Confirmation 2013 Book Review
Book Review by Ann Jonas, Tradebook Buyer - CSB/SJU Bookstores
this review was published in the St. Cloud Visitor
YouCat: Youth Prayer Book, by Christoph Cardinal Schoenborn; Ignatius Press; March 2013; 175 pp.; $14.95
Two years ago YouCat: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church was published as part of World Youth Day 2011; it has been a bestseller throughout the world ever since. Now, a "YouCat" prayer book is available for young adults, using the same style and design used in YouCat, with interesting sidebars, cute stick people illustrations, and photographs.
The first part of the book consists of a two-week prayer cycle with morning and evening prayers. In the first week, the prayers are focused on themes from our life with God; in week two, on themes from God's life with us. The prayers include psalms, traditional, and new prayers. The format for each day is not lengthy, but very meaningful.
Part two of the book is a collection of prayers for various concerns and topics, including invoking the Holy Spirit, discerning and deciding, and praying for others. Again, Sacred Scripture, traditional, and modern prayers are listed.
The book's introduction has a ten-step "little school of prayer" that suggests practical advice to establish a regular prayer ritual and recommendations for praying.
YouCat: Youth Prayer Book is an excellent resource for youth-and adults-to help develop a richer prayer life and live more faithfully.
Holy Goals for Body & Soul: Eight Steps to Connect Sprits with God and Faith by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki with Joe Paprocki; Ave Maria Press; March 2013; 145 pp.; $13.95
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, has the nickname of "Holy Goalie." He has been a bishop for ten years, but still plays hockey regularly in the amateur Master's Hockey League in the Chicago area. His new book invites readers to consider how sports and faith, "holiness and goaliness," can be incorporated into a greater awareness of God's presence in everyday life.
Each chapter in Holy Goals for Body & Soul is dedicated to one of the eight steps: fear, frustration, failure, fortitude, faith, family, friendship, and fun. Bishop Paprocki points out how these steps play a part in sports and fitness, and can also be used to live a more wholesome and spirit-filled life.
Holy Goals for Body & Soul is a good read for young athletes and those interested in sports and personal fitness.
My Confirmation Book by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle; Paraclete Press; April 2013; 70 pp.; $16.99
This small, hardcover book offers inspiration to youth receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Cooper O'Boyle briefly explains each gift, proposes a couple of reflective questions, and ends each chapter with a short prayer. A dedication page is included in the front of the book.
My Confirmation Book makes a nice keepsake gift, and offers inspiration and wisdom to the recipient.