Healing

SURVIVING DEPRESSION: A CATHOLIC APPROACH

Hidden Graces: Poems for Crisis, Struggle, and Renewal Authors: Gretchen L. Schwenker, Mathew J. Kessler C.Ss.R. During the “in-between time” of emotional and spiritual instability that follows unexpected loss, poetry is a balm that soothes bruised souls. The 30 United States and British poets featured in this book teach us that it is possible to recover from loss with a deeper awareness of how life emerges from death and with gratitude for what we’ve learned—for the hidden graces. Additional features of Hidden Graces: Poems for Crisis, Struggle, and Renewal include an introduction to each section, ways to use poetry in meditation and prayer, indexes of authors and first lines, and a brief biography of each poet. Whether read privately or with a group, these poems will help you navigate your emotions and learn from your journey of loss and recovery.

hardcover, 144 pages

Too many people who claim to be Catholic are simply "going through the motions." They brush up against the Church in what might be described as episodic ways, best symbolized by attendance that is limited to Christmas, Easter, weddings, or funerals.

What can be done to encourage such "part-timers" to reestablish the lines of communication with their parish, thereby becoming more fully alive in the faith without adding to the guilt they may already be feeling?

This inspirational book features over 30 real life stories, reflections, Scripture passages, and discussion questions. They combine to establish a channel that will enable lapsed Catholics return to rich, active religious participation.

Now those who let their Catholicism cool can realize that they are not alone, and that reigniting the embers of their faith and their love for the Church is possible.

Paperback, 144 pages

This book in the Spiritual Life Series sets forth inspiring prayers for the healing of soul and body. Each day contains a specific Scripture quotation, reflection, and prayer to facilitate healing in one's life. Printed and illustrated in two colors. 

• Pages: 192
• Author: CATHOLIC BOOK PUBLISHING CORP.
• Size: 4 X 6 1/4
• Color: GREEN
• Binding: DURA-LUX

A daily reflection; Scripture or quote; and prayer for those who struggle with addiction, are in recovery, or are on their way to recovery. Complementing counseling, 12-Step meetings, or retreats, this book will offer encouragement to help bring you healing one day at a time—and with God’s help, strengthen you to help others who battle addiction. 

• Pages: 192
• Author: ALLAN F. WRIGHT
• Size: 4 X 6 1/4
• Color: RED
• Binding: DURA-LUX

Serving as a caregiver for a family member, friend, or any person takes abundant wisdom, patience, courage, and the help of God. These Scriptures or quotes, reflections, and prayers for each day are for those who, by nature, circumstances, or profession, are immersed in tending to the physical, emotional, and/or financial needs of others. Nurses, doctors, police, fire, and military personnel—as well as anyone caring for a loved one—will keep this prayer book close at hand to strengthen their compassion and mercy to heal and to suffer with whomever they help. 

• Pages: 192
• Author: ALLAN F. WRIGHT
• Size: 4 X 6 1/4
• Color: GREEN 
• Binding: DURA-LUX

This book is for anyone who has ever wept and wondered, "Why?" Peter Kreeft observes that our world is full of billions of normal lives that have been touched by apparently pointless and random suffering. This account of a real and honest personal quest is both engaging and convincing. Written from a deep well of wisdom derived from experience and careful observation, Making Sense Out of Suffering is a book for empty hearts, not full ones. Read it if you are hungry for insight into the mystery of suffering. A Servant Book. 

Paperback

The mystery of death strikes at the core of the human soul. We instinctively recoil at the pain of losing loved ones, and as we grapple, we are quick to seek remedies to console ourselves. There is no one better suited to assuage our grief than the translator of the Bible, St. Jerome (ca. 347–420). This book presents — for the first time in English — a fresh translation of seven of his most moving letters that sought to soothe his friends who suffered the loss of spouses, children, relatives, and loved ones.

You will be struck by the relevance of St. Jerome’s words to your experiences of grief today. You will learn how to find peace after the death of a dear one as St. Jerome, with palpable emotion, points to the hope promised in Christ’s Resurrection. You’ll also learn to transform your loss into a new opportunity to follow the Lord more closely through deeper Christian living, a union that St. Jerome explains powerfully to his friends.

This book begins with an introduction that presents the challenge of providing solace to the suffering along with a summary of St. Jerome’s long life and of his theology of consolation. Each of the seven letters is contextualized with a brief paragraph about the people and the situation at hand as well as key themes for the contemporary reader’s focus.

These precious letters reveal the compassionate heart of this enigmatic and eminent Church Father. By reflecting on the words that he used to hearten his spiritual children, you will be comforted in your own grief and fortified to support others in theirs. In these invaluable letters, you will encounter:

• A mother whose daughter led a worldly life until just a few months before her death
• An elderly bishop mourning the death of his young priest nephew
• An influential and holy widow and widower grieving the deaths of their spouses
• A wealthy man who lost two of his little daughters and his wife in close succession
• Early Christians who converted, led lives of heroic charity, and became saints

St. Jerome also encourages those who remain in their grief to consider the blessings they received from the lives of their loved ones and to look forward to a happy eternity together with them in Heaven. After reading his letters, you will never think of death in the same way again.

240 pages, paperback

Author: Abby Johnson, with Kristen Detrow

This book narrates the harrowing and life-changing experiences of former abortion clinic workers, including those of the author, who once directed abortion services at a large Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas. These individuals, whose names have been changed to protect their identities, left their jobs in the abortion industry after experiencing a change of heart. They have come forward with their stories, not for fame or notoriety, but to shed light on the reality of abortion. They want their stories to change the lives of others for the better.

These stories are difficult to read, because an abortion is an act of violence, harming not only the obvious victim—the unborn child-- but also the mother, the father, the doctor, and everyone else involved. But these stories also offer hope, for they show that anyone, no matter what part the person has played in an abortion, can start anew, can make amends for past mistakes. They demonstrate that the first step on that journey is telling the truth, as these courageous individuals do in these pages.

"Those of us that have worked in the abortion industry all live with a constant burden. We can't let our burden slide off of our shoulders; it is what keeps us on fire. It reminds us of why we fight so hard. We have seen death and evil in a way that most haven't—and we participated. But we are forgiven. He who has been forgiven much, loves much. And we love a lot. I am eagerly awaiting the day when we can call all abortionists and clinic workers former and repentant abortion providers."
— Abby Johnson, author

Paperback, 157 pages