Catholic Women's Book Group

Meeting Time and Location
The book group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 2-3:30pm in the Parish Ministry Center. For more information, contact Sue Andzik (719-359-2471 or [email protected]).

2024 Book Reviews
Ratings 1–5 †

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 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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

Quote:

“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:

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:

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:

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.

2023 Book Reviews
Ratings 1–5 †

December 2023
The True Meaning of Christmas, The Birth of Jesus and the Origins of the Season by Michael Patrick Barber (††††)

Synopsis: (taken from the Book’s cover)
In The True Meaning of Christmas, biblical scholar Michael Patrick Barber offers an inspiring look at the biblical accounts of Jusus/ birth and the development of the Christmas season. Why is Jesus laid in a manger? Who are the Magi? What is the mysterious Christmas star? How did December 25 become Christmas? And how did the Christmas celebration become associated with things like Santa Claus and decorated trees? As Barber explains, only by understanding the message at the heart of Christmas can we fully enter into the joy it promises.

Comments from the group:

I thought this book gave the most comprehensive explanations of Christmas beginnings and traditions I’ve read. It contained so much really great information. I liked being reminded that (as I’ve known) there is NO Christmas without Christ, but ALSO there is no Christmas without the MASS.
Bethlehem is the “house of bread”! I never knew this translation. It makes so much more sense why Jesus was born in Bethlehem—the house of true bread for our souls. And then he goes on to tell us that the Sunday liturgy is marked by the singing of the very hymn sung by the angels: “Glory to God in the Highest!” I never knew!!
I especially liked the part on the angels. According to St. Augustine, “peace is the tranquility of order.” So, he says, “where there is order, there is peace…” This made everything clearer than anything I’ve read before.
When people say “Happy Holidays” they are really saying “Happy Holy days”! You just cannot take the true meaning out of Christmas!
I loved the way the author was always bringing in Scripture…PEACE; Christ is our peace (Eph 2:14), “I have said these things so that you may have PEACE.” (Jn 16:33) and so many more!
He gave so many Bible references explaining his points. And I REALLY liked his consolidation of all the Bible verses in the back of the book. I never correlated the gifts the Magi gave to Jesus’ death….gold points to Jesus’ royal identity; frankincense to His divinity; and myrrh anticipates his death—which is mentioned in Jn 19:39. Then the Magi asked where they could find the new born ‘King of the Jews’. The same wording is put on the cross—'King of the Jews’.
I loved the way he used so many different references: from Leo the Great “It was proper that now believing in Christ they (Magi) not walk through the paths of their old way of life, but enter upon a new path and abstain from the wanderings they left behind.” Christmas is a call to new life….
I appreciated the author’s explanations and clarifications of different events told in the Gospels—eg: lack of a birth story in Mark and John, critics saying Jesus’ birth story was just an invention to control the people of the time
At the end of the book the author explained how many traditions started and the disagreements that went with them. It was very helpful to understand. I’ll probably have to pull this book out again come next Christmas!

November 2023
Friendship and the Fathers, How the Early Church Evangelized by Mike Aquilina (††††)

Synopsis: (taken from LifeisStory.com)
Friendship and the Fathers is a unique look into the development of the early church and what it thought and wrote about friendship. Mike Aquilina relies heavily on original writings, bringing them to life through his careful commentary. Some manuscripts had never appeared in English before this book, making a groundbreaking text for accessible study of church history. Unlike some other books, Aquilina is content to let the Fathers do the majority of the talking. That really enables the reader to connect with the ancient sources, with Aquilina serving as a conduit for the original story, rather than trying to retell the story or make many modern applications. The book covers all the names you’d expect. The largest chapters are given to Augustine and Chrysostom and other well-known figures are included. As you read the book, you’ll find that despite cultural differences and nearly two thousand years of history separating us, the conversations that they had and the ideas that are discussed are remarkably similar to modern discussion. The writings highlight the human need for friendship—one that stems from the very first time God said his creation was “not good” because man lacked companionship.

Comments from the group:

I thought there was a lot of good wisdom found in a lot of the letters. However, in so many of the letters the “friends” were always at odds with one another. I found it sad to read about the relationship between Basil of Caesarea and Gregory Nazianzen.
There was so much heavy bantering back and forth between so many of the Church Fathers. Yet I could relate “they’ll know we are Christians by our love” in between the lines. There was so much misunderstanding in the writing—much like today.
Early Christianity spread through friends and they talked about God, about Jesus, and converted their friends. Now we find it very hard to even mention God, let alone Jesus to our non-churched friends.
I could really relate John Cassian’s anger to that of my oldest son’s anger, and I found consolation in the pages to overcome the outbursts with gentleness while maintaining tranquility of heart.
I found the book difficult at first but it got better after chapter three. These saints poured out their hearts in their letters to one another. I found St. Augustin’s writing to be the best but disagreed when he thought that good friends had to both be Christians. My daughter has a very close Muslem friend, and they talk for hours.
I was disappointed that the author didn’t address connecting our friendship with God.
Reading about the Church Fathers from a different angle was so interesting and eye opening. We need to know their stories and how they were able to bring people to Christ. The book, however, did drag on and I was glad to be over.
I loved the different approach to reading about the Church Fathers. He made them so very human, so much like we are now. It was an eye-opener to the character of our Church Fathers.
I liked reading the letters of St. Agustine the best. He wrote about losing a good friend and how he felt it was like a big hole in his heart and that it takes a long time to get over the loss. I certainly can relate to this saint and how he felt even though now 2,000 years later. We are all humans who feel love and loss and even anger in much the same way. Even our love for our Lord is still the same.

October 2023
Conceived by Science, Thinking Carefully and Compassionately about Infertility and IVF by Stephanie Gray Connors (†††††)

Synopsis:
For those who face infertility, is in vitro fertilization (IVF) an ethical response to that great suffering? ‘Conceived by Science’ presents the lived experiences of various people who have struggled to conceive. It also proposes arguments and principles, from both a non-religious and a Christian perspective, to be guided by when evaluating the ethics of IVF. Although in vitro fertilization can be something of a fringe concern among pro-life groups, many are starting to believe that IVF poses a serious threat to society’s understanding of pre-born human dignity. Each year, millions of lab-created embryos are put in freezers, to either be forgotten or used for scientific and medical research in experiments, both of which pose serious ethical problems. Enter Stephanie Gray Connors. The prolific moral apologist and author is the latest to tackle the subject in her new book Conceived by Science: Thinking Carefully and Compassionately about Infertility and IVF. Stephanie Gray Connors hopes the book will prompt readers to consider IVF with a more critical eye as she presents arguments against IVF rooted in a Catholic appreciation for human dignity.

Comments from the group:

This book was a real eye-opener and changed my entire view on IVF. I’m a Pro-Lifer but never would have connected the dots between this and abortion.
How could this possibly be ethical—to save some babies-the better babies, living embryos, and destroy others--those with Down syndrome, or female vs. male for example.
I didn’t think this book would be for me since we are long past our time for having babies, but I was amazed at what I learned and was made aware of. I was shocked at how many babies one man’s sperm collection could father. And the reality that a man and woman could marry unaware but after a DNA test discover they were brother and sister!
I think the Church should make this book mandatory reading for engaged couples—before they might ever discover a fertility issue.
I just can’t imagine the weight on a couple who might have numerous frozen embryos waiting for them, knowing each one was a real baby in waiting for them, but now had two successful births and didn’t want more children.
The book forces people to acknowledge the moment when life begins. The scientist involved must and have acknowledged the moment of conception!
I thought it interesting how many “Hollywood stars” have opted for IVF. Even a US president.
A MUST READ for all of us Right to Lifers!!!

September 2023
How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization by Thomas Woods (†††††)

Synopsis: Taken from a review by Amazon Books Ask someone today where Western Civilization originated, and he or she might say Greece or Rome. But what is the ultimate source of Western Civilization? Bestselling author and professor Thomas E. Woods, Jr. provides the long-neglected answer: the Catholic Church. In his critically acclaimed book, How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, Woods goes far beyond the familiar tale of monks copying manuscripts and preserving the wisdom of classical antiquity. Gifts such as modern science, free-market economics, art, music, and the idea of human rights come from the Catholic Church, explains Woods. In How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, you’ll learn:
(1) Why modern science was born in the Catholic Church,
(2) How Catholic priests developed the idea of free-market economics 500 years before Adam Smith,
(3) How the Catholic Church invented the university,
(4) Why what you know about the Galileo affair is wrong,
(5) How Western law grew out of Church canon law,
(6) How the Church humanized the West by insisting on the sacredness of all human life,
(7) That no institution has done more to shape Western civilization than the Catholic Church,
(8) And in ways that many of us have forgotten or never known.

Comments from the group:

This was more of an academic/textbook type of book but very well written and easy to read and understand. I learned so many things I hadn’t really known before about the Catholic Church.
It was so interesting reading about all the contributions the Church has made in every area of civilization as we know it.
I was surprised to learn how international law was started and developed by those in the Church and how knowledge and literature was preserved by monks during barbarian times.
It was good to read that our Western Laws and morality are based on Canon Law of the Catholic. Church, and I am proud that the church has always recognized the dignity of the human person and the free will of man.
I was glad that it was pointed out in the very front of the book that faith supports reason and is not in opposition to it. And many misconceptions, like those surrounding Galileo, were cleared up as I read the book.
I liked to read that the Western civilization stands indebted to the Church for the university system, charitable work, international law, the sciences, important legal principles, and much more. However, these facts have not exactly been impressed upon our culture.
I thought the book was an excellent read.

August 2023
In the School of the Holy Spirit by Jacques Philippe (††††)

Synopsis: (Amazon Review)
In the prayer lives of many Christians there is one person of the Trinity that often goes overlooked - The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is no less involved in our lives than the Father and the Son, yet many are unaware of this. Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, "If I go, I will send you another Comforter." But are we aware of the Holy Spirit in our lives? In the School of the Holy Spirit by renowned retreat master Jacques Philippe will help. It will lead you to be more attentive to the movements of the Holy Spirit in your life as you learn to value the third person of the Trinity as the Sanctifier of your soul. Philippe explains the rewards of being attentive to the Holy Spirit and provides simple and concrete ways to grow in this inner sensitivity. In his clear and simple style, he illustrates his points with many examples from modern life. Here then is a valuable aid in your own spiritual journey.

Comments from the group:

Fr. Jacques Philippe’s writings on the spiritual life offer clear reflections on many important spiritual themes like how to pray better, how to experience true freedom, how to handle suffering, and how to discern God’s will. I read his book before and always get so much inspiration and help in making some of my important life decisions.
He reminds us that the Holy Spirit is quiet so we need to be open to the quiet. The grace of God gives us what we need—not what we deserve.
I’ve learned a lot more about the Hoy Spirit especially to be more aware that God’s spirit is always there to help and guide me—but I also MUST ask. “Ask and it will be given you.” So, my daily prayer has become “Inspire me in all my decisions, and never let me neglect any of your inspirations.”
I underlined a lot: “One small act of obedience to God can sometimes cause us to make more progress spiritually than years of effort according to our own plans.” (And the kicker is:) “Fidelity to small graces draws down bigger ones.”
The author reminded us over and over about Jesus’ words “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
I related to “It can happen that we make superhuman efforts to improve on one point, while God is asking us (me) for something else.” So, my prayer should be “Father, not what I will, but what thou wilt.”
I need to learn to quiet and calm myself more often so I can hear the heartbeat of the Holy Spirit—“If our inner world is noisy and agitated, the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit will find it very difficult to be heard.”
I just recently out loud asked for God’s inspiration on a project. God is faithful! By the time I reached my workroom I was working on a new and INSPIRED work of art that was exactly what the client wanted!

July 2023
A Declaration of Dependence, Trusting God Amidst Totalitarianism, Paganism, and War by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (†††††)

Synopsis:
This book reveals the shocking truth you need to know in a world riddled by irrationality, emotionalism, and violence. Religion is under attack, whether from totalitarian governments or modern education. Our tacit submission to politics, “freedom,” and science has made us slaves to a diabolical New Atheism and fear. Archbishop Fulton Sheen provides clarity amid propagandist lies and reminds us why we must fear what kills the soul more than what kills the body. He exposes the false prophets and philosophies at work in the world and the many “believers” who no longer worship or act in accordance with their beliefs. Sheen masterfully decries the divisions and hatreds in America, explaining how we have turned from God and are now on the precipice. The chastisements the world is facing are a consequence of its sins and a result of our idolatry and our tolerance of evil. By declaring ourselves independent of God, we have brought down His wrath and made ourselves slaves to the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Comments from the group:

There were so many real gems in this book right from page one and to think he wrote this book 80 years ago!! He was speaking to our generation when he said, “Too long have we who call ourselves Christians been nourished on the diluted sentimentalism of a liberal Christianity that stripped Christ of His justice and left Him as a mere teacher of humanitarian ethics on a mountain top.” And the book just kept getting better!
Sheen was so before his time, he was a real prophet and spoke the truth! He spoke of how so many people fell for what the college professors where preaching: “God was not a creator but a creature of man’s thinking; that evil, still spoken of by the Catholic Church, is due to ignorance and can be cured by education and improved glands.
He put it so straight forward when he wrote “The industrial and social injustice of our era is the tragic aftermath of democracy’s overemphasis on freedom as the “right to do whatever you please.” NO! “Freedom means the right to do what you ought, and ought implies law, and law implies justice, and justice implies GOD!” Then he reminded us that Jesus never said, “blessed are they who hunger and thirst after freedom” but rather “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after JUSTICE”.
He is so relevant to our time right now and this is a book that should be read again. Unfortunately, our country is not going the right way and we might be in for some really hard times ahead. Sheen writes that everyone talks about rights but only a few talk of our duties. It is important for us Americans to recall that the Declaration of Independence is also a Declaration of Dependence. It asserts a double dependence: dependence on God and dependence on law as derived from God.
He is so right-on when he says: “Authority exists to preserve freedom.” …Today’s society defines freedom as “the right to do whatever you please.” God help us!

June 2023
Clarence Thomas - My Grandfather's Son, A Memoir by Clarence Thomas (†††††)

Synopsis: content taken from Amazon Review
Provocative, inspiring, and unflinchingly honest, My Grandfather's Son is the story of one of America's most remarkable and controversial leaders, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, told in his own words. Thomas speaks out, revealing the pieces of his life he holds dear, detailing the suffering and injustices he has overcome, including the polarizing Senate hearing involving a former aide, Anita Hill, and the depression and despair it created in his own life and the lives of those closest to him. In this candid and deeply moving memoir, a quintessential American tale of hardship and grit, Clarence Thomas recounts his astonishing journey for the first time.

Comments from the group:

I learned so much from this book about Clarence Thomas as a man and all that he had to go through to get where he is, but mostly about the inconsistency in treating human people as the children of God.
Some parts of the “legal-ez” stuff got me down. I thought it interesting that he was told he’d have to learn to speak proper English in order to get anywhere.
He brought out the importance of self-reliance and stressed the point that it’s the Black people themselves who must solve their problems and not leave it to others with their own agendas that tend to keep black people under the wills of others.
He is a man of true character and a strong faith, though I was hoping for more on his faith.
I really admired his grandfather (Daddy as he was called) for raising Clarence and his brother to be decent and caring men, who taught them to work hard to earn their own way. Also that he sent them to Catholic schools to get a good and equal education—as opposed to other schools that “taught down” to blacks. It was his faith formation that grew his character.
I loved the story of when he found the wallet with money in it and thought that his needs did not convert wrong to right. So he found the owner to return it. It shows what kind of the man he is and his character even more.
He was never one of my favorite people, but I did enjoy the book. He is a gifted writer and it was interesting to hear his perception of life and all the political drama that surrounded him.
I found it interesting that while in college he gave up on God—he didn’t see God around him with all the hatred, lies and prejudice all around him. But he returned to his faith because of all the troubles the political landscape brought him. He said that by running away from God he had thrown away the most important part of his grandparent’s legacy, and he started to reclaim it bit by bit.
I felt proud of him for refusing the lies in so much of politics and finding the truth and living it.
He wasn’t afraid to name the names of people and reveal what kind of person he/she was and what kind of justice they practiced.

May 2023
Reveal the Gift: Living the Feminine Genius by Lisa Cotter (†††††)

Synopsis: Comments taken from Ascension Press Reviews: Have you ever wondered if
you are doing this whole "womanhood thing" right? Lisa Cotter sure did. Coming of
age in a world that told her women should be like men, she often found herself confused
and frustrated with the concept of femininity. That was until she encountered St. John
Paul II's writings on the "feminine genius". In Reveal the Gift: Living the Feminine
Genius, Lisa uncovers a transformational vision of a woman's purpose, meaning, and
gifts, which might not be exactly what you expect. "In an age where the terms 'woman';
and 'femininity'; have seemingly become arbitrary, Lisa engages with the wisdom of the
Church to find the authentic and beautiful meaning of what it means to be 'woman'.
Sharing the examples of some stellar female saints to expound on St. John Paul II's
'feminine genius,' Lisa helps women of all ages know their true dignity and worth and
finally delight and rest in being a woman."

Comments from the group:

It certainly gave me a lot of food for thought.
I particularly liked the sections where she spoke of an individual saint. I learned some things about women saints I had never really heard of before during the time of the Reformation in France. There was an edict that said all woman should be married which eliminated any woman who wanted to take a religious vow of celibacy.
I have so much respect for Jewish women during the holocaust. Even though Edith Stein converted to Catholicism long before and was a Carmelite nun, she was martyred because she was Jewish just days before liberation. What courage she had and showed to all
She uplifted women beautifully in her writing and I liked that she emphasized that we are strong just the way we are made to be, and I also liked her pointing out that women are so instinctual.
Going in I didn’t know so much about John Paul II’s writings on women. He was certainly so intuitive himself about the virtues of women.
The book was so easy to pick up and just start reading. It wasn’t strenuous at all and I loved reading about the little-known female saints—one right here in Denver whose casket has been moved into the Basilica in Denver. Her life was amazing—and if she could do it in her poverty, I think we could all strive to be holier in our lack of want.
I liked her discussion question at the end of the chapters. They always gave me something to really think about, to grow closer to Jesus/Mary/God by truthfully answering.
She gave some practical steps on how we can achieve some of these traits of great saints. For instance, “how can we stop focusing on ourselves and start focusing on others?” She wrote out the steps we could take—practical ideas--to help us on our journey.

April 2023
From Worry to Wonder, A Catholic Guide to Finding Peace Through Scripture by Melissa Overmyer (††††)

Synopsis: Even though Catholics know God is all-powerful, worries and negative thoughts can still threaten one’s peace of mind. In “From Worry to Wonder: A Catholic Guide to Finding Peace Through Scripture” Melissa Overmyer offers inspiration and practical tips to remember God’s love and power, no matter the circumstances. She has steeped her book in Scripture and helps Catholics look to the timeless guidance of God’s Word to let go of worry and embrace awe in the Lord. She offers 7 steps to help Catholics bring about their own transformation from worry to wonder and place their trust in God. Within these pages Catholics will find: Scripture verses to remind them of God’s guidance and care; biblical stories of God’s loving power; tips for trusting God; a forty-day guided journal to practice turning to God daily, and much more!

Comments from the group:

I loved the book and all the Scripture references, especially since we’re in Lent. It was certainly the basic instructions before leaving earth we’ve heard of in so many different places. She emphasizes scripture memorizing which is SO important.
I thought the book was a little redundant and there are other books I prefer over this one, however, the more you read the more you learn and the more you want to read. It is so true that when we feel most vulnerable is the time the devil can creep in so many forms. Opportunists are always there around us when we are vulnerable, and so we must grow closer to our Lord, keeping us guarded from evil suggestions.
We are reminded to put on the armor of God and of the power in Jesus’ name. We need to rely on God more and always ask ourselves before we jump into something: “is this doing God’s will?”
I liked the reminders that we need to avoid both self-reliance and self-doubt lest we become prideful or shrink from God’s will for us because we’ve lost our trust in Him. AND we need to go to confession regularly!
I enjoyed the journal in the back of the book because it was bringing out what I was thinking. It was therapeutic for me and something I will continue to do.
I especially liked the story about Pres. Lincoln’s son taking a common man with a problem directly to see his dad! Her descriptions of listening to Christian praise music, having healthy boundaries for our thoughts, being in constant prayer were game-changers for me!

QUOTE:
“Prayer is the best weapon we have, a key that opens the heart of God.” St. Padre Pio

March 2023
Just Rest, A Study of Exodus - Receiving God's Renewing Presence in the Deserts of Your Life by Sonja Corbit (†††)

Synopsis: Review taken from information on the St. Patrick’s Guild webpage.
Sonja Corbitt explores the desert wanderings of the Chosen People in what can be used as a 5-Week Bible study that leads the reader in applying the spiritual lessons of the Exodus into your own life, identify areas of desolation and need, and better understanding God’s greater purposes in times of adversity and dryness. The book breaks open both the Exodus and gives an overview of it found in Hebrews 3–4. To show how it is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual life: everything we need—spiritual, emotional, and physical rest and replenishment—is found not at the end of our journey but in the desert itself. It reveals that the heavenly sustenance God provided to the Chosen People in the desert is available to us today if we open ourselves to it.

Some Comments from the Group’s Discussion:

This book just wasn’t for me, I couldn’t really get into it. However, I did like her bringing the “Sabath Rest” back—the suggestion of making our Sunday a holier day, also a day free from anxiety and fear is putting ourselves back in line with God.
After watching an interview with Sonja Corbitt I could connect with the author a little more. I agree when she says that by listening to another person’s story helps pull you into that person’s life and you can understand them better.
She said that having faith can free us from fear, and I totally agree. We need to develop the discipline of turning to God each day for our needs and remove our attachments to security and comfort.
I really enjoyed the book and I love the part she talks about the brain. What we say and what we believe can affect not just our physical body but our minds as well as she quotes from Prov 4:23 and Rm 12:2 which reads “do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
I liked her visualization exercises on negative emotions—remembering that we are always in the presence of the Holy Spirit and we can always put our emotions in God’s hands.

Quotes:

“Besides the scriptures, an important way to change our thoughts is through gratitude. Gratitude focuses on the positive, and gratitude is a magnet for miracles.”
“God will always provide what I need from the infinite possibilities of who HE is.”

February 2023
A Song for Nagasaki: The Story of Takashi Nagai by Paul Glenn (†††††)

Synopsis:
On August 9, 1945, an American B-29 dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing tens of thousands of people in the blink of an eye, while fatally injuring and poisoning thousands more. Among the survivors was Takashi Nagai, a pioneer in radiology research and a convert to the Catholic Faith. Living in the rubble of the ruined city and suffering from leukemia caused by over-exposure to radiation, Nagai lived out the remainder of his remarkable life by bringing physical and spiritual healing to his war-weary people. It reveals the inspiring story of Nagai’s remarkable spiritual journey from Shintoism to atheism to Catholicism. The biography traces Nagai’s spiritual quest as he studied medicine at Nagasaki University, served as a medic with the Japanese army, and returned to Nagasaki to dedicate himself to the science of radiology. The historic Catholic district of the city, where Nagai became a Catholic and began a family, was ground zero for the atomic bomb. After the bomb disaster that killed thousands, including Nagai’s beloved wife, Nagai, then Dean of Radiology at Nagasaki University, threw himself into service to the countless victims of the bomb explosion, even though it meant deadly exposure to the radiation which eventually would cause his own death. While dying, he also wrote powerful books that became best-sellers in Japan. These included The Bells of Nagasaki, which resonated deeply with the Japanese people in their great suffering as it explores the Christian message of love and forgiveness.

Some Comments from the Group’s Discussion:

This is an exceptional book!! I was impressed with so many things in the book: his wife Midori”s devotion to him and to prayer throughout his illness before the bomb, how Nagai served his community after the bomb without bitterness, his letters to his children, and so much more.
The book was so moving and inspirational. Nagai accepted the loss of his wife as God’s will because he knew God had a plan for the rest of his life and he trusted God totally. I was moved by the letters he wrote to his children when he knew they would be left orphans.
I liked Nagai’s dedication to the truth, so much so that when he became curious about Christianity, he decided to carry out a scientific experiment by boarding with a Japanese Catholic family while he attended the university in Nagasaki, and learning it was the whole truth converted to Catholicism.
I was moved by his thinking and reasoning: ‘prayer is as essential to the spirit as air is essential for the lungs’; ‘face pain right on so that your suffering has meaning.’
I learned things from this book that I didn’t know or understand: that St. Francis Xavior and St. Maxamilian Kolbe were both in Japan and helped Catholicism grow. Prayers were even said to Fr. Kolbe long before he was sainted and Nagai’s health improved.
It was amazing that one statue of Mary remained unshattered, and in rebuilding the bombed area Nagai led the people to quickly build small huts for themselves so that they could focus on building what was most important—rebuilding the Church so they all could worship and praise God together.

Some Quotes to Remember:
“God will not be interested in who or what we were but in how we lived.”
“Did we use our talents well and for His glory?”
“If you haven’t cried, you can’t whip another’s eyes.”
“Unless you’ve walked in darkness, you can’t help wonderers find the way.”
“Suffering, gracefully accepted, refines the human heart, and the experience of darkness sharpens the human spirit.”

January 2023
Life is Messy by Matthew Kelly (†††††)

Synopsis:
The mess of life is both inevitable and unexpected. It is filled with delightful mysteries and frustrating predicaments. In our disposable culture, we throw broken things away. So, what will we do with broken people, broken relationships, broken institutions, broken families, and of course, our very own broken selves? This book is about putting our lives back together, and allowing ourselves to be put back together, when life doesn't turn out as we expected it to. Based on his own heart-wrenching personal journals, Matthew Kelly shares how the worst three years of his life affected him, by exploring this question: Can someone who has been broken be healed and become more beautiful and more lovable than ever before? The answer will fill you with hope.

Some Comments from the Group’s Discussion:

I call Kelly's books (all the ones I’ve read) Catholic Light literature, but they are extremely practical. There are several experiences in my life that I can relate to when I read his book.
His book does have a lot of good food for thought, such as when he says that life is messy because it can be random and unpredictable. But we don’t like random and unpredictable, we like the illusion of being in control even though we are not in control. The reality is that while we can influence a great many outcomes, we are not in control. Despite this indisputable reality, we waste so much energy laboring under the illusion, trying to control people, situations, and outcomes. Comments of his I liked were “Life isn’t a race, it’s a dance” and “when we make decisions based on how we want to appear to be, we make bad decisions.” The book is well worth reading, reminding us that we are all imperfect and we are all living “messy” lives.
I’ve read many of his books--some I liked and some I don’t. He had so many good points in this book on how our lives turn out (unexpectedly) and how we respond and deal with it.
I liked the part on the four absolutes—honesty, unselfishness, purity, and love—all powerful guides, and his three appointments: to self, to God, and finally to death itself.
The book got better and better as I read to the end, asking some very poignant questions: do you feel like you are doing what you were born to do? How do you measure your life? What is really important in your life?
I loved his story about talking with the author of Shindler’s Ark (made into the movie Shindler’s List) who talked about the Polish Holocaust survivor who was very slow to make friends because he would always wonder “would they hide me?” Kelly asks the reader “How many people would you be willing to hide?”—in other words—risk your life for? Would they do the same for you?
He writes about how our society is changing and how we have lost our honor, our sense of worth. “When immorality becomes your morality, you are profoundly lost. And immorality has become the morality of an alarming number of the most influential people in our society…. And so we become desensitized to evil.”

Quotes of note: “If you wish to live a good life, fill your life with goodness. Fill your life with love, kindness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity.”
“Celebrate goodness every chance you get.”