Pastoral Books

Ceremonies Explained for Servers may well be called the "mother of all servers' manuals". This is the most detailed guide available for servers and those who train and supervise them at the altar.

In accessible language, Ceremonies covers the roles of servers in a wide range of Catholic liturgical celebrations. These are described in full, such as: the Mass in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary forms, the seven sacraments, the ceremonies of Holy Week, the Liturgy of the Hours, funeral rites, the liturgies that are celebrated by a bishop and major blessings.

Ceremonies also provides accurate explanations for each of these rites, with Catholic teaching on the liturgy and sacraments and a history of the ministry of servers. The skills, techniques and discipline involved in serving are explained, such as: how a procession should move, how to assist with incense, team-work and responding in emergencies and unforeseen situations.

A spirituality of this ministry runs through the manual, with an underlying theme of service and vocation. In an encouraging personal way, Ceremonies sets out high spiritual ideals that can inspire and guide those who enhance Catholic worship through their ministry.

Marriage and the family are in crisis. In October 2015,
a Synod of Bishops will meet in the Vatican to discuss this
important subject. In preparation for the event, eleven
Cardinals from around the world have written powerful
essays on some of the problems to be discussed: the challenge
of providing adequate marriage preparation in a secularized
world; the need for evangelization and conversion; the relationship
between charity and truth; the situation of divorced
and civilly remarried Catholics; and the demands of authentic
pastoral care.
The authors understand that doctrine and pastoral ministry
are not opposed to one another. They carefully steer a wise
and merciful course that engages genuine concerns, while
avoiding false compassion, which compromises both truth and
authentic love.
This book serves as both a concise introduction to the forthcoming
Synod and a helpful guide to applying Christ's teaching
to the pastoral care of families. Long after the Synod, these
essays will remain valuable for anyone wanting to understand
and to proclaim the Gospel of the Family.

Former Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada Marc Cardinal Ouellet offers a theological and philosophical defense of priestly celibacy in the Roman Catholic Church in anticipation of the Oct. 2019 Amazon synod. Drawing from the Bible, and inspired by his pastoral love for the peoples of South America, Cardinal Ouellet defends the priesthood against the challenges of secularism and the current abuse crisis in the Church.

The Handbook of Indulgences from Catholic Book Publishing is the revised edition of the Enchiridion of Indulgences and the official English translation of the Church\'s book on indulgences. This liturgical book includes a list of the works and prayers to which indulgences are attached. The Handbook of Indulgences is durably bound in a brown cloth cover to ensure long-lasting use.

"My own study of Church history has led me to conclude that every period of genuine renewal in the Church has been characterized by a revival of sound preaching." --Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of Milwaukee

Sincere, encouraging, and downright practical, Father McBride's How to Make Homilies Better, Briefer, and Bolder makes it easy to connect with your parishioners every Sunday and help them apply their faith to real life. Blending simple-to-follow instructions, proven strategies, and the occasional rule, this guidebook encapsulates 50 years of sermon mastery from one of the most notable preachers of our time. Develop the skills to: Create compelling twelve-minute Sunday homiliesDeliver memorable speeches that resonate in parishioners' hearts and mindsTransform lifeless homilies into irresistible calls to action

Comprehensive yet compact, How to Make Homilies Better, Briefer, and Bolder includes practical steps for overcoming public-speaking fears and time-saving tips for finding relevant stories that warrant sharing. Includes special tips for weddings, funerals, and Masses for children.

Great homilies are a key to thriving parishes. Whether you're a veteran pastor, new priest, or permanent deacon, this invaluable resource will make the most of your weekly preparation!

Experience the depth and beauty of an ancient prayer practice as it is celebrated in a modern monastic community

At the Church of the Transfiguration on Cape Cod, the Liturgy of the Hours is observed each day by the Community of Jesus, an ecumenical Christian community in the Benedictine monastic tradition. The Liturgy of the Hours is the heartbeat of everyday life, the pulse that sustains and nurtures the community. In this little book, all the richness of these ancient prayers is presented in a modified version for Christians everywhere. The Little Book of Hours provides four weeks of services, with three services for every day, and many additional collects and services. Learn how you can "pray the hours" in the midst of your busy life today.

"Prayer is first and foremost about relationship, our relationship with God and our relationship with one another in the Body of Christ. These relationships fill our lives with meaning and purpose. Prayer, then, is not so much an exercise of piety as it is an exchange of love." --from The Little Book of Hours

To learn more about the Community of Jesus visit www.communityofjesus.org.

In this highly anticipated English translation according to the Second Typical Edition, the Ordo Celebrandi Matrimonium \is presented with an enrichment of the Introduction, rites and prayers, and with certain changes introduced in keeping with the norm of the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983\ (Decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments). The revision of this Ritual Edition, which is divided into four chapters and includes three Appendices, incorporates changes in accord with the Third Typical Edition of The Roman Missal, updated Lectionary texts, and The Revised Grail Psalms. This Clothbound Edition includes all the enhanced features that celebrants have come to know and trust from Catholic Book Publishing: large, easy-to-read type; printed and reinforced end papers; a sturdy cover; and satin ribbon markers to add an elegant finishing touch. Specially produced acid-neutral cream paper from established, quality mills ensures a high level of opacity and consistency of the highest degree. While providing highly readable type for text and music, this volume also boasts a proven layout that respects functional page-turns.

Speaking on the sanctity of life from the pulpit can be a challenging--but beautiful--undertaking for any preacher. In Proclaiming the Message of Life, Fr. Frank Pavone offers a comprehensive guide to presenting a life-affirming message from the Sunday Lectionary readings for the entire three-year cycle. Fr. Pavone, one of the most prominent pro-life leaders in the world, provides pro-life reflections for every Sunday. This book will be both a valuable tool and a source of deep reflection for priests, other ministers, and lay people alike who wish to speak with wisdom and love on this important topic. Pavone addresses the principles of pro-life preaching as well as common objections to the clergy preaching on this subject. With wisdom and clarity he lays a foundation for this valuable teaching based on Scripture and sound pastoral practice. Proclaiming the Message of Life is essential reading for priests, deacons and pastors, as well as the lay faithful who wish to speak effectively about one of the most compelling issues of our time.

This newly available edition includes

complete Biblical readings taken

from the Revised Lectionary for

Mass as well as emendations in

accord with the 1983 Code of Canon

Law. It also features a new, largersize

format and large, bold, easy-toread

type. The volume is smyth

sewn, printed and illustrated in two

colors, and comes with two ribbon

markers. 224 pages. Size 71/4 x

101/4.

The Catholic Church today finds itself in the midst of a crisis. The flock is scattering, and while some shepherds bravely set off in search of those lost and wandering sheep, others drive them, and many more, further from the fold.

But the Church has seen and weathered numerous crises in its two millennia, and always one or more of its priests and bishops stood up and rallied the faithful: whether to rebuke an Emperor or oppose a policy, encourage the faithful or defend the faith, bishops and priests ascended the pulpit and delivered sermons that met the pressing needs of their own times, sermons which should be read and remembered by Catholics of all times. You will find comfort within these pages as you read the words of these heroic pastors of souls including:

St Ambrose of Milan, St Augustine, St John Chrysostom, St Edmund Campion, Pope St John Paul II, . . . and seven others.

Enter into the minds and thoughts of some of the bravest, most eloquent, homilists the Church has produced. More than one was killed for the words they uttered which you will find in these pages. But they counted not the cost.

Guided by Rev. Paul D. Scalia's introduction and commentaries, you will come to see that the Church has faced crises and survived, even thrived, before. In fact, it is one of the marks of her authenticity, as it has often been said, that no mere human institution could have survived the persecutions and scandals that the Catholic Church has withstood over 2000 years.

If you are a priest or bishop, just maybe reading these words of men not unlike yourself, will inspire you to stand and be counted and preach God's word from the pulpit without counting the cost.

The Shorter Book of Blessings from Catholic Book Publishing is a handy-sized edition of the larger Book of Blessings that includes only the blessings that are celebrated outside Mass. It contains the New American Bible translation for all Scripture readings to ensure conformity with the Catholic liturgical Lectionary. This handy liturgical resource is printed in two colors, with each blessing set in easy-to-read sense lines and carefully arranged for the celebrant. The Shorter Book of Blessings is bound in flexible brown simulated leather.