"A Celebration of His Kinship with Brother Sun" as retold by Karen Pandell
October 4th was the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of our Franciscans' religious order. More than 800 years ago, this once-privileged young man cast off his worldly possessions to live an austere life alongside nature. He preached to birds, cared for creatures large and small, praised the sun and moon and the elements and led men and women alike to appreciate the more simple life.
Here is an enchanting volume in which the stanzas of St. Francis' "Canticle of Brother Sun" -- surrounding those round stained glass windows in our Serra Center -- are interwoven with eighteen tales celebrating Francis' special connection to nature. Along with the graceful charcoal drawings highlighted in gold, this book makes it clear that the songs and stories of Francis are the heritage of every child from 9 to 90.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Holy Man Father Damien of Moloka’i by Gavan Daws
On October 11, 2009, after 73 years of scrutiny, Pope Benedict XVI will finally canonize Fr. Damien de Veuster, SS.CC. This Sacred Hearts priest is famous for his work among the lepers on the Hawaiian island of Moloka’i from his arrival in 1873 until his death as a leper in 1889. But did you know that Francis of Assisi—who also worked among lepers in Italy--was one of his heroes? Did you know that the San Damiano cross is named after St. Damien (twin brother of St. Cosmas) who was known for his healings in 4th Century Arabia, and whose name Fr. Damien took as his consecrated name? Fr. Damien has deep connections to the Franciscan way of life and his upcoming canonization warrants a closer examination of the inspiring life of this “Athlete for God.”
The book, Holy Man by Gavan Daws, not only provides one of the most comprehensive and accurate portrayals of Damien, but gives an unflinching social history of leprosy in the late 19th century. Daws exposes the imperialistic and racial prejudices of the day and the political intrigue with which Damien had to deal in order to care for his beloved congregation. But Damien was not to be pitied. This book reveals how God precisely prepared him from childhood for the grueling work that would await him on Moloka’i. And how passionately the man embraced every hard labor, heart break and moment for rejoicing that the devastating life with lepers brought into his life. Damien teaches us how not to forget the most easily forgotten.
If you like stories in which God’s actions are clearly evident in the lives of human beings, this one will be most satisfying.
The book, Holy Man by Gavan Daws, not only provides one of the most comprehensive and accurate portrayals of Damien, but gives an unflinching social history of leprosy in the late 19th century. Daws exposes the imperialistic and racial prejudices of the day and the political intrigue with which Damien had to deal in order to care for his beloved congregation. But Damien was not to be pitied. This book reveals how God precisely prepared him from childhood for the grueling work that would await him on Moloka’i. And how passionately the man embraced every hard labor, heart break and moment for rejoicing that the devastating life with lepers brought into his life. Damien teaches us how not to forget the most easily forgotten.
If you like stories in which God’s actions are clearly evident in the lives of human beings, this one will be most satisfying.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Library Book Sale Coming!
Sunday, Sept. 20th in the Serra Gardens after the 8am and 10am Masses. Paperbacks, hardbacks, religious, secular and children's books, as well as periodicals, pamphlets, etc. Nothing will be sold for more than $.75 and much of it will be offered for FREE! Wide variety of copies! Come see what might call to you. For more information, please call Pat Thompson at 760-433-8433
CATHOLICISM FOR DUMMIES
Featured Book
in the parish library:
CATHOLICISM FOR DUMMIES
By Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Kenneth Brighenti
“A gold mine of insight on the Catholic Faith for people of all ages and beliefs.” Says Charles Rice, Notre Dame School of Law. If you are a fan of the popular series… “For Dummies” and a Catholic or interested in becoming a Catholic, this is the perfect book for a quick review or crash course about the Catholic Church.
Catholicism for Dummies presents a rich tapestry and brief history of the Catholic Church—from devotions to doctrines. You’ll find a description of the Catholic mass, the seven sacraments, the liturgical calendar, the duties of the clergy and much more. There’s even an explanation of the deadly sins and the cardinal virtues. It begins with the 12 Articles of the Catholic Faith and ends with fun facts for the faithful. Give it a try, especially if you’ve been feeling like a “dummy” for not
being in the Catholic “know.”
This book can be found in our library in the Religious Studies section. Hours are Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
in the parish library:
CATHOLICISM FOR DUMMIES
By Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Kenneth Brighenti
“A gold mine of insight on the Catholic Faith for people of all ages and beliefs.” Says Charles Rice, Notre Dame School of Law. If you are a fan of the popular series… “For Dummies” and a Catholic or interested in becoming a Catholic, this is the perfect book for a quick review or crash course about the Catholic Church.
Catholicism for Dummies presents a rich tapestry and brief history of the Catholic Church—from devotions to doctrines. You’ll find a description of the Catholic mass, the seven sacraments, the liturgical calendar, the duties of the clergy and much more. There’s even an explanation of the deadly sins and the cardinal virtues. It begins with the 12 Articles of the Catholic Faith and ends with fun facts for the faithful. Give it a try, especially if you’ve been feeling like a “dummy” for not
being in the Catholic “know.”
This book can be found in our library in the Religious Studies section. Hours are Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
And God Said, “Play Ball!” by Gary Graf
And God Said, “Play Ball!” by Gary Graf
Faith and baseball have long been important factors in the life of author Gary Graf. “Each has taught me lessons about love, loss and life. Each has its own rewards and universal truths. I’m no theologian… But I do think there’s a symbiotic relationship between that which was heaven sent and the game which is heaven on earth.”
Graf, a story editor and publicist for Walt Disney Productions in Los Angeles and a lifelong Catholic, finds that to better understand one’s faith, one need not to look further than common things in life. What better place to start than on the baseball field, a place treasured by so many?
This delightful summertime reading can be found in our library in the Spiritual Reading section. “Get the pitch!”
The Parish Library is located on the first floor of the Parish Center building. Hours are Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Call Pat at 760-433-8433 for more information.
Faith and baseball have long been important factors in the life of author Gary Graf. “Each has taught me lessons about love, loss and life. Each has its own rewards and universal truths. I’m no theologian… But I do think there’s a symbiotic relationship between that which was heaven sent and the game which is heaven on earth.”
Graf, a story editor and publicist for Walt Disney Productions in Los Angeles and a lifelong Catholic, finds that to better understand one’s faith, one need not to look further than common things in life. What better place to start than on the baseball field, a place treasured by so many?
This delightful summertime reading can be found in our library in the Spiritual Reading section. “Get the pitch!”
The Parish Library is located on the first floor of the Parish Center building. Hours are Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Call Pat at 760-433-8433 for more information.
Padre Pio: The True Story by Bernard Ruffin
A second St. Francis, or a warlock in league with the Devil? Prophet, or fraud? Holy man, or mad man? Just who or what was St. Padre Pio?
His family remembered him as a child of gentle humor who loved to play practical jokes. His fellow friars knew him as a man who conversed with Jesus, the saints, and the angels and who, for the last fifty years of his life, bore in his own flesh the wounds of Christ. At least two popes said privately he was truly a saint.
In his fascinating book Padre Pio:The True Story, C. Bernard Ruffin presents the first full-length biography in English of Francesco Forgione-Padre Pio. Based on Pio’s correspondence, interviews with his associates, and letters and papers of those who knew him, Ruffin details the events, plot, and machinations that surrounded the controversial Capuchin friar of Gargano, Italy The result is a critical, sober, yet thoroughly engrossing look at perhaps at the 20th century’s most amazing religious figure.
This book is available for loan from our parish library. You can find it in Saints & Bibliographies.
The Parish Library is located on the first floor of the Parish Center building. Hours are Sunday 8:00am to 12 noon and Thursday 10:00am to 2;00pm.
Call Pat at 760-433-8433 for more information.
His family remembered him as a child of gentle humor who loved to play practical jokes. His fellow friars knew him as a man who conversed with Jesus, the saints, and the angels and who, for the last fifty years of his life, bore in his own flesh the wounds of Christ. At least two popes said privately he was truly a saint.
In his fascinating book Padre Pio:The True Story, C. Bernard Ruffin presents the first full-length biography in English of Francesco Forgione-Padre Pio. Based on Pio’s correspondence, interviews with his associates, and letters and papers of those who knew him, Ruffin details the events, plot, and machinations that surrounded the controversial Capuchin friar of Gargano, Italy The result is a critical, sober, yet thoroughly engrossing look at perhaps at the 20th century’s most amazing religious figure.
This book is available for loan from our parish library. You can find it in Saints & Bibliographies.
The Parish Library is located on the first floor of the Parish Center building. Hours are Sunday 8:00am to 12 noon and Thursday 10:00am to 2;00pm.
Call Pat at 760-433-8433 for more information.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Reluctant Saint, the Life of Francis of Assisi, By Donald Spoto
In Reluctant Saint, Donald Spoto portrays a very human Francis who remains human to the end of his life---a likeable yet exasperating person who achieves a depth of union with his God by struggling with his shortcomings. At the same time, Spoto illuminates the social, economic and ecclesiastical upheaval of the 13th century, at time in many ways analogous to our own. Concubinage and ignorance among the clergy, wealth and power struggles between hierarchy and civil leaders, civil wars and explosive economic growth, heresy and military threat from the Muslim empire all had a direct effect on the life and spiritual development of Francis Bernadone.
Spoto’s style is very readable, one chapter drawing you into the next. His insights into theology and spirituality provide good food for thought and prayer.
This book is available for loan from our parish library. You can find it in Saints & Biographies.
The Parish Library is located on the first floor of the Parish Center building. Hours are Sunday 8:00am to 12:00 noon and, Thursday 10:00am t0 2:00pm. Call Pat at 433-8433 for more information.
For a preview of this book on amazon.com, click here.
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