Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.
This is Jesus' invitation to discipleship in Matthew 11:28-30.
Father Patrick M. Crino, Pastor
John Paul II, Lessons for Living
Joseph Durepos
Mystery Stories, a Journey Through the Rosary
James L. Carney
This 300-page plus work is an insightful look into each of the Mysteries of the Rosary. It is an enriching tool for the most common, but most powerful of prayers.
The Mystery of God: Theology for Knowing the Unknowable (2012)
Steven Boyer and Christopher Hall
The authors have interesting insights for dealing with a subject which, of course, is a mystery. They are both professors at Eastern University (an American Baptist-affiliated school). The book is well written, but not one that one should or can finish in a couple of days. Including index, it is 244 pages. It is not the length that causes one to spend real time reading it, rather it is the thought-provoking nature of the subject. If you put time into considering this work it will be time well spent.
Stories for All Seasons: For Every Sunday, Every Year, Every Preacher, Every Teacher (2020)
Gerard Fuller O.M.I.
This is a quite different book, the type I use to get ideas for stories for homilies. It is a great companion to be read in whole or in part as the year goes on. I believe you’ll find the stories both interesting and insightful. The book is only 147 pages and each story is well footnoted as to source or sources. It is book that you will keep and return to often.
God Never Blinks,"50 lessons for Life's Little Detours"
Regina Brett
This excellent 250-page paperback costs about $16. The author was an editor for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. She has real insights into life's problems and puts them into perspective. It is one of the most practical books I have read in a long time.
Sacra Pagina Commentary Series (editor Daniel J. Harrington S.J.)
Book number 11 entitled "First and Second Thessalonians"
Earl J. Richard
This is a great read on these two letters of Paul. It is not a quick read, but it is a comprehensive one. Paper backs are available used on Amazon in the $20 range. This book brings Saint Paul and this early Christian community to life. It places the letters in their historical context and details the pastoral problems in the community.
Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers
Christopher A. Hall
This 200-page book is available through Amazon. Hall is a wonderful scholar who did a presentation to the priests of the Diocese of Tucson. The book itself brings to life how the early church read the scriptures. It is amazing how their issues resonate with us today.
The Catholic Source Book, A comprehensive collection of information about the Catholic Church
Published by Brown and Roa, this is a great book to have handy when one has questions about the faith. It is an easy read and helps us to explain ourselves to Non-Catholics. It is about 500 pages.
The Johannine Corpus in the Early Church
Charles Hill
Hill has a Protestant slant, but his research is quite good and it is published by the Oxford University Press. It is 500 pages. It is a hard read, but well worth the effort. This is not a summer read and may take a month or so of work. The Gospel and Letters of John have always been so different from the rest of scripture that placing them in context is a mystery to most of us.
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary
Brant Pitre
This well written and researched text supports our traditional view of the Virgin. Not a difficult read, it will re-enforce the proclamation of the Creed as it applies to the Virgin.
Faith of Our Fathers, A Study of the Nicene Creed
L. Charles Jackson
A short but powerful study of the Creed and the basic beliefs of the early Church. A little stilted at times, but worth the effort.
The Name of God is Mercy
Pope Francis (a conversation with Andrea Tornielli)
A very short book and easy yet profound read. Sets forth in lay terms Pope Francis’ views on Mercy and his Papal Bull Misericordiae Vultus.
The Creed—What Christians Believe and Why It Matters
Luke Timothy Johnson
A denser read on the Creed and perhaps a little on the liberal side, but well done. I found this book useful, even though I would argue with him on some points including some of his side excursions on the Virgin birth.
The following books are by my favorite author, Raymond E. Brown. Though not liked by all, he was appointed by both Paul VI and Saint John Paul II to the Biblical Commission of the Church. These chosen six are relatively short ranging from 170 pages to in the 300s, but all are paperback. Most are still in print and can be found on Amazon, etc. I find him easy to read and to digest. Brown has written many other books, but these are a good start:
The Community of the Beloved Disciple—The Life, Loves and Hates of an Individual Church in New Testament Times
The Churches the Apostles Left Behind
Responses to 101 Questions on the Bible
Antioch and Rome—New Testament Cradles of Catholic Christianity
New Testament Essays
The Gospel and Epistles of John—A Concise Commentary