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Bookshelf
By WILLIAM C. GRAHAM
More books for winter nights!
Prayers for Jubilee (Liturgy Training Publications, 46
pages, $3 paperback; lower price for multiple copies) is a beautiful collection
of prayer, scripture and song with a focus on the biblical approach to Jubilee:
charity, justice, redemption and peace. It is a perfect companion for the new
year of Jubilee.
Giving Thanks at the Table, compiled by Elizabeth Hoffman
Reed (Liturgy Training Publications, 46 pages, $3 paperback; lower price for
multiple copies), has graces for feasts and seasons and every day. It has found
a welcome in my dining room.
It is not too soon for gardeners to begin their plans. For
inspiration, they might consult the very lovely Mary’s Flowers:
Gardens, Legends & Meditations (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 182 pages,
$29.95 hardbound), by Vincenzine Krymow, illustrated by Marist Br. A. Joseph
Barrish, with meditations by M. Jean Frisk.
Christian Spirituality: An Introduction to the Heritage, by
Jesuit Fr. Charles J. Healey (Alba House, 432 pages, $22.95 paperback), is a
helpful resource. Healey begins with the apostolic fathers and concludes with
Vatican II in detailing the spiritual heritage of the church. Those who seek an
introduction to the rich legacy of Christian spirituality will be well served
by this former professor in Creighton University’s well-respected
Christian Spirituality graduate program.
Credo: Essays on Grace, Altar Boys, Bees, Kneeling, Saints, the
Mass, Priests, Strong Women, Epiphanies, a Wake, and the Haunting Thin
Energetic Dusty Figure of Jesus the Christ (Saint Mary’s Press, 123
pages, $9.95 paperback) is a lively collection by Brian Doyle, and is sure to
make the reader attentive to mystery and goodness.
I invited some of Caldwell College’s graduate students in
pastoral ministry to jump into the box of review copies and select one on which
to comment. Their reports and reviews follow.
Pamela Purdue, a mother of five grown sons, has slept in the dirt
and bathed in the creeks of Honduras, lived in a truck in a poor little Mexican
town in California, and lives now in a northern New Jersey garage; simplicity
is her home. The Franciscan parish that she embraces “has seduced me with
ministry,” she said. She chose Day by Day with Followers of Francis and
Clare, by Franciscan Friar Pat McCloskey (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 170
pages, $ 8.95 paperback). She writes:
“Writing both for religious and laity, McCloskey
offers the reader a calendar guide of saints who followed the rule of Francis
and Clare, embracing simplicity and humility as did Jesus. Simply and briefly,
he presents biographies followed by a quote from or about the Holy One, and
concludes with a comment of his own.”
Dorothy Maurer Sexton is a grandmother of two who works as a
pastoral minister in a Catholic parish on Long Island 45 miles from Manhattan
where the parish ministerial staff works within a highly collaborative team
concept. She looked at Becoming Human, by Jean Vanier (Paulist, 163
pages, $8.95 paperback), and writes:
“This book is for all people who want to become
truly human, to accept ourselves and all others regardless of our physical or
mental abilities or inabilities. The aim is to ‘fix more clearly the human
foundations of spirituality, wholeness and holiness.’ Vanier uses examples
from his experiences in the L’Arche communities that he has founded
throughout the world for people with severe mental disabilities. He offers
examples of loneliness -- not just being alone and lonely, but not being a part
of anything -- and moves to the necessity of belonging to a family, a group, a
community. He concludes with forgiveness -- of ourselves, of others and even
those we consider our enemies.”
Gail Bottone lives in Fairfield, N.J., where she is head teacher
at Tiny Treasures. She chose Observe, Judge and Act: An Introduction to a
Christian Ecology, by Fr. Ed Eschweiler (3501 South Lake Drive, #210, St.
Francis WI 53235, 224 pages, $6 paperback). She writes:
“Eschweiler explores the environment and its
protection in light of the gospel message. This is a wonderful resource for
teachers of ecology and earth science in Christian schools and Christian
organizations dedicated to environmental education. It includes references and
sources for materials to be used with different groups for actions, education,
research and networking. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection and
discussion that will inspire dialogue between individuals and groups.”
Gregory C. Quinn works in financial services and is currently a
branch manager for the largest independent brokerage house in the United
States. He is an active member of Notre Dame Parish in North Caldwell, N.J. He
writes:
“Introspection is an examination of one’s own
thoughts and feelings. A Great Cloud of Witnesses: The Stories of 16 Saints
and Christian Heroes, by Leo Zanchettin and Patricia Mitchell (The Word
Among Us Press, 9639 Doctor Perry Rd., Ijamsville MD 21754, 215 pages, $15.95
paperback), is a collection of introductions to people you might consider
meeting if you are interested in the enrichment of spiritual life.
“With each chapter, the reader is introduced to a particular saint through
a brief history, selections form his or her writings, and a chronology of
important events detailing the courage and faith of the saints exemplified.
Many of those profiled faced martyrdom.”
Frank J. Campione, a permanent deacon at St. Thomas More Parish in
Fairfield, N.J., is superintendent at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Caldwell. He
writes:
“A Time for Embracing: Reclaiming
Reconciliation, by Sr. of Mercy Julia Upton (Liturgical Press, 110 pages,
$11.95 paperback), begins and ends with reference to 7-year hostage Terry
Anderson and how the American media and public were unprepared for, and
seemingly unable to accept, his forgiveness of all and reconciliation with his
captors. Upton aims to provide insight into that mystery by examining the
sacrament of reconciliation so that it will be better appreciated both by
clergy and laity. She explores the influence that contemporary American society
has on our sacramental practice, presents scriptural and historical aspects of
the sacrament and, finally, she invites the reader to sacramental action.
“Upton points out that God does not need sacraments to forgive sinners,
but the church needs them in order to express and effect reconciliation. Upton
challenges readers to reclaim the sacrament. Her work is authoritative,
accessible and instructional. It paints a realistic picture of the current
situation and offers pastoral guidance for ways to expand participation in a
sacrament of love and forgiveness.”
Fr. William C. Graham’s Sacred Adventure: Beginning
Theological Study (University Press of America, 213 pages, $24.95 paperback)
includes a chapter by Jesuit Fr. Avery Dulles titled, “The Basic Teaching
of Vatican II.” Graham receives e-mail at
NCRBkshelf@aol.com
National Catholic Reporter, December 24,
1999
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