Books on war — its strategies, personalities, horrors, etc. — are plentiful. But as Veterans Day 2020 approaches, there are a host of reasons to spotlight “Beyond All Odds,” a personal reflection on World War II’s Battle of the Bulge penned by the late Donald F. “Bud” Vonachen. It would be enough that the story […]
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Reviewed by Katie Faley I have always felt a bit intimidated by Mother Teresa. She radically gave up everything for Jesus, living out His call to “take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece” in a very literal sense. She […]
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Reviewed by Nancy Piccione The members of my family, God bless them, have to put up with me sharing so many personal development tips, tricks, and hacks. I really, truly enjoy books, articles, and podcasts about ways to improve one’s time management, relationships, energy levels, and much more. If you’re a person like me, you […]
Continue readingReviewed by Sister Mary Core, OSB As I read “One Long River of Song,” a collection of Brian Doyle’s many essays, I wished I had personally known this man who had a “love affair” with words. In this one book alone, Doyle spews out every emotion imaginable, while writing in a style uniquely his own. […]
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Reviewed by Matthew Vander Vennet When my Grandpa Vander Vennet uttered his final breath, it was the first time I had been present as a soul was leaving its body. It was the final note in the song of a life well lived. We had known the end was approaching and had made sure that […]
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We are halfway through summer vacation, and the post-Independence Day lull has arrived. It’s a great time to introduce a few books to kids to get them thinking. Some of our recent favorites have been: “Stories of the Saints,” written by Carey Wallace and illustrated by Nick Thornborrow. This large, hardback book has more than […]
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Reviewed by Katie Bogner Agriculture teaches a unique perspective on the value of sacrifice, seasons of change, and the importance of community. In 2015, farmer Carl Bates of Galva was told that he only had months to live. With countless other concerns to focus on during their remaining time together, one major problem for the […]
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Megan Gannon is the author of "Special Saints for Special People: Stories of Saints with Disabilities," recently published by Twenty-Third Publications. She is a member of St. Timothy Church in Chantilly, Virginia. (Zoey Maraist/courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald)
Reviewed by Father Luke Spannagel If you have been following my book reviews, you may have noticed that I really enjoy stories. And people from the parishes where I have served know that I especially like saint stories. I am always edified by the great faith of the saints and find myself inspired by how […]
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Reviewed by Katie Bogner Model of Workmen. Comfort of the Afflicted. Pillar of Families. Terror of Demons. While “Foster Father of the Son of God” is the most important title of St. Joseph, it certainly isn’t the only name that describes the many roles he holds in the Kingdom of God. In “Consecration to St. […]
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Review by Nancy Piccione Years ago, in a column here, I told the story I love about St. Charles Borromeo, the 16th-century saint and archbishop. The story goes that he was playing cards with two priest friends. Someone near them asked what they would do if they knew the end of the world were to […]
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