Reading Catholic

Reading Catholic and catholic

Saints

Meet a Reader: Jessica Woiwode

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photo_kindlephoto-20631763How you know me:

I am a stay at home wife and mother. My husband Josh and I live in Pekin with our four-year-old son Brogan. We attend Saint Joseph’s in Pekin.

Why I love reading:

Reading has such an ability to put my mind at ease. From my early days of enjoying Beverly Lewis’ Amish fiction books, and the thoughts of such a simple life; to present day books on spirituality and contemplating the wonders of God’s Love for each of us, I’ve always loved reading.

What I am reading now:

I’m currently reading two books:

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Reading this book started as a reluctant journey wondering how reading a book that is a compilation of letters exchanged between fictional demons could possibly be uplifting or enlightening. I have found it to not only give me insight into how easily our fallen nature can justify our sin and temptations, but also how diligently God watches over us and needs us only to utter one loving prayer of trust and abandon unto His will, and He gathers us into His arms.

Uniformity with God’s Will by Saint Alphonsus de Liguori. This book is just a very short read on exactly the title. So many times we think we should only conform to The Lord’s will, but in actuality we must be immersed in uniformity to His Will.

”Conformity signifies that we join our wills to the will of God. Uniformity means more- it means that we make one will of God’s will and ours, so that we will only what God wills; that God’s will alone, is our will.” Love of God’s will is knowing that whatever happens to us is only preparing us to love Him more for eternity.

My favorite book:

The Gospel of John, because Jesus speaks the most in this Gospel. All of John Chapter 14 is my favorite.

Nancy here–I’m especially delighted to share Jessica as a”Meet a Reader” since I’ve known her since she was a young teenager, and she was babysitting for my toddlers.  Now she has a toddler of her own!

American and Catholic {My October column, The Catholic Post}

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Here is my column that appears in this week’s print edition of The Catholic Post.

St. Catherine of Siena famously said, “If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!”

Less well-known is a quote by St. Edith Stein. She didn’t say it about American Catholics, but definitely fits: “The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.”

Neither of those quotes are in The American Catholic Almanac: A Daily Reader of Patriots, Saints, Rogues, and Ordinary People Who Changed the United States.

But they explain the appeal of this treasury that explores how a varied cast of characters and events shaped the nation and its Catholic culture.

The American Catholic Almanac is ably written by two authors—Emily Stimpson, an author with local roots (her family has roots in the Quad Cities, and her cousin is Peoria Notre Dame Chaplain Fr. Adam Stimpson), and Brian Burch.

For each day of the year, one notable American Catholic person or event in American Catholic history, with some connection to that date, is featured. The book spans from the earliest explorers in the late 15th and early 16th century, through to the present day. And, true to its title, the book explores patriots, saints and rogues, though I would argue there are no ordinary people among the 365 notables, obscurity notwithstanding.

I loved this book, and look forward to exploring it even more. Virtually every entry is filled with quirky, awe-inspiring, or just plain interesting, Catholic history.

Admittedly, I’m a history nerd. But you don’t have to geek out on history to love The American Catholic Almanac. Here are several reasons why:

*You’ll be surprised again and again by people you didn’t realize were Catholic, and even more surprised by “how” they were Catholic, whether throughout their lives, or at the end of life. I knew Andy Warhol was Catholic, but Jack Kerouac?

*You’l be astonished by the little-known events that helped shaped and knit Catholics into the fabric of American life. Did you know there was a 19th century Irish Catholic Colonization Association started by Peoria’s Bishop Spalding and others, to help re-settle Irish immigrants from tenements onto farms in the Midwest?

*You’ll find yourself wanting to know more about our rich Catholic heritage—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This book inspired me to think more about the heroes in our own midst right now, and who might be included in a future volume of The American Catholic Almanac.

I really hope there is a future volume, although hearing from author Stimpson of the tremendous work that went into this one, it may be awhile.

We may not be colorful firebrands like Mary Fields (October 17, “Stagecoach Mary”), a whiskey-drinking former slave who served Ursulines, or tireless priests like local son (Alleman High School was named after him) Father Alleman (May 10, “The Big Priest”), who personally chopped the wood for churches he founded in southeastern Iowa and western Illinois. But The American Catholic Almanac makes clear that anyone, from celebrities and intellectuals to humble folk, religious and lay, sinners and saints, can have a big impact on culture and history.

Father Benedict Groeschel, Rest in Peace

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I learned this weekend that Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., died on the eve of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  May he rest in peace!

He was such a sensible, holy voice in so many ways. Anyone who saw him on EWTN‘s “Sunday Night Live” for many years will recall many great interviews and insights there.

Here are four books that I consider Father Groeschel classics, from a quick perusal of my bookshelves.  I know he wrote many more, and I loved many more, but it’s a start.

Father Groeschel was a psychologist, and worked in the field for many years, so his advice about matters emotional and mental is both time-tested, professional and sensible, but with gentleness.

Here is where I briefly reviewed Arise from Darkness: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense, along with several newer classic book about mental health issues.  But it’s a gem.

Travelers Along the Way: The Men and Women Who Shaped My Life is a  relatively easy read, but very substantial and edifying at the same time.

I’m going to excerpt from my prior review of this great read:

This book is like a “who’s who” of Catholicism, from mini-biographies of saints and blessed, the famous and the obscure, in fascinating color. Each chapter is a little gem of anecdotes and memories of the particular fellow “traveler,” from Cardinal Cooke to Groeschel’s secretary.

The prolific Fr. Groeschel is easy to read (in the best sense of the word); he’s such an excellent writer that he makes it look easy to write in a conversational, relational style. Travelers Along the Way puts that great style to good use, as you can easily pick up and read one “traveler’s” story.

The Saints in My Life: My Favorite Spiritual Companions is very similar to Travelers Along the Way, but instead of stories of people Fr. Groeschel knew, the stories here are about his spiritual friendship with saints over his life and vocation. Nicely organized and useful for considering how the reader is impacted by saints.

Finally, here is a book I couldn’t locate on my bookshelf–I must have loaned it out to someone.  But even thinking about this book again brings up strong emotions.

In , A Priest Forever: The Life of Eugene Hamilton, Father Groeschel writes so beautifully about the life of a young man who had a longtime vocation to the priesthood. From the description (since I can’t peruse the book, nor can I find where I’ve written about it before–it must be offline):

This is the true story of Eugene Hamilton, a young man who dreamed of becoming a priest; a young man stricken with terminal cancer as his life was just beginning; a man who was ordained, by papal dispensation, just hours before he died.

My memory of reading it:  I  was a new mother with one baby when I first read this book.  I found myself weeping about his death, but also deepening my sense of by the nature of vocation, the gift of the priesthood to the rest of the people of God, and the beauty of life and death.

Do you have a favorite Father Groeschel book?  Any impressions of his life or advice?

Patron Saint of Spirited, High-Maintenance and High Energy Children Everywhere

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IMG_7990 St. Therese’s mother wrote about her:

“The dear little thing will hardly leave me, she follows me everywhere, but likes going into the garden best; when I am not there she refuses to stay, and cries so much that they are obliged to bring her back. She will not even go upstairs alone without calling me at each step, ‘Mamma! Mamma!’ and if I forget to answer ‘Yes, darling!’ she waits where she is, and will not move.”

Raise your hand if you were a high-energy, high-maintenance child.  Raise your other hand if you have one or more children in this category.

I’m raising both my hands.

Does anyone else think it is a travesty that St. Therese’s parents are not yet canonized?  Only Blessed? Really? Laughing here, but I think it’s pretty obvious they are saints.

Happy Feast of the Little Flower, St. Therese, patron saint of spirited children and their parents.

The reason I know about that quote above is when my younger teen daughter chose St. Therese as her confirmation saint, and read The Story of A Soul, that was one of her favorite parts.  This morning, there were at least two of my children doing that as they came downstairs.  “Mamma!” “Yes, darling.”  Repeat.

As you might be able to discern, we really love St. Therese at our house. I did the St. Therese novena–I’ve done it many times in the past, and this year I did the one along with Pray More Novenas.

I was a little sad that I didn’t see or get any roses, one of the promises of doing the novena.

Last night, my 13-year-old daughter and I made rose-shaped scones, as we do every year, using this pan (you can get one, too, if you click on the photo. I only use it a handful of times through they year, but I’m so glad I have it).

 This morning after Mass, I came home and decided to take an Instagram photo of the scones before we ate them, and as I was composing the photo, I heard St. Therese whisper, “Well, there are your roses!”

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There was no actual voice, but that kind of a thing would be something St. Therese would say.

Later that morning, my younger teen came down wearing leggings that have roses on them (it is her feast day, after all)  so I expect a lot more roses throughout the day.

Some books about St. Therese and her family:

I’ve written about Leonie: A Difficult Life before, and you can read that here.  But this is the first book I thought of today after Story of a Soul. (you can read Story of a Soul online here).

Briefly, Leonie: A Difficult Life  details the ups and downs in Leonie’s life.  Reading about her mental health issues and how she worked to overcome them and persist in seeking to fulfill her vocation has brought me to tears on several occasions.

I still have not read the entirety of this book, though several of my friends have it as a favorite.

Olivia and the Little Way by Nancy Carabio Belanger chronicles Olivia’s fifth grade year and her ups & downs, as she discovers the spirituality of the Little Flower. Just a wonderful book. Nancy wrote a sequel to it called Olivia’s Gift which has a subtle pro-life and modesty theme that is excellent for older girls, and that we also loved at our house.  Here is my Q&A with author Nancy Carabio Belanger.

Are you doing anything special to mark the feast of St. Therese? Any roses?

Meet a Reader: Ellen Tallon

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{Following is this month’s “Meet a Reader” feature that appears in this week’s print version of The Catholic Post.}

Ellen Tallon

How you know me:

I am a parishioner of St. Ann Church in Peoria with my husband and foster daughter. I grew up in Morton and attended Blessed Sacrament Parish where my parents are still members. I have been a teacher for 20 years and have worked at Peoria Notre Dame and Peoria Heights High School. I am active in TEC, WATCH, JAM, and Cursillo.

Why I love reading:

I love to read because I love to learn. I especially love to read books and articles about three topics: faith, people, and science. The books I enjoy most intertwine those topics. Although I did not always enjoy reading I found it was the best way to learn about new things. Throughout the years, I mostly read scientific journals, but I have learned to appreciate biographies and novels. As a teacher, I love to challenge myself.

What I’m reading now:

I am currently reading two books.


Inheritance: How Our Genes Change Our Lives—And Our Lives Change Our Genes by Sharon Moalem, discusses how genetic breakthroughs are transforming our understanding of the world and our own lives. It is remarkably spiritual and scientific at the same time.


I’m also reading Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table by Shauna Niequest. It’s a series of short experiences around the table which help us to grow in our faith by sharing a meal with family and friends. It brings the focus of meals back to the ultimate feast of bread and wine in the Body and Blood of Christ.

My favorite book:


My favorite book is A Love Worth Giving: Living in the Overflow of God’s Love by Max Lucado. In the book, Lucado takes the verses from 1 Corinthian 13:4-8 and makes it unforgettable in our daily lives in very simple ways.

He has the ability to take the verses which are so familiar to us and turn them around so that we can evaluate how we are loving those around us. Do we love them the way God intended us to love others as ourselves? I have reread this book several times, and each time I learn more about the incredible love God has for us if we only are willing to allow Him to love all of us.

Theology for the Rest of Us {my September column, The Catholic Post}

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(Following is my column that appears in this week’s print edition of The Catholic Post.)

To paraphrase Marcus Welby, M.D., I’m not a theologian, nor do I play one on television.

And while I do plenty of reading and reviewing of Catholic books in various genres, consider me firmly in the “normal layperson” category. Believe me, I can be just as intimidated by a heavily theological book as the next Catholic. Despite that, I’m like many people, who strive be able to know and understand better the rich intellectual history of the Catholic Church and her saints.

It can be good to have a “translator” to help bridge the gap between important Catholic thought and normal readers like me. Here are some good recent books to help us to branch out.

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In Saints and Social Justice: A Guide to Changing the World, author Brandon Vogt uses the lives of saints to illuminate and explore each of the seven themes of social justice.

The idea behind this book is brilliant—who better than the saints and the lives they led to explain key tenets of our faith? But it’s Vogt’s execution is what makes this book a stand-out.

Each social justice theme is highlighted through two saints; usually one better-known, one less so. For instance, for the justice theme of rights & responsibilities, Vogt profiles both St. Thomas More and St. Roque Gonzalez, a Paraguayan Jesuit. And the theme of life & dignity of the human person uses the lives of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, as well as St. Peter Claver.

Vogt explains why he uses saints to illustrate the themes of social justice:

“Catholic social teaching should be well-known, well-understood, and, most of all, well-practiced. The saints knew this best and so it’s the them we turn.”

Each saint profile is both succinct and packed with detail about how he or she lived a heroic life, told through the lens of one of the social justice themes. Helpful sidebars quote from church documents and tell other stories to bring social justice alive. It’s a great combination.

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I, personally, have always been a little intimidated by St. Thomas Aquinas, even though he is a doctor of the church and for many the theologian. When my husband and I were dating in Washington, D.C., we sometimes attended a St. Thomas Aquinas study group led by a saintly older Dominican priest. But I use the word “we” loosely, for while everyone was very nice, the discussion was often on a different plane than my non-philosophical mind.

I wish more than 20 years ago, I had had for translation, The One Minute Aquinas: The Doctor’s Quick Answers to Fundamental Questions” by Kevin Vost, Psy.D. This new book is a great bridge from St. Thomas Aquinas, theologian and doctor, to the rest of us.

In “small, digestible portions” Vost offers an outline of St. Thomas’ major works and his wisdom in counseling others. What I love best about The One-Minute Aquinas is that can pick up the book at any point, rather than read it as a start-to-finish. Finally, I’m able to (slowly) learn at my own pace about this great saint and how his mind worked.

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I am intrigued by St. Teresa Benedita of the Cross (St. Edith Stein), but I’ve never known how to start reading her writings. So I was delighted to find Embracing Edith Stein: Wisdom for Women by Anne Costa.

Costa writes beautifully about how she came to love Edith Stein (known now as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross). It’s part biography, part spiritual memoir of both Edith Stein and Costa herself, and a great introduction to this fascinating 20th century saint.

I found myself writing down quotes as I read, both of St. Teresa herself as well as Costa’s insightful journey of knowledge.

Costa writes at one point about Edith Stein, pre-conversion, being strongly impacted by a woman coming into church for a visit: “What strikes me most about this encounter is that, as intelligent and knowledgeable as Edith was and as satisfied as she was with her ever-widening circle of friends, she never closed her mind or heart to new ideas and experiences. Her keen sense of observation and engagement with the world around her wasn’t just an intellectual exercise, but a spiritual one.”

And finally, a wonderful quote from Edith Stein:

“It all depends on having a quiet little corner where you can talk with God on a daily basis as if nothing else existed..and regarding yourself completely as an instrument, so that you treat your most frequently demanded talents, not as something that you use, but as God working through you.”

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Quirky aside from me.  When I wrote the first line for this column, it never occurred to me that it wasn’t Marcus Welby, M.D. (actually, actor Robert Young) who spoke those famous words, so much a part of my cultural knowledge is that concept.  It turns out I was wrong, but I’ve kept it in since most people make a similar mistake.  Here is an article to get you started, and here’ s a link to a video of one of Robert Young’s decaf coffee ads.