a little bit of each type of soil. “We each have the capacity for great good and for great evil and we get to choose.” So then I must ask myself which one do I choose—and with prayer I consciously can choose good.
- I liked his direction to be mindful of the opportunities we have to give kindness, inspiration, love to others--but I’m not that big a fan of Matthew Kelly and really needed something more Catholic with Catholic references to grow my faith. I’ve been reading about St. Blessed Margaret della Metola and found it to be very inspirational and glad to know she has been proclaimed a saint.