Prayer
Filed under Catholic Literature, Spirituality on May 2, 2013
We all experience a hunger for God that we can begin to satisfy in prayer. These book recommendations are for beginners and those more experienced in prayer and attempt to answer the question, “How do I pray?” Book Recommendations Together on Retreat: Meeting Jesus in Prayer by James Martin, S. J. How can we find God? How can we pray? What can we learn about Jesus from the New Testament... Read More
SJEC Library
Filed under Catholic Literature, SJEC Library on April 30, 2013
Many of the books we recommend on our website can also be checked out from our lending library, located in our offices at 1400 Buffalo Road, West Des Moines, inside Dowling Catholic High School. Our regular office hours are Monday – Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Please feel free to call our offices at (515) 222-1092 to reserve a book for pick up. Click here to view our library database,... Read More
Director’s Choice: April
Filed under Director's Choice on April 1, 2013
Life for emerging adults is vastly different today than it was for their counterparts even a generation ago. Young people are waiting longer to marry, to have children, and to choose a career direction. As a result, they enjoy more freedom, opportunities, and personal growth than ever before. But the transition to adulthood is also more complex, disjointed, and confusing. Lost in Transition: The Dark... Read More
Director’s Choice: March
Filed under Director's Choice on March 1, 2013
Why Stay Catholic? Why stay in the church? What’s so good about being Catholic anyway? Editor Michael Leach offers answers to these and other questions in his book, Why Stay Catholic? Its message is, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!” The baby [our Catholic faith] is precious, it’s real, it never grows old, can still give you joy, peace, and assurance, and... Read More
Director’s Choice: October 2012
Filed under Director's Choice on October 4, 2012
Vatican II is known to every Catholic at least by name, but we’re a little skimpy on the details. What happened there? Why did it take place? Why have there been mixed reactions to it? Most importantly, what is the impact of the Second Vatican Council on the people of the Church now? Peter A. Huff, answers these questions and more in a lively, brief, easy-to-read, fresh overview of the event... Read More
Scripture: General Resources
Filed under Scripture on August 2, 2012
This section includes a wealth of Scripture resources, including articles, books, church documents, online Bibles and commentaries, journals, and website links. These resources will help you better understand and, in turn, be better able to explain the role of Scripture in our Catholic faith. Websites Understanding the Bible, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Society of Biblical Literature St.... Read More
Online Bibles and Commentaries
Filed under Scripture on August 2, 2012
Access these recommended Bibles and commentaries online. Online Bibles Douay-Rheims Grail Psalms Book I, II, III, IV, V Greek New Testament Hebrew Interlinear Bible New American Bible Revised Standard Version The St. John’s Bible The Vulgate Online Commentaries New Jerome Biblical Commentary Online Read More →
Director’s Choice: May 2012
Filed under Catholic Literature, Director's Choice on May 1, 2012
How can the Catholic faith help not only Catholics, but all people, build a just and flourishing society? Church, State, and Society: An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine by J. Brian Benestad The Catholic Church contributes first and foremost to the common good by forming the consciences of the faithful. Faith helps reason achieve a proper understanding of the common good and thereby guides... Read More
Director’s Choice: April 2012
Filed under Director's Choice on April 1, 2012
Most books about the saints are thin on women, especially contemporary women. No book about the saints could ignore such beloved early martyrs as Agnes of Rome and Lucy of Syracuse, but The Big Book of Women Saints will introduce readers to many new women who have been canonized or beatified by Pope John Paul II. The Big Book of Women Saints by Sarah Gallick Of the more than 377 women mentioned in... Read More
Theology 101: Getting Started
Filed under Catholic Literature, Theology on December 18, 2011
“Theology is faith questioning after understanding.” - St. Anslem of Canterbury This section provides an introduction to the world of thinking about God’s Revelation, which we call theology. Getting Started What Theology Is, by Aidan Nichols Read More →