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An Open Book: April 2024

franciscanmom6 Comments

The first Wednesday of each month, Carolyn Astfalk hosts #OpenBook, where bloggers link posts about books they’ve read recently. Here’s a taste of what I’ve been reading:

Fiction

The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski. You don’t see a lot of mainstream fiction with Catholic characters who are more than culturally Catholic, but Claire Swinarski delivers on that in this wonderful novel centered on a group of elderly northern-Wisconsin women who cater (free of charge) all local funerals. (This is not something they do here in NJ, but it’s a beautiful practice.) When the deceased ex-wife of a famous TV chef is returned to her hometown for burial, the funeral ladies take pity on Cooper (the celebrity chef’s son) and his younger sister and find them a place to stay at an AirBnB owned by one of the ladies’ single granddaughters. This isn’t just any old meet-cute, though: the novel digs deep into the topics of grief, PTSD, and what it really means to be a parent.

 

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. This was one of my 12 Books for the year. What an excellent story! It’s a long novel, at more than 600 pages, and takes a split-time approach to the story of a group of women who’d been recruited by the British government to work as codebreakers during the Second World War. They couldn’t tell others about the work they did, so they essentially led double lives, kept unbelievable hours, and truly felt the weight of the world—and the war—on their shoulders as they realized how their loved ones and neighbors could be affected if they didn’t break the German codes in time for the Allied forces to deter a planned attack. A few years after the war, a mysterious letter brings the women back together in a race against time, seeking to protect one of them who’s been confined for several years to the psychiatric facility that had formerly been their codebreaking headquarters. Beautifully written, and highly recommended.

 

Jennifer Lamont Leo’s Love’s Grand Sweet Song (Windy City Hearts Book 3) tells the story of Francie a waitress, who has big dreams of singing in operas like the ones on the records the restaurant owner plays during her shift. But Francie feels the heavy responsibility of supporting her younger brother as well as her mother, who can’t hold a job but always has money for booze. Already rejected by one college boy, Francie finds a way to get voice lessons and falls for another rich college guy whose father openly disapproves of their relationship. As the Great War begins and Francie gets that shot at the opera stage she’d desperately wished for, the two have to handle the possibility that their life paths will diverge. This one seemed a little more far-fetched than the other two books in this series, but the author tells a good story and it was an enjoyable read overall.

 

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore.  Escaped slave Charlotte and her father (who can pass for white) settle in 1837 Philadelphia, but it’s definitely an “always looking over their shoulders” situation, and Charlotte has to pretend she’s her father’s servant. She befriends Nell, an idealistic free young Black woman who wants to work for the abolitionists’ cause. Charlotte pushes Nell and other women who oppose slavery to take more action when Evie, a friend from her slave days in the Carolinas, arrives in the city and seeks a way out of her own situation. A fascinating look at what life was like in my local area almost 200 years ago: I learned quite a bit about history from reading this novel. Couldn’t put it down! (Netgalley review; now available)

 

YA/Children’s

The Holy Spirit and the Greatest Adventure by Gracie Jagla, illustrated by Ted Schluenderfritz. I imagine it would be very difficult to write a children’s book about the Holy Spirit, so this rhyming book about Pentecost and the mission of the apostles was a wonderful surprise. The story continues through the early years of the Church, noting the martyrs who gave their lives for Christ and the long line of popes, saints, visionaries, and other holy people, wrapping up with us today as we receive the sacraments and pray with our families. My favorite illustrations are on the pages where hearts are mentioned: those images include red hearts with yellow borders, which call to mind the flames of the Spirit at the first Pentecost. What a lovely way to teach children to invite the Holy Spirit into all the ordinary moments of their day. New from OSV Kids. (Review copy received from publisher)

 

Annie’s Life in Lists by Kristin Mahoney. This book was absolutely charming. Most of it is written in the form of list-based journal entries by a fifth-grader whose incredible memory for detail can sometimes put her into complicated situations. She believes that something she said is the reason the family suddenly picks up and moves from her beloved Brooklyn neighborhood to a small town in upstate New York, where she and her older brother need to make new starts in new schools while her parents fret continually over the budget. The list format worked better than I expected—the characters were surprisingly well-developed and the storytelling was terrific.

 

Finally Heard by Kelly Yang. Chinese-born Lina wants nothing more than to fit in, but she doesn’t have the right clothes, doesn’t always say the right words, and doesn’t have access to a smartphone or social media. Add in the typical 10-year-old puberty issues and you have a child who’s motivated to do just about anything to feel a part of things. When Lina, her sister, and some friends start making videos to promote Lina’s mom’s small business, they’re introduced to the very situations their teacher is trying to help them avoid: dopamine addiction and cyberbullying. I can’t speak to how realistic this story is, since I’m more than a decade past the time I had a 10-year-old in the house, but from glimpses of the neighborhood kids on their phones as they wait for the school bus, walk down the street, and even ride their bikes, it’s probably a pretty accurate depiction of what happens when kids who aren’t even in middle school yet are handed smartphones without restrictions.

 

The Quince Project by Jessica Parra. Continuing with the theme of kids and teens living their lives through Instagram filters, this YA novel about a high-school student who overplans everything and has banked her hopes for an education and future career on an internship with a social media-star event planning firm. She takes on the project of a quinceañera for a schoolmate who’s a well-known Disney influencer, lying to her and others that she’s already an intern with the famous firm. But Cas’s project doesn’t go as planned, and she’s left to wonder what’s real, what’s not, and why she feels the need to live her life according to her ever-present planner. I don’t know that the YA audience would read this as a cautionary tale, but parents definitely should. (Netgalley review; releases 5/28).

 

Walking in Circles by Amy Matayo. Such a sweet story! Emma Lee grew up watching her dad beat her mom, and sometimes was beaten herself. When they finally get away—far away—and move to a small town on the other side of the country, she has a hard time trusting the elderly neighbor who’s truly a kind soul, never mind the cute guy across the street who’s an athlete but not the stereotypical player. Shane, meanwhile, is dealing with a loss he doesn’t want to talk about either, and he’s been carrying that burden by himself for too long. When they’re finally able to trust each other (thanks, in part, to that elderly neighbor—I’d love to read more about him!) a tragic accident brings Emma to the point of acknowledging just how much the people she’d come to trust really dod matter to her. This is labeled YA, but adults shouldn’t skip this one just because of a label.

 

Nonfiction

For Love of the Broken Body by Julia Walsh, FSPA. Also one of my 12 Books for 2024, this is a spiritual memoir by a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, detailing not only her soul’s journey through the formation process of becoming a religious sister, but also her physical recovery from a hiking accident that left her disfigured: nearly every bone in her face was broken. In this book, Sister Julia ponders the meaning of her vocation and how God wants her to live that out. Her discernment process mirrors the physical transformation she undergoes as she endures several surgeries and the trauma following her accident. I met Sr. Julia about a year ago at the LA Religious Education Congress and helped interview her for the Catholic Momcast. Her enthusiasm and heart for the poor are as evident in this book as they are in her discussion on the podcast.

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

Where noted, books are review copies. If that is not indicated, I either purchased the book myself or borrowed it from the library.

Follow my Goodreads reviews for the full list of what I’ve read recently (even the duds!)

Visit today’s #OpenBook post to join the linkup or just get some great ideas about what to read! You’ll find it at Carolyn Astfalk’s A Scribbler’s Heart and at CatholicMom.com!

 

 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk, all rights reserved, used with permission

 

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Liturgy of the Hours: Where to Put the Ribbons During Easter Week

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It’s Easter Week—the Octave of Easter—and of all the weeks in the Church calendar, this one probably calls for the most page-flipping during Morning and Evening Prayer. If you’re already feeling hopelessly confused, grab a few holy cards and follow along!

These instructions work with both the 1-volume Christian Prayer and 4-volume Liturgy of the Hours editions.

First things first: download my Easter antiphons bookmark (it’s free!) and print that out. You have just saved yourself 6 page flips.

Then, take your breviary ribbons, that bookmark, and a handful of holy cards, and set things up as follows:

  • One marker at Evening Prayer II for Easter Sunday (for the Evening Prayer psalms)
  • One marker for the current day in the Easter Octave, at Morning or Evening Prayer. This one, and only this one, moves as you go through the week.
  • Easter antiphons bookmark at Morning Prayer for Sunday, Week 1 (for the Morning Prayer psalms)

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I can’t figure out why the publisher and book designer for these breviaries bothered to include the Lenten and every other Easter seasonal antiphon on Sunday Week 1, with those being used for one day each, but not the ones for Easter Sunday that are used for eight full days. If someone at the USCCB or the ICEL or the publisher would like to hire me as a test user/consultant, I’ll be happy to share my opinion on how to make using these books a little less confusing.

Are you interested in praying the Liturgy of the Hours but don’t know where to begin? Check out my booklet, The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours, for encouragement and tips for getting the most out of this beautiful way to pray with the Church.

Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz, all rights reserved.

This article includes Amazon links; your purchase through these links supports the work of this website. Thank you!

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An Open Book: March 2024

franciscanmom6 Comments

Each month, Carolyn Astfalk hosts #OpenBook, where bloggers link posts about books they’ve read recently. Here’s a taste of what I’ve been reading:

Fiction

With the dual settings of Paris during the French Revolution and Louisiana only a few years later, To Crown with Liberty by Karen Ullo brings to life two periods of European and American history I wasn’t very familiar with. Alix de Morainville lives a charmed but complicated life as a lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette—and the author doesn’t skimp on the details of palace intrigue as she spins a tale of forbidden love, danger, and fear as French government and society implode in scenes of unimaginable terror, anguish, violence, and loss. The story, told in split time, alternates between these scenes and a journey through the bayous of southern Louisiana as Alix and a party of settlers seek to make their way in an area of the South that depends on the slave trade and all the oppression that implies. Louisiana also holds the key to reconciliation for Alix, provided she can survive the trip and forgive herself for events and situations in Paris that she wasn’t entirely responsible for. A beautifully written story I didn’t want to see end. Releases May 1 from Chrism Press. (ARC provided to members of the launch team)

 

A fascinating piece of metafiction, No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister follows a debut novel from its creator through the tragic lives of a disparate group of readers that are unexpectedly connected, one to another, until finally coming full circle. Each reader finds different meaning in the novel and each is affected in surprising ways. I’ve never read a book like this!

 

nullLisa Wingate’s Shelterwood is set in Oklahoma in the early 20th century as well as 1990, and is the tale of several “lost” children: orphans in 1909 who must fend for themselves while trying to stay safe from adults who neglect them at best and abuse them in terrible ways, and a modern-day discovery of three sets of juvenile human bones in a national park—along with some teenagers who don’t have it much better than their 1909 counterparts did. In both time periods, compassionate women find themselves getting too involved in the situation. A story of resilience and a reminder that, sadly, some things never change. (Netgalley review; available June 4)

 

Those were all pretty heavy. Now for some light reading!

nullBecause I enjoyed My Phony Valentine last year, I was eager to read My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh—if only to see if she could top that epic meet-cute. This is a grumpy/sunshine romance, and the main characters really do dig in to their personalities. There’s some fun tongue-in-cheek humor, plus lots of great banter in this story of a hockey star in a city he never wanted to live in and his assistant who only wants to make things right for him … but goes overboard again and again. I’ve never seen a hockey game, but this series makes me want to watch one. I definitely recommend that you read My Phony Valentine before diving into this one, since you’ll meet all the characters properly that way. This can be a stand-alone, but why would you want it to when book 1 is just so fun?

 

nullIn The Finders Keepers Library by Annie Rains, we meet gardener Savannah, who’s recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease her fiancé doesn’t think he can deal with. Between jobs and with nowhere else to go, she visits an elderly aunt she hasn’t seen in years and finds that her irrepressible Aunt Eleanor has become homebound after an injury. As Savannah and her aunt’s neighbor work to rebuild her aunt’s treasured lending library in the backyard, she discovers that her path might not include the job she’s supposed to take in a few months. This was a sweet story, but it seemed to be missing something; you’re dropped right into the middle of things—and Aunt Eleanor would have made the better main character. I’d love to see the back story about her backyard library. (Netgalley review; releases in April)

YA/Children’s

Author Anthony Barone Kolenc is well-known for his Harwood Mysteries series for slightly older readers; Penny and the Stolen Chalice stars an 11-year-old protagonist but is perfect for readers 8 and up. Penny, a non-Catholic new kid in a Catholic school, can’t help but try to find out who stole a chalice during a school Mass when the fire alarm went off just after Communion. Along the way, she learns—and comes to believe—how the Eucharist truly is the Body and Blood of Christ. She also makes some friends, and I hope they’ll appear in future books in this series. While this is a children’s book, there are adult characters who are key to the story. Among them are Penny’s recently widowed mom, her grandfather who has terminal cancer, the school’s principal and custodian, and the ever-suspicious religious sister who runs the nursing home where Penny’s grandfather lives. This story would make a fun read-aloud in a Catholic-school classroom or for a parent and child to enjoy together. (ARC received from publisher)

 

nullSet in England during World War II, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus is the story of two orphaned siblings who are basically left to fend for themselves after their grandmother dies. Shipped out of London to the British countryside along with many other city children, the two bounce around among homes promising them shelter and, in many tragic ways, not delivering. All the while, they can’t let anyone know they are orphans. It’s listed as a children’s book for grades 4 through 7, and it’s a beautiful book—but tenderhearted young readers might need consolation while reading this story. This is one of my 12 Books for this year and it was a wonderful read.

Nonfiction

nullAmy J. Cattapan combines her gift for encouraging teachers with the Church’s gift of the Communion of Saints in A Saint Squad for Teachers:45 Heavenly Friends to Carry You Through the School Year, a powerful book that will help teachers do more than just get through the rest of the year. Amy has assembled a saint squad with the usual suspects: Thomas Aquinas, Don Bosco, Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, and Elizabeth Ann Seton as well as some saints whose connection to teaching is surprisingly strong: Charles Lwanga, Bernadette, Servant of God Thea Bowman, and Blessed Solanus Casey are among the 45 “heavenly friends” teachers can call upon for encouragement, strength, and inspiration. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter invite teachers, homeschoolers, and catechists to consider what they can learn from the example of each of these exemplars. Whether you’re looking for help getting creative, building relationships, dealing with challenging students, advocating for change and justice, going above and beyond, teaching in tough times and times of crisis, embracing lifelong learning, persevering in prayer, or following your vocation, Amy can introduce you to saints who will help you along the way. (Netgalley review)

 

nullWhether you’re a Rosary veteran or Rosary-reluctant, The Family That Prays Together Stays Together by Fr. Willy Raymond, C.S.C. is a lovely invitation to ease yourself and your family into this way of praying. Fr. Willy suggests praying one Mystery of the Rosary each day, completing a set of Mysteries over the course of a week. Along the way, he introduces you to the life of Venerable Patrick Peyton, who grew up praying the Rosary, received a miracle cure from the Blessed Mother, and dedicated his priestly life to helping families pray. Encouraging and inspiring words from Fr. Peyton are included in the book, and the concluding prayer for each Mystery of the Rosary is a beautiful addition to prayer. If you order this book from Ave Maria Press, use coupon code FRPEYTON to get 20% off the cover price through the end of this year. (Netgalley review)

 

nullThe updated Eucharistic Adoration Prayer Book by Sr. Marie Paul Curley, FSP, has earned a permanent spot in my Adoration tote bag alongside my journal and a New Testament with Psalms. This beautiful hardcover is lovely to hold in your hands during prayer. Inside, you’ll find not only guided holy hours but also prayers of all kinds, instruction about the Eucharist, and a selection of psalms and other biblical passages. I’ve bookmarked a few favorites (the book includes one ribbon bookmark, too), but there’s always something new to be found when I open this book. One section I’ve turned to again and again is “In Adoration with Mary,” possibly because I am reminded by the Marian art in our Adoration chapel. This would make a beautiful gift for any regular adorer, or a donation to your Adoration chapel library. (ARC received from publisher)

 

nullThere’s also a smaller paperback by the same author, Essential Eucharistic Adoration Prayers, that fits easily in your handbag or glove compartment, if you like to have a prayer book in the car for those moments when you’re waiting in the car line after school or activities. This book is the perfect size to carry along and use for quiet moments of prayer before and after Mass. It includes the psalms and biblical passages mentioned above, as well as “In Adoration with Mary,” and many other beautiful prayers—as well as a guide to the sacrament of Reconciliation. (ARC received from publisher)

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

Where noted, books are review copies. If that is not indicated, I either purchased the book myself or borrowed it from the library.

Follow my Goodreads reviews for the full list of what I’ve read recently (even the duds!)

Visit today’s #OpenBook post to join the linkup or just get some great ideas about what to read! You’ll find it at Carolyn Astfalk’s A Scribbler’s Heart and at CatholicMom.com!

 

 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk, all rights reserved, used with permission

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Focus on Lent: Spiritual Resources for the Journey

franciscanmom6 Comments

Lent is only one short week away. It’s time to prepare for the journey.

That doesn’t mean you need to weigh yourself down with every devotional ever published. I agree with Nicole Berlucchi, who recently wrote that we should just pick one book, devotional, program, or practice. For Lent this year, let’s do one thing and do it well. I’m still making my plan, and I thought I’d show you some of the resources I’ve been looking at.

There’s an App for That

Magnificat Lenten Companion App

This app is packed with features, including the daily readings and prayers for Mass, daily morning and evening prayer based on the Liturgy of the Hours, inspirational essays and poetry, Stations of the Cross, a Lenten penance service, audio hymns, and daily Lenten reflections by Catholic writers. Priced at only $2.99, it’s less expensive than the print version of Magnificat and contains more content.

This app is an excellent way to keep your Lenten devotions near at hand at all times. If you’re trying to limit your phone or tablet use during Lent, try modifying your home screen so you only see the Catholic apps like this one on the first page, and bury or remove apps that only tempt you to waste your time. (For iOS and Android; available in English and Spanish.)

 

For the Kids

Arthur the Clumsy Altar Server Plans the Perfect Lent by Theresa Kiser 

Moms, I’m warning you right now: you will cry when you read this one, so be ready. But it’s a good cry. This picture book is a terrific explanation of Lent, and how Jesus is with us every step of the way. In this story, Arthur (who thinks big) yearns to be perfect, like Jesus. And he keeps on disappointing himself every time he trips or drops something, or when his stomach growls during Mass. His parents and parish priest are understanding, and his mom beautifully explains that Arthur doesn’t need to do everything perfectly to earn Jesus’ love.

As with the other books in the Arthur series, the illustrations by Mike Schwalm make the story. At the end of the book, there are useful facts about Lent, explained in a kid-friendly way. This picture book is perfect for kids ages 4 and up; you might even find your older kids peeking at the illustrations as you read it to the younger ones. (OSV Kids)

 

Diary of a Future Saint: Faustina’s Incredible Journey by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

Whether your family has a devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet or you’re simply curious about the life of the twentieth-century woman whose Diary has inspired so many, this book by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle will not disappoint. Throughout this story, the reader will learn not only about the life of this extraordinary saint, but also about various ways to pray, how we are called to trust in God, the sacraments, grace, and our need to always work to avoid the devil. The author invites readers to consider their own relationship with Christ as they learn about Saint Faustina.

Each chapter ends with three special features: “Something to think about” with questions for conversation, “Pray,” and “A merciful action.” This book is described as a novel for all ages, but I think it would be best appreciated by readers 10 years old and up. (Marian Press)

 

Guided Meditation with Videos

Made for Heaven: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation by Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR

The reflections in this journal are focused on poverty, beginning with the topics of temptation and transfiguration, then considering how our voluntary poverty can be life-giving to others, and finally immersing ourselves in prayer and the power of the Cross. Each day begins with an excerpt from Scripture. Fr. Agustino then offers a daily meditation and challenges the reader to journal in response to that meditation, identifying practical ways to live out the Lenten season more fully. This book includes ample space for journaling and note-taking, as well as beautiful illustrations by Valerie Delgado.

An accompanying video series includes a video for Ash Wednesday and each Sunday of Lent, concluding on Easter. Look for these here on CatholicMom.com at 10 AM Eastern. (Ave Maria Press)

 

The Ascension Lenten Companion: Walking with Jesus to Jerusalem by Mark Toups

This journal boasts a full page of journaling space for each day of Lent (plus ample white space on other pages in case you’d like to highlight or comment on the reflections). Each day’s entry begins with a focus word and Scripture verse, then offers a reflection (about one and a half pages in length) that leads into the journaling space. A daily prayer prompt is based on a Scripture reading.

This guided journal program with a complementary video series can be used by parishes, prayer groups, and individuals. All videos, available on AscensionPress.com, are about 5 minutes in length. The illustrations that begin each week’s section in this journal are paintings by Mike Moyers, done in a simple, modern style. (Ascension)

 

Fiction during Lent? Yes, please!

Through Esther’s Eyes: A Novel by Jacqueline St. Clare

Immerse yourself in the story of Jesus’ life and ministry as told by Esther, His fictional cousin. This novel is steeped in Scripture; the words of the prophets, psalms, Gospel events, and many of Jesus’ parables are skillfully interwoven throughout the story. The author links fictional characters with the Apostles, Martha and Mary and Lazarus, Mary Magdalene, and the Blessed Mother.

This masterful and compelling debut novel by a Catholic author is a must-read! It’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. You’ll feel as if you’re really there, witnessing the action. I know some people give up fiction as a Lenten sacrifice, but this novel should be an exception; reading it will really bring the events of the Gospel to life. (Marian Press)

 

The Way of the Cross

Behold Your Mother: Marian Stations of the Cross by Marge Steinhage Fenelon

Marge Steinhage Fenelon’s newly published interpretation of the Stations of the Cross looks at each Station from the point of view of a child seeking comfort from the Blessed Mother even while realizing that he is partially to blame for these terrible trials she and her Son endure and wishing to console Mary. This puts into words the conflict we, as God’s children entrusted to the care of the Mother of God, face as we consider the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Simply illustrated with striking pen-and-ink images to go along with the one-page devotion for each Station, this book is a beautiful prayer companion for use in personal or group devotions. (Our Sunday Visitor)

 

Quick Daily Devotionals

Turn to the Cross: Daily Prayers for Lent and Holy Week 2024 by Josh Noem

This little devotional is designed to be used throughout the day. Each day’s entry begins with a brief prayer or Scripture quote, then a quick reflection, a Prayer for Morning, Traveling Question, and Prayer for Evening. Reflection topics vary: these include discussion of one of the daily readings, the lives of saints, challenges to develop a particular virtue, and inspirational stories of contemporary priests and sisters of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

This devotional is well-suited for people who want a solid Lenten devotional but don’t have a large block of time to commit to using it. The small-format booklet can fit in your handbag or the map pocket of your car, so you can use it for small spiritual breaks in the course of your day. (Ave Maria Press)

 

Messages of Perseverance for Lent 2024: 3-Minute Devotions by Michael White and Tom Corcoran

Do you have three minutes? It doesn’t even matter what time of day you use this book. It’s designed to provide practical, everyday wisdom for persevering in your journey of faith. Each weekday, there’s a Scripture quote followed by a quick reflection and call to prayer, either thanking God or praying for the grace to persevere in certain situations.

The Saturday entry is a psalm, presented in the style of the Responsorial Psalm at Mass. And the Sunday entry sets the scene for the week and summarizes the Gospel from Sunday Mass. If you hope to develop the virtue of perseverance this Lent, try this little devotional. (Ave Maria Press)

 

Go Deeper

The Father’s House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity by James Dominic Brent, OP

This spiritual book is not specifically Lent-themed, but what better topic to delve into during Lent than how to grow closer to the Lord in each Person of the Holy Trinity? As Kathryn Jean Lopez writes in her endorsement:

You are not meant to be separated from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are meant to live in the heart of the Trinity, in merciful love and eternal victory. Don’t delay. Let the Trinity guide you to the fullness of the Christian life through the words of this humble and wise friar.

Read one chapter of this book for eight weeks, and you’ll conclude the week after Easter with the chapter focused on the mystery of our adoption by grace into the family of God. (Pauline Books & Media)

 

This Lent, Learn More About the Mass

Mass Class: Your Questions Answered by Father Dave Dwyer

This is a book the whole family can enjoy learning from together during Lent. There are seven sections of this book, so you can cover one each week of this season. Father Dave Dwyer, host of the Busted Halo radio show, answers listener questions about Mass: why Catholics go to Mass, what we believe about the Eucharist, the various prayers and Scripture used at Mass, posture and gestures, and more—all in a very clear, friendly, and accessible manner. Occasional graphics signal the “Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions,” as well as Mass Class Notes, sidebars that offer additional helpful facts.

If you’re curious (or your family is) about why we do what we do during Mass, this is the book for you. I’d recommend it particularly for anyone preparing for Confirmation. (Paulist Press)

 

Ask for these books at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publishers, all linked above.

 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images: Stencil
This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to me when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you!

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An Open Book: January 2024

franciscanmom10 Comments

The first Wednesday of each month, Carolyn Astfalk hosts #OpenBook, where bloggers link posts about books they’ve read recently. Here’s a taste of what I’ve been reading:

Fiction

nullThe Spectacular by Fiona Davis. A terrific novel about the Rockettes in the mid-1950s, this book is both a coming-of-age story and a thriller. Marion Brooks wants more than the life of a well-heeled housewife, so she puts her lifelong dancing lessons to good use and secretly auditions for the Rockettes. But along with the rest of New York City, she finds herself terrorized by a serial bomber—and unwittingly joins the search for the killer, along with a psychologist using a new profiling technique. There were wonderful secondary characters in this book as well, including the demanding dance coach who’s surprisingly fatherly and concerned for the girls.

 

nullA Paper Snowflake Christmas by Maddie Evans. Because Marlie didn’t choose a professional path that met her parents’ expectations, she’s left behind when they attend a destination wedding on a cruise over Christmas. Marlie’s friends decide to spend Christmas together and make the holiday fun for her—led by childhood mischief-maker Devin, who now has custody of his traumatized 4-year-old nephew. The friends decide to show the little boy the wonders of Christmas, but no one suspects the depths of the child’s troubles. And Marlie is challenged to get over her assumptions that a onetime troublemaker could never change. As with all Maddie Evans’s books, the dialogue is terrific and the characters real enough that you can easily picture them and their hometown.

 

nullThe Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer (YA). One of my favorite “bookstagrammers,” Katie Fitzgerald, recommended this one, and I’m so glad I got a copy. Written in 1997, it didn’t feel dated (I didn’t even miss the lack of cell phones, Google, and social media.) It’s clever and hilarious, and the dialogue is terrific—there’s even a smattering of linguistics banter in there, which thoroughly delighted me. Kate, a high-school student, stars in the romance novel she’s writing with the help of a guidebook (the key to all the tropes) with her older brother’s best friend as her love interest. Along the way, she gains insight about a fair-weather friend and sympathy for others who missed out on the kind of family experiences she’s taken for granted.

 

nullThe Charter Class by Anne Faye. As a graduate of a college that had very similar beginnings to The College of Our Lady of the Elms, I thoroughly enjoyed this look at the origin story of a hundred-year-old educational institution. This novel covers the first year of the college’s existence, and focuses on the (fictional) experiences of three of the 36 original students. From crushing on a roommate’s brother to fulfilling a mother’s dying wish to seeking an escape from an abusive father, the young women face challenges beyond the academic ones. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

 

Nonfiction

nullScott Hahn and Ken Ogorek have put together a book that takes Sunday Mass prep to the next level. Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics not only offers reflections on the Sunday Mass readings that helps readers understand how all the readings for each Sunday Mass fit together, it also features quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church that provide even more background information and connection to the life of the Church. As a parish musician, at Sunday Mass I’m a bit distracted because I’m always listening for the next musical cue. Whether it’s your service at Mass or your young children that diverts your attention from the readings each Sunday, reading this book at home can help you not only stay caught up on the readings from Mass, but enrich your understanding of them with background information from the Catechism. This book can be used to prepare for Sunday Mass or to recap what you heard at Mass later in the day or week. Read my full review.

 

nullCome to Me: Living the Nine First Fridays by Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP, is a fascinating devotional that takes the often off-putting, flowery language surrouding some Catholic devotions and puts the ideas into plain English. It’s designed to be read one month at a time for nine months, to help the reader complete the practice of making the Nine First Fridays. The beginning of the book introduces the practice of this devotion and explains that this is not a vending-machine kind of practice, but one that fosters a relationship with Jesus that will awaken our hearts in new ways so we can love and serve Him through our daily lives. In the second part of the book, there are nine guided meditations, meant to be read and pondered during a holy hour. The final part of the book contains history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, plus prayers that can be prayed during Adoration, or before or after Mass. I’m finding this book refreshing in its simplicity, and on every page, the author’s deep love for Jesus shines through.

 

nullThat Sounds So Good: 100 Real-Life Recipes for Every Day of the Week by Carla Lalli Music. My older son, who’s a terrific cook, gave me this book for Christmas. I immediately started a list of recipes I want to try. This cookbook is designed for intermediate to advanced cooks, and has a feature with every recipe that I really appreciate: a “spin it” note that offers variations on the recipe. The beginning of the book is an excellent introduction to building a pantry and planning meals, so I’d definitely recommend reading that even if these recipes aren’t the types of food you normally cook. On my list of recipes to try from this book: braised short ribs with pasta, sheet pan chicken with tomato and chickpeas, chicken with burst tomato sauce, pasta with cacio and walnut, plus broccoli rabe with cheese and brussels sprouts with sesame.

 

nullThe Heirloomed Cookbook: Made-from-Scratch Recipes to Gather Around for Generations by Ashley Shoenith, with photography by Heidi Harris. This cookbook is definitely a social-media-driven project; the photos and recipes are clearly curated with a particular vibe in mind (beyond “delicious homemade food”). While the pictures are beautiful, a filter is used on all of them that washes out or desaturates the color, which makes many of the foods look less appetizing than they likely would on your own table at home. There’s definitely a focus on Southern recipes here: okra, grits, boiled peanuts, sausage gravy all make an appearance. I’m looking forward to trying the shrimp scampi, cast-iron sauteed brussels sprouts, parker house rolls, and baked salmon with sriracha soy sauce, to name a few. And the deviled egg salad sandwich sounds interesting, too! I did love that the author recommends interviewing elder family members and friends and getting them to teach how to make their favorite recipes. That’s a wonderful practice that will help preserve those traditional family dishes! (Review copy received from publisher.)

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

Where noted, books are review copies. If that is not indicated, I either purchased the book myself or borrowed it from the library.

Visit today’s #OpenBook post to join the linkup or just get some great ideas about what to read! You’ll find it at Carolyn Astfalk’s A Scribbler’s Heart and at CatholicMom.com!

 

 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk, all rights reserved, used with permission

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The 12 Books Challenge

franciscanmom5 Comments

Since I love to read, this challenge is tailor-made for me. Last year, my friend Shelly Henley Kelly from Of Sound Mind and Spirit created this challenge, and I recommended A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, one of my two favorite books ever. (I hope she loved it!)

This year, I decided to take part. I asked friends on Instagram and Facebook to share their recommendations. If I’d read a recommended book already, I didn’t include it. And I only included one book per author (there were two repeat authors: Matthew Kelly and Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ). Three of the books aren’t yet published, but will be available in the spring. So I’ll work on the ones that are available now–and the order in which I read is going to depend on the books’ availability from my local library or Amazon.

Here’s my list, with the name of the person recommending this book in parentheses:

1. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. (Karen Estep)
2. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. (Marie Griffiths)
3. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus. (Mimi Michelle)
4. True Grit by Charles Portis (Michelle Arnold)
5. For Love of the Broken Body by Sr. Julia Walsh, FSPA (coming in the spring)
6. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (Jane Lebak)
7. The Night Train by Lorelei Savaryn (coming in August)
8. Maria Gallagher‘s upcoming book about the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, from Marian Press
9. Africa is Not a Country by Dipo Faloyin (Margaret Dwyer)
10. No Regrets by Allen Hunt & Matthew Kelly (Sherry Hayes-Peirce)
11. With God in Russia by Walter Ciszek, SJ (@BlessedCatholicMom on Instagram)
12. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (Renee Klaske Wiesner)

 

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Links to books in this post are affiliate links. Your purchase through these links supports my work. Thanks!

Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz

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A Quick Guide to Morning and Evening Prayer for Christmas Week

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“What page are we on?”

With so many different breviary editions out there, I can’t answer that question in this space. But I can tell you what headings to find, so you can put your ribbons and bookmarks in the right places before you start praying. It looks a little complicated—and this week really IS—but when you set everything up ahead of time, it will make your prayer time easier.

Want some basic information on the Liturgy of the Hours? Get my booklet, The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours (available in print or for Kindle).

Christmas Eve, December 24

Morning Prayer:

Look for “December 24” in the Proper of Seasons section (the front) of your breviary. The antiphons and reading, responsory, and everything following come from there.

The psalms will come from Saturday morning, Week III in the Ordinary section (middle) of your breviary.

Evening Prayer:

Look for “December 25” in the Proper of Seasons and pray Evening Prayer I for Christmas. Everything is contained on those pages.

 

Christmas Day, December 25

Morning Prayer:

Look for “Christmas” in the Proper of Seasons and find Morning Prayer. Also bookmark Sunday, Week I in the Ordinary for the psalms. Everything else is there in the Proper of Seasons.

Make it easy on yourself by downloading my free Christmas Antiphons bookmark. Keep that on Sunday, Week I in the Ordinary, and keep another ribbon or bookmark on Morning Prayer for Christmas. You’ll need that several times in the coming week.

 

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Evening Prayer:

Look in the Proper of Seasons under “Christmas” and find Evening Prayer II. Everything is there.

 

December 26: Feast of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

Morning Prayer:

Look for “December 26: Stephen, First Martyr” in the Proper of Saints (toward the back of your breviary). Use the antiphons provided there; the psalms come from Sunday, Week I in the Ordinary. After the psalms and canticle, everything is in the Proper of Saints.

Evening Prayer:

Psalms and canticles and their antiphons come from Evening Prayer II for Christmas Day. After the psalms and canticle, everything is found in the Proper of Seasons under “December 26.”

 

December 27: Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Morning Prayer:

Look for “December 27: John, Apostle and Evangelist” in the Proper of Saints (toward the back of your breviary). Use the antiphons provided there; the psalms come from Sunday, Week I in the Ordinary. After the psalms and canticle, everything is in the Proper of Saints.

Evening Prayer:

Psalms and canticles and their antiphons come from Evening Prayer II for Christmas Day. After the psalms and canticle, everything is found in the Proper of Seasons under “December 27.”

 

December 28: Feast of the Holy Innocents

Morning Prayer:

Look for “December 28: Holy Innocents” in the Proper of Saints (toward the back of your breviary). Use the antiphons provided there; the psalms come from Sunday, Week I in the Ordinary. After the psalms and canticle, everything is in the Proper of Saints.

Evening Prayer:

Psalms and canticles and their antiphons come from Evening Prayer II for Christmas Day. After the psalms and canticle, everything is found in the Proper of Seasons under “December 28.”

 

December 29: Commemoration of Thomas Beckett, Bishop and Martyr

Morning Prayer:

Return to Morning Prayer for Christmas Day for the psalms, canticle, and their antiphons. After those, look in the Proper of Seasons under “December 29.” For the Commemoration of Thomas Beckett, the antiphon for the Gospel Canticle and the final prayer come from the Proper of Saints.

Evening Prayer:

Psalms and canticles and their antiphons come from Evening Prayer II for Christmas Day. After the psalms and canticle, everything is found in the Proper of Seasons under “December 29” with the exception of the antiphon for the Gospel Canticle and the final prayer: those come from the Proper of Saints.

 

Saturday, December 30

Morning Prayer:

Return to Morning Prayer for Christmas Day for the psalms, canticle, and their antiphons. After those, everything is found in the Proper of Seasons under “December 30.”

 

Feast of the Holy Family

This is a movable feast that is usually celebrated the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day—unless Christmas is on a Sunday. In 2023, we celebrate this feast beginning the evening of December 30 with Evening Prayer I.

Saturday evening, December 30:

Look for “Holy Family” in the Proper of Seasons and find Evening Prayer I. Use the antiphons provided there; the psalms come from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary (toward the back of your breviary). After the psalms and canticle, everything is in the Proper of Seasons.

Sunday, December 31, Morning Prayer:

Look for “Holy Family” in the Proper of Seasons and find Morning Prayer. Use the antiphons provided there; the psalms come from Sunday, Week I in the Ordinary. After the psalms and canticle, everything is in the Proper of Seasons.

 

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Sunday, December 31, Evening Prayer:

Look for Look for “January 1” in the Proper of Seasons and pray Evening Prayer I. Use the antiphons provided there; the psalms come from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary (toward the back of your breviary). After the psalms and canticle, everything is in the Proper of Seasons.

Monday, January 1, Morning Prayer:

Look for “January 1” in the Proper of Seasons and find Morning Prayer. Use the antiphons provided there; the psalms come from Sunday, Week I in the Ordinary. After the psalms and canticle, everything is in the Proper of Seasons.

Monday, January 1, Evening Prayer:

Look for Look for “January 1” in the Proper of Seasons and pray Evening Prayer II. Use the antiphons provided there; the psalms come from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary (toward the back of your breviary). After the psalms and canticle, everything is in the Proper of Seasons.

 

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Copyright 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Photos copyright 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz, all rights reserved.

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An Open Book: December 2023

franciscanmom4 Comments

It’s been 3 months since I put together a real reading roundup for #AnOpenBook. Maybe in the New Year I’ll get better about doing this consistently. (See, sometimes I can be an optimist!)

Before we begin, if you still need any Advent resources or a Sunday-readings devotional for Year B, check out my recommendations.

The first Wednesday of each month, Carolyn Astfalk hosts #OpenBook, where bloggers link posts about books they’ve read recently. Here’s a taste of what I’ve been reading:

nullThe latest in Antony Barone Kolenc’s Harwood Mysteries for middle-school readers, Murder at Penwood Manor, is one of those stories that will keep your teen reading late into the night. Xan, an orphaned teen who was first taken in by monks and then came to live with an uncle in a distant town, seeks to exonerate a crusader who has returned from the Holy Land and is now accused of the murder of a romantic rival. Xan is accompanied in his quest to save Laurence the crusader by two young women, one in formation at a local abbey and another who appears to be his love interest. (Review copy from Loyola Press.) Read my full review.

 

nullRachel and Ted Schluenderfritz of 5Sparrows.com, collaborated on a new children’s book, The Narrow Gate, which is a parable about our human tendency to accumulate too much stuff. In this story, a community packs up everything everyone owns in search of a new location where there is water—the one thing they don’t have. But all that stuff they’ve brought along turns into a bigger obstacle than anyone realized. The book concludes with a page of questions for kids and a second page of questions for readers of all ages. (Review copy from Emmaus Road Publishing.)

 

nullNew from Our Sunday Visitor publishing is In My Mother’s Womb by Fr. Bill Deschamps, Christine Schroeder, Mary Roma, and Susan J. Bellavance, illustrated by Dan Andreasen. This week-by-week picture book that chronicles the development of a child in the womb, skillfully intermingling scientific information (the approximate size of the growing child, the formation of various organs, and the development of physical abilities) with Scripture verses, in a true celebration of the new life God has created through the baby’s parents. This book is appropriate for children of all ages and would particularly be enjoyed by a family anticipating the birth of a new baby. (Review copy from the publisher.)

 

nullSr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, shares her spiritual memoirs in HOPE: An Invitation. I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this book, but I found it to be not only hope-filled, but joy-filled as well. That is not to say that the author takes a Pollyanna look at life, because she is very honest about struggle, work, and pain. But in all of it, she finds hope and encourages the reader to seek to do the same. There is plenty to ponder in this little book. “The entire life of a saint becomes an act of hope” (59). (Review copy from the publisher, Our Sunday Visitor.)

 

nullFans of local color and restaurant stories will enjoy On the Rocks: The Primadonna Story by Maria C. Palmer and Ruthie Robbins. Written by the daughter of Pittsburgh-area restauranteur Joe Costanzo, Jr., this true story is told in Joe’s voice and recalls his rise and fall as an entrepreneur. Joe’s superior marketing skills put his restaurant on the map, but his lack of good record-keeping regarding his charitable donations, along with his disregard for rules about things like the time bars must close for the night, eventually gain him the attention of law enforcement and he winds up spending six months in a white-collar prison. I wasn’t entirely convinced that Joe was repentant, but the story was entertaining, and the flavor of the neighborhood was well depicted. Be warned: there’s some strong language in this one—not a ridiculous amount, but it is in there. (Review copy from the author.)

 

nullKristin Contino’s novel The Legacy of Us is also a good read for fans of local color. This split-time story is set in Philadelphia, where Liz, a young jewelry designer (who has a day job in a fashion boutique) finds a cameo in a box addressed to her among her late grandmother’s possessions. Along with the necklace is a diary that provides details of her grandmother’s life that no one in the family had known. Liz simultaneously reconnects with her old fiance and meets a new guy who’s understandably reluctant to get involved with someone who still has ties to her ex, losing the cameo in the process and eventually learns to take responsibility for her own mistakes.

 

nullThey Say He Flies at Night by Amy Matayo was one of the most compelling novels I’ve read in quite a while. As the title implies, rumors abound regarding antique-shop owner Walter Lorry, who keeps to himself and sleeps on the porch of his store, even though he owns the house next door but seems never to go in. But Walter’s penmanship is so exquisite that Piper Moore’s soon-to-be mother-in-law pressures her into approaching Walter to design wedding invitations. Piper gets a glimpse into the real story behind the elderly man, and that changes her mind about everything she’d thought about love.

 

I’ve read quite a few forgettable novels in the past few weeks, as well. We won’t talk about those. But my Kindle remembers that I’ve read them.

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

Where noted, books are review copies. If that is not indicated, I either purchased the book myself or borrowed it from the library.

Visit today’s #OpenBook post to join the linkup or just get some great ideas about what to read! You’ll find it at Carolyn Astfalk’s A Scribbler’s Heart and at CatholicMom.com!

Copyright 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz

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On My Bookshelf: Breaking the Bread Liturgical Year Devotional

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Scott Hahn and Ken Ogorek have put together a book that takes Sunday Mass prep to the next level. Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics not only offers reflections on the Sunday Mass readings that helps readers understand how all the readings for each Sunday Mass fit together, it also features quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church that provide even more background information and connection to the life of the Church.

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Each entry includes four parts:

  • a listing of the Mass readings for the Sunday or holy day (have your Bible or Sunday missal handy, or use the USCCB’s online daily readings);
  • a reflection on the readings for the day, tying them all together;
  • further information including quotes from the Catechism; and
  • questions for reflection and a closing prayer.

The Introduction by Scott Hahn explains how the new lectionary, introduced in 1969, includes more Scripture than had ever been covered during Mass, and how the lectionary, along with the Catechism, helps equip us to transmit the faith to our families.

I can’t say enough about how beautiful this book is. The hardcover volume is clothbound, a lovely dark green embossed in gold. Inside, the glossy pages feature colorful designs as each liturgical season begins, and there are 25 full-color pages featuring sacred art that complement’s the readings for particular Sundays or holy days.

 

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As a parish musician, at Sunday Mass I’m a bit distracted because I’m always listening for the next musical cue. Whether it’s your service at Mass or your young children that diverts your attention from the readings each Sunday, reading this book at home can help you not only stay caught up on the readings from Mass, but enrich your understanding of them with background information from the Catechism. This book can be used to prepare for Sunday Mass or to recap what you heard at Mass later in the day or week.

Ask for Breaking the Bread at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Emmaus Road Publishing.

Copyright 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz

Review copy received from publisher; no compensation was given in exchange for my honest opinion. This post contains Amazon affiliate links; your purchase through these links supports maintenance for this website. Thank you!

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On My Bookshelf: Resources for Advent and the New Liturgical Year

franciscanmom3 Comments

What’s your plan for this Advent?

Do you want to make a renewed commitment to a daily spiritual practice during Advent, or perhaps begin paying extra attention to the Sunday Mass readings beginning in Advent with the new liturgical year? If so, there’s an app for that—as well as quite a few daily and weekly devotionals and even a coloring book for seasonally-inspired prayer.

 

nullThe Magnificat Advent Companion App: This robust app packs everything you need for Advent devotions, all in a single package. Each daily entry contains Prayer for the Morning, Evening, and Night (based on the Liturgy of the Hours), the full text of the Mass including the day’s readings, and an Advent meditation. These meditations are brief and could be used at the close of the evening meal as the Advent candle is lit.

Bonus content includes chants for Advent, blessing for the Advent wreath and Christmas tree, blessing before a Christmas Stable, Advent Stations, Advent Prayers, information and prayers for the O Antiphons, Christmas carols, and more. The Magnificat Advent Companion App is available for iOS and Android devices; it’s a bargain at $2.99.

 

nullMessages of Patience for Advent and Christmas 2023: 3-Minute Devotions by Michael White and Tom Corcoran is an uncomplicated daily devotional in a conveniently-sized format. Monday through Friday, entries begin with Scripture passages and end with a call to action, and weekend devotions are structured differently. Saturday’s reflections are the Responsorial Psalm from daily Mass, and Sunday offers a devotion and call to action but no Scripture reading.

These reflections are not prayers for patience (those can be dangerous!) but are instead an invitation to pray with patience. Available in paperback or Kindle format. (Ave Maria Press)

 

nullAlso from Ave Maria Press is a new small-format daily devotional, Draw Near: Daily Prayers for Advent and Christmas 2023. This booklet by Josh Noem features a page or two per day, with short  passages from Scripture or the Liturgy of the Hours, a brief meditation based on that reading, prayers for morning and evening, and a “traveling question” you can meditate on throughout the day—these will make great journal prompts.

Weekly themes for the Advent devotions include waking up, preparing for Christ, rejoicing, and receiving God’s light. This book also includes a week of prayers for the Christmas season, celebrating the Incarnation.

 

nullPray and color your way through the Advent season with a new coloring book from Pauline Books and Media. What Child Is This: A Coloring Book for Prayer and Meditation is a 32-page coloring book based on the familiar Christmas carol. Because the tune, “Greensleeves,” is medieval, the drawings by Sr. Mary Joseph Peterson, FSP, have a medieval feel.

I can’t think of a better time than Advent to slow down with some colored pencils or crayons in hand and some seasonal music playing, taking a moment just to imagine through art the season we are anticipating.

 

nullIf you’re looking for a journal, Prepare Your Heart by Fr. Agustino Torres, CFS, includes daily meditations on a passage from Scripture, reflection questions, prayer, and space for journaling and notetaking. The back of the book contains a QR code readers can use to access the free weekly videos (which will be shown here on CatholicMom.com every Sunday). I love that the meditations often reference Franciscan practices and traditions in cultural and historical context, and then invite the reader to consider how those practices can become part of their daily spirituality.

Each daily entry begins with a Scripture passage, which is provided for you so you won’t need to make sure to have a Bible handy. This is followed by a meditation just about a page long: a gentle invitation to ponder our spiritual preparations according to the weekly themes, two reflection questions and a lined page for journaling, and a brief closing prayer. (Ave Maria Press)

 

nullSundays on the Go: 90 Seconds with the Weekly Gospel by Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, offers a quick meditation evoking the weekly Gospel, plus a prayer and a question to ponder. You’ll find the Gospel citation for each Sunday, but you need to bring your own Bible for this one. One way to use this paperback devotional, if you’re empty nesters or have teenage children, is to have someone read each week’s entry in the car on the way home from Sunday Mass, and then discuss the question on the ride home.

The meditations take only a minute to read, and there are also readings for Solemnities and special feasts, including all the Holy Days of Obligation, the Annunciation, St. Anthony of Padua, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and more. That’s a wonderful encouragement to individuals, couples, and families to mark those days in a special way—including Mass. (Paraclete Press)

 

nullOne Sunday at a Time: Preparing Your Heart for Weekly Mass by Mark Hart is a companion to the Cycle B readings that begin in Advent, from Ave Maria Press. You’ll want to have the readings available online when you use this book (or a Bible where you can look them up); Scripture references are included but the actual Scripture text is not.

After an opening prayer, you’ll get a look at the message in these readings—and some behind-the-scenes info, always fascinating to me—and then there are some journal questions and a challenge for the week. You can even use the journal questions as conversation starters! This book, available as a lovely hardcover with full-color pages, will help you dig deeper into the meaning of each Sunday’s Mass readings and apply them to your life.

 

 

 

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Copyright 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images: Canva
This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you.