Saturday, 5 June 2021

Do Carpenters Dream of Wooden Sheep? - Corinna Turner - A Friends in High Places Story

Do Carpenters Dream of Wooden Sheep?
St. Joseph's Story as Dreamt by a Sleeping Teenage Boy 
A Friends in High Places Story
Corinna Turner
Unseen Books
Zephyr Publishing
ISBN 9781910806180
ASIN B0968X9PC9


I was intrigued about this book from the first mention of it on social media. Not that I am already a big fan of Turner’s canon of work. And have read everything she has published, and eagerly anticipate anything new from her. Some that were announced years ago, and others like this that I only heard about weeks before publication date. If you are a big time Science Fiction Fan, or even a scifi movie buff the title will immediately trigger some thoughts. And if you are not you will find out during the story. 

This story takes place over a single night, and yet tells the story of most of a life time. It is the story of two friends, one in hospital during covid for cancer treatment, and his friend ho spends 2 nights at the hospital helping his friend. Daniel has cancer but seem to completely trust God. They tried to watch Blade Runner but Daniel was having a rough night. Razim is bored and after Daniel falls asleep finds a book about Joseph and Mary and decided to read it. 

“The Tale of Joseph and Mary, says the heading. Hey, maybe it’s fiction. That’d do. As long as it’s not a romance. But Daniel’s not into soppy stuff and it must be quite a manly romance, from the cover. I flop back on the camp bed and open the booklet. 

Oh. Maybe it’s not fiction. There’s an ‘introduction’ by someone or other. I flick past it. Uh-oh. The first chapter begins with a Bible quote. Heck, it’s another of Daniel’s religious books, isn’t it? He went super-religious after getting his diagnosis. It makes me kinda want to ditch him sometimes, when he really gets going, but even if we hadn’t been friends since kindergarten, that light in his eye… It’s scary as heck, but it fascinates me, too. I just wish I could figure out how he can be so flaming happy when he’s in this fix.”

Razim reads most of the book, gets frustrated and decided to call it a night himself. But his dreams are anything but predictable. Part of the description of the story is:

“In Merillia, his name is Cleopas, and his big brother, Jo, is considering an arranged marriage to a girl called Miryam. Soon, events are in motion that will change their lives—and the world—forever.

For anyone who feels over-familiar with the Holy Family’s story after Christmas after Christmas of nativity plays, this imaginative re-telling thoroughly blows the dust off.”

And Turner is firing on all cylinders in this story. Or should I say sailing on all hydrofoils. This is a top notch scifi story. Masterfully written, and an incredible reimaging of the nativity story. But she has done more than reset the story. She brings it to life in a new way. And at the end of the story are a number of other sections:

Going Deeper 
More Information 
Discussion Questions 
Prayers 
The Complete Scriptural Account

There are 4 wonderful prayers. And a list of several books to go deeper, with a mix of fiction and nonfiction resources listed. A fantastic read just as a story. However, during the Year of Saint Joseph, it is a resource that I am certain will bless many. Another excellent volume from Turners gifted pen.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

For reviews of other books about Saint Joseph click here.

Other reviews and articles about Saint Joseph:
Consecration to St. Joseph - Fr. Donald Calloway
Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph Compiled from Traditional Sources- TAN Books
Prayer to Saint Joseph Prayer of the Day
Joseph of Nazareth - Federico Suarez
Devotion to St. Joseph - F. Declaux
Go to St. Joseph: Do Whatever He Tells You - Brian Kiczek
Saint Joseph: Help for Life's Emergencies - Kathryn J. Hermes
Feast of Saint Joseph 2018 Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary Principal Patron of Canada
Companion to Saint Joseph - J.B. Midgley - CTS Companions Series
Saints of the Roman Canon - Julien Chilcott-Monk - CTS Living the Liturgy Series
Seven Saints for Seven Virtues - Jean M. Heimann

Books by Corinna Turner:
I Am Margaret Series:
0.0 The Underappreciated Virtues of Rusty Old Bicycles (A prequel)
0.5 Brothers (Prequel)
1.0 I Am Margaret
1.5 How Snakey Got His Name (Short Story)
2.0 The Three Most Wanted
3.0 Liberation
4.0 Bane's Eyes
5.0 Margo's (Attempted) Diary & Notebook
5.5 An Unexpected Guest
6.0 The Siege of Reginald Hill
6.5 Buttons (Short Story)
7.0 A Saint in the Family
I Am Margaret The Play - Fiorella de Maria
...

Yesterday and Tomorrow Series:
Someday
Tomorrow's Dead
...

unSPARKed Series:
Prequel Short Stories:
0.1 Breach
 7.0 FEAR

Mandy Lamb Series:
Mandy Lamb and the Full Moon
Contributed to:
Secrets: Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories - Catholic Teen Books
Gifts Visible & Invisible 8 Christmas Stories for Teens
Treasures: Visible & Invisible 8 Stories for Teens
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Friday, 4 June 2021

The Tartessian Crown - Manuel Alfonseca - Chronicles of the Aeolian Family Book 03

The Tartessian Crown
Chronicles of the Aeolian Family Book 03
Manuel Alfonseca
ISBN 9798655656260
ASIN B08BKQBBDK


This was the third book by Alfonseca that I have read in as many weeks. All three were from the series Chronicles of the Aeolian Family. A few years ago I read several books in translation by Manuel Alfonseca. Most I believe translated by the author himself. This is the 11th volume from his pen that I have read. I believe this book was originally published in Spanish in 2012. There have been a few Spanish editions over the years, and it was published in English in 2020. The publishing of the original Spanish spanned a decade. The whole trilogy was published in English at that time. When I finished the first book, The Seal of Aeolus, I immediately picked up the remaining volumes in the series. It was only my commitment to alternate fiction and non-fiction prevented me from starting on this book immediately. 

I picked up book one to read because it was the Catholic Book Club on Good Reads book for the month. Once I started reading it I could hardly put it down. The same can be said for following two installments. In fact the action was more intense and the story more compelling in this third volume. I have been impressed by everything I have read from Alfonseca’s pen. Several times while reading this series I thought of Sword and Serpent by Taylor R. Marshall and also the historical fiction from Jack Whyte. I believe this book this series is just as good as the writings from those two authors. 

This book, as well as the other two in the series, are well written and well researched. I implore you when you read the book stick it through and read the Authors Note at the end of the text. It is so worth the read, on the research and background. The planning that went into this series that spans generations. The description of the volume is:

“Julius Aeolius is a fourteen-year-old boy who lives with his grandfather Lucius in Cesaraugusta, present-day Zaragoza, in the days of the Visigoth king Theodoric. They start a long journey, for Lucius is obsessed with finding the Tartessian crown. According to legend, whoever owns the crown will be king of all Hispania. But who is the mysterious goth who insists on going with them? What is Lucius hiding, who seems to know more than he says? Will Julius win the love of Dido, the orphan girl who barely speaks, but who knows how to get them out of all their troubles? In this journey through the most important cities and islands of the Mediterranean (Tarraco, Carthage, Malta, Rome...), the protagonist will face not just many adventures, but also an internal journey towards his own maturity.”

A story sent in ancient Roman times. Years after the second volume. And towards the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. In this one we follow a young man, his grandfather as they search for a crown of legend that will Restore the Kingdom. The story travels around the Mediterranean and back again. Through various kingdoms. Are captured and ransomed as slaves. All on a quest. And a quest Julius is not even certain he believes in. A great adventure wrapped in historical fiction. 

Manual Alfonseca is the author of over 50 books, 24 of which I believe are available in English. He writes across genres and styles with great ease. His books are always entertaining. In this story and many of his others a great strength is the characters. His characters are masterfully written. He draw readers in and keep them hooked. The historical setting is perfect. A story packed with action and mystery. 

This is another great historical fiction novel from Alfonseca’s pen. It does an great job continuing the story of a family and their faith, and possibly their future. It was a great read that I highly recommend! It is a great story and series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Manuel Alfonseca in English:
Jacob's Ladder
The Ruby of the Ganges
The Last Dinosaur
Ennia in Faerie
The Heirloom of King Scorpion
Beyond the Black Hole
The Water of Life
Albatros


The Sleuths of the Spanish Transition Series:
Quetzalcoatl's Zahir
The Mystery of the Haunted House
The Mystery of the Sapphire Bracelet
The Mystery of the Honeymoon
The Mystery of the Egyptian Vulture Country House
...

Chronicles of the Magic Jigsaw Puzzle Series:
The Journey of Tivo the Dauntless
The Mystery of the Black Lake
The Silver Swan
The Secret of the Ice Field
The Lost Continent
…

The Chronicles of the Aeolian Family Series:
…

Non-Fiction:
Human Cultures & Evolution
World Population: Past, Present, & Future
The Fifth Level of Evolution
...




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Thursday, 3 June 2021

Calvary Through the Eyes of Mary - Helen Pepper - CTS Devotions

Calvary Through the Eyes of Mary
Helen Pepper
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784695538
eISBN 9781784695828
ASIN B078THX66D
CTS Booklet D827


Over the last several years, I have read almost 200 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society, CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. I have read many books for Lent and Easter both from the CTS and other sources. This however is the first by Helen Pepper that I have read, and I believe it is her only book in print. The description of the booklet is:

“It has been a Catholic tradition through the centuries to meditate on the Stations of the Cross so that it becomes our way of life. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, made that first way of the cross. The stations in this booklet present that viewpoint.
Stopping with Mary at each of the fourteen locations that mark events in the final days of Jesus’s life, we share her sentiments and bear witness to her sorrow as she suffers alongside her son.

As we go deeper into her suffering we will come out of this spiritual journey with a deeper love for Mary, a greater appreciation of what her son did for us, and find an example of how to take up our own cross to follow Christ in a spirit of total love.”

And the chapters in the book are:

Introduction
First Station
Second Station
Third Station
Fourth Station
Fifth Station
Sixth Station 
Seventh Station
Eighth Station
Ninth Station
Tenth Station
Eleventh Station
Twelfth Station
Thirteenth Station
Fourteenth Station
Marian Prayers

I was unaware when I purchased this book that it was a Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross. I picked it up just based on the publisher and the title. So I did not really know what I was getting. But I got a wonderful resource for personal or group devotion. The introduction of this volume states:

“This book will accompany Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as she follows in her son’s footsteps on the Via Dolorosa. The purpose is not simply to define the Stations of the Cross from her perspective, but to experience them with her.

We join Mary as she traces Jesus’ journey on his way to Calvary to be crucified. We see through her eyes the suffering Jesus endured and take a moment to reflect upon Jesus’ great sacrifice. We join her in the realisation of the purpose of Jesus’ ministry: the crucifixion as a necessity to redeem humanity from the bondages of sin, and as a prelude to the glory of the Resurrection.”

And further on:

“Mary’s relationship with Jesus is unique. It is because of this that we trust in Mary and she is able to intercede on our behalf. It is because of this that we trust in Mary; she is the Mother of the Church, and through her maternal and protective embrace we ask her for help as we strive to change our own lives and become better disciples. Furthermore, Mary’s clarity in understanding what the Lord had planned for her can be emulated by us in our own lives if we imitate her faith and courage. In times of difficulty we should trust in the Lord’s plan for us, knowing that hope will triumph from hopelessness.

As we join Mary on the way to Calvary, may we bear witness to all the events that took place. May we open our hearts and strive to mirror Mary’s motherly love and devotion. May we take a moment to reflect on Christ’s great sacrifice for us, but also to embrace his great love for humanity, appreciating all he has done and continues to do for us.”

This stations is very different than any of the others I have used. It is an excellent devotion. A sample station is:

“Seventh Station
Jesus falls the second time

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
All: Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

You fall for a second time. Your body is weak from thirst and exhaustion. My heart is completely torn. I want this journey to end. But how can a mother want to see an end such as this? I am filled with sorrow at the very thought of what is to come.

You falling has taken me back to a happier time, when we presented you at the Temple. Joseph brought two turtle-doves as a sacrifice. I was so pleased with you, as you had grown in wisdom and stature, and found favour in God. An old man named Simeon rushed towards us; he knew how special you were, his eyes had seen your salvation. But he warned us of your fate. “This one is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel and a sword will pierce your own heart.” I am watching in agony as you fall. But with trepidation and hope as you rise up.

Reflection

Leader: May we all remember those who fall in life and encourage them to have faith in the Lord in helping them rise up in times of strife.

All: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be to the Father…
Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified,
All: Have mercy on us.”

This is a wonderful booklet. And excellent ‘Way of the Cross’. Each Station is preceded by an art print of that station. The majority are from Paintings from Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-va n-Hanswijkbasiliek Church, Mechelen, Belgium, these ones are for Stations 1-5, 7-9, and 11-14. Station 6 is from Station 6. G. Guffens, St. Michael church, Leuven, Belgium. Station 10. 19th century art, St Niklas and Jean’s Church, Brussels, Belgium. And the painting of Immaculate Conception. Basilica di San Vitale. Giovanni Battista Fiammeri, 1530 – 1606 precedes the Marian Prayers section of the booklet. There are a few general prayers and then prayers specific to feasts of Mary.
 

We are informed that the selection of Marian Prayers at the end of the book come from Marian Prayer Book from the Catholic Truth Society. I really greatly enjoyed reading and praying my way through this volume. And know I will use it often. If you are looking for a great version for use during Lent, or throughout the year, I can highly recommend this one. It is another great resource from the Catholic Truth Society! 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

For reviews of other books in the CTS Devotions series click here.
All reviews of Stations of the Cross.

Other Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Truth Society:













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Wednesday, 2 June 2021

Practising Your Faith - Father Lewis Berry CO - The 5 Precepts of the Catholic Church

Practising Your Faith 
Father Lewis Berry CO
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784691042
eISBN 9781784692445
ASIN B0727W6KZP
CTS Booklet DO915


Over the last several years, I have read nearly 200 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society, CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This however is the first by Father Lewis Berry that I have read, and I believe it is his only book todate. The description of the booklet is:

“Fr Berry explores the five Precepts of the Catholic Church, the basic rules Catholics should live their everyday lives by. He explains the history of the precepts and how we should live them in the modern world, basing his explanation on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“Just think what an extraordinary witness it would be if every single Catholic in the world observed all these five Precepts. We are called to nothing less.””

And the chapters in the book are:

A Journey through the Precepts
The First Precept: 
     “You shall attend Mass on Sundays and 
       holy days of obligation and rest from servile labour”
The Second Precept: 
      “You shall confess your sins at least once a year”
The Third Precept: 
      “You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist 
       at least during the Easter season”
The Fourth Precept: 
      “You shall observe the days of fasting 
       and abstinence established by the Church”
The Fifth Precept: 
       “You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church”


The first section in this volume is called: ‘A Journey through the Precepts’. And it states: 

“What are the precepts of the Church? This book focuses on a simple yet challenging element of the Catholic faith which it’s important to know about and understand. The precepts take up just half a page of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and yet, when we start to reflect on them, we find in them a “rule of life” for Catholics, a “game-plan” which directs us decisively on the path towards God and his salvation. The precepts were well-known to our parents and grandparents in recent times we’ve heard less about them. We’re going to take a journey through the precepts, learn something of their history, and try to answer some questions we may have about them. But first, we need to ask - What are the precepts?”

From there he continues with a brief summary or overview of the precepts. Father Berry states:

“The first precept is: “You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labour.” This precept points to the supreme value of assisting at Mass each Sunday and holy day; it also tells us to rest, so as to hallow the Lord’s day, most especially with our families.

The second is: “You shall confess your sins at least once a year”, providing a minimum observance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation - a challenge to us if we’ve been putting off going to confession!

The third states: “You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season”, pointing us to the loving Lord who desires to give us himself in Holy Communion, to which the Church therefore at least periodically obliges us.

The fourth is: “You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.” This binds us to limit how much food we eat on certain days of fasting (e.g. Ash Wednesday) and to abstain from meat on Fridays, reflecting the Gospel emphasis on penance as a way of uniting ourselves to the cross of Christ.

The fifth and final precept tells us: “You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church”, requiring us to give - to the extent we are able - towards the material support of the Church, for her ministers, buildings, etc., and for the work of evangelisation.”

This book is very well written. It is one of my favorites from all the titles I have read from the CTS. It explains these basics in clear and concise language. It is easily accessible. From teen to octogenarian this book could be of great value and worth. Easy to read easy to understand. It cane be used as a refresher, for deeper grounding, or basic instruction. No matter your level of faith and understanding of the Catholic faith, and how to live it out. A fantastic volume.

Note that at the end of the section on the fifth precept there is a section called, ‘An extraordinary witness’. And that section states:

“Those familiar with the precepts from previous decades may have noticed that one, or even two, precepts, are not to be found in this booklet. The precepts in question are these: a sixth precept stated that Catholics must obey the marriage laws of the Church; a seventh, found in some books, said that we must assist the Church’s work of evangelisation. Why aren’t these precepts covered here? This booklet has presented the list in the modern Catechism, where these two additional precepts don’t appear. The sixth precept, about marriage laws, is to be found in Canon Law, and its requirements continue to apply today. For Catholics, marriage is a sacrament celebrated in communion with the Church, and the Church’s marriage laws reflect the fact that there is no marriage for a Catholic from which Jesus and his Church can be excluded. In order to observe what Canon Law lays down, the right course of action for a Catholic considering marriage is to speak to a priest, and, preferably, to do so as early as possible. In embracing the teachings and laws of the Church regarding marriage, even if at times they may be challenging, we place ourselves in the hands of Our Lord, who is guiding us through his Church to the fullness of love, which is the sacrifice of our lives.”

And the final section of that same chapter, and in fact end of the book is called; ‘We are called to nothing less’. And it says:

“The old seventh precept, regarding evangelisation, gives us a final key, in fact, for our whole review of the precepts. We saw in the case of the fourth precept how our participation in the Church’s discipline - here in the (sometimes) public act of fasting and abstinence - can actually be an opportunity to be witnesses to the faith. But isn’t it the same with the other precepts too? So often we hear that we are called to be witnesses to Christ in our everyday lives. But how? Of course this applies to everything we do, but the precepts, as mostly public acts which show our concrete commitment to the Church and her life, speak volumes about what is important to us and what is truly the centre of our lives. By being present at Mass every Sunday and holyday, by making a good communion, by going to confession, and by willingness to make sacrifices for the needs of the Church (the last two are not public in the same way, but those close to us may well know), we become agents of the New Evangelisation. Just think what an extraordinary witness it would be if every single Catholic in the world observed all these five precepts. We are called to nothing less.”

As can be seen from these two final quotes from this book is an excellent volume. It is in fact a book I wish I had read when a teenager. I likely would not have wandered away from the church only to eventually find my way back. It is a great volume for personal reading and study. But would be excellent in a group. Either with friends or family. Or for high school or young adult groups to work through.

I really enjoyed reading this volume. And know I will work through it again. It was a great book to work through. If you are looking for a great volume to read I can highly recommend this one. It is another great resource from the Catholic Truth Society!  And one of my favorites outside the biographies of all the books from the CTS that I have read to date. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.














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Tuesday, 1 June 2021

Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith - Nick Donnelly - CTS Finding God Series

Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith
CTS Finding God Series
Nick Donnelly
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784691776
eISBN 9781784694555
ASIN B075P25P9B
CTS Booklet PA37


I have read several books in the ‘Finding God Series’ from the Catholic Truth Society. The first book I read in this series was by Deacon Donnelly as well, Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work. I have read almost 200 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society over the last several years. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. But this series is very different. All the titles and volumes in this series are about difficulties in life, or in the family, in faith. I have benefitted from all the books I have read from the Catholic Truth Society and from the pen of Deacon Nick Donnelly. The description of this volume is:

“Many influences can cause a person to abandon the faith that they once loved: the hostility of secular society, misleading philosophical arguments, and painful experiences that undermine one’s beliefs about God and his Church.

This sensitive exploration of the reasons why people leave the Church offers encouragement and support to those most deeply affected by their decision. The central truth remains: that God comes looking for us when we are lost and separate ourselves from his life and his love. Drawing on the parables of Jesus, and the wisdom of famous men and women who were once lost and later returned to the Christian faith, Nick Donnelly explores this fundamental truth about God’s loving response to humanity.”

The chapters in this small volume are:

God Knows We Easily Get Lost
What Does It Mean To Be Catholic?
Reasons Why People Leave
Famous Christians Who Got Lost And Came Back
Facing Problems Caused When Family Leave The Church
Tips About Coping When Family Leave

This book begins with these words:

“Every family I know is affected in some way by the modern loss of faith. I’ve lost count of the number of young people I’ve known who have left the Church. The practice of the faith has collapsed in my own extended family. My paternal and maternal grandparents were all devout Catholics who attended daily Mass. They had between them eight children, who all practised the faith, one of them becoming a nun. In the next generation there were twenty-two children, including myself. Of this generation, only seven are practising Catholics, three are members of other Christian ecclesial communities, such as the Church of England and the Baptists, while the remaining twelve are now secular. Most of my grandparents’ great-grandchildren have not been baptised and have no contact with the Catholic Church.”

As such we have a book written from personal experience and a personal passion. Donnelley’s passion for the lost in infused throughout the volume. This book outlines many of the causes of falling  away from the faith. And also provides hope. Some of those are the many great examples in this volume. Examples that give hope, and will inspire renewed prayer. Such as examples of:

Blessed Charles de Foucauld
Blessed Bartolo Longo
Dorothy Day, Servant of God

Some passages I highlighted my first time through this book are:

“The danger is that, for the sake of peace in the family, the remaining faithful members sink into a practical indifference. There is the temptation to ignore the practical atheism of those who leave by focusing on their positive qualities and natural good acts, overlooking the fact that they are gravely lost, living their lives as if God does not exist. The danger for us is that if, out of love, and for the sake of peace, we acquiesce to their leaving the Church, we also live as if God does not exist.”

“It’s sobering to realise that we all have an inclination to rebellion, to disloyalty and to betrayal. Why does original sin leave us with this inclination to rebellion against God?”

“The sacraments, particularly the sacraments of Confession and the Most Holy Eucharist, protect us from the power of the devil. But those who place themselves outside the protection of the Church, especially if they do so as a conscious act of rebellion against God, put themselves under the influence of the devil and in harm’s way.”

“Since the early Church, Our Lord’s Parable of the Lost Sheep has been understood as revealing the truth of the Incarnation from God’s perspective. The parable (Lk 15:1-7) is one of the “parables of mercy”, a series which also includes the parable of the lost coin (Lk 15:8-10) and that of the father and his prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32). Pope Benedict XVI comments that these parables of mercy constitute God’s explanation of his own being as love and his activity towards sinful man (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 12).”

“Nowadays people use the word “Catholic” in many different ways. Some people say they are Catholic because their grandparents were faithful and went to Mass. Others call themselves Catholic because they went to a Catholic school during childhood, even if they haven’t had any contact with the Church since. There are those who call themselves Catholic because they were baptised as babies and they attend family christenings, weddings and funerals. There are also people who call themselves Catholic because they occasionally attend Mass at Christmas.

Faced with this complex modern reality, the question arises, what makes a person Catholic? To answer this question, we should begin with the Catholic Church’s understanding of herself. The Catholic Church’s understanding is that all of humanity is in a relationship with her, because she is the sacrament, the visible expression, of Jesus Christ in the world. And Jesus is the expression of God’s desire and will to search for lost humanity and bring everyone back into the safety of his divine purpose and grace.”

“People leave the Church for all kinds of reasons, some of which are more understandable than others, but at the end of the day leaving is always a serious mistake. St Paul warns Christians of the danger of making a “shipwreck of their faith” (1 Tm 1:18-19). For whatever reason a person leaves the Church, they are always harmed by losing the priceless gift of faith.

Some leave the Church deliberately after much thought and struggle, while many leave the Church almost by accident, carelessly losing the habit, as if they misplace their faith. C S Lewis, the author of the Narnia novels, got lost after the death of his mother, returning to Christianity later in life.”

Jumping from C.S. Lewis to the author of this work. Donnelly also writes from his experience of falling away and his own return. He states:

“I was born a cradle Catholic and grew up in a loving, practising Catholic family that faithfully went to Mass on Sunday. I’m a husband, a permanent deacon, a catechist and a journalist. I was granted a mandatum by a bishop that officially acknowledges me as a teacher of theology within the full communion of the Catholic Church.

But despite all this, there have been times in my life when I was lost, and sometimes very lost. I still attended Mass, and to outward appearances I was a Catholic, but I was lost all the same. As a teenager I got involved in occultism, using Tarot cards, I Ching and occasionally Ouija boards. For several years I read the works of occultists and dabbled in occult practices. Looking back I can see that I was seeking direct spiritual experiences in the natural world. At the time I didn’t realise that messing around with the occult put me in danger from the devil.”

His vulnerability and openness about his own failings is heartening. And will encourage those of us with loved ones away from the church. This book is easy to read. Easy to understand. It is well written.  

It is an excellent read. And one that I really needed. I look forward to reading more in the ‘Finding God Series’. But now I have several different series from CTS on the go. So many books so little time.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.


Books by Nick Donnelly:
Finding God Series:
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness
Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief
Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work
Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith

Other Books by Nick Donelly:
Living with Illness and Suffering
Hope and Healing: Living with Illness and Suffering
Prayers for Grieving Parents: Help After a Miscarriage or Still Birth
Praying the Rosary with the Martyrs
Praying The Creed In The Year Of Faith
Praying the Rosary with the Saints
…

With Pope Francis Series:
Loving Mary: What Pope Francis Says
Finding Forgiveness with Pope Francis
Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis
Who Is the Devil? What Pope Francis Says
Our Journey to Christmas: With Pope Francis
…

Fiction by Nick Donnelly:
Ben Armstrong Adventure Series Series:
Curse of the Seawolf
Snare of the Demons
Faith of the Armstrong
Fury of the Dragons
…

Unattributed books cowritten\ghost written by Nick Donnelly:
Priesthood Today
Fit for Mission? Church
Fit for Mission? Schools
Fit for Mission? Marriage
Fit for Mission? A Guide
...











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