The U.S.Catholic Book Club has slected The Long Yearning's End: Stories of Sacrament and Incarnation by Patrick Hannon as the April, 2011 Book Club of the Month.
Catholicism in the Third Millennium
By Thomas P. Rausch
Thomas Rausch, Ph.D., is the T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University. Catholicism in the Third Millennium looks at Catholicism’s past, present, and future. Rausch’s book, designed for those who are already familiar with Catholicism, answers a lot of potential questions about the Catholic faith and Church. The book is separated into topics, including: the Church and the Council, traditions of the Church, Sacraments, Christian life and discipleship, sin, forgiveness, healing, sexual morality, justice, prayer, spirituality, saints, other Christian beliefs, and thoughts about the future of the Church.
Although not a particularly difficult book o read, Catholicism in the Third Millennium takes an intellectual approach to instructing readers about the Catholic faith. Rausch’s book is rich in information and would be a beneficial resource for any Catholic home.
I recommend this book to Catholics who are seeking more detailed, intellectual information about their faith.
“Thomas Rausch provides a clear and straightforward account of Catholicism for mature Catholics who still have plenty of questions about their faith. He combines a precise explanation of Catholic teaching and tradition together with critical reflection on the most important issues facing the Church today. More than a theological treatise, historical survey, or adult catechism, this non-technical book gets to the heart and soul of Catholic faith and practice. Rausch’s splendid work offers both invitation and challenge to understand Catholicism as a whole way of life through which we enter into communion with God and others.” --Michael Downey, Cardinal’s Theologian
“…many Catholics want to learn more about their faith. They are embarrassed by their inability to answer the questions other Christians often ask of them and want to have something to pass on to their children. Parishes with good programs in adult religious education find many who want to participate. At secular or non-Catholic private campuses the weekly Catholic liturgy draws more students than any other religious service. Some Catholics admit they are confused about what to believe; they find themselves in the middle of battles between conservatives and liberals or between the official Church and popular opinion, particularly as it is refracted by the media, and they are not at ease with either side. Others want to find some way of connecting what they were once taught with what the Church seems to be saying today." --Excerpt from the introduction
The Creed: The Apostolic Faith in Contemporary Theology
Revised and Expanded
By Berard L. Marthaler
Berard Marthaler holds doctorates in theology and history. He is Professor of Religion and Religious Education at the Catholic University of America. In his book he embraces the history and theology of the Nicene Creed. He gives a phrase-by-phrase analysis of the words of the Creed, offering very thorough explanations of why we believe what we do, why the Creed is worded the way it is, and how it came to be that way.
Although The Creed is more of an intellectual, textbook-like book, Marthaler uses comprehensible terms and language to clarify his points. This book is rich in information for a person of any faith. Even if you are a life-long Catholic, this is a fascinating, excellent book that is likely to teach you many new things about the Creed and the history of Christianity, with a focus on Catholicism.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about the history of the Creed or the Catholic faith.
"Berard Marthaler here provides rich commentary and historical notes on the creed professed by Christians through the centuries. He deals not only with historical debates but also with contemporary challenges and modern ecumenical convergences. This is a helpful resource for studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church, catechisms of other churches, and the World Council commentary on the Nicene Creed. Thanks to Berard and his publisher for continuing to keep this resource available and updated for our use!"
--Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC
"Just as the Church’s creed summarizes what we believe, Berard Marthaler’s The Creed summarizes why we believe it and takes readers into the deepest mysteries of our faith. He explains what it is to believe and who it is we believe in. Marthaler opens up the context of our creed: the scriptures, the movements, the heresies, and the councils that forged its words, as well as the living Church still nurtured by its tenets. His clear analysis confidently guides the reader through a thicket of ancient and modern theological issues."
--Paul Turner, pastor
“It is evident that the Bible uses many figures of speech to describe God. God is at once bridegroom of Israel, warrior, king and nursing mother. Each figure gives some insight into the godhead and into divine activity in the universe. Few persons, if any, read them literally, however. Believers, while recognizing the limitations of this manner of speech, accept it as helpful to understanding something about God." --Excerpt from the book
Almost Catholic by Jon M. Sweeney
Jon Sweeney, a self-described "evolved Protestant" and noted religious writer, has long been fascinated by the Catholic Church. However, it wasn't until he was a young missionary in the Philippines that he truly began to understand the Church's traditions, mysteries, and religious beliefs and its hold on those who follow the tradition. As he explains, Catholic spirituality is all about responding to the fundamental mystery of Jesus, the incarnation, and what it all meant in the beginning as well as what it means today.
In Almost Catholic, Sweeney offers an appreciation of Catholicism, weaving in the story of his own explorations with those of others who have also been attracted to this tradition. He finds himself drawn to the Church's ancient and medieval traditions out of a desire to connect with the deepest and widest paths on the way. Two millennia of saints and practices and teachings and mystery form a connection for him to the very beginnings of Christianity.
