March 2014
Gospel Time Trekkers
Danger at Sea
Braving the Storm
Shepherds to the Rescue
MARIA GRACE DATENO; ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL CUNNINGHAM
PAULINE BOOKS $5.99 EACH
Meet Noah, Hannah, and Caleb, three rather ordinary siblings who travel back to the time of Jesus and are ind for extraordinary adventure. These three books are the first of a series of six. Shepherds to the Rescue moves the brothers and sister from a neighborhood bike ride to the rocky hillside of Bethlehem, where they tend to sheep, run from wolves, and find their way into a firsthand account of the birth of Jesus. Braving the Storm retraces several of Jesus’ miracle stories, with our travelers suddenly lost in Cana during a wild thunderstorm. In Danger at Sea, the trio meets Rebecca at the Sea of Galilee, where their fishing trip nets lessons in envy and self-importance. Sr. Maria Grace makes essential principles of the spiritual life accessible to young readers (ages 6–8), encouraging a delightful personal encounter with Jesus.
Walking With Mary
A Biblical Journey From Nazareth to the Cross
EDWARD SRI
IMAGE $21.00
“I love my mom. I sometimes take her for granted. I sometimes forget to call. But I know she’s always there for me.” That’s how
a good number of adults might recognize their maternal relationship, suggests popular speaker, Scripture professor, and Marian scholar Ted Sri. And, he admits, it’s similar to his own early affection for and kinship with Mary, Mother of God. The Bible doesn’t provide much detail around the person of Mary and the experiences of her extraordinary vocation. However, there are indeed significant windows into this unique spiritual path, from her initial calling in Nazareth to her grief at the cross. Combining wisdom from Catholic tradition, Biblical scholarship, and personal perspective, Dr. Sri’s clear and engaging tone details these pivotal moments, or “steps,” in Mary’s pilgrimage. You are certain to find inspiration and encouragement for your own journey of faith as you walk in Mary’s footsteps.
The God Conflict
Faith in the Face of New Atheism
PETER FELDMEIER, PhD
LIGUORI PUBLICATIONS $17.99
Western culture has long been on a trajectory of secularization—from quiet skepticism to outspoken dismissal—with belief in God challenged as irrational and harmful, even deadly. This claim has become an established movement known as New Atheism. Peter Feldmeier has long explored religious relationships as professor of comparative theology, facilitator of interreligious dialogue, and writer on human development. In The God Conflict, Feldmeier provides striking testimony that takes studious and respectful exception to the assertions of New Atheism. The implications of these ideas, he contends, would be “to deny truth, beauty, meaning, freedom, a robust consciousness.” His argument is sound, his inquiry without guile. “If there is no objective good or morality, how can they be morally outraged by perceived immorality of religion? How can we even have a discussion about morality?” Knowledge of the divine invites both spacious mind and heart as well as attentiveness to myriad evidence. Feldmeier’s writing will hold its ground among them.
Pope Francis
Why He Leads the Way He Leads
Lessons From the First Jesuit Pope
CHRIS LOWNEY
LOYOLA PRESS
$22.95
Reviewed by Theresa Nienaber
Pope Francis has quickly become one of the most recognized and loved lead- ers in the world. But what is it about his leadership that has people taking notice? Chris Lowney attempts to answer this question by looking not only at Pope Francis’s leadership of nearly 1.2 billion Catholics, but also at the impression Fr. Jorge Bergoglio left before he became pope. Lowney describes ways any leader—Catholic or not—can learn from Pope Francis’ example, showing that in modern society leadership isn’t reserved for those in authority. People should strive to step outside themselves and lead by example even if that means leaving themselves open to mistakes, which Pope Francis admits he’s made plenty of. But while mistakes may be inevitable, Lowney writes that real leadership is characterized by just one thing: that “our beliefs and com- mitments drive our actions.”
Stories of Jesus
40 Days of Prayer and Reflection
JOSEPH F. GRIZONE
FRANCISCAN MEDIA $14.99
Joseph Grizone, author of the popular Joshua books, offers another creative approach to the adult ministry of Jesus. “People desperately need heal- ing,” Fr. Grizone believes, “and need to know Jesus wants to embrace them.” This idea continues to inspire both his priesthood and his writing. In a forty-day reflection format ideal for Lent, readers will encounter the mind and heart, strength and struggles of Jesus. On Day 15 we are present as Jesus offers the parable of the sower and are prompt- ed to consider how deliberately we practice what he taught. Here is a fresh opportu- nity to broaden our understanding of his teaching, to deepen our commitment to its practical application and, in doing so, to welcome his embrace.
My Little Hispanic Bible/ Mi pequen?a Biblia hispana
LUCAS TEIXEIRA;
ILLUSTRATED BY LULA GUZMA?N
LIGUORI PUBLICATIONS $14.99
This beautifully illustrated bilingual (English and Spanish) book unfolds the story of God from the creation of the world and the efforts of our earliest ancestors in faith, to the life of Jesus and his ministry with the disciples, to the paschal mystery and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This book can be read by young readers (ages 4 through 9), but it’s also a wonderful book for families to share aloud.