Thursday, 26 January 2023

Holy Is His Name - Scott Hahn - The Transforming Power of God’s Holiness in Scripture

Holy Is His Name: The Transforming Power of God’s Holiness in Scripture
Scott Hahn
Emmaus Road Publishing
ISBN 9781645852551
ISBN 9781645852568
eISBN 9781645852575
ASIN B0BC1TYSB7


When I first returned to the Catholic Church about 25 years ago, Scott Hahn’s works were instrumental in my being a revert. A few different priests at recollections or on retreat recommended his books. I have greatly benefited for everything of his I have read, and this one is another amazing read. Scott Hahn is a masterful writer. With every book I read I have a greater appreciation for his skill, as a wordsmith, for his faith, and for his ability to unpack topics and make them accessible to reader in the general public, or in other works for the staunchest academic. This book is written for the general public, but I hope it will grab hold in the halls of academia and theological schools, and for commentators on our culture. The description of this volume is:

“Catholics are taught to prize holiness—to admire it in others and to strive for it in their own lives. But we’re never quite told what holiness is. In Holy Is His Name: The Transforming Power of God’s Holiness in Scripture, Scott Hahn seeks to define the term in order to help us better understand our relationship with holiness. Tracing the meaning of holiness first through the Old Testament and then the New, Hahn masterfully reveals how God gradually transmits his holiness to his people—through creation, right worship, and more—and ultimately transforms them through the sharing of his divine life.”

And the chapters are:

Foreword
Preface
Luv Is Not All You Need
The Genesis of Holiness
The Holiness Explosion
Holiness in the Kingdom
Not Wholly Holy
Holiness in the Prophets
Holiness in Person
Becoming Holy, Becoming “Gods”
The Body of Holiness
His Type of Holiness
Holiness and Priesthood
Holiness in Hebrews
Holiness Today
Appendix

Several authors and clergy I greatly respect have already given this book a recommendation. Such as:

“We don’t have to learn to be frightened, but as loving children of a loving God, saved through the Cross of Christ, we do need to learn how to fear God. Scott Hahn’s Holy Is His Name explains for priests and lay people what it means to be holy, to realize how distant we are from God’s holiness, how we must be in awe and wonder at his transcendence and majesty and recognize our worth and our smallness before his all-knowing compassion.”
George Cardinal Pell

“Holy Is His Name offers a profound and thorough reflection upon the mark of holiness which belongs properly only to God but which belongs, by participation, to every Christian in virtue of the immeasurable and unceasing love of God for man. We are deeply indebted to Hahn for his labor of love of Christ and of his Church, which offers to us the great gift of Holy Is His Name.”
Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

“Catholics are taught to strive for holiness. But what does it actually mean to ‘be holy’? In this captivating book, Dr. Scott Hahn traces the theme of holiness in Scripture and shows how it is about so much more than good behavior and doing good Catholic things. True holiness is ultimately about God’s very divine life dwelling within us, changing us, and making us ever more like him, so that we can be healed of our many sins and weaknesses and can begin to love with God’s own love. And this transformation is not just for priests, religious, or exceptional lay people; it is what God desires for every human person. Read Holy Is His Name and you no doubt will be inspired to deepen your own personal encounter with the power of God’s holiness.”
Edward Sri

“Scott Hahn presents, with a style both theological and masterful, the rich biblical spirituality of holiness. Taking us from the ‘luv’ generation of the 1960s and the Jesus Movement back through the Hebrew Scriptures to the New Testament and Christian experience, he ushers to the mystical heights of authentic holiness in Christ. This is a must-read.”
John Michael Talbot

And many other recommendations on the books site, inside the volume, and on the dust jacket. I am just a small time Catholic Book Blogger. I love reading and reviewing books I love. So this is my plug for this excellent volume.

This is a volume I wish had been around when I was in high school. If I had read this book in my teens or even my early 20’s. It is a book that would have saved me years away from the church, years of struggles, and likely many sins. This is a book that can be read by a high school student or from the most learned theologian. It is a volume that will transform lives. I could see it becoming a classic. It is a book that will open the eyes, encourage the heart, and challenge the mind. And it does it through the lens of scriptures. It is another excellent offering from Hahn’s masterful pen and a book I can easily recommend.

If you wish to buy the book directly from The St. Paul Center do so here. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Scott Hahn:
A Father Who Keeps His Promises
A Pocket Guide to Saint Paul
A Pocket Guide to the Bible
Angels and Saints: A Biblical Friendship with God's Holy Ones
Answering the New Atheism: Dismantling Dawkins's Case Against God
Catholic for a Reason
Consuming the Word: The New Testament and The Eucharist in the Early Church
Covenant and Communion
Evangelizing Catholics: A Mission Manual for the New Evangelization
First Comes Love: Finding Your Family in the Church and the TrinityHail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God
Holy Is His Name
Hope for Hard Times
Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed Everything and Still Does
Kinship by Covenant: A Canonical Approach to the Fulfillment of God's Saving Promises
Letter and Spirit : From Written Text to Living Word in the Liturgy
Living the Mysteries - A Guide for Unfinished Christians
Lord Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession
Many Are Called: Rediscovering the Glory of the Priesthood
Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace
Politicizing the Bible: The Roots of Historical Criticism and the Secularization of Scripture 1300-1700
Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith
Rome Sweet Home
Scripture Matters
Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots
Swear to God : The Promise and Power of the Sacraments
The Creed: Professing the Faith Through the Ages
The Fourth Cup
The First Society
The Kingdom of God As Liturgical Empire
The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth
Understanding "Our Father"





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Wednesday, 25 January 2023

World's Greatest Liar - Barry Hutchison - Beaky Malone Book 1

World's Greatest Liar
Beaky Malone Book 1
ISBN 9781847156730
eIBSN 9781847157607
ASIN B01M3NU8JC


Several months before reading this I encountered the works of J.D. Kirk I also discovered that Kirk publishes children’s books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. I have read 20 stories published under the Kirk Name and am now branching out to the ones under the Hutchinson names, this is the 6 under that name. He is coming up on 175 books across the three pen names. If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. But I am very thankful I did. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. I have enjoyed all I have read from his pen and this one was no different.

The description of this story is:

“Dylan Malone, aka Beaky, has a habit for telling porkies – every time he opens his mouth, out pops a whopper… But then his long-suffering sister shoves him into the truth-telling machine at Madame Shirley’s Marvellous Emporium of Peculiarities. Now Beaky can't tell a lie – not even a teeny-weeny one – and a truth-telling Beaky is even worse..."

This story is an early chapter book. Or middle grade read. It is in a series that currently has four titles:

The World's Greatest Liar
Worst Ever School Trip
Super Creepy Camp 2017
Weirdest Show on Earth

It appears that some of the four are also available in French and German. It is an interesting story. At first I was unsure, for me it started a little slow. Yea Beakey told lies, in fact he seemed to hardly ever tell the truth, maybe never. But after the experience truth-telling machine at Madame Shirley’s Marvellous Emporium of Peculiarities he cannot tell a lie, and even has a compulsion to answer questions. To answer them as bluntly and honestly as possible., for example:

“No, no, wait,” said Dad, holding up a hand. “I’d like to hear Dylan’s thoughts.”

I shook my head quickly. “No, you wouldn’t.”

“Yes, I would.”

“Trust me, you definitely wouldn’t.”

Dad smiled. “I can take a bit of criticism, Dylan. Don’t worry. Go for it.”

“OK. You asked for it,” I said. I took a deep breath, then launched into a detailed review of Dad’s book. I tore apart the flimsy characters, the boring writing, the non-existent plot. I ripped into his mixed metaphors, his rambling sentences, and the fact that none of the story – not one thing – made the tiniest bit of sense whatsoever.

“Oh,” Dad said, but I wasn’t finished.

“And you’ve got a really boring reading voice,” I added, “which made the whole awful experience ten times worse. I even tried faking a nosebleed at one point, but that stupid machine wouldn’t let me.”

Slowly Dad sat down, his face an ashen grey. I looked around at the rest of the family. Everyone – even Max – was staring at me in disbelief. I smiled weakly. “Well, he did ask.””

And things go from bad to worse from there. Soon Beaky and his sister are working together to try and find a way to stop his truth telling. And even though this new Beaky causes some problems his truthful ways also seem to be having some positive effects.

This book marks the 28th offering from Hutchison I have read in the last 10 months, under the three names he publishes under. They have all been entertaining reads. Some have been excellent. This story was an entertaining read, but with the ending it will leave you desperate for the next instalment. Another good read from the pen of Barry Hutchison, aka Barry J. Hutchinson aka J.D. Kirk.   

Books by J.D. Kirk:
…

DCI Logan Series:

Contributed to:
Everyday Kindness: A Collection of Uplifting Tales to Brighten Your Day
…

Books as Barry J. Hutchison:
Dan Deadman Space Detective Series:
…

Space Team Series:
The Search for Splurt 
Song of the Space Siren 
The Guns of Nana Joan 
Return of the Dead Guy 
Planet of the Japes 
The Time Titan of Tomorrow 
The King of Space Must Die 
Sting of the Mustard Mines 
Sentienced to Death
The Hunt for Reduk Topa
…
A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories
…

Sidekicks Initiative Series:

The Bug Books Series:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
…
Complete Season One
…

Other Books:
…

Children’s books as Barry Hutchison:
Invisible Fiends Series:
The Crowmaster 
Doc Mortis 
The Beast 
The Darkest Corners 
…

Afterworlds:
The Missing Remote of the Apocalypse
The Book of Doom 
...

Benjamin Blank Series:
…

Beaky Malone Series:
…

Generator Rex Series:

Living Ted Series:
Revenge of the Living Ted
Invasion of the Living Ted
…

Spectre Collectors Series:
Too Ghoul for School
A New York Nightmare!
…

Other works:
…
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Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Chiara Lubich Servant of Unity - Jim Gallagher - CTS Biography

Chiara Lubich: Servant of Unity
CTS Biographies
Jim Gallagher
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784690786
eISBN 9781784694838
ASIN B075P2G2N5
CTS Booklet B764


Over the last 5 years I have reviewed over 330 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society. I stumbled upon them while researching works by a specific author. And I love these books and booklets. All the biographies in across a few series series have the CTS Booklet B### format. I loved the books in the CTS Biographies and have read over 75 to date; this is the second from Jim Gallagher. I have enjoyed all of these books and booklets and have benefited from reading them. This volume is another excellent read, in a wonderful series! 

The description of the book is:

“Jim Gallagher tells the powerful story of the founder of the Focolare movement, who dedicate their lives to the poor and the unity of all people.

As a teenager on pilgrimage to Loreto at the start of the Second World War, Chiara Lubich had a premonition of a “whole host” of other young women who would follow her way of total dedication to God. Today the movement she began – the Work of Mary, commonly known as the Focolare – is present on every continent on earth. Encouraged by every Pope since Pius XII, they seek to be a presence of Mary in the Church and the world, and to live and realise Our Lord’s final priestly prayer; “May they be one Father, as I am in You and You are in Me”.”

And the chapters in this little volume are:

A Precious Spiritual Legacy
Childhood
“I will be your teacher”
Finding Companions
Creating Unity
The Little House
Invitation to Rome
From the City to the Mountains and back
First Focolarino Priest
Another Day, Another Soul
Always a Woman Leader
Mariopolises
A Wider Community
Steps prepared for us by God’s love

I highlighted several passages during my first read of this book. Some of them are:

“And at that funeral Mass, celebrated by four cardinals, forty bishops and several hundred priests, thousands of people clamoured to pay tribute to this unassuming woman who had inspired them to follow God ever more closely. With the basilica full to capacity, the crowds gathered outside could follow the ceremony on giant video screens normally used at large papal events. Around the world, many thousands of gatherings were held to follow events on the live internet link - up and satellite broadcasts.”

“The reigning pontiff at the time, Pope Benedict XVI, sent his Secretary of State to celebrate Chiara’s funeral Mass. The cardinal also read out a personal message sent by the Pope himself. So many are the reasons for giving thanks to God for the gift given to the Church in this woman of dauntless faith, a gentle messenger of hope and of peace, the foundress of a vast spiritual family which encompasses multiple fields of evangelisation.”

“Chiara remembered that from the age of six, probably as she began being prepared for her First Holy Communion, she began praying intensely before the Eucharist. Gazing at the tabernacle or at the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar, she would pray, “ Lord, you who are light and warmth, enter me through my eyes. ” For the rest of her life she would nurture a burning devotion to Jesus present in the Eucharist and she would do much of her studying and her writing on her knees before the tabernacle.”

“About five minutes later this young woman came in. I realised that her whole demeanour was in fact the complete opposite of mine. Who was she ? I was struck by a harmony about her which was even reflected in her dress. As people were arriving and we were waiting for the start of the day, I sat and watched her.”

“I was transported. I felt as if I was being lifted up - right into the heart of God. Everything in my life was being turned upside down and a great love of God was being awakened in me.”

“It was playtime for the children, and Chiara told me to stay with her for a while to have a chat. Although she was completely available to me, I could see that she was still attentive to the children running around. As different children would come up to her to show her something, or ask a question, or just for a hug, you could see that she loved each one of them equally.”

“I asked her why she could not teach this to the whole world. “ Yes,” she said, “the world is waiting. We won’t preach it - we have to witness to it. If we can live this moment by moment, if we can live like Jesus would live, the world will believe.””

“The increasing number of young women who were drawn to Chiara were living through the worst days of the Second World War for the city of Trent. From one moment to the next they could see their homes destroyed, their friends and loved ones annihilated. They came to realise that there had to be more to life, something permanent, transcendent even; their Ideal; God.”

“The women were stupefied. The very Son of God experienced being abandoned by God the Father; all for love of us, to accomplish our salvation. From that moment on Chiara and the ever - growing group of young women would do everything for Jesus Forsaken. Indeed, being part of the Body of Christ, they would somehow live in Jesus Abandoned.”

“When asked for a name of their group, Chiara said they were merely Christians trying to live in unity like the Holy Family. They became known as the focolarine, that is, those who gathered around the hearth. The group and later the large movement became, and is still nicknamed, the Focolare, that is the fireside, the hearth of a home.”

“The page of Unity is for everyone. For me and for all those in the front line of Unity, Jesus Forsaken is our everything.”

“His perception of the twenty - eight - year - old Chiara at that first meeting was that she was someone “who put holiness within reach of everyone. She tore down the grille which separated the world of the laity from the mystical life. She rendered God near, she caused people to discover him as father, brother, friend, present to humanity.””

““ Her answer hit me like a ton of bricks,” recalled Pasquale, “because in that instant I understood that in order to have the Eucharist you had to have the priesthood, the hierarchy. I understood then that you could not separate the Church from Christ. I realised also that we are all Church. It was not ‘the Church ’ that had to change, or ‘the others’ that had to change. I had to change. I had to start a new life.””

“Various restrictions were put in place during those ten years of investigation. Chiara might not speak in public. For some time she could not even have contact with her young male focolarini who were studying for the priesthood. Eli remembered, half a century later, that Chiara was never actually called in to the Holy Office to be questioned. The officials always came to see her, at her residence. They always left in tears, moved by the simplicity, limpidity and evident holiness of this young woman.”

“Pope Pius XII died in 1958. It turned out that he had left a note regarding the Focolare and his wish to see it officially approved. After discussion at the Italian Bishops’ Conference in 1960, Pope St John XXIII appointed a papal commission to oversee the process of fully integrating the movement into the structures of the Church. Once the commission had completed its task, Pope St John XXIII officially and publicly approved the Focolare Movement on 23rd March 1962. All restrictions on its public activities were lifted.”

“Again in Stuttgart, in 2007, another Together for Europe day was held. It produced a type of manifesto. Known as the Stuttgart Message, it comprised a seven - fold Yes: Yes to life; Yes to the family; Yes to creation; Yes to a just economy; Yes to solidarity; Yes to peace; Yes to our responsibility towards the whole of society.”

This is an absolutely fascinating little read. I knew nothing about Chiara or the Focolare Movement when I began this book. It is an excellent introduction to this Servant of God, her life, and her ongoing influence. It is a very accessible read. It will encourage, surprise and challenge readers of all ages. 

I hope those few quotes above will inspire you to pick up this excellent volume and give it a read. It seems every time I read a book from the Catholic Truth Society I find 2 or three others I want to read. I added a few of Gallagher’s other volumes to my to be read pile, after finishing this the first of his I read and have 2 more to go. I have an ever growing wish list of eBooks, books in print, and books out of print from the Catholic Truth Society I want to track down. I greatly enjoyed reading this volume. I learned several things about this woman and the Focolare. This is another excellent read, in a great series. Like the previous volume from Gallagher this book is very well written, and leaves me wanting to find the others from this author in the series. It is another great Biography from the Catholic Truth Society. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.


Books by Jim Gallagher:
Padre Pio: The Pierced Priest
Mother Teresa – The Life of the famous “Saint of Calcutta”
John Paul II: The Road to Sainthood
Serving the Young: Our Catholic Schools Today
Our Schools and Our Faith: A Pastoral Concern and Challenge
…

Books in the CTS Great Saints Series:
Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley
Bernard of Clairvaux - J.B. Midgley
Benedict Patron of Europe - J.B. Midgley
Charles Borromeo - J.B. Midgley
Dominic - J.B. Midgley
Elizabeth of the Trinity The Great Carmelite Saint - Jennifer Moorcroft
Francis de Sales - J.B. Midgley
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ John Paul Kirkham
George: Patron of England - J.B. Midgley
John Baptist de La Salle - J.B. Midgley
John of the Cross - Jennifer Moorcroft
John Vianney - J.B. Midgley
Louis Marie de Montfort His Life, Message and Teaching - Paul Allerton SMM
Martin de Porres - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Patrick Missionary to the Irish - Thomas O’Loughlin 













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Monday, 23 January 2023

Steven R. McEvoy Q & A IT Employee Spotlight

Steven R. McEvoy Q & A 
IT Employee Spotlight


What does a typical workday look like for you?

I do not think there is a ‘typical’ day when it comes to working in IT. But I like to arrive around 6:10, and make a coffee and tea, and be at my desk checking the incidents by 6:20am. I often find that my most productive time is between 620am and 9am. Because of my new role I find I am in more meetings, scheduled and impromptu as the day goes on.

What do you enjoy most about your role here?

I like that I get to stay on top of new and emerging technologies. I love that there are so many talented people on my team and across the IT teams to engage with and work with. I love that there is always something new to learn, and that our technological footprint is ever evolving.  

Before working here, what was the most unusual or interesting job that you’ve had?

I was the live on-site year-round director at a Christin Camp, I lived in a cabin on 178 acres and the property was the only one with water access to a private lake. 

What has been your proudest moment so far?

When my 9 year old daughter wanted to spare her brother his surgery and body cast, and wanted to take it on for him. 

If you could meet anyone (living or dead), who would it be and why?

I would meet the fictional character Vlad Taltos from Steven Brust’s Dragaeran series. I would want to have a mug of Klava with him. I would want to discuss his anger, his fury and his growth. 

What has been the greatest challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your life thus far?

I have a dual form of dyslexia. In grade 6 I was told I would never graduate high school. I not only graduated but finished early and as an Ontario Scholar. 

What has been the most important innovation that you’ve witnessed in your lifetime?

Just computing power. My first year at Queen’s University I purchased a 386/25 with a math coprocessor and 4 megs of ram. And In my student house it was the best of the 8 computers. I now have eBooks that are larger than the amount of ram I had on that machine.  To quote Mike Aquilina  "Now we can travel with more books stored in our telephones than the ancient Egyptians kept in their vast library at Alexandria.".

What is one thing that you can’t live without?

Books, I love reading and think I could not survive without books.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?

Listen to the doctors. Let your injuries heal. Sports are not life. You will live much longer than you expect, and all the broken bones, sprains, tears, and separations will come back to haunt you. Learn to choose kindness. Give more and expect less.

What’s one thing that most people probably don’t know about you?

I previously worked as a personal trainer and yoga instructor. Just a few years ago I was teaching 8 classes a week. (But gave it up because of personal convictions.)

Favourite Movie or TV Show:
Reacher or Person of Interest (Updated answer)

Favourite Song:
Gabriel’s Message by Matt Maher

Note: A few years ago, I was asked to fill out a profile for work. It was going to be used internally for corporate communications. It never ended up being used. I stumbled across it recently and liked the answers so decided to share them here for my birthday.



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Sunday, 22 January 2023

The Making of Matt Talbot - Mary Purcell

The Making of Matt Talbot
Mary Purcell
1972 


This is the fourth book or booklet I have read on Venerable Matt Talbot in as many weeks. I have become fascinated by the man and his life. This is the shorter of two works on the man written by Mary Purcell, this one was published in 1972, and a much longer work, Matt Talbot and His Times, was published in 1976. Both works by Mary have the Nihil Obstat and Imprimi Potest. I have tracked down 3 other volumes about him I plan to read. And have 2 or 3 others I am trying to lay my hands on. The first volume I read just about Matt was The Holy Man of Dublin: or the Silence of Matt Talbot by Alice Curtayne, and I have been hooked since. I have picked up several books about Matt and Saint David of Wales and have been alternating them as my non-fiction reads. I have been talking to friends about Matt and his life for a few weeks now. And the more I read the more inspired I become. 

The chapters in this volume are:
Prayer for the Canonization of Matt Talbot
Matt Talbot, Dubliner
First Job
Change-Over
The New Matt
Matt on Strike
Trinity Sunday 1925

There were a few stories and facts in this short volume that I had not encountered previously. It was another excellent read bout this man. I highlighted numerous passages while reading this booklet. Some of them are:

“Into that Ireland, to all appearances subjugated, Matt Talbot was born. The second of twelve children, nine of whom survived childhood and adolescence, he knew little security or stability in his early years. His family shuttled over and back between St Agatha's (North William Street) and the Pro-Cathedral parishes, moving every other year from one tenement home to another.”

“He ceased going to the sacraments in 1882, but continued to attend Mass. On the few occasions in later life when he referred to his youth he admitted that from his early teens until his late twenties his only aim in life was heavy drinking.”

“Holy Cross College was on the outer rim of the Dublin of 1884 and not far from Newcomen Avenue, where the Talbots then lived. Matt met a priest, took the pledge and went to confession. Next morning, Sunday, he went to Holy Communion and on the Monday Mrs Talbot must have asked herself was she dreaming when Matt got up before 5 a.m. to go to Mass in the Jesuit church in Gardiner Street before going on to work.”

“He was still a builder's labourer, a casual worker fetching and carrying for the skilled tradesman. But in one sense he had found permanent employment. He had been taken on by the Master-Builder to clear the site of his own soul for a dwelling not made with hands, a temple for the Triune God. He brought to his new occupation the same verve, the same doggedness and energy that had marked him out as a hodman.”

“For the seven years after his 'conversion', the portrait of Matt Talbot that emerges is one of a man intent on humbling and hiding himself, a man mindful of his soul and its progress, a worker diligent and faithful in both his spiritual and temporal employments.”

“When he met a passage he could not read or understand, he copied it out and after his next confession passed the piece of paper to the priest and asked for help. Father Walsh was sometimes absent and other Jesuits, since dead, recalled having been asked by a penitent to read or explain a text of scripture· or a quotation from some spiritual classic written on a scrap of paper – obviously by someone not used to writing.”

“He read the Lives of the Saints and called St Catherine of Siena and St Teresa of Avila, ' grand girls.' He read and re-read Teresa's instructions on how to pray, for he felt irresistibly drawn to prayer. Prayer and spiritual reading took the place of his former drinking companions.”

“Whatever' remained of his wages after paying his rent and buying the little food he allowed himself went to the Foreign Missions, to orphanages and other charities. He helped his sisters and their families; he saw when neighbours were in need and came to their aid.”

“Dr Moore later gave his impressions of his patient; he. spoke under oath as a witness appearing before the tribunal judging Matt's Cause : ‘He behaved wonderfully as a patient. He was an extraordinarily religious, a saintly man. At first I thought that he might be some kind of religious crank, but I soon changed my opinion of him. I was very much impressed by him; he was one of the gentlest men I have ever met . . . . I would like to have had him as a friend. . . . Of all the persons I have ever met, Matt Talbot seemed to me to be an outstandingly holy man.’ The nuns in the Mater called him 'poor old Tach,' from his ailment, tachycardia.”

“After his death Matt Talbot's reputation for holiness became widespread. In 1931 the first enquiry into his life began and six years later a Papal Decree, introducing his Cause was signed. The second enquiry, part of the normal procedure towards beatification, began later and in 1949 forty witnesses were examined by the Tribunal set up to conduct investigations.”

“There, in the heart of his native city, Matt Talbot's remains await the final resurrection. There people come to pray. They pray to him, remembering how his friend Dr Hickey said that he had never known Matt to ask God for a favour but it was granted. ·They pray for him, that he may yet be raised to the altars of the Church and honoured with the title of Saint.”

I would have liked to known Matt. And I can aspire to some small part of his mortifications and devotions. In the book we are informed:

“Saints are saints, however, not because they are proclaimed saints, but because they are holy. God, not the proclamation, makes the saint. Human goodness is met with often enough, in unlikely as in likely persons; but sanctity is rare, so rare that few have the privilege of encountering it.”

And so I consider Matt a friend in heaven. In a couple of years we will be celebration the centenary of the death of Matt Talbot. I am not sure if there will be movement on his cause or not. But I am certain there will be a renewed interest the man, his life, and his devotion. I can only hope some of the volumes about him that are long out of print will make a reappearance. 

Again I can easily state, this is a book any Catholic could benefit from read. It will inspire and challenge readers of all ages. I can easily recommend this volume. And I have a few other books about Matt I still plan on reading. This is an excellent little biography.   

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books about Matt Talbot:
Matt Talbot and His Times - Mary Purcell
Matt Talbot: His Struggle, His Victory over Alcoholism - Susan Helen Wallace 
Matt Talbot - Xavier Carty 
Spotlight on Matt Talbot  - Edward O'Connor, S.J.
Matt Talbot - Simon O'Brynne 
The quest for Matt Talbot - Philip Rooney 
We knew Matt Talbot - Albert H Dolan
Matt Talbot - James F. Cassidy. 
An address to Pope John Paul II from the Parish of Matt Talbot, The Worker. 
Matt Talbot : the Irish worker's glory - James Francis Cassidy 
Matt Talbot - Albon White 
The Story of Matt Talbot - Malachy Gerard Carroll
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Saturday, 21 January 2023

The School Story - Andrew Clements

The School Story 
Andrew Clements
ISBN 9780689851865
eISBN 9780689848292
ASIN B000FC0TUY


Wow, a School Story book, about a young girl writing a School Story, by one of the masters of School Stories. Andrew Clements amazed me yet again with this wonderful little tale.

Six years ago, I discovered the works of Andrew Clements. I was instantly hooked and have now read almost 25 books from his masterful pen. Many consider him the ‘master of school stories’, and I would agree. I have a dual form of dyslexia and did not learn to read until after grade 7. So I never read ‘school stories’ when I was young. That combined with having my own school aged children has instilled a great appreciation for the genre and specifically for the works of Andrew Clements. Clements passed away in 2019 his last novel was The Friendship War, which is another excellent volume. He writes amazing stories for children, but they are also stories that any of us can learn from. Back then I set the goal of reading all of his works, but as my own children have outgrown these books and they had slid by the wayside. I have now returned to them yet again. I have read 1 a week over the last several weeks and plan to do so for a while yet.

I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up. I grabbed it based on the author alone. It was an interesting read and is now one my favourites of all his books I have read. It is an excellent read. There are a couple of different descriptions of this book online, and on various editions back covers. Two of them are:

“Twelve-year-old Natalie Nelson has written a powerful school story. It's a short novel called "The Cheater," and her best friend Zoe is certain it should be published. All Natalie has to do is give the manuscript to her mom, an editor at a big publishing house. However Natalie doesn't want any favors from her mom. Still, Zoe won't drop the idea.

Spurred into action, Natalie invents a pen name for herself and Zoe becomes a self-styled literary agent. But if the girls are to succeed, they'll need support from their wary English teacher, legal advice from Zoe's tough-talking father, and some clever maneuvering to outwit the overbearing editor in chief of Shipley Junior Books.”

And:

“Natalie's best friend, Zoe, is sure that the novel Natalie's written is good enough to be published. But how can a twelve-year-old girl publish a book? Natalie's mother is an editor for a big children's publisher, but Natalie doesn't want to ask for any favors.

Then Zoe has a brilliant idea: Natalie can submit her manuscript under a pen name, with Zoe acting as her literary agent. But it's not easy for two sixth graders to put themselves over as grown-ups, even with some help from a couple of real grown-ups who are supportive but skeptical. The next bestselling school story may be in their hands—but can Natalie and Zoe pull off their masquerade?”

The chapters in this story are:

      1: Fan Number One
      2: A Portrait of the Author as a Young Girl
      3: Mystery Man
      4: City Kid
      5: The Plot Thickens
      6: Reality Attack
      7: Business Lesson
      8: A Portrait of the Bulldog as a Young Girl
      9: The Agent
      10: The Chosen Grown-Up
      11: Welcome to the Club
      12: In or Out?
      13: Open for Business
      14: Judgment Day
      15: A New Island
      16: Poker, Anyone?
      17: High Stakes, Aces Wild
      18: The Long Arm of the Law
      19: The Red Pencil Blues
      20: Family and Friends

This is a story about friendship. It is a story about believing in dreams. And in about trying things, even if they seem hard. A friendship between Zoe and Natalie. It is also about the importance of good teachers, family. And It all pivots around publishing and the publishing industry. Natalie has written a book, or most of a book when she lets her friend Zoe read it. Zoey wrote the book to honour her late father. And Zoey and Ms Clayton will do everything they can to help get it published. Zoe is insistent they get it published. When Ms. Clayton reads it she would have a classroom set and recommend it to others so she is on board for helping the two form a Publishing Club at school and being the legal adult helping them with their group. Things do not always go as planned but as mentioned in the book sometimes it is who you know that helps make things happen.

This is another wonderful offering from the masterful pen of Andrew Clements. This is a great Middle Grade read. A wonderful School Story about a School Story! A fantastic book for young readers, and for those of us who just love a great story!

Books by Andrew Clements:
Bird Adalbert
Noah and the Ark and the Animals
Santa's Secret Helper
Temple Cat
Mother Earth's Counting Book
Billy and the Bad Teacher
Who Owns the Cow
Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers
Frindle 
(Adapter)Philipp's Birthday Book
Riff's BeBop Book
Real Monsters Go for the Mold
Things That Go EEK on Halloween
Real Monsters Stage Fright
Music Time, Any Time
Double Trouble in Walla Walla
Workshop
Gromble's Haunted Halloween
Hey Dad, Could I Borrow Your Hammer
The Landry News
Look Who's in the Thanksgiving Play
The Mouse Family
The Janitor's Boy
Circus Family Dog
The Christmas Kitten
The School Story
Things Not Seen 
The Jacket 
A Week in the Woods
Slippers at Home
Naptime for Slippers
The Report Card
The Last Holiday Concert
Slippers at School
Slippers Loves to Run
A Million Is a Lot of Dots
Lunch Money
Things Hoped For
Room One: A Mystery or Two
No Talking
Things That Are
Lost and Found
Extra Credit
Troublemaker
About Average
The Map Trap
The Friendship War
The Losers Club
...

Pets to the Rescue Series
Ringo Saves the Day!
Brave Norman
Tara and Tiree, Fearless Friends
Delores and the Big Fire

Jake Drake Series
Jake Drake Know-It-All
Jake Drake, Bully Buster
Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet
Jake Drake, Class Clown

Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School Series
We the Children
Fear Itself
The Whites of Their Eyes
In Harm's Way
We Hold These Truths

Reading Program Books
Karen's Island
Three Wishes for Buster
Bill Picket: An American Original, Texas Style
Hurricane Andrew
Ham and Eggs for Jack
Life in the Desert
Desert Treasure
Inventors: Making Things Better, Steck-Vaughn
Milo's Great Invention
...










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