Discusses the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith and how God communicates through the people, places, and experiences that shape a person's life.

The sacraments are at the heart of our life as Catholics, the way we celebrate together our continuing conversion and encounter with God. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing, Marriage, and Holy Orders 'al are activities that require preparation to bring us to the fullness of our life in community and in Christ. Chapter by chapter, Father Lawrence Mick puts these core experiences into their historical and theological context, and illuminates the ways the sacraments bring us together as God's people. Ever conscious of the complex history of the church and its dynamic relationship to ritual, as well as the varied histories of human communities, Understanding the Sacraments Today is a book to be visited and revisited, a companion to the ongoing and repeated practices that nourish us. Lawrence E. Mick, a priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is a liturgical consultant and writer whose numerous books include Living Baptism Daly, published by Liturgical Press. He has also been active in parish, retreat, and campus ministries.

The Second Vatican Council envisioned a liturgical assembly that could understand and participate fully in the liturgy. Even when parishes have helped their members to understand and participate in the Sunday eucharistic liturgy, responses at liturgies for the other sacraments may seem uncertain and lukewarm. Do we know what we're doing when we celebrate the sacraments? In this book, as in its companion, Forming the Assembly to Celebrate the Mass, Larry Mick, a seasoned presider and writer on the liturgy, offers insights and suggestions for helping our communities understand the work we are called to do when we celebrate sacraments. The author explains each sacrament and its liturgical aspects in ways that will invigorate and prepare parish ministers for the work of liturgical catechesis. Once leaders are prepared, the book can then be used for catechizing the whole assembly. Parish councils, liturgy boards, liturgical ministers, adult formation groups and individuals in the assembly will all find in this book fresh perspectives for celebrating and savoring the sacraments.

In The Sacraments We Celebrate: A Catholic Guide to the Seven Mysteries of Faith, the second book in the Pillars of Faith series, Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi introduces the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Drawing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, and the writings of Benedict XVI and John Paul II, Msgr. Vaghi's easy-to-use resource considers each of the sacraments from a personal, communal, and social perspective. The chapters explore the sacraments as a whole and examine the scriptural foundation, the history, and the symbolism of each. At a time when Mass attendance, Confession, and the celebration of Catholic weddings are all declining, the clarity and accessibility of Msgr. Peter Vaghi's writing on the meaning of these celebrations, complemented by questions for reflection and prayer, makes The Sacraments We Celebrate a vital resource for any Catholic seeking to understand these central actions of the faith.

The older teens in your parish want a youth ministry program that exposes them to relevant, real-world topics in an active, engaging way. Horizons is an innovative, comprehensive approach to religious education. Its foundation is teacher-led, creative learning strategies that give students ample opportunities for discussion, reflection--and fun! Designed for grades 9-12, Horizons utilizes a module system so that you can combine courses and topics to meet the specific needs of your parish. Seven core courses set the stage for discussing central and foundational themes. Then choose from a wide selection of age-appropriate minicourses to round out your curriculum and craft summer courses, retreats, and youth-group activities. The Youth Ministry Strategies component features more than 65 creative youth activities to complement the Horizons curriculum. And on top of all that, Horizons includes outstanding training resources. You'll be able to create the most engaging and relevant youth ministry program for senior high that is available anywhere.