The Bookshelf

Who Do He Say You Are?

Who Does He Say You Are? Women Transformed by Christ in the Gospels by Colleen C. Mitchell

This book speaks to the heart of every woman. Sometimes we struggle with our identity, or acceptance of who we are. Christ elevates us to a new level once we discover His love, and our uniqueness and charisms in the light of who we are in HIS EYES. Each chapter contains a scriptural account about a woman in the Bible such as: Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist, Anna, the Prophetess, The Woman of Samaria, The Hemorrhaging Woman, The Woman Caught in Adultery, Mary Magdalen. The author highlights the characteristics of the woman in scripture, the challenges that can be applied to our own lives, her message to us today, and a beautiful prayer summarizing the chapter.

Each chapter closes with reflection questions. This book will deepen your spiritual life, challenge you to come closer to Jesus and above all, to share the message of God’s love in your life with others. Take this book with you on retreat, your Lenten Journey, or even as a part of your personal prayer life. The closing words of her book sums it perfectly: “May you discover yourself in the learning and drawing near, deeper and deeper still, to the God who made you – continuing to learn to embrace who it is He says that you are.  And may his Word ever guide you to know more of who you are in Him.”

Forgiving Mother, A Marian Novena of Healing and Peace

Forgiving Mother, a Marian Novena of Healing and Peace by Marge Steinhage Fenelon is about learning to forgive and praying through what needs healing. 

I was touched by her story and how she struggled to discover the love of God. How often in our own lives, we put the process of healing from some pain or loss in our lives – on the back shelf and resist the journey to grow through suffering. Focusing on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we are led closer to her who suffered immensely at the death of her Son, Jesus.

Finding True Happiness

Most people are still searching for true and lasting happiness. But according to Archbishop Fulton Sheen, they're looking in the wrong places.

In his book, "Finding True Happiness", Sheen states: "It's easy to be misled into believing that happiness is found in money, rank, or renown. While these things aren't inherently bad...they will, in the final analysis, not bring happiness that endures."

Here is an excerpt from Finding True Happiness:

"Look at your heart. It tells the story of why you were made. It is not perfect in shape. There seems to be a small piece missing from the side of every heart. I think the reason for this is that when God made the human heart, He found it so good and lovable that He kept a small sample of it in Heaven. He sent the rest of it into the world to enjoy His gifts, and to use them as stepping stones back to Him.

In order to love with your whole heart, in order to be really peaceful, in order to be really wholehearted, you must go back to God to recover the piece. He's been keeping it for you."

Venerable Fulton John Sheen was a Bishop and Archbishop known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. His cause for canonization as a saint was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues" – a major step towards beatification – so he is now referred to as "Venerable."