In the beginning Cain railed against God by asking the probing question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Since that time prophets, saints and sinners have attempted to answer that challenge through personal sacrifice, compassion and inspired love.

A prime example of that devotion is "For We Are God's Helpers," the recently published book on the life of Msgr. Anthony Brouwers, the founder of the Lay Mission-Helpers and Mission Doctors in Los Angeles. This 160-page paperback edition traces the early life of the Lincoln Heights native through his seminary training, years of priestly achievements, the struggle to found the mission group and his eventual painful death.

Written by R.W. Dellinger with consummate skill that reveals Msgr. Brouwers' spiritual and physical struggles, the volume enables the reader to gain a rewarding insight of both the pastoral and missionary life of this unusual cleric.

Dellinger is an award-winning writer who has contributed articles to The Tidings and other Catholic publications for two decades, and is currently the editorial director of Catholic Creative Services in Burbank. In researching "God's Helpers," he interviewed more than 40 persons, collected 55 historic photos and in 16 chapters crafted a story that both inspires and creates an enlivening narrative of one man's priesthood and ultimate sacrifice.

Msgr. Brouwers was ordained in 1938 and appointed director of the Propagation of the Faith Society in 1948. He was internationally known for his work on behalf of the missions and as the founder-director of the Lay Mission-Helpers sent more than 200 lay helpers to work in mission fields. Besides his 15 years as the director, he also wrote more than 700 weekly "Mission Chats" for The Tidings (10 are reproduced in the book) and personally instructed and trained the mission helpers.

Numerous past associates, fellow priests and friends are quoted in the book and their comments clearly exemplify the heroic life of this missionary priest. Of his 1964 funeral, Tidings editor Al Antczak wrote: "He walked the mission trails of Asia and Africa amid the poverty and loneliness of the missionaries. He continued through the years even until he could follow it only from a wheelchair."

As the mourners stood by the grave, rain fell and Antczak concluded: "The winter rain fell softly at Calvary; it fell on a missionary grave."

"For We Are God's Helpers" is available from the Lay Mission-Helpers, www.laymissionhelpers, 3435 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010; (213) 368-1870.