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July 11, 2006
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Greetings and welcome to Faith
Formation Update, a free monthly e-newsletter for catechetical leaders with
a focus on parish catechesis beyond textbooks and classrooms. I'm Judith
Dunlap. In each issue I offer a brief starter and my "Every
Family" column. My co-worker and fellow religious educator Joan
McKamey offers video resources and ideas in her "Seen
and Heard" column. Our co-worker Chuck
Blankenship suggests other faith formation resources for adults from St. Anthony
Messenger Press in his column, "Sowing Sampler." Finally,
we encourage YOU to share views and program ideas about this month's topic on our online
bulletin board, "Faith Formation Forum."
Blessings on your work!
—Judith Dunlap
p.s. You're receiving this either because you
signed up, or because you're a loyal customer of St. Anthony Messenger Press. We will
never send you unwanted e-mail. There is an unsubscribe link at the bottom of this page.
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July is the month in which we traditionally offer you
a few suggestions as personal resources for your R & R–relaxing and re-energizing.
In years past, I’ve suggested some great audio resources, but I’m sure Joan
will be giving you some good ideas for traveling or sitting by the pool. I’ve decided
to tell you about the three books that I chose. Each of them fits one of the things I like
to incorporate into my summer reading: something of personal interest, a ministerial resource
and a current “must” read.
I love history, so my first choice is American & Catholic:
A Popular History of Catholicism in the United States. The book begins with
a look at the Native American faiths that were prevalent before the 16th-century
European religions were imported. It ends with a chapter on the 21st-century
complexities of being an American Catholic. The book discusses our flaws as well as
our great successes. It is filled with pictures, stories, firsthand testimonies and
quotes, all of which make the chapters easy and interesting to read. (Click
here to see the Table of Contents.)
I chose my second book because I give several talks each year for the
folks in my parish RCIA. The book Franciscan
Prayer was published in 2004, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.
Author Ilia Delio, O.S.F., uses the letters and actions of St. Clare, the friend of Francis,
to find the rudiments of Franciscan prayer: gaze, consider, contemplate, imitate. (Click
here to see the Table of Contents.)
The final book for my SAMP reading list is also authored by Ilia Delio,
O.S.F.
It’s called The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective. So many people have told me how much they enjoyed and learned from this book that it became my “must” read this summer. In Delio’s presentation, the relation of Christ to the whole of the cosmos and its history is an important dimension. In the introduction we are told, “The humility of God is really about God’s relationship to the world and God’s fidelity to the world, even when everything in the world seems to fail.” (Click here to see the Table of Contents.) Please understand that these books join others on my summer reading
list, which consists of a few books that are light beach fiction. I suggest checking out
your own public library for those resources.
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I’ve been waiting for months to tell you about
this new family resource. Finally, it is available. The book is called Your
Catholic Family: Simple Ways to Share the Faith at Home. Author Jim Merhaut put
together the resources he has been using for years in his parish.
The book has dozen of family lessons on everything from Scripture,
creed and doctrine, to sacraments, prayer and the life of Jesus. In her review of
the book, well-known author and speaker Dr. Kathleen O. Chesto tells us, “For parents…this
book is…an encyclopedia of tools that turns faith-learning into family fun. For
DREs, catechists and Catholic School teachers…this book is a must for the resource
shelf.”
Here are two sample lessons to check out. The first helps family members
understand what we mean by covenant by creating one of their own. (Click
here for sample.) The second lesson deals with a “Vision of Perfection.” (Click
here for sample.) I’m looking forward to trying out both lessons when my grandchildren
come for their summer visit.
You might want to order the book now so you can use summer downtime
to go through the book to see how you can use it in your parish.
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R & R. Ahhhhhh! Rest and relaxation.
While some of you are busy with vacation Bible school and other forms
of summer programs, others are catching their breath between school-year programming. Whatever
your summer holds, I hope that you will set aside some time for yourself.
I’d like to suggest you spend some time with a wonderful little
book by Dr. Robert Wicks. It is Riding
the Dragon: 10 Lessons for Inner Strength in Challenging Times. Click here to listen
to a sample I’ve selected for you (RealMedia | Windows
Media).
Robert Wicks is a psychologist and best-selling author who has written
many books on spirituality and personal growth. Part of his work is in assisting professionals
who help those traumatized by war or terror. His specialty is in ministering to those who
minister to others—people who have similar motivations and concerns to yours.
This audiobook is great for some self-care in these “slower” summer
months. In it you’ll find guidance and encouragement for engaging your problems and
growing through them, for riding those dragons (life’s difficulties) rather than
slaying them or driving them back into the cave.
Whatever you do, take care of yourself this summer. Putting
yourself on your list of priorities is not selfish—it’s necessary. You and your
ministry will benefit!
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Summertime is a great time to kick back and spend a
little time reading just for the fun of it. I love to read stories about real people, saints,
sinners or the undecided.
My first book for the summer is a surprising look at someone who,
50 years ago, was probably the most-watched bishop in the United States: Bishop Fulton
J. Sheen. Though known by many as the host of the weekly television show, Life Is Worth
Living, his life as a priest and bishop is an inspirational story that you’ll
find fascinating and difficult to put down. Meet
Fulton Sheen: Beloved Preacher and Teacher of the Word is a wonderful introduction
to this man who worked tirelessly to bring Christ to millions in the dawning of the television
era.
How about another attention-getter? John
the Baptist: Prophet and Disciple by Alexander Burke is a fresh and thorough
look at one of the first preachers of the Good News. Burke paints a fascinating picture
of this complicated and often mysterious figure from the early Christian story. Finally,
something lighthearted, heartwarming and uplifting: Outnumbered!
Raising 13 Kids with Humor and Prayer, Mary Ann Kuharski’s unique look
at parenting and family life. Her story will show you how family life is something
to be celebrated!
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