The Handy Little Guide to Prayer


Book Description

God knows what's on our minds and in our hearts, but we still need to verbalize our innermost thoughts, feelings, and intentions. That's prayer. In this easy-to-read, down-to-earth introduction to conversation with God, you'll discover, or rediscover, what you need to be able to "pray without ceasing." In this brief booklet, author, mom, wife, and Secular Franciscan Barb Szyszkiewicz helps you strengthen your connection to God through prayer. You'll learn: How to pray alone and establish an intimate connection with God How to pray with the whole Church What the saints teach us about prayer When to pray, including formal and informal times for prayer Different styles and methods of prayer, including the prayers of the Church, adoration, meditation, music, art, and journaling Your connection to God in prayer can happen anywhere, at any time. No special equipment is needed, and no dress code, no reservation, no admission fee. All you need is an open heart and a willingness to engage with our Creator.




The Handy Little Guide to Confession


Book Description

Confession. Reconciliation. Penance. It's a sacrament with many names, but most of us seem to have a similar reaction to it: Do I have to go? It's been too long. Doesn't God already know I'm sorry? I don't remember how to do it. I'm embarrassed. I'm scared. Michelle Schroeder has been there. She admits to skipping Reconciliation for years]€]until she realized that, to experience God's mercy most fully, she needed to ask for it. Here, in non-sugar-coated language, she encourages you to: See and understand why Confession is necessary in the first place Acknowledge what's holding you back from going Brush up on your examination of conscience Get over it and go: You'll be glad you did Discover the amazing benefits of Confession Forgive yourself as God forgives you In this easy-to-read booklet, you'll gain the confidence you need to return to the Sacrament of Confession, where you will experience God's mercy and unconditional forgiveness.




The Handy Little Guide to Fasting


Book Description

Many Catholics view fasting as hard, burdensome, weird, or only for Lent. This little book demonstrates that fasting can be so much more than that! It's an opportunity for prayer, reflection, and solidarity with the suffering of the world. The Handy Little Guide to Fasting is your easy-to-read, down-to-earth introduction to this ancient practice. Author, speaker, and award-winning journalist Deacon Greg Kandra presents a way to blend faith and fortitude to make fasting more spiritually fulfilling. You'll learn: Some practical pointers when fasting The difference between fasting and abstinence What the Church teaches about fasting The various options for fasting (hint: It's not just about food!) Each brief chapter concludes with reflection questions and a prayer for your fasting journey.




The Handy Little Guide to Adoration


Book Description

Working mom Michelle Schroeder knows how busy we all are, so she packs a lot of info into this brief, easy-to-read booklet. You will not only explore the nuts and bolts of Eucharistic Adoration but also discover great reasons and times to enter into the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, including: When life is moving fast and you need to be refreshed When you just feel the need to be with Jesus When you need answers and direction from a loving God When you need focus in prayer When you’re experiencing spiritual dryness When you need to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation In The Handy Little Guide to Adoration you will learn, as Michelle did, the life-changing benefits of Eucharistic Adoration.




The Handy Little Guide to Spiritual Communion


Book Description

There is a lot of information online about the practice of spiritual communion, not all of which you might find helpful. So you might be wondering: Is spiritual communion just something between me and Jesus? Is spiritual communion of no value if I can't receive the Eucharist? Is spiritual communion "just" a private prayer or devotion? (It's none of those things.) The suspension of Masses worldwide as an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 has many Catholics longing for holy Communion, but even in normal times there are other reasons Catholics may be unable to attend Mass or receive the Eucharist. That's why it's more important than ever for Catholics to understand and practice spiritual communion. In The Handy Little Guide to Spiritual Communion you'll learn: What spiritual communion really means, and what it can mean to you What makes spiritual communion possible The criteria for making an act of spiritual communion What saints can teach us about spiritual communion A variety of prayers and devotions you can use for spiritual communion Gain clarity, comfort, and encouragement in The Handy Little Guide to Spiritual Communion.




An Adult's Confession Booklet


Book Description

This popular Liguori pamphlet includes an expanded explanation of conscience according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Overall, this guide is an excellent starting point for improving your attitude and disposition toward confession and also a valuable aid in the preparation for and reception of the sacrament of penance. Pamphlet




Overcoming the Evil Within


Book Description

We all recognize that we are sinners. We constantly strive to do God's will, and when we fall short, we go to the confessional to experience God's healing mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Yet for all too many of us, when our sins are washed away, the shame of sin may linger on our hearts and plague us even as we resolve anew to follow Christ. This shame is one of Satan's most insidious means of separating us from God's love and forgiveness. With gentleness and wisdom, Fr. Wade Menezes of the Fathers of Mercy shows you how to overcome your shame of sin and surrender to God's mercy. Far from ignoring the reality of sin, Fr. Menezes illustrates the consequences of evil and vice, while reminding you that however great your sin may be, God's goodness is greater. At every moment, He is calling you to Himself. He seeks your love and desires you, with all your sins and all your shame.




7 Secrets of the Eucharist


Book Description

No matter how much or how little you already know about the Eucharist, the "secrets" revealed here will bring you to a new, personal "Emmaus" experience, again and again. Perfect for personal devotion, catechesis, study groups, book clubs, and theological studies, The Seven Secrets of the Eucharist will rekindle the "Eucharistic amazement" called for by Pope John Paul II.




Choosing Forgiveness


Book Description

To say that offering forgiveness is a challenge is an understatement. Forgiveness is tough! Forgiveness is often messy. Forgiveness doesn’t feel good to most of us. And when it comes to the biggest, deepest hurts in life, forgiveness can seem impossible. Some hurts are the everyday, garden-variety irritations we endure for having to live in the company of other human beings who lose their tempers, get up on the wrong side of the bed, say nasty things, are ungrateful, selfish, and irritable. Some hurts are of a magnitude that far transcend these — degradation, exploitation, abandonment, rejection, humiliation, racism, bullying, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. But with God’s grace, even in those most difficult cases, forgiveness is possible. In Choosing Forgiveness, Fr. Thomas Berg and Dr. Timothy G. Lock are your guides on the way toward forgiveness through the grace of God. This book will help you discover the pathway to healing, peace, and interior freedom, releasing you and those who have wronged you from the bondage of unforgiveness.




Since My Last Confession


Book Description

Scott Pomfret serves as a lector at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. He also writes gay porn. His boyfriend is a flaming atheist, and his boyfriend’s Protestant grandmother considers Catholicism a sin worse than sodomy. From Pentecost to Pride, from the books of the Bible to the articles of the Advocate, Pomfret’s wry, hysterically funny memoir maps with matchless humor the full spectrum of the gay Catholic experience.