Book Discussions
-
Read, Reflect, Rejoice!
-
Nourish your soul & grow in faith! Join us for the next book discussion.
-
The Library Ministry hosts book discussions each fall and spring. Come together in fellowship to discuss the current book at these one-time gatherings. All are welcome even if you have not yet read the book.
- Check out a copy of the book from our library or purchase from the Gift Shop or your favorite book vendor.
- Discussion guides are provided. You can find discussion guides from past discussions posted below.
-
"When we pray,
we speak to God;
but when we read,
God speaks to us."
- St. Jerome
-
-
-
Book Discussion Dates:
- Monday October 28, 2024: Heaven Starts Now: Becoming a Saint Day by Day by Fr. John Riccardo
- Monday February 24, 2025: These Twelve: The Gospel Through the Apostles' Eyes by Rod Bennett
- Monday April 28, 2025: Breath of God: Living a Life Led by the Holy Spirit by Dave Pivonka
"Spiritual reading seeks to encourage us to live a life of holiness.
Imagine if every Catholic read a good spiritual book for fifteen minutes a day. How would your parish change?" Matthew Kelly
-
Sign Up:Next Study: October 28 - Heaven Starts Now
-
-
-
Book Discussion Guides
Heaven Starts Now: How to Become a Saint Day by Day
by Fr. John Riccardo
Discussion Guide: Heaven Starts Now
Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World
by Henri JM Nouwen
Discussion Guide: Life of the Beloved
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus the Bridegroom, the Greatest Love Story Ever Told
by Brant Pitre
Discussion Guide: Jesus the Bridegroom
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Riding the Dragon: 10 lessons for Inner Strength
by Robert J. Wicks
Discussion Guide: Riding the Dragon
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Let This Be the Time, Spiritual Essentials for Life's Second Act
by Janet Schaeffler, OP
Discussion Guide: Let This Be the Time
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Around the Table; Retelling the Story of the Eucharist Through the Eyes of Jesus' First Followers
by R. Scott Hurd
Discussion Guide: Around the Table
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The Contemplative Rosary with St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Avila by Dan Burke
Discussion Guide: The Contemplative Rosary with St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Avila
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Women of Hope: Doctors of the Church by Terry Polakovic
Discussion Guide: Women of Hope
_________________________________________________________________________________________
How to be Holy: First Steps to Beoming a Saint by Peter Kreeft
Discussion Guide: How to be Holy
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Walking with Mary; a Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross by Edward Sri
Discussion Guide: Walking with Mary
_________________________________________________________________________________________
For Everything a Season by Joan Chittister
Discussion Guide: For Everything a Season
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus' Plan for a New World: The Sermon on the Mount by Richard Rohr
Discussion Guide: Jesus' Plan for a New World
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Prayer Our Deepest Longing by Ronald Rolheiser
Discussion Guide: Prayer Our Deepest Longing
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Peter; Keys to Following Jesus by Tim Gray
Discussion Guide: Peter: Keys to Following Jesus
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Who Am I to Judge? Responding to Relativism with Logic and Love by Edward Sri
Discussion Guide: Who Am I to Judge?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem by J. Augustine Wetta
Discussion Guide: Humility Rules
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Mercy in the City by Kerry Weber
Discussion Guide: Mercy in the City
_________________________________________________________________________________________
St. Thomas More: Model for Modern Catholics by John F. Fink
Discussion Guide: St. Thomas More
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Pilgrmage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis by Mark K. Shriver
Discussion Guide: PilgrmageJesus CEO by Laurie Beth Jones
Discussion Guides: Jesus CEO: First Session, Jesus CEO: Second Session, Jesus CEO: Third SessionThe Church of Mercy by Pope Francis
Discussion Guide: The Church of MercyThe Case for Grace by Lee Strobel
Award winning journalist and NYT best-selling author Lee Strobel draws upon his own journey from atheism to Christianity to explore the depth and breadth of God’s redeeming love for spiritually wayward people. He travels thousands of miles to capture the inspiring stories of everyday people whose values have been radically changed and who have discovered the “how” and “why” behind God’s amazing grace. Through it all, you will be encouraged as you see how God’s grace can revolutionize your eternity and relationships … starting today.
Discussion Guide: The Case for Grace
The Greatful Heart by Wikie Au & Noreen Cannon Au
Integrating the findings of modern psychology and traditional Christian spirituality, this book presents a spirituality of gratitude that can guide contemporary Christians in living with an expanded awareness of how grace abounds everywhere, as well as the personal and cultural hurdles that stand in the way of being grateful.
Discussion Guide: The Grateful Heart
Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Most of us believe in God’s grace—in theory. But somehow we can’t seem to apply it in our daily lives. We continue to see Him as a small-minded bookkeeper, tallying our failures and successes on a score sheet. Yet God gives us His grace, willingly, no matter what we’ve done. We come to Him as ragamuffins—dirty, bedraggled, and beat-up. And when we sit at His feet, He smiles upon us, the chosen objects of His “furious love.” Brennan Manning’s now-classic meditation on grace and what it takes to access it—simple honesty—has changed thousands of lives.
Discussion Guide: Ragamuffin Gospel
Hail, Holy Queen by Scott Hahn
Through a close examination of the Bible, as well as the work of both Catholic and Protestant scholars and clergy, Hahn brings to light the small but significant details showing that just as Jesus is the "New Adam," so Mary is the "New Eve." He unveils the Marian mystery at the heart of the Book of Revelation and reveals how it is foretold in the very first pages of the Book of Genesis and in the story of King David's monarchy, which speaks of a privileged place for the mother of the king. Building on these scriptural and historical foundations, Hahn presents a new look at the Marian doctrines: Her Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, Assumption, and Coronation.
Discussion Guide: Hail, Holy Queen
No Faith, No Miracles: What Jesus Asks of You by Arlene McGannon, DMin
We tend to think that miracles are all God's doing, that our cooperation is not important. But in truth, part of every miracle taking place is a profound faith expressed through action. Arlene McGannon takes Gospel accounts of Jesus' miracles a step further by applying each account to our own lives. Rather than expecting the miraculous, Jesus calls us to recognize our role in the making of a miracle.
Discussion Guide: No Faith No Miracles
What Good is God? by Philip Yancey
When life gets tough, does what we believe about God really matter? Philip Yancey is a journalist and spiritual writer who has traveled the world seeking an answer to this question. Find out the answers he discovered after examining 10 unique world events and how they impacted the people involved. A perfect read to make sense of our world today!
Discussion Guide: What Good is God?
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Henri Nouwen on a long spiritual adventure. Here he shares the deeply personal and resonant meditation that led him to discover the place within where God has chosen to dwell.
Discussion Guide: Return of the Prodigal Son
Seek First the Kingdom by Cardinal Donald Wuerl
In this insightful and highly relevant book, Cardinal Donald Wuerl makes the case that Catholics do not have the option of absenting themselves from the world, taking refuge in a completely private spirituality. As citizens of two worlds, it is precisely within the context of our faith that we can play a decisive role in transforming American society while furthering the goals of the kingdom of God.
Discussion Guide: Seek First the Kingdom -
Mission of the Family
Mission of the Family by Jon Leonetti
Call number: 248.4
Book Discussion Summer 2013Old Testament: The creation of humanity is the crown of the Creation story. What stories depict the importance of the family?
New Testament: Jesus is not from a typical family. How would a modern day reporter describe the Holy Family and its history?
Jesus reveals the two greatest mysteries of God. He is both fully God and fully man, and He is One in Three. Who is part of His family?
Marriage is the foundation for every family. In what ways does this work to benefit the family unit? How do you sustain a relationship, and ultimately, your family? Refer to the prayer on page 28. How does your faith as a couple affect those around you?
Discuss the effects of divorce for the family and for those families in the Church and in our parishes.
-