Everyone from inquirers and catechumens to lifelong Catholics will welcome the easy-to-understand, logical explanations found in this clear, concise overview of Catholic beliefs and church teachings. God, Jesus, Mary and the saints, the Bible, Mass, sacraments and prayer, plus moral and virtuous Christian living are all presented in a gentle yet persuasive manner that encourages acceptance and fosters genuine understanding. The appendix contains a treasury of Catholic prayers and devotions. Discussion questions and activities at the end of each chapter make Invitation to Catholicism ideal for RCIA and adult study groups. It is perfect for Catholics who want to move beyond the basic knowledge they received as children in religion classes. It offers a contemporary explanation of Catholicism that is grounded in the history and traditions of the church. Non-Catholics will find it a handy guide to what Catholics believe today. Book jacket.

What sets Catholicism apart from other Christian faiths? What does it mean to be Catholic today? Is the Bible a "Catholic" book? An Invitation to Catholic Faith gets the Catholic conversation rolling. You'll learn about the rich traditions, awesome mystery, and fascinating people of the Catholic Church. In clear and concise language, the author explains Catholic approaches to Scripture, Tradition, the sacraments, spiritual practices, and more. Wise and lively commentary plus discussion questions make this book perfect for individual or group study; for RCIA inquirers, catechumens, and candidates, and for returning or practicing Catholics. When life is confusing, troubling, or disappointing, the author says, "faith assures Catholics that there is more meaning to their existence than they could possibly know". Book jacket.

"Returning Home to Your Catholic Faith" addresses with honesty and compassion the fears, hurts, and guilt that many inactive Catholics feel when they first consider returning to the Church. A brief, to-the-point presentation of issues always stress God's mercy; most people who leave and later return do so as part of the process of maturing. Practical tips on how to reconnect with the Church are included. The section on what the Church is like today is a reassuring overview of the opportunities available in a parish. View sample pages. "Paperback"

Theologies of justification are too numerous to count. In this book, Gordon Smith synthesizes a lifetime of writing on calling, conversion, discernment and spiritual formation in a comprehensive and compelling theology of sanctification. Smith presents holiness in its christological, sapiential, vocational, social and emotional dimensions.

Only 2 in 10 Americans under 30 believe attending a church is important or worthwhile. Well over half of young adults raised in the Church have dropped out with many having a strong anti-Church stance, many even believing the Church does more harm than good.Fr. Josh Johnson was one of these people. In Broken and Blessed he tackles the harsh realities facing the Church in the 21st century. With charity and courage he speaks to his own generation of Catholic “Millennials,” who often feel their needs and concerns are not being addressed by the Church, or who simply do not believe the Catholic Faith has any relevance to their lives. Using his own experiences, both as a former struggling young Catholic and as a priest, Fr. Josh offers an inspiring witness of how he came to know God, rather than just knowing about him—and presents practical ways for us to truly know God as well. Broken and Blessed: Addresses head-on Millennials’ most pressing issues with the Catholic Faith Presents powerful and inspiring stories from Fr. Josh’s own faith journey Shows how one can truly encounter Jesus in a personal way Offers practical insights on how to overcome habitual sins Discusses the nature of prayer, as well as the challenges to prayer and how to overcome them

Thomas Keating was a Cistercian monk who founded the worldwide 'Contemplative Outreach', teaching people the art of meditation. Invitation to Love provides a road map for the journey that begins when Centering Prayer is seriously undertaken. Pointing to some of the recognizable landmarks on this journey, as well as to its ultimate destination, Father Keating addresses common questions regarding contemplative practice: How will it affect my life? Where does it lead us spiritually? What obstacles will I encounter along the way? How does it work? Following on from Open Mind, Open Heart, this book establishes a dialogue between the insights of contemporary psychology and the classic Christian spiritual masters, providing a solid conceptual background for the practice of Centering Prayer. This is a practical book, articulating the stages of the process of spiritual growth, and outlining how we might develop a deeper relationship with God and move from contemplation to action.

This book is about "Catholics Returning Home," a six-week support program aimed to help Catholics return to the Church. The program's non-judgmental approach is designed to recognize each participant's feelings and help each to understand they are not alone. Program activities, suggestions for publicizing the program and recommendations for follow-up make this an effective evangelization resource. Paperback