“Everything that the Church has to offer must become incarnate in a distinctive way in each part of the world, so that the Bride of Christ can take on a variety of faces that better manifest the inexhaustible riches of God’s grace.” – Pope Francis, Querida Amazonia: Post-Synodal Exhortation Concerning the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon In this apostolic exhortation, Querida Amazonia (“The Beloved Amazon”), Pope Francis offers a response to the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon held in Rome in October 2019 and its final document The Amazon: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology. The pope writes this exhortation to all the faithful calling us to the task of addressing the serious social, environmental, and spiritual issues facing the region, sharing his four dreams for the people of the Amazon: A social dream – in which we fight for the dignity of the poor in the region A cultural dream – in which the riches and beauty of the Amazonian culture is preserved An ecological dream – in which we all strive to preserve the natural beauty of the Amazon An ecclesial dream – in which the faithful boldly create paths of inculturation, so that the goodness of the Amazonian culture is brought to fulfillment in light of the Gospel Pope Francis asks: “How can we not struggle together? How can we not pray and work together, side by side, to defend the poor of the Amazon region, to show the sacred countenance of the Lord, and to care for his work of creation?” Also available in English.
“Everything that the Church has to offer must become incarnate in a distinctive way in each part of the world, so that the Bride of Christ can take on a variety of faces that better manifest the inexhaustible riches of God’s grace.” – Pope Francis, Querida Amazonia: Post-Synodal Exhortation Concerning the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon In this apostolic exhortation, Querida Amazonia (“The Beloved Amazon”), Pope Francis offers a response to the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon held in Rome in October 2019 and its final document The Amazon: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology. The pope writes this exhortation to all the faithful calling us to the task of addressing the serious social, environmental, and spiritual issues facing the region, sharing his four dreams for the people of the Amazon: A social dream – in which we fight for the dignity of the poor in the region A cultural dream – in which the riches and beauty of the Amazonian culture is preserved An ecological dream – in which we all strive to preserve the natural beauty of the Amazon An ecclesial dream – in which the faithful boldly create paths of inculturation, so that the goodness of the Amazonian culture is brought to fulfillment in light of the Gospel Pope Francis asks: “How can we not struggle together? How can we not pray and work together, side by side, to defend the poor of the Amazon region, to show the sacred countenance of the Lord, and to care for his work of creation?”
Does God speak? Perhaps a better question is: Are we listening? In Listening for God in Everyday Life , author, speaker, and psychologist Joseph White shows us how to listen for God in this noisy, chaotic world. God is speaking to us all the time, but we have to learn to hear his voice. Drawing on his personal experience, Joseph reveals the means God uses to speak directly to our hearts. Some of these may even surprise you! They include: Silence - Gifts and Talents - Scripture Creation - Humor - Tradition Art - Liturgy - Saints Struggle - Children Relationship - People in Need When we learn to hear it, God’s voice opens our hearts to his love, deepening our relationship with the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. How is God speaking to you? Click here to register for the related webcast ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joseph D. White, PhD, is a nationally recognized clinical psychologist and best-selling author. He is the Director of Catechetical Resources for OSV.
“Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer.” – Alessandro Serenelli Many people are familiar with the story of Saint Maria Goretti and her grisly murder at the age of eleven. On her deathbed, she said of her killer, “I forgive him, and I want him to be with me in heaven.” But how did her incredible forgiveness affect her murderer? While it took years, Maria’s offer of mercy eventually transformed Alessandro’s life. Alessandro’s story has never been fully told – until now. Alessandro Serenelli: A Story of Forgiveness is a captivating story of mercy and forgiveness, both given and accepted. Learn about Alessandro’s difficult childhood, the murder of Maria, his prison sentence, his conversion as a result of Maria’s intercession, and the final years of his life with a Capuchin community. Through his life story, you’ll gain a new understanding of the nature of repentance and of God’s patience and unfailing love.
As Catholic parents, we have one fundamental mission: to raise children who know and love God, and who are so in love with Christ that they can't help but share his message. We are called not only to be disciples ourselves, but to be discipleship parents, evangelizing our children so they become disciples, too. That sounds great, but we know this is not always easy. The culture often stands in the way of our raising whole and holy children. Sometimes our own failures, wounds, and weaknesses make it difficult to pour ourselves fully into the mission. Even if we are working to plant the seeds of faith, how can we ensure that the soil is cultivated so the seeds can grow and flourish? In Discipleship Parenting , Kim Cameron-Smith provides tools and insights to help parents foster seven ideal growing conditions in the home: Love Balance Play Merciful Discipline Empathy Radiant Faith A Strong Marriage Raising children to know and love Christ, and to share that love with others, is the most important work we will ever do. Let's join together in Discipleship Parenting and respond to God's call and mission for all our families. Click here to register for the related webcast ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kim Cameron-Smith is the founder of the Intentional Catholic Parenting online ministry and the host of the Gentle Catholic Parenting Podcast, where she explores the intersection between Catholicism and the science of parenting. She is a licensed attorney and a member of the California state bar. She holds a B.A. from Wellesley College, an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University, and a J.D. from U.C. Berkeley. Kim lives in Northern California with her husband and four children.
Welcome to the Catholic Church! Now that you're officially a Catholic, you are probably wondering, «Now what?» Shaun McAfee has been where you are. As a convert, he worried that he might not be a «good Catholic.» He wanted to take part in the sacraments, really prepare for Mass, learn how to defend and even share his faith, and understand certain Catholic devotions. Yet he wasn't sure how to do any of this, or where to look for answers once RCIA was finished. If you feel the same way, I'm Catholic. Now What? Is the perfect resource for you! In ten meaty sections, you'll learn about: How to get started as a new Catholic Customs, courtesies, rules, and traditions Prayer, devotion, and spirituality Getting the most from the sacraments Catholic life day-to-day Morality for Catholics Current issues in the Church and the world Knowing and defending the Faith Evangelization and how to do it Mary, the Church, and the saints Dip into the sections as you have questions, or dive deeper as you are moved to learn about a particular topic or theme. Use it as a reference when people ask you questions about your new faith. This resource is also ideal for people considering converting, and even for «cradle Catholics» who are interested in learning more about our Catholic Faith. Click here to register for the related webcast ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shaun McAfee is the author of Reform Yourself! and several other books. He is the founder and editor of EpicPew.com and contributes to many Catholic resources, including Catholic Answers Magazine and his weekly blog at the National Catholic Register . He holds a master's degree in dogmatic theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, is a lay Dominican, and lives with his wife and four children in Vicenza, Italy.
What if the Catholic Faith could make you a better runner? What if running could make you a better Catholic? Before you toss these ideas out with your last pair of running shoes, take the next thirty days and put them to the test. In The Catholic Runner: 30 Days of Motivation and Inspiration , Catholic runner Chris Easterly becomes your personal trainer and running buddy, encouraging you with stories of his own running successes and failures, along with Scripture, saints quotes, and insights that will keep you going or get you started. The brief daily devotions come with a (totally doable) running challenge and a prayer to keep with you during your day. Whether you’re preparing for a 5K or a marathon, or you want to start running to improve your health, during these thirty days you’ll notice changes. You’ll find yourself growing closer to God and becoming a better runner – and a better Catholic! – because you’ll be giving it all to him. Click here to register for the related webcast ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chris Easterly is a professional screenwriter and independent filmmaker. A graduate of the prestigious Warner Brothers Television Writers Workshop, he has written for Fox, Cartoon Network, and the Hallmark Channel. His memoir Falling Forward was selected as an exclusive Amazon Kindle Single. Represented by Bauman Management in Los Angeles, he is a member of the Writers Guild of America.
Through his prolific writing, Cardinal John Henry Newman guided Catholics to a deeper understanding and love of the Faith, and his writings continue to move and inspire us today. He combined his profound intellect with the loving heart of a pastor, using both to help Christians enter into a relationship with God, opening their hearts to the love and mercy of the Father’s heart. Through this curated collection of essays, sermons, poems, hymns, and letters, you will not only be informed and inspired but will experience Saint John Henry Newman’s pastoral care for the entire Body of Christ. “He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling.” – John Henry Newman
Getting the keys to the family car has been a symbol of independence ever since there were cars. You’re not a kid anymore, and you can make your own choices – speed, route, direction, destination. It’s a fantastic journey that can take you nearly anywhere, as long as you follow the signs. That’s a lot like your spiritual life. You can take the wheel of your faith, get out there, and go. And just like a good road trip, your spiritual life can be full of adventure, joy, and exhilaration. But there are also signs to watch out for and hazards to avoid. In Road Signs for Catholic Teens , you’ll hear God speak to you through sixteen signs: Crossroads One Way Road Narrows Slippery When Wet Detour Dead End Rest Area Winding Road Yield School Crossing Deer Crossing Merge Stop Blind Pedestrian Fire Engine Crossing Exit Think of this like your own Catholic Driver’s Manual – with important insights into your life, right now, as you navigate the road of your Catholic Faith. As Pope Francis said, “Life is a journey, along different roads; different paths, which leave their mark on us.” Ready to hit the gas? “ Road Signs for Catholic Teens is easy to understand and easy to use, but is full of depth, rich insights, and great encouragement in its simplicity.” – Katie Prejean McGrady, international Catholic speaker and author of Follow: Your Lifelong Adventure with Jesus Click here to register for the related webcast
“Success lets me and everybody else know that I’m important – that I’m worth loving. Success is how I prove my worth in this world.” That’s what Mark Joseph thought. He was driven to achieve, and he did. Through his success, he felt loved and respected. He worked night and day to keep feeling important. But success came at a price. If you’re overwhelmed, unfulfilled, and running in circles chasing happiness, this is the book for you. You’ll learn, as Mark did, that the overwhelming pursuit of success stems from our underlying belief that we need to earn love, and that striving for it will somehow cure our lack of self-love. He’ll show you, through his experiences and those of others, that fulfillment has nothing to do with success. It comes from knowing that – despite success or failure – you were created by God for greatness, for love and to be loved. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Joseph is the executive director of the Christian Outreach Office at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He and his team share the love of Christ with tens of thousands of people every year. He blogs, speaks, and helps men and women who feel overwhelmed by life’s struggles to understand that they are made for greatness.