One center helps five women find success

The July 4th weekend is the perfect time to dip into tales of five immigrant women and the Dominican Sisters of Springfield who helped prepare them for successful lives in the U.S.

Written by retired journalist Anna Marie Kukec Tomczyk, the book artfully weaves stories of struggle and success in “We Are Eagles: Inspiring Stories of immigrant Women Who Took Bold Steps in Life through Literacy.”

Books offer perspectives on road to sainthood

 

Sainthood. 

It's a matter of faith that Catholics who die in a state of grace join the communion of saints in heaven. Indeed, the church has codified that recognition in the celebration of All Saints' Day each Nov. 1.

For a few extraordinary Catholics, however, the recognition of sanctity takes a more public form. In a process known as canonization, Vatican officials examine the lives of certain Catholics to determine if they are, indeed, worthy of special commemoration. When the church is convinced of the truth of sanctity, the pope grants formal sainthood.

The process of canonization can be arduous, so supporters seek to advance these causes through books and articles. Two recent books offer insight into the process; both are informative contributions to our understanding of the canon of saints.

Pilgrimage book weaves spiritual meaning with Holy Land geography

 

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A Christian pilgrim to the Holy Land is quickly impressed by the proximity of many holy sites associated with the life of Jesus. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher contains both the place of Christ's crucifixion and his burial tomb. As walking was a major means of biblical travel, sacred sites often are a quick bus drive apart.

Another sharp realization is that many Christian sites are steeped in Old Testament history and the Judaic foundations of Christianity. Also notable is the importance to Islam of many places, as mosques have been built upon churches built upon synagogues.

Christophers honor books for adults, kids

 

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NEW YORK (CNS)—In addition to honoring feature films and television shows, this year’s Christopher Awards honored a number of books.

The winners in the books for adults category were: 

“After the Last Border” by Jessica Goudeau, 

“A Knock at Midnight” by Brittany K. Barnett;

“Nothing General About It” by “General Hospital” star Maurice Benard with Susan Black; 

Dinner In: Author’s Latest Book is Fanciful, Faith-filled Gathering of Saints

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By Penny Wiegert | The Observer Editor

The breaking of bread is central to our Catholic faith and to our very existence as humans. Food and the sharing of it is part of our story and is many times front and center when we share those stories.

Maybe that’s what makes the charming new book by Woodeene Koenig-Bricker, “Dinner Party with the Saints” such a great addition to anyone’s library. 

Koenig-Bricker has written many times about the saints of the Catholic Church but never quite like this.

Two inspired to remember 2020 in different ways

Reviewed by Sharon Boehlefeld | The Observer Features Editor

A pair of Catholic teachers from the Rockford Diocese were inspired by the pandemic to record the historic year of 2020. But they went about it in quite different ways.

Layla Groleau’s “Worst Case Scenario Best Life Ever” is a volume of vignettes about two dozen people, the challenges they faced and the ways they overcame them.

The Aurora resident attends St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Sugar Grove,

She opens with a reflection on what inspired her to write the book, saying, “What I have noticed, and I’m not alone, is that the pain, suffering and isolation which so many people are experiencing have prompted self-sacrifice, compassion, and an outpouring of love — such as this generation has never seen.” 

Among the stories she shares is "Distilling for Good," about Whiskey Acres near DeKalb. Owned and operated by Nick Nagels, and Jim and Jamie Walter, she talks about their decision to stop making whiskey and switch their operation to hand sanitizer. (See stories in The Observer on April 28, 2017, and May 15, 2020, to learn more about the history of the operation.)

When they realized such a change could be a way Whiskey Acres could support first responders during the pandemic, they did what they needed to -- including jumping a variety of health "hoops" and calling on the aid of a state legislator -- so they could bottle the needed sanitizer.

Three novels with Catholic themes make for engaging winter reading

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Reviewed by Nancy L. Roberts | Catholic News Service

This trio of novels with Catholic themes offers plenty of engaging wintertime reading.

In "A Clean Heart," John Rosengren creates memorable characters such as Carter Kirchner, a substance abuse counselor at a drug treatment center for teenagers. Besides the usual challenges of helping his young clients navigate the road to sobriety, he also must deal with the heavy drinking of his boss, Sister Mary Xavier, which threatens both her well-being and the center's. Then his mother is suddenly hospitalized with advanced cirrhosis, the result of her long-standing alcoholism.