Category: Catholic

Catholic, children

Pope Francis Says…

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Pope Francis
Illustrator: Sheree Boyd
Publisher: Loyola Press
ISBN: 978-0-8294-4653-1
Pages: 32
Price: $8.95

Author’s website
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What better way is there to share Catholic teaching with your young child, than with the words of our Pope? This board book shares some of the wisdom Pope Francis would like kids to know as they grow up.

In Pope Francis Says…, children will see that God loves them, listens to them through their prayers, and expects them to live a good life. He encourages them to be joyful, peaceful, and grateful. As kids look through each page, they will see images of children from all races and backgrounds playing together and living in harmony with each other. Finally, Pope Francis reminds kids that he’s praying for them, and asks for their prayers in return.

Pope Francis Says… is the perfect first book for your preschool child. It should be in every Catholic family’s home.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic

Inspire Catholic Bible NLT

Bergers Book Reviews


Created by Tyndale
Genre: Catholic NLT Bible / Creative Journaling
ISBN: 978-1-4964-3657-3
Pages: 1740
Price: $49.99

Website
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The Inspire Catholic Bible NLT is a hardcover Bible with a built-in elastic band that wraps around the cover when not in use. It also comes packaged in a sturdy open-ended box that can be used for storage. The Nihil Obstat & Imprimatur appear in the first pages, authorizing this Bible for Catholic use. The deuterocanonical books are arranged in the ordinary sequence found in Catholic Bibles, not grouped together between the Old Testament and New Testament.

For those unfamiliar with the New Living Translation, here are comparisons of three Catholic translations of Ps 23:1:
NRSVCE: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
NABRE: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
NLT: The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

The Lord’s prayer in Matt 6:9-13 is translated as: Our father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Margins are 2″ wide on the outside edge, and while many are left blank for the reader to makes notes and decorate, many are also filled in with designs suitable for coloring. Pages are thin and delicate, and will stick together because of the beautiful printed edging. They’re also not suitable for painting or magic markers, since those would most likely bleed through. A perfect companion to this Bible would be Complete Guide to Bible Journaling which provides a set of templates to use when decorating.

To see a sample of the book of Esther, click on the Website link above and scroll down to preview the interior. More information about the Inspire line of Bibles is also provided there. I was really impressed by the quality and beauty of the Inspire Catholic Bible NLT, and I’m looking forward to using it for many years to come.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, Christian, inspiration, meditation

You Are the Beloved

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Henri J.M. Nouwen
Publisher: Convergent Books
Genre: Christian Inspiration
ISBN: 978-1-101-90637-8
Pages: 416
Price: $26.00

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Henri J.M. Nouwen was a Dutch-born Catholic priest, professor, and pastor, who gained international renown as the author of over 30 books on the spiritual life, including such classics as The Wounded Healer, The Inner Voice of Love, and The Return of the Prodigal Son. In You Are the Beloved, editor Gabrielle Earnshaw has compiled some of his most inspirational passages into a daily meditation book.

Each day’s reading is one page or less, making it easy to squeeze into a busy day. These beautiful meditations focus on God’s deep and eternal love for us, and encourage us to see that God is more intimate, more loving, and more longing to be in a relationship with each of us than we have ever imagined. Reading these inspiring and uplifting messages would be a perfect way to begin or end each day. I highly recommend You Are the Beloved.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, Christian

Stories on the Journey: A Homilitic Biography (Cycle B Homilies)

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Rev. Peter G. Jankowski
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Catholic / Christian
ISBN: 978-1544933160
Pages: 344
Price: $12.95

Video series
St. Patrick’s Church of Joliet, IL
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Cycle B Homilies picks up in the second year of Catholic Church readings, and follows the Cycle A Homilies published last year. Following in the same pattern, each of the homilies includes the designated Sunday title, as well as the scripture readings for that Sunday’s Mass in Cycle B. Father Pete expands on the Gospel readings each week, sharing stories of his own experiences as priest, as well as his interactions with parishioners. These homilies are warmly written and encouraging in style, sometimes challenging his listeners to respond to the words of Jesus and what He demands of us. But they’re also down-to-earth and meant for the average reader who doesn’t have a theology degree.

Father Pete has no interest in portraying himself as perfect, and willingly shares his faults and foibles with the reader. I found myself chuckling at some of these stories, as I learned a bit about his service to his Parish and the surrounding community, and I will enjoy reading them during each Cycle B year. This is part of a planned four-volume series, which includes Cycles A, B & C, as well as special homilies. Proceeds from the sales of Stories on the Journey will benefit St. Patrick’s Church.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, memoir

Finding the Narrow Path: Patterns, Faith and Searching

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lin Wilder
Publisher: Wilder Books
Genre: Catholic / Memoir
ISBN: 978-1-942545-54-5
Pages: 151
Price: $13.50

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Lin Wilder grew up in a family where mother and children went to church on Sundays, and all the standards of morality were practiced. So when she suddenly realizes she doesn’t believe anything she’s ever learned and rejects the Bible as a myth, she feels lost and bereft. Throwing herself into her work, with ever increasing responsibilities, she determines to make a good life for herself.

Adrift without a strong moral compass, Wilder attempts to navigate through several troubled relationships, hoping to find happiness with a man. At a crucial turning point in her life, she receives good advice to clarify her intentions about what she’s really searching for. This finally opens the door for Wilder to discover the Catholic Church – to finally come home.

Finding the Narrow Path is a love story, but not in the traditional sense. Jesus Christ allows Wilder to drift along aimlessly, never staying far from her, finally inviting her back to Him and into his Church. And when she does return, she finds a love she couldn’t imagine existed, that thrills her more than anything she has ever experienced.

As a Catholic convert myself, I had to smile as I read of Wilder’s overflowing joy at becoming Catholic. Those who have converted and those who are maybe only thinking about converting will really enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, Christian

Stories on the Journey: A Homiletic Biography (Cycle A Homilies)

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Rev. Peter G. Jankowski
Publisher: Lighthouse Christian Publishing
Genre: Catholic / Christian
ISBN: 978-1532765834
Pages: 292
Price: $11.95

Video series
St. Patrick’s Church of Joliet, IL
Buy it at Amazon

During his 20 years as a parish priest, Father Pete Jankowski has faced his share of joys and struggles. Sharing these stories in the form of homilies, he encourages and educates his parishioners on a weekly basis. Now these Cycle A homilies have been compiled into Stories on the Journey.

Each of the homilies includes the designated Sunday title, as well as the scripture readings for that Sunday’s Mass in Cycle A. Father Pete expands on the Gospel readings each week, sharing stories of his own experiences as priest, as well as his interactions with parishioners. These homilies are warmly written and encouraging in style, sometimes challenging his listeners to respond to the words of Jesus and what He demands of us. But they’re also down-to-earth and meant for the average reader who doesn’t have a theology degree.

There are several typos in the text, and a good proofreading would have helped prior to publishing. But if the reader can overlook this small flaw, the messages in each homily are really enjoyable to read. I will adding be adding this book to my reading list during each Cycle A year. This is part of a planned four-volume series, which includes Cycles B & C, as well as special homilies. Father Pete will be donating proceeds from the sales of Stories on the Journey to benefit St. Patrick’s Church.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, Christian

Pray for Justice

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lou A. Bordisso, O.C.
Publisher: The Apocryphile Press
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-1-944769-40-6
Pages: 150
Price: $16.00

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Every day the world’s neediest go hungry, searching for a place to lay their weary heads. The rest of us simply go about our business, hardly noticing them. But what if we actively prayed for them and for a change in our own mindset?

Pray for Justice is a thirty day book that encourages us in caring for those who most need it. Each day’s section provides morning and evening prayers with a quote to guide our intentions. These prayers follow a simplified form of the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours that will take only a few minutes to complete. The reader is also encouraged to keep a spiritual journal while following this prayer regimen, and questions are provided to deepen our commitment to the less fortunate.

Those who already pray the Liturgy of the Hours will find this format somewhat redundant, so they may need to vary it slightly to incorporate parts into their normal prayer ritual. But all those who really ponder the quotes provided and ask themselves the hard questions will find themselves changed by their experience. This is a great prayer guide for Catholics and other peaceful people.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

art, Catholic, history

Martyrdom: The Coloring Book

Bergers Book Reviews

Martyrdom - The Coloring Book
Author: Hallie Fryd
Illustrator: Julia Gfrörer
Publisher: Zest Books
Genre: Catholic / Art
ISBN: 978-1942186069
Pages: 112
Price: $16.99

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The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. As such, the martyrs for the faith have always been revered by the Catholic Church, and their legends have grown through the ages. In this unique coloring book, these martyrs are shown in scenes depicting their untimely deaths.

Beginning with biblical martyrs St. John the Baptist and St. Stephen, this book tells the stories of the many people who died professing the Catholic faith, and in many cases, attempting to preserve their virginity. Each person is featured in a two page spread, with one page dedicated to the martyr’s legend, and the other a blank coloring book page. While many of the scenes are horrible, none are so gruesome that the sensitive reader can’t bear to view them. But these tragic stories and images remind us of the religious freedom we’ve been granted in this day and age, and of those who died attempting to find that freedom.

Whether you choose to color these pictures or not, Martyrdom: The Coloring Book is a fascinating read, and will greatly enhance your knowledge of these faithful martyrs. And let us pray that no more are added to their ranks, as the war against Christianity continues to rage in the Middle East.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, children, Christian, Saints

The Sign of the Carved Cross (Chime Travelers #2)

Bergers Book Reviews

The Sign of the Carved Cross
Author: Lisa M. Hendey
Publisher: Servant
Genre: Children / Catholic / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-61636-848-7
Pages: 128
Price: $5.99

Author’s website
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Katie still doesn’t know what really happened when her twin brother, Patrick, went into the confessional in The Secret of the Shamrock. But now that she’s just gone back in time to meet St. Kateri Tekakwitha, she’s convinced that the bells of St. Anne’s are magical.

Katie has been having trouble with the new girl, Lily. Although Katie is usually friendly, she is being mean to Lily, mostly out of jealousy. Katie feels like she’s not as pretty as the other girls. But after spending time with St. Kateri as she is baptized and joins the Church, she comes to realize that beauty on the inside matters much more than what’s on the outside.

After returning home, Katie finds out that Lily is new to the Church, and now she gets to share her own faith with Lily, just as she did with St. Kateri. Thinking about baptism and her own First Communion, she comes to realize just how important the Church is to her.

The Sign of the Carved Cross is a nice adventure story featuring St. Kateri. These Chime Travelers books not only provide a fun time traveling tale, but also a glimpse into the lives of the saints. Kids will really enjoy this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, children, Christian, Saints

The Secret of the Shamrock (Chime Travelers #1)

Bergers Book Reviews

The Secret of the Shamrock
Author: Lisa M. Hendey
Illustrator: Jenn Bower
Publisher: Servant
Genre: Children / Catholic / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-61636-847-0
Pages: 128
Price: $5.99

Author’s website
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Patrick and Katie are working on their church’s cleaning team one Saturday morning when Patrick steps into the confessional. He discovers a copy of Butler’s Lives of the Saints and opens it to March 17th, the date of his patron saint. After closing his eyes for a short nap, he hears the church bells chime and the floor begins to rumble.

Patrick awakens in Ireland to find himself among some sheep being herded by a shepherd. He quickly realizes he’s hopelessly lost, and he’s even more surprised to find out that the shepherd is St. Patrick himself. But how will he ever get back home? Will he have to pray like St. Patrick does, so that God will provide the way?

When The Secret of the Shamrock opens, Patrick expresses some concerns about his Catholic faith to his sister, Katie. His experience time traveling forces him to look at his doubts and actions and decide what he needs to do about them. When he finally arrives back in the present, he has a much better outlook on his faith.

Kids will find Patrick refreshingly honest and likeable, and will be cheering for him to make it back home. Although this book has a great Catholic message about prayer, the Holy Trinity, and the sacrament of reconciliation, they have been presented in a non-preachy manner that children will relate to. I look forward to seeing more of the Chime Travelers series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger