Organizations and Institutions Books

This book is the second volume of a recent collection for Cistercian Publications by Prof. Patrick O'Connell presenting Father Merton's own typsecripts of his talks given to novices while serving as Novice Master at Gethsemane.

The first volume of this series, Cassian and the Fathers: Initiation Into the Monastic Tradition, publishes Father Merton's notes on Cassian, the influential author of the The Institutes and 57. John Cassian: The Conferences (Ancient Christian Writers) as well as on other very early Catholic monastic authorities, such as Saint Anthony of the Desert, Saint Pachomius and the great Saint Basil, whose Rule Saint Benedict himself recommends for the stronger of his own followers.

This present volume continues the current welcome Cistercian publication of these typescript notes for novices, continuing and extending the earlier material on Basil, Pachomius and Cassian, and extending this to other Desert Fathers, principally in Palestine and Syria.

Prof. O'Connell's lengthy introduction is as welcome as his redaction of the lectures themselves. He mentions in passing an evocative mention by Father Merton in a letter to the famous Father (now Cardinal?) Hans Urs Von Balthasar of his intent to move swiftly beyond the Syrian material and discuss early Celtic (Irish) monasticism, still pre-Benedictine, and even presented this project to the novices in his introductory schema. Nevertheless, by the time he moved to his hermitage many years later, Father Merton was still discussing the Syrian monks and hermits, as the field is so rich. I for one eagerly await that third volume in this series, the one which would theoretically focus on those heroic early Irish monks shivering by the sea in their stone skelligs, the ones like Saint Malachy or Saint Columbanus who would return civilization and Catholicism to darkened Europe!

Certainly, in the meanwhile, this volume of notes for classes to novices is of gripping interest to anyone interested in our monastic past, to anyone who would give anything to have been a fly on the wall in Father Merton's classroom of novices, elbow to elbow with, for instance, his most famous novice, Father Ernesto Cardenal, author for instance of Salmos (Coleccion Estructuras y Procesos) and El Evangelio En Solentiname.

This present volume may be found to be too scholarly or specialized for the popular or casual reader, but a vast wealth of information and reflection for anyone with some background and strong commitment to this study and its practice. Through this book we find the evolution of Saint Benedict's Rule and thus western monasticism, as he turned to the earlier fathers to formulate his own community. For instance we find here in the discussion of Saint Pachomius the evolution of and reasoning for the monastic vow of poverty, pragmaticly as well as theologically.

Highly recommended for our present age.

Collectively authored by the team of June Alliman Yoder, Marlene Kropf, and Rebecca Slough, Preparing Sunday: A Collaborative Approach To Worship And Preaching is an extensive, in-depth study of theological designs presented throughout the year in Christian ritual and celebration. Gathering comprehensive analysis of the Christological Seasons of Advent, Christmas-Epiphany, Lent-Holy Week, Easter-to-Pentecost, and the ordinary times between. A welcome addition to personal, seminary, and church reference libraries, Preparing Sunday Dinner provides readers with an invaluable compendium style resource for understanding of the significant variants, lore and reasoning with respect to Christian worship.

I was very impressed with this book. It deals with many truths that have already been restored (faith/grace, holiness, Spirit & water [Jesus' name/full-immersion] baptisms, healings and miracles, etc.), how it was prophesied spiritualities would be restored, and uses an abundance of scriptural references to make its points. The emphasis is on restoring "Body Ministry" which is the work of the entire body of Christ, rather than reliance upon the "ordained" ministry only. Praise, Prayer, and Unity are also strongly emphasized.

This confirms what I thought was going on in the Novus Ordo Church. These priests see the Liberal-Modernist overtones of the New Mass and reject it. They literally go through HELL to get back to the sacrificing priest concept who offers up Jesus Christ for our sins, like in the Old Testament, not a Good Time "Happy Meal" as the Novus Ordo has it. I didn't want to put it down. These men are REAL HEROES, bucking the Catholic establishment, giving up EVERYTHING, (pension, medical insurance, housing, etc.) for their beliefs. Some are even "suspended", and/or without faculties, and literally cast aside by their Liberal Bishops. Yet they persevere giving the True Mass to the faithful. Many are 25-40 years into their priesthood. They are sure of their actions to a man. INSPIRING! HOPEFUL! The future of the Catholic Church as the sex scandals blow up on all sides!! A MUST READ for all Catholics who know somethings' wrong, but just couldn't put their finger on it. THIS puts the finger ON IT!!! IN SPADES!!

Noll explains how the search for a relationship between faith and science, as well as contemporary politics, ultimately was the relationship that spawned over a hundred and fifty years of antagonism between Christianity and the academy, or learning. In a sense, Christianity was forced to look at itself and ask if its core tenets were not subject to challenge. A great book! It is worth the read. It'll award you tremendously.

Being a Christian for over 20 years, I have read numerous books and workbooks. In the early 90's, I read this workbook and enjoyed it quite well. It confirmed a lot of what I had studied and been exposed to during my Christian journey. It added a lot to my growth. The book, Principles of Church Life, contains many valuable foundational truths and dynamics for church life and the born again spirit filled Christian. It will convince the new believer to want all of God and desire spiritual things He has made available to assist us in being better Christians. This book contains detailed information on
1. Foundation Principles and doctrines of Christ for the believer.
2. Personal growth and enrichment of the believer, i.e. stewardship, giving, soul winning, fasting and praying, praise and worship.
3. Study of church life - Christian protocol, church government, marriage and the church, gifts of the spirit.
4. Committment of the believer to God and the importance of the body of christ.
5. Restoration of the believer and the Church so that we may continue in His will and way.

Get the book, it will enhance your life and help you develop in your relationship with the Lord. The book is an excellent tool for Bible Study and Sunday School Teachers as well as for a School of Ministry. I have used this book as a tool in Bible study and in Bible training for almost ten years. It has been very valuable in directing others to answers to their questions as a back up to what was shared with them.

If you want committment, Principles of Church Life by Kevin Conner will be a blessing to others, your life and/or your congregation.

Scott Lehmann's under-appreciated book is one of the best and clearest demonstrations that environmental philosophy can be clear, vibrant, relevant, and important. Lehmann carefully examines the case for privatization of public lands, and articulately argues that it's a bad idea. Since privatization proposals are still very much 'on the table' as policy options, the issue continues to be relevant and important. Several years after its publication, Lehmann's book continues to be the best work on the subject. Anyone seriously interested in environmental policy can't afford to overlook this excellent book.

This book is one of the best around for anyone interested in setting up an alternative worship service/experience. The companion CD-Rom has loads of useful resources and suggestions to help. I would recommend this book to anyone who knows they are unhappy with "trad" worship but don't know how to go about exploring alternatives to the old forms of worship.

If you are striving to understand why you are experiencing difficult circumstances and other pressures, perhaps, you are a leader in the making. This book gives amazing insight into the process of balanced development required for one who wants to know God more deeply and to be used by Him more effectively. Read this book and be encouraged and challenged. It is a must for leadership training.

I found this book to be well written and thought provoking