The Bookshelf

in Pursue Holiness

Heaven Starts Now

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"We need serious application of Scripture to our lives right now so that we can begin to live the life of heaven right now, not just to get to heaven."

This quote from Bishop Mike Byrnes is where the title of this book by Fr. John Riccardo comes from: Heaven Starts Now: Becoming a Saint Day by Day.

Fr. Riccardo takes seven areas that we grapple with in our lives every day and shares what Scripture says about them, so that we can begin to grow in Christ and surrender to the transformation of our hearts and minds.

The seven areas are:

  • Forgiveness
  • Fear & Anxiety
  • Suffering
  • Greed
  • Surrender
  • Praise and Worship
  • The Primacy of Love

Many of us wonder what God's will for our lives is . . . or we may know, but have not been able to say "yes" to His will, holding on to our own. 

1 Thessalonians 4:3: "For this is the will of God -  your sanctification." Paul, in this scripture passage, is telling us that God's will for us is to become a saint. That's the plan. So, what is your plan for achieving sainthood? If you don't have plan now, what is it going to look like or what could it look like? Fr. Riccardo shares some ways to get started.

If you have a desire in your heart to pursue  holiness, this book is a great resource to put your plan in place so that you too can begin to live the abundant life that is promised in Christ.

Posted by Meg Picciolo
Tags: holiness
in Bear Witness, Nurture Community

Mission Ready Friendship

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"Mission Ready Friendship: A Blueprint for Deeper Relationships and Life-Changing Faith" by Jason J. Simon spells out simple and incremental practices any Catholic can use to develop deeper, more purposeful friendships. Whether we know it or not, we all have family members or friends who are fighting hidden battles of doubt, alienation, isolation, guilt, compulsions, grief, or hopelessness. But often we don’t know exactly how to offer the Good News of Jesus to them in these struggles—at least not beyond offering our “thoughts and prayers.” Mission-Ready Friendship is a roadmap for how to truly befriend your friends, not by solving their problems for them but by going deeper to become the friend Jesus created you to be.

You will learn how to

  • become more invested, curious, and empathetic toward others;
  • pray for the people God has placed in your life;
  • be ready for the ways God is prompting you to build deeper friendships; and
  • bring intentionality to your relationships to accompany them closer to God.

Jesus himself used these practices with his followers and sent each of them to use mission-ready friendship to share his good news with others. It’s a simple but powerful approach to relationships that promises to change lives, including your own.

 
Posted by Jill Fischer
Tags: community, jesus, good news, witness, friendship, evangelization
in Discipleship, Embrace Compassion

He Leadeth Me

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He Leadeth Me by Walter J. Ciszek is a powerful memoir that recounts the author's experiences as a Jesuit priest imprisoned in the Soviet Union for over 23 years. The book chronicles Ciszek’s deep faith, struggles, and spiritual growth during his captivity, offering a profound reflection on God's guidance even in the harshest circumstances. Through his narrative,  Ciszek shares powerful thoughts about trust, surrender, and the meaning of suffering. These are best taken in chapter-size bites so you have time to digest them. Ultimately, Ciszek reveals how he came to understand God’s purpose in his life, even when facing uncertainty and hardship. The book is a moving testament to resilience and the strength of faith in the face of adversity.  There is also content by Jonathan Rouime, Fr Mike Schmitz and Sr Miriam available on the Hallow app that can help you pace this book and more fully appreciate it.

Posted by Deb Stapel
Tags: captivity, surrender, memoir, trust, suffering

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