This week I had the pleasure of kicking off Image Catholic Books Virtual Book Tour for their latest release Walking With Mary : A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross written by Dr. Edward Sri. The book was fantastic and if you are looking for an easy to read, deep exploration of Mary’s faith journey I highly recommend you get this book. You can find my review here. Also click here for your chance to enter my weekly giveaway, a copy of this great book.
Pete Socks
The Catholic Book Blogger
Author: Monica @ Catholic Bloggers Network
Drawn From Shadows Into Truth: A Memoir Review
In my opinion, his book reads like an intellectual autobiography which felt like text book reading at times. I appreciated his use of footnotes to back up his points but I also felt the context jumped around which left me confused at times. I would turn back a page or two to see if I missed something. It’s not filled with emotion even though he experienced the same confusion, fear and resistance that others have gone through in their journey to the Catholic Church.
Fr. Ray Ryland has been given a dispensation from the rules of celibacy and is a married Catholic Priest. I was glad to see in his last chapter, that he addressed the issue of him being allowed to be married as a priest. Fr. Ryland does not promote married priesthood and in fact he discusses the apostolic tradition of priestly celibacy and how he agrees with the Catholic Church. He candidly admits, he is not as free as a celibate priest to serve God, His Church and his parishioners. I applaud the encouragement and support his wife gave him as he walked this path with them. It can not have been easy to make this decision even though knowing God is calling him to do so. It takes courage and faith.
Overall, I liked the book but it took me a long time to read it. I enjoy conversion stories but I was not captivated by this one. I think it’s because I found it to be more of a challenging read than a lighter more emotional story. I guess those are the ones I would choose to read first. The reason I picked this one was because it is a conversion story and it was endorsed by other famous converts. Would I recommend this book? Yes, but with a warning that it’s not a light happy conversion story.
This book was written as part of the Catholic Company Reviewer Program. I was given a complimentary copy of Drawn From Shadows Into Truth: A Memoir for my honest review. The Catholic Company is a great resource for all your First Communion Gift ideas as well as many other great books, rosaries, and statues.
Peace & Blessings,
Noreen
Falling asleep during prayer
Sleeping Biy by Lrylov (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons). |
If you are a parent trying to grow in holiness, you have no doubt fallen asleep in prayer. Among nursing babies, sick toddlers, wet beds, and waiting up for teenagers, parents spend years being sleep deprived. Then we go to pray and find ourselves nodding off, or even dreaming. How should we handle this?
Am I being lazy? Before reading Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux, I would get mad at myself and feel like a failure when I fell asleep. Of course, if I were to tell the whole truth, I was often at fault. I used to pray mental prayer last thing before going to bed. Even though I’m a night person, this is not a good time to pray. My thoughts are already on sleep. My mind and body are tired, and it feels like I’m giving prayer the lowest priority on my daily agenda. Sometimes I prayed that late due to forgetfulness. (Whoops, I haven’t prayed yet–better do it now!) Other times I was putting it off. But at least I was making some effort.
I find morning is the ideal time to pray, even for a night owl like me. It’s harder to forget and makes prayer my top priority. My mind isn’t racing with the business of the day. And if I’m too tired, I can adjust the time I go to bed at night until I get it just right.
That’s how I reasoned in my single days.
Continue reading at Contemplative Homeschool.
Our Biggest Delusion
◄ Galatians 2:20 ►
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, ‘That is mine!’
Abraham Kuyper
I lose myself and remain,
With my face on the Beloved inclined;
All has come to rest,
I abandon all my cares
There, among the lilies, to die.
Father Larry Richards
On August 2-4 I spent the weekend attending the 2013 Corpus Christie Men’s Retreat at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmittsburg, MD. On Saturday evening after dinner Father Larry graciously took some time to answer a few questions with yours truly. This week at The Catholic Book Blogger, I posted that interview which can be found here. While visiting, hop on over to enter this weeks giveaway where you could win a copy of Father Larry’s book Be A Man. You can enter the giveaway here. Lastly you can read my review of the book that changed life. This was perhaps my toughest review yet because of how personal it is. The review for Be A Man is posted here.
Harvesting Pope Francis's Call for Peace In Syria
Italian artist Dario Gambarin took six hours to plow the likeness of Pope Francis in his parents field in Castargnaro, Italy.
The artist chose Pope Francis as a subject as Mr. Gambarin was inspired by the Pontiff’s call for a worldwide day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria on September 7th.
Field Artist Dario Gambarin |
Gambarin relies on his innate sense of proportion and his tractor driving capabilities to create his field art. The image can only really be appreciated when flying near Verona.
This type of art is deleted after a few days so the field can be cultivated for the new sowing of seed.
May this act of artisinal agriculture remind us that “Love Liberates” as the world prays for peace in Syria.
h/t: The Telegraph
[originally posted on DC-LausDeo.US]
Waking Up Catholic
This week brings another great giveaway at The Catholic Book Blogger. My review of Waking Up Catholic : A Guide to Catholic Beliefs for Converts, Reverts, and Anyone Becoming Catholic by Chad Torgerson can be found here. This is a great book for someone entering RCIA this year. I followed that review up with an interview with Chad which can be found here. Last but not least is the giveaway of the book signed by Chad. Click here for the giveaway.
Lord, I am not worthy…
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
This response at Mass seems to me to sum up the whole spiritual life. It provides wonderful material for meditation.
I am not worthyOn my own, I cannot please God. I can only vaguely know His character. He had to reveal Himself to me through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the teaching authority of the Church. He gave me parents who were loving enough to have me baptized and teach me the faith. He continues to show me His design for my life. All this is a pure gift which I could not merit.
But I have found the Christian life to be a constant battle. I fall every day. I repent, make resolutions to be good, then sin again. God’s purity is so beyond me. His holiness is a burning fire that I would never dare approach.
Except…
Read the rest at Contemplative Homeschool.
Camerado, I Give You My Hand
This week’s activity on The Catholic Book Blogger revolved around the latest release by Image Catholic Books Camerado, I Give You My Hand by Maura Poston Zagrans. This is the inspirational story of Father David Link. A widower become priest who now works in prison ministry in Indiana. Visit the links below for my review, author interview and giveaway.
Book review here.
Author interview with Maura Poston Zagrans here
Enter here to win a copy of Camerado, I Give You My Hand