You don’t change your life for an idea. You change your life for a person. This Advent, don’t get caught up in the busyness. Don’t get lost in the anxiety of preparing for a day. Joyfully anticipate the coming of the person of Jesus through an encounter with his Most Blessed Mother. Imagine having an Advent that is more peaceful, more joyful, and more meaningful than ever before. The Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary Journal not only lets you walk beside Mary during the first Advent, but also lets you get to know her in a way you haven’t before. Rejoice! offers more than insights and information about Mary’s life—it offers an opportunity for you to encounter Mary in the quiet of your heart. Each day, in a few short pages, Fr. Toups provides you with aids to help guide your prayer: A word - Focus on a single word each day to draw out the details, the specifics of who Our Lady is. A reflection - Learn more about Mary, the culture in which she was raised, and the world in which she lived. A Psalm - Each day, you’re given a Psalm to pray (just as Mary herself would have prayed) to help you enter into prayer. A reading - In reading Scripture, you find the Word of God, bringing you closer to Mary, who carried the Word in her body. A prompt - Space is provided each day to journal. Record how the Lord is speaking to you

"Prayer of the Soul: How to Open Your Heart to God" invites readers into an enriching odyssey, transcending religious boundaries to explore the transformative power of prayer. This soulful guide delves into the essence of prayer, unraveling its myriad forms—from supplication to meditation, gratitude to contemplation. Through diverse practices, readers learn to design sacred spaces, incorporating rituals that deepen their connection with the divine. This illuminating journey navigates the depths of the soul, uncovering the soul's intrinsic relationship with divinity. The book emphasizes the importance of prayer in nurturing a personal relationship with the sacred, guiding readers to recognize its significance beyond mere ritualistic practices. Chapters unfold like petals, exploring the tapestry of prayer forms, the art of creating personal prayer spaces, and the role of rituals in fostering a deeper connection. Overcoming obstacles in prayer, cultivating gratitude, and surrendering to the divine will become integral aspects of the prayerful life. The book also sheds light on the often-overlooked facets of prayer, such as the art of listening, intercessory prayer for others, and the practice of journaling as a means of spiritual reflection. It extends the tapestry of prayer to embrace families, communities, and the universal aspects of prayer across cultures and religions. As readers progress, they encounter the mystical dimensions of prayer—a sacred dance with the divine where the soul experiences ecstasy, union, and a transcendent connection beyond the boundaries of the known. The language of silence, unveiling the unseen, and the profound beauty of dissolving into the cosmic embrace are explored in depth. The journey concludes with a chapter offering encouragement for a continuing prayerful life, urging readers to embrace the fluidity of their practice, find joy in simplicity, and cultivate gratitude as a wellspring for the soul. It assures them that, like a tapestry continually woven, their prayers can be a beacon of light, contributing to the cosmic mosaic of existence. "Prayer of the Soul" is not just a book; it is a guide, a companion, and an invitation to a lifelong journey into the sacred realms of the heart. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a novice seeker, this book opens the door to a prayerful life, offering insights, practices, and wisdom that resonate across the diverse landscapes of the spiritual journey.

Vols. 42-57 (1930-45) include separately paged reports of secretary-treasurer, auditor, roster of officials and other documents dealing with the activities of the association.

Mothering is messy. Our joy and hope in raising children doesn’t change the reality that being a mom can be frustrating, stressful, and tiring. But just as God is using us to shape our children, God is using our children and motherhood to shape us. In The Better Mom, author Ruth Schwenk, herself a mother of four children, encourages us with the good news that there is more to being a mom than the extremes of striving for perfection or simply embracing the mess. We don’t need to settle for surviving our kids’ childhood. We can grow through it. With refreshing and heartfelt honesty Ruth emboldens moms to: Find freedom and walk confidently in purpose Create a God-honoring home environment Overcome unhealthy and destructive emotions such as anger, anxiety, and more Avoid glorifying the mess of mom-ing or idolizing perfection Cultivate life-giving friendships At the heart of The Better Mom is the message that Jesus calls us to live not a weary life, but a worthy life. We don’t have to settle for either being apathetic or struggling to be perfect. Both visions of motherhood go too far. Ruth offers a better option. She says, “It’s okay to come as we are, but what we’re called to do and be is far too important to stay there! The way to becoming a better mom starts not with what we are doing, but with who God is inviting us to become."