At its annual convention in late May, the Catholic Press Association presented its annual awards to books judged superior in various categories. This week, The Tidings presents those books which earned first place honors, with judges' comments.
Popular presentation of the Catholic faith
May Crowning, Mass and Merton, by Liz Kelly (Loyola Press, Chicago)
Liz Kelly gives fresh meaning to the term "Popular Presentation." This is a joyful, heartfelt examination of Catholic life by a woman who has embraced every manifestation of it, from kneelers in church to the Eucharist, from particular prayers to the writings of such diverse authors as Flannery O'Connor and Thomas Merton. There are 49 remembrances, reflections and meditations and each calls the reader into the real world of faith.
Spirituality/soft cover
Jesus Today: A Spirituality of Radical Freedom, by Albert Nolan (Orbis Books, Maryknoll, N.Y.).
Albert Nolan points to the signs of the times in which we live: spiritual hunger, individualism, globalization and science. Using these signs as a springboard, Nolan delves into the spirituality of Jesus, our guide through the treacherous waters of our current civilization. Chapter by chapter, Nolan traces the process of imitating the spirituality of Jesus in the world of today, and leads us through the stages of personal transformation. By becoming one with God, one with ourselves, one with others and one with the universe, we become radically free. Readers will be rewarded with a broadened vision of the universe and its mystical underpinnings.
Spirituality/hard cover
My Life with the Saints, by James Martin, SJ (Loyola Press).
A delightful story of faith and the journey. Martin understands that the "saints" can be wonderful mentors and guides, and in this way he breathes new life into the concept of "devotion," which has fallen recently on hard times. It is also a wonderful book about a happy priest, who is nourished in his ministry by the events and the experiences of his life, the simple and the most profound. Both aspects are compelling.
Theology
Living Vatican II: The 21st Council for the 21st Century, by Gerald O'Collins, SJ (Paulist Press, Mahwah, N.J.).
This distinguished long-time professor of theology at the Gregorian University in Rome reflects on his personal experience of the Second Vatican Council and its aftermath in the course of the 40 plus years since its close. He especially focuses on the varying degrees of implementation or lack of implementation of the Council by Vatican offices. While careful to assign praise where O'Collins feels it is deserved, he also points out what he believes has been a frustration of some of the main concerns of the Council. Thus, though quite personal, this is one important voice in the continuing struggle over the proper interpretation of the Council.
Scripture
Hear, O Heavens and Listen, O Earth: An Introduction to the Prophets, by Joan E. Cook, SC (Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn.).
There are many fine introductory texts to the biblical prophets. The real strength of this volume is the way it is structured to engage the reader with the prophetic texts. The scholarship is contemporary, careful, and sensitive to text-based understandings of the biblical world. For example, while Is 11:1-10 is retrospectively understood by Christians as a prediction of the coming of Christ, for Isaiah's 8th century audience the passage announces the coming of a new king. "Both readings," Cook reminds us, "describe the characteristics of good leaders" (p. 118). Cook invites interaction with the prophets through questions imbedded throughout the book and encourages readers to interpret the prophets for their lives today. Particularly helpful is the inclusion of how each prophetic book is used in the Lectionary for Mass and the Revised Common Lectionary, as well as Jewish readings for Shabbat and holy days.
Liturgy
God's House is Our House: Re-imagining the Environment for Worship, by Richard S. Vosko (Liturgical Press).
Since 1970, liturgical design consultant Richard S. Vosko has been committed to helping parishes understand the implications, complexities and challenges of a building or renovation project. This volume is the sum of his work and his vision in the field of liturgical design. It is an essential resource for every parish that contemplates a building or renovation project. The practical references, the listed resources and the breadth of information provide an invaluable 'library' for pastors, architects, artists, fabricators, and especially for the members of parish committees. There is simply nothing else available that comes close to being such a rich resource in this area of research and pastoral need.
Pastoral ministry
The Discerning Heart, by Wilkie Au and Noreen Cannon Au (Paulist Press).
Against a background of shallow, fundamentalist culture that can too easily mask black-and-white thinking, Wilkie and Noreen Au's masterful work takes the serious spiritual seeker deep into a fundamentally mysterious yet discernible God. With the single caveat that this substantive theological and spiritual contribution to the ways and complexities of a discerning heart will be more accessible during longer times of retreat than to episodic edification, a couple whose pasts are grounded in religious life and prayer have given birth to a wonderfully powerful, instructive and much-needed reflection on the vastness of God's love and our human capacity to savor it in virtually all of the experiences, and seasons, of our lives.
Professional books
The Deacon Reader, by James Keating (Paulist Press).
In so many ways, deacons are among the best kept secret in the Church. That may seem an absurd comment to virtually any American Catholic because deacons have become ubiquitous in most parishes over the last decade. Yet despite their ever growing numbers, the definition of what a deacon actually is will vary from person to person, bishop to pastor, deacon to deacon. This collection of essays offers a terrific primer for the diaconate. Looking at ancient and recent history, as well as pastoral and sociological insights to the ancient order, this book will offer a foundation for much reflection and discussion.
Educational books
Faith First Legacy Parish Edition (RCL, Allen, Texas).
This series for grades kindergarten through junior high calls itself the "spiral" approach to learning the Catholic faith. Rather than one subject (Scripture, or morality or sacraments or prayer), each pillar of the Catechism is developed on every grade level in age appropriate ways. The text is well-written, the graphics are pleasing to the eye, and the features of each chapter bring in the child's human family and their faith family. Given the state of religious illiteracy, the additional resources such as assessment tools and on-line support are most welcome. Chapter lesson plans make it easy for first-time parent/catechists.
Design and production
Psalms: The Saint John's Bible, handwritten and illuminated by Donald Jackson (Liturgical Press).
One of the seven-volume series that reproduces the magnificent hand lettered and illuminated St. John's Bible. Carried out by an international team of artists and calligraphers, the series is the first hand lettered Bible to be commissioned since the invention of the printing press. Digital voice prints from various religious traditions serve as illuminations. With a two-column layout and generous white space, the lettering, though small in this facsimile edition, is surprisingly legible.
Children's books (tie)
My Muslim Friend: A Young Catholic Learns About Islam, by Donna Jean Kemmetmueller, FSP; illustrated by Laura Jacobsen (Pauline Books & Media, Boston).
My Muslim Friend serves as an excellent and very timely guide to the Muslim faith for young Catholics. The book is a good summary of both the Catholic and Muslim faiths and belief systems. Of its many strong points, one of the book's most important aspects is its focus on openmindedness and inclusiveness. The text is particularly effective because while explaining how the two religions are different it also describes the ways in which Catholics and Muslims are alike. The focus on the commonalities of the two friends, one Catholic, one Muslim, is commendable. My Muslim Friend is written as a fictional tale of a young Catholic girl and her Muslim friend, but it has excellent factual material blended into the narrative. The format of the book, with several text boxes of information per page, will be appealing to children. The book is child-friendly in its language and presentation.
Catholic Bible Stories for Children, by Ann Ball, Julianne M. Will and Kevin Davidson (Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, Ind.).
An incredibly beautiful book, not only for its illustrations but also for its language. The pages are bursting with color and the words are warm and welcoming. The stories are very reader- and storyteller-friendly, making it perfect for children and/or parents/teachers alike. Appearing throughout the book --- and adding a delightful "cameo" touch --- is a charming Christian fish character, Ichthus, who reinforces key elements of the Bible stories. Top quality in content and design, the vibrant colors, lovely illustrations and easy-to-read text making reading the stories fun for children and adults. Should be a part of every child's library and on their reading list.
First time author of a book
Soul and Self: Parallels Between Spiritual and Psychological Growth, by Paul K. Fehrenbach (Paulist Press).
Augustine of Hippo and contemporary psychology seem strange bedfellows, but Dr. Fehrenbach finds parallels between the dilemmas of 21st century man and episodes in Augustine's life. Hopefully, as we age, our spiritual growth and our psychological growth will parallel each other and interact with each other. Many Christians might become sidetracked on the psychological rail or the spiritual training of their grade school years. This book leads the individual Christian to discover again our soul and how our soul guides us. This book is intriguing, engaging, and challenging.
Family life
Finding Your Way Through Domestic Abuse, by Connie Fourré (Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Ind.).
Domestic abuse is more common than most of us know. This book excels in sound information about dealing with abuse, taking care of oneself, and healing the pain. In addition, it incorporates a spiritual dimension that is very valuable and necessary in order to address the whole person.
History
Cambridge History of Christianity: Origins to Constantine, edited by Margaret M. Mitchell and Frances M. Young (Cambridge University Press, New York).
An outstanding collection of essays that chronicle the theological, intellectual, political, social, cultural, regional and global ideas and events that situate the Christian movement in the context of world events and thought. This is the first of nine volumes in what will surely be a major influence on the twenty-first century understanding of the impact of Christianity on world history and culture.
Biography
Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian, by Charles E. Curran (Georgetown University Press, Washington, D.C.).
Father Charles Curran, the noted moral theologian explains the controversy that led to his being fired from Catholic University. In the humble pastoral style that marks his teachings and writings, Curran relates the lengthy dialogue with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith headed by then-Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) that culminated in the 1986 rejection of his positions on issues of sexual morality.
Gender issues
Sexuality and the U.S. Catholic Church: Crisis and Renewal, by Lisa Sowle Cahill, John Garvey and T. Frank Kennedy, SJ, Herder & Herder (Crossroad Publishing, New York).
This collection of essays deserves first place because of the continuing difficulties that the Catholic/Christian tradition has faced with this crucial area of human life and experience. The editors stress that there are no easy solutions and the essays reflect, in intellectually and personally honest and challenging ways, the difficult struggles towards human and Christian authenticity that real men, women, clergy and religious face in their daily lives. One comes away from the book feeling a grounded hope for the future --- what the editors call "hope for a self-critical, creative, and faithful reappropriation of Catholic values for tomorrow."
Reference books
Religion in Latin America: A Documentary History, by Lee M. Penyak and Walter Petry, editors (Orbis).
With the thoroughness of its documentation and the richness of its introductions, Religion in Latin America will provide an invaluable resource for all students of Latin American religion, culture and society, as well as for all students of history and politics. This is a landmark volume at a time when the Latin American presence in the United States is settling into a significant and major role in all aspects of American life.
Best book by a small publisher
Cluny: In Search of God's Lost Empire, by Edwin Mullins (BlueBridge, New York).
How many Catholics today recognize the name Cluny? To know of Cluny would be to know of the Church in the Middle Ages when the Church was at the apogee of its power. Cluny was a Benedictine monastery located in Burgundy. Its church was the largest ever built. But Cluny was no mere monastery because of the abbots who ruled there, e.g. Hugh the Great and Peter the Venerable, who were confidants of emperors, popes and kings. One pope, Urban II, was not only a Cluny monk but the abbey's grand prior. Cluny became an institution of power and influence in the Middle Ages. Edwin Mullins recounts a story of rivalry and intrigue worthy of a modern novel. The reader can expect to be mystified, entertained and superbly educated by this account. This is a fine contribution to modern Catholic literature.
Social concerns
The Convict Christ, by Jens Soering (Orbis).
Very compelling and well-written. The topic is timely, and the author's perspective is challenging and well-researched. It is a wonderful book for Christians who are ready to confront our society's "lepers" --- prison inmates. The volume is easy to read and well-organized, and we especially appreciated the integration of Scripture, personal stories and broader reflections. |