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Stacey Sumereau had it all mapped out: Broadway stardom, cherished roles in The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast, and a lifetime of dreams finally realized. Yet, despite the glittering accolades and the standing ovations, she felt an unexpected emptiness--a profound sense that something crucial was missing.

In Adventure Awaits, speaker, television personality, and host of the Called and Caffeinated podcast Stacey Sumereau takes readers on an eye-opening journey beyond the glitz and glamor of the stage. Through her candid reflections and personal stories, Stacey reveals how her deepest dreams, once thought to be the pinnacle of fulfillment and success, actually led her to a far richer discovery: a relationship with God.

Adventure Awaits is more than just a conversion story--it's a guide to spiritual awakening. Stacey unpacks pivotal stages of her spiritual growth, offering insights on how to hear and listen to God's voice amid life's chaos. She reveals how God uses every experience, including anxieties and missteps, to teach us about trust, purpose, and ultimate fulfillment.

Whether you're grappling with major life decisions like religious vocation or marriage or seeking direction in your everyday life, this book provides transformative tools for growth:

Each chapter is paired with journaling prompts, scripture reading strategies, and prayer exercises designed to help you move from anxiety and fear as you discern specific situations and discover how to surrender to the God who can be trusted with your future.

To carry on the mission of the Church, we must be unified, which Jesus himself prayed for. This unity begins first of all with the clergy, who share in the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

As I Have Loved You explores the concept of "clerical unity," which is a way of living out one's vocation to Holy Orders with a sense of oneness, cohesion, and harmony without divisions or fragmentation. Bishops, priests, and deacons form a single, complete brotherhood while maintaining, in whole, each order's distinctive and particular contribution to the mission of the Church.

Clerical unity signifies the interconnectedness, collaboration, and shared purpose among bishops, priests, and deacons. Despite their distinctive roles, they form a unified ordained ministry committed to advancing the mission of the Church by serving the People of God while upholding the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Faith.

In A Beautiful Second Act, bestselling author Maria Morera Johnson explores the adventure of life's second half, drawing inspiration from twenty saints and "soul sisters" who faced these challenges with courage.

As advancements in health and medicine extend our lifespan, women of the sandwich generation--those balancing the needs of both children and parents--are experiencing a multitude of challenges as they transition out of the workforce and into the promise of retirement. A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters Who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace contains encouragement and wisdom from saints and contemporary soul sisters who experienced similar challenges during their transition to midlife and beyond and offers insight into the aging process.

Chapter after chapter, these inspiring saints and contemporary changemakers from all over the world will help you, too, embrace your second half and the changes it brings to our health, our personal relationships, our responsibilities, our work, and our faith.

Each chapter offers experiences of female saints and soul sisters as they illuminate different aspects of this season of aging: physical changes in the body, shifts in work and purpose, dealing with aging parents and end-of-life issues, the need for strong spiritual friendships, and the importance of mercy.

Drawing from a diverse range of occupations, races, times, and outcomes, Johnson writes about her own struggle to redefine her second act and what it means to trust God as our lives begin to wind down and our ultimate purpose comes into crystal-clear focus.

"Death has no terrors for a sincere servant of Christ who is laboring to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth."

--Bl. Ramon Llull (c.1232-1315)

Blessed Ramon Llull's ultimate act of final perseverance was not one single decision made by grace, but the culmination of a life spent adhering to the will of God. The Memoirs of Blessed Ramon Llull is a thrilling narrative, reading almost like an action novel. In this autobiographical work, he humbly details his triumphs as well as his own weaknesses and disappointments. Due to rivalries between Catholic leaders, Bl. Ramon's missionary zeal faced indifference from within the Church as well as resistance from without.

This Franciscan tertiary is known as the Doctor Illuminatus because he wrote over 300 works that span dozens of disciplines, not least of which is his Greater Art (Arts Major). TAN's edition of Llull's autobiography also includes substantial extracts from his Booklet about the End. Translated in English for the first time, by Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB, this work gives a detailed outline of his request made to Pope Clement V and the College of Cardinals for the establishment of monastic academies to train future missionaries in foreign languages. Unfortunately, his request was denied. A visionary among his fellow clergymen, Bl. Ramon was alone in recognizing the importance of learning the vernacular of the unconverted nations. Despite this and various additional disappointments he experienced, Bl. Ramon never swayed from the work Christ called him to.

Throughout the modern era, Galileo Galilei has been presented as a victim of cruel torture of conscience, theological narrow-mindedness, and ecclesiastical harassment typical of a dark, closed-minded Church. Frequently portrayed as such in theaters due to prevailing political ideologies, the story of Galileo points to the long-held tension between "science and faith," "technology and ethics," and "progress and the Church."

The story of the real Galileo, however, which has not been told--until now--is sure to rock the established narrative.

Walter Cardinal Brandmüller, an eminent Church historian and expert in Galilean research, evaluates the scientific research of the recent past and exposes shocking historical errors. Uninterested in whitewashing the problematic pages of Church history, he offers a balanced view of the controversy, illuminating it through the lens of a deeper historical understanding.

Leaving no stone unturned, His Excellency separates the facts from the fiction to reveal:

You will discover the various aspects and philosophical views of the Galileo controversy, including how his personal polemics at times superseded his scientific research. Moreover, you will learn about significant scientists' and theologians' arguments regarding heliocentrism and other topics.

The book includes an extensive bibliography of Galileo's works and a timeline of his life, as well as a declaration from twelve Nobel Prize-winning scientists on the necessity of dialogue between science and religion and the need for the Church's guidance.

Nothing warms the heart like Christmastime. All of us have precious memories of yuletide cheer, from the excitement of anticipation to the frenzy of preparations to the heartfelt family moments.

Buoyed by the "contagious joy" of Christmas among his congregations in Buffalo and Boston, Fr. Francis X. Weiser compiled a treasure trove of Christmas lore to enrich holiday celebrations for generations to come. Fr. Weiser, who was born in Austria and emigrated to the United States, had long been fascinated by American Christmas culture, which he saw as a consolidation of all the most beloved traditions from the nation's diverse immigrant communities.

He relied on interviews with parishioners, once-lost documents, and well-known material culture to get to the root of such cherished customs as Nativity plays, gift giving, and Christmas caroling.

In addition to exploring the cultural origins of beloved Christmas traditions, Fr. Weiser reveals their spiritual significance and explains their symbolism, including:

Fr. Weiser considered holiday celebrations at home a "radiation of the liturgy," a beautiful opportunity to cultivate the domestic church in family life.

Packed with historical and liturgical references, literary excerpts, and charming anecdotes, this book will become a family favorite that's revisited year after year in homes that welcome it.

Join Fr. Weiser as he embarks on a tour of the jubilant celebrations that manifests the sublimity of the Incarnation in the American melting pot, from sea to shining sea.

It has been said, quite correctly, that we write as well as we read. It can also be said that we think as well as we read. Since reading well is so important, it is good to get into the habit of reading good books. The better the book, the better will be our ability to think well and write well.

In Classic Literature Made Simple, literary expert Joseph Pearce takes the reader on a guided tour of fifty great works of literature. The author of over thirty books, Pearce uses his experience of teaching literature at college level for over twenty years to show the reader the moral dimension of each work. He shows how each work presents a mystical mirror to the reader, offering insights into the meaning of life itself.

"Christian civilization has given birth to numerous great books as it has given birth to numerous great saints, "Joseph Pearce writes. "The former should be canonized as are the latter. Great books, like great saints, enrich our faith as they enrich our culture. As such, reading good books should be an integrated part of leading a good life."

Those who read this book will learn how to read the great books well, which will help them to live the good life well.

The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary is often overlooked and underutilized. Now is the time to respond to Our Lady's call to pray this chaplet fervently.

In these pages, you will discover how your own pierced heart can become a portal of grace that opens and transforms you into all that God wants you to be, allowing you to share in the mercy and love of Christ's Sacred Heart by uniting your sufferings to His.

Equipped with an enriched understanding of redemptive suffering, Dr. Joseph Hollcraft and Ruth Berghorst guide you in the practice of mental prayer with St. Alphonsus Liguori on the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary in response to Our Lady's request -- echoed in every contemporary Marian apparition -- to abide close to her heart and pray for the salvation of souls.

Key to obtaining the triumph of the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Our Lady is calling upon the saints who are uniquely disposed to help us in the twenty-first century.

These include:

Praying the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary is akin to entering Mary's classroom to comprehend what is often deemed incomprehensible. An important book in this classroom would be about Our Lady's Seven Sorrows and how to overcome temptations and trials as she did. Among the many sufferings she endured, these particular sorrows flowed from Satan's efforts to undermine her crucial role in our redemption. This book aims to acquaint Catholics with these vital sorrows -- and the advantages Our Lady has linked to this devotion.

Who are "cultural Catholics" and how do we connect with them? Written by award-winning sociologist and professor of religion Maureen K. Day, Cultural Catholics tells the story of those who consider themselves Catholic, but infrequently attend Mass. This accessible book examines cultural Catholics on a range of topics, allowing readers to come to a better understanding of this group, and offers ministerial insights for connecting with and accompanying them on their spiritual journeys.

Cultural Catholics comprise just over half of self-identified Catholics in the United States. Typical efforts or questions of outreach come from parishes, but because most cultural Catholics are loosely tethered to parish life, the standard avenues of Catholic ministry do not reach them in any reliable way. Using a nationally representative survey of more than 1,500 American Catholics as well as insights from ministry leaders, this book allows readers to see the differences and similarities in how cultural Catholics relate to their faith compared to Catholics in the pews. It also explores cultural Catholics' religious beliefs and practices, political and civic commitments, parish experiences, and concludes with concrete, evidence-based pastoral approaches.

Although frequent Confession is meritorious, one can easily become complacent and fall into a routine that diminishes sorrow for sins. This classic compendium provides preparations and thanksgivings to guide you step-by-step through the Confession process to help you develop a firm resolution, make reparation for sins, and become more disposed to receive God's grace.

Whether you are a recent convert or someone who confesses regularly, this book is for you. Fr. Hubert McEvoy, S.J., breaks open the true purpose of the sacrament and offers practical tips to help you grow in appreciation for God's abundant mercy.

The preparations and thanksgivings in these pages reveal the many benefits that the practice of frequent Confession provides besides the forgiveness of sins. Fr. McEvoy offers an atmosphere of freshness for each Confession by focusing our attention on themes associated with the rich and varied graces of this powerful sacrament. He explores topics ranging from self-knowledge, compunction, and penance to gratitude, forgiving others, and developing specific virtues.

Through stirring reflections on Scripture, and prayers and meditations from esteemed spiritual authors, you will learn:

- Why "confessions of devotion" are beneficial for your soul
- How Christ's gift of forgiveness in the sacrament restores peace
- St. Francis de Sales's advice for avoiding scrupulosity
- How to make a fruitful examination of conscience
- Practical advice and steps on making a good confession
- How to focus on core faults and ways to manage emotions

An extensive index and list of resources are also included, in addition to numerous scriptural passages for further meditation.

Despite our imperfections, Fr. McEvoy shows us how to humbly detest our sins while trusting in God and persevering with confidence and joy. By uniting our hearts more closely to God's will, he explains, we also grow in charity and help to build up the unity of His Church.

"To hasten daily progress along the path of virtue, We wish the pious practice of frequent confession to be earnestly advocated. Not without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was this practice introduced into the Church. By it, genuine self-knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and tepidity are purified, the will strengthened, and grace is increased in virtue of the sacrament itself" (Pope Pius XII, The Mystical Body).

In his fourth encyclical, Dilexit Nos ("He loved us"), Pope Francis writes, at a time of profound global challenges, on the human and divine love of the heart of Jesus Christ. As Pope Francis observes, "We find ourselves immersed in societies of serial consumers who live from day to day, dominated by the hectic pace and bombarded by technology, lacking in the patience needed to engage in the processes that an interior life by its very nature requires." The Holy Father calls for a change of perspective, urging humanity to rediscover what is most essential: the heart.

In Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis invites us to reflect on aspects of the Lord's love that could illuminate the path of ecclesial renewal and resonate meaningfully with "a world that seems to have lost its heart." This encyclical, which includes reflections from Sacred Scripture and previous magisterial teachings, reintroduces the Church to the spiritually profound devotion to the Sacred Heart.

The encyclical's release coincides with ongoing celebrations commemorating the 350th anniversary of the first appearance of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673, when he revealed to her his Sacred Heart.

To become a better Christian, you need to form your emotions aright. It might also surprise you to know that Catholic teaching doesn't disparage the emotions. Rather, the traditional Catholic view -- supported by giants in the Catholic tradition such as Saint Augustine, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and Saint Thomas Aquinas -- is that ongoing conversion does not mean suppressing, ignoring, or eradicating the emotions, but reforming them.

In Emotional Holiness, Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB, shows how the emotions are to be shaped and trained so that they work with your pursuit of all that is good and avoidance of what is evil. Getting the emotions to work with the mind's pursuit of God and the things of God is especially important to help you persevere in your God-given vocation.

Emotions can be unwieldy things, but with perseverance and the help of God's grace, they can be trained to help you to do what is right and avoid what is wrong.

Our Catholic churches are filled with an abundance of signs and symbols, some of which you may have never noticed or understood. The sacred art, architecture, and artifacts of a church building proclaim the Real Presence of Christ, God dwelling among us in the Blessed Sacrament. The saints portrayed within a church are witnesses to Eucharistic living, and we can identify them through various symbols that tell us about their lives, their works, and their witness to the living presence of God.

In Entering Heaven on Earth, Fr. Lawrence Lew, OP, shows you how to decode the signs and symbols found in our churches and to identify the saints depicted in them. This richly illustrated book filled with photographs the author has taken in churches from around the world will help you to see the churches you worship in or visit from a fresh perspective and to remember the true purpose of a church building.

A church is a visible expression of heaven come down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. It is always, first of all, a place for the Christian people to assemble for the sacred liturgy and celebrate the Eucharist. The beauty of nature, the creativity and craft of mankind, the good works of the virtuous and the just are all brought together in a church building to remind us of the graced activity of God, who is present to make us holy and draw us into a deeper union with him.