Family Life and Parenting
by James B. Stenson
Want to teach your little ones to maintain Catholic values in a contrary culture as they grow into adulthood? You have to start early, and here's how: this book gives you a framework for instilling values in your children before they reach age twelve. Stenson shows you how to avoid common mistakes, explains how to detect signs of character weakness in your children, and helps you form your children's character while respecting their legitimate freedom.
Paperback, size 7.25" x 4.25", 64 pages
How to Taste and See the Abundance of Life
by Mitchell Kalpakgian
In a world gone crazy one might wonder if simple acts of civility are worth the trouble. Dressing with dignity, writing letters, and innocent courtship are just some of the lost arts of kindness and integrity that Dr. Michael Kalpakgian tries to dig up and dust off, imploring us to regain the honor and worth our society once had.
These noble habits of living fill common life with an abundance of simple pleasures that adorn day to day existence. The Lost Arts of Modern Civilization will inspire you to seek out and nourish the simple joys that lift the spirit, rejoice the heart, and enliven the mind.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 104 pages
by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, SVD
This booklet contains practical advice on the subjects of dating and choosing a spouse from the Catholic theological viewpoint. Father Lovasik points out clearly what one's moral obligations are in this area, providing an invaluable aid to youthful readers.
Booklet, size 7" x 4.25", 80 pages
The Battle for Your Child's Mind
by Michael D. O'Brien
The Harry Potter series of books and movies are wildly popular. Many Christians see the books as largely if not entirely harmless. Others regard them as dangerous and misleading. In his book A Landscape with Dragons, Harry Potter critic Michael O'Brien examines contemporary children's literature and finds it spiritually and morally wanting. His analysis, written before the rise of the popular Potter books and films, anticipates many of the problems Harry Potter critics point to. A Landscape with Dragons is a controversial, yet thoughtful study of what millions of young people are reading and the possible impact such reading may have on them.
In this study of the pagan invasion of children's culture, O'Brien, the father of six, describes his own coming to terms with the effect it has had on his family and on most families in Western society. His analysis of the degeneration of books, films, and videos for the young is incisive and detailed. Yet his approach is not simply critical, for he suggests a number of remedies, including several tools of discernment for parents and teachers in assessing the moral content and spiritual impact of this insidious revolution. In doing so, he points the way to rediscovery of time-tested sources, and to new developments in Christian culture.
If you have ever wondered why a certain children's book or film made you feel uneasy, but you couldn't figure out why, this book is just what you need. This completely revised, much expanded second edition also includes a very substantial recommended reading list of over 1,000 books for kindergarten through highschool.
Paperback, size 8" x 5", 261 pages
by Priests of St. Mary's College and Academy
This short tutorial provides an introduction to the ethical use of technology and discusses the most common social media and online risks, with a special focus on the youth. Additionally, this booklet provides practical recommendations and tools for the conscientious use of technology.
This indispensable book will be advantageous to any Catholic who interacts with the internet realm, whether it via a smartphone or computer.
Parents contemplating giving their children access to any Internet-enabled device will find valuable insight by consulting the guidelines provided here.
Booklet, size 6" x 4", 36 pages
The technological advancements of this age are undeniable. But have you ever stopped to consider how technology may be affecting different aspects of your life?
Half-Life: The Decay of Reality takes an unabashed look at the all too real consequences of day-to-day exposure to the digital world. It asks what its effects are on children, families, dating, marriage and even intelligence and thought processes, but especially peace of soul. Understanding the consequences of this digital age is key to living a better life and ultimately having a stronger faith.
GREATER AND GREATER ISOLATION:
"By a kind of paradox, this constant presence of other people makes for a fragile construction of one's own personality...The riches to be found in genuine friendships become rare in this constant solicitation from all sides." -Fr. Patrick Troadec, SSPX
by Michael O'Brien
Master storyteller, best-selling novelist and artist Michael O'Brien - the man to whom CNN went for comment on Harry Potter - has penned the definitive work assessing the Potter phenomenon. This book is essential reading for all parents whose children have read or are considering reading the wildly popular offerings by J.K.Rowling and similar works such as Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. Although this is an analytical work, the reader will be captivated from the beginning, from the must-read preface onward.
O'Brien's earlier work, A Landscape with Dragons, delineated authentic Christian fantasy literature from its counterfeits. Now in Harry Potter and the Paganization of Culture, he contrasts Potter-world with C.S. Lewis's Narnia and with Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and specifically Harry with Frodo. For those whose children have consumed Potter, O'Brien's analysis will enable parents to comprehend the messages which have been fed their children and give them the points and arguments which will hopefully be the antidote to properly reset their moral order.
The book goes beyond Potter, however, to address other bestselling series such as Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and Phillip Pullman's The Golden Compass. In addition to these and other fantasy books, O'Brien reviews the films which they spawned.
In all, O'Brien's new book teaches Christians how to discern harmless fantasy literature and film from that which is destructive to heart, mind and soul.
"The corruption of Christian civilization's symbols is a centuries-old phenomenon, yet until the modern age the mutations and inversions, along with the making of new diabolic symbologies, remained on the fringes of society in secret societies and small esoteric cults. Now the culture of the cults is visible everywhere, and with the Harry Potter series is entering (and captivating) the mainstream. Through it, the corruption of symbols has moved to a new level of influence, and it has done so on a scale that is unprecedented in the history of literature. If we lose the language of true symbolism, we lose at a basic level of consciousness our way of knowing things as they are. Symbols are not items in some storage room or attic of the psyche that we can take up and discard at will, or rearrange without consequences. To tamper with them is to destabilize the very foundations of the house. While most Christians would never knowingly exchange symbols of evil for symbols of good, many have accepted a new realm of eclectic symbology that allows a mixture of good and evil symbols to influence their thoughts and feelings. But two contradictory symbol worlds cannot long remain in a state of peaceful co-existence within us. Either one or the other will come to dominate and will eventually demand the expulsion of the other." - Michael O'Brien
Paperback, size 8" x 5.5", 278 pages
Nine Weeks of Vacation Readings For Children of the Eucharistic Crusade
by Anonymous
This beautifully illustrated book is aimed at members of this Eucharistic Crusade while they are on summer vacation, a time when the progress made in the spirit of the Crusade during the school year can be all too easily lost. For every week of vacation, there is a specific focus – sometimes the four elements of the Crusade motto, sometimes other more general topics like the Mass, the Priesthood, virtues and defects… Each day provides a short reading to deepen Crusaders’ knowledge and a beautiful story to give them examples they can imitate, thereby stimulating progress rather than regression.
God hears the innocent prayers of children, and their sacrifices and Communions are very pleasing to Him. Therefore, it is in the interests of the Church and society for as many children as possible to belong to the Eucharistic Crusade and for the spirit of this same Crusade to be kept alive in these young souls exposed to so much more dissipation and danger during summer vacation.
By the grace of God, this book will assist in this task.
Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 334 pages
by Fr Francis X. Weiser, S.J.
Why do we wear our best clothes on Sunday? What was the Holy Ghost Hole in medieval churches? How did a Belgian nun originate the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament? Where did the Halloween mask and the jack-o’-lantern come from?
Learn the answer to these questions, as well as the history behind our traditional celebration of Thanksgiving, in this gem of a book by Fr Weiser.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 218 pages
The not-so-trivial trivia game.
Keep Learning. Keep Growing. Keep the Faith.
Ultimate Catholic Trivia is a compilation of over 1,700 questions divided into 12 categories covering the Catholic Faith and culture. As the ever growing distractions of the digital era continue to overwhelm daily life, traditional “offline” games that can be played with friends and family face-to-face are making a return.
Ultimate Catholic Trivia focuses on almost every facet of the Catholic Faith, including its traditions, doctrine, art, architecture, and other cultural components. This new trivia game provides more than a dry recitation of catechetical questions by focusing instead on a wide variety of Catholic topics which will inspire players to learn more about the Catholic Church and its role in culture over the past 2,000 years.
Durable box and instructions included. 1,740 Questions
Improve your marriage by understanding your spouse!
by Art and Laraine Bennett
In their bestselling book, The Temperament God Gave You, authors Art and Laraine Bennett re-introduced the age-old concept of the four classic temperaments, and showed how to use them to understand yourself, get along with others, and grow closer to God.
Now they're back with more temperament wisdom, designed specially for couples and guaranteed to improve your marital communication, intimacy, and happiness: The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse.
In no other kind of human relationship is knowledge of the temperaments - the fundamental personality traits, hard-wired into us at birth, that affect the way we respond to the world around us - so critical, and so fruitful, as in a Christian marriage. For it's only through mutual understanding of our own patterns of reaction, and those of our spouse, that we can motivate, nurture, respect, and above all, love each other with the selfless patience to which Christ calls us in the sacrament.
In a fun-to-read style that incorporates practical psychology, real-life anecdotes, and decades of clinical experience, the Bennetts will show you:
- The four kinds of spouses — which kind did you marry?
- How temperament affects the way you and your spouse work, pray, argue, socialize, and show affection.
- Tips for developing the communication skills that your temperament needs most, and for nurturing them in your spouse.
- All the possible temperament combinations in marriage, and how to handle the unique challenges that yours creates.
- Proven ways to figure out what really makes your spouse tick!
So often we wish we could make our spouses different (because they're not just like us); yet the Bennetts show that true marital contentment lies not in changing the way God made our loved ones, but in appreciating it — and helping them to perfect it. Read The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse and discover a new world of understanding and respect for the person you married.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 209 pages
How to Govern Your Thoughts, Discipline Your Will, and Achieve Balance in Your Spiritual Life
by Fr Basil W. Maturin
This is the book you need for those times in your life when even your most strenuous efforts to follow Christ end in frustration. Christian Self-Mastery explains why following Him can be so difficult — and how you can start now to make progress even in the most vexing areas of your life.
Author Fr. Basil W. Maturin insists that no matter how hard you're trying now, you can have a better relationship with God and greater self-mastery — if you follow his simple steps to getting your passions in check and improving your knowledge of your own motives, desires, and fears.
Fr. Maturin emphasizes the crucial role that self-discipline plays in your spiritual life and gives you solid ways you can distinguish it from counterfeits and avoid common mistakes people make when they try to change their habits and live for God.
This extraordinary book will help you in myriad ways to rise above your limitations and truly meet God!
Start on the way to true self-mastery as you learn:
- Two things you must know in order to make any progress at all in your spiritual life
- Why it's dangerous for you to try to adopt a large number of spiritual disciplines all at once
- Self-knowledge: why it involves so much more than its contemporary counterfeit, self-analysis
- Two ways to avoid self-deception when you look at yourself (caution: you'll probably be surprised at who you really are!)
- Why self-control and self-denial are not morbid and gloomy, but hopeful and even joyful - when undertaken properly
- Self-discipline: how it will restore your soul to its full power. Three things you must have in order to gain this power
- The mistake many people make when trying to rid themselves of evil thoughts: are you falling into this trap too?
- Love: the holy school that will purify and ennoble yours - and help you steer clear of prevalent modern counterfeits
- And more that will show you the value of self-mastery - and give you solid directions for attaining it!
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 224 pages
The Classic Key to Knowing Yourself, Getting Along with Others, and Growing Closer to the Lord
by Art and Laraine Bennett
All of us are born with distinct personality traits. Some of us live for crowds and parties; others seek solitude and time for quiet reflection. Some of us are naturally pushy, while others are content just to get along. We don't pick and choose these traits; they're just part of the way we're made.
For in the womb God doesn't merely mold our body; He also gives us the temperament that, all our days, colors our understanding, guides our choices, and serves as the foundation of our moral and spiritual life.
Ancient philosophers identified four basic temperaments, and over the centuries, countless wise souls have used these four to understand human nature. Now comes The Temperament God Gave You, the first Catholic book on the subject in 70 years. Here veteran Catholic counselor Art Bennett and his wife Laraine provide an accessible synthesis of classical wisdom, modern counseling science, and Catholic spirituality: a rich understanding of the temperaments and what they mean for you and for your family.
Drawing on decades of study, prayer, and practical experience, Art and Laraine show you how to identify your own temperament and use it to become what God is calling you to be: a loving spouse, an effective parent, and a good friend. Best of all, they give you a Catholic understanding of the four temperaments that will bring you closer to God and help you discover the path to holiness that's right for you.
Peace. Happiness. Holiness.
You'll find yourself growing in each of these qualities as you come to understand -- and learn to use as you should -- the temperament God gave you.
Take the temperament test!
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 288 pages
by Fr Henry V. Sattler
Helps parents fulfill the extremely important duty of training boys and girls to be pure and innocent, and to enter marriage with a noble and holy purpose if God calls them to that vocation. Sex education is the duty of the parents, yet many parents still struggle to convey the facts of life to their children in a natural and inspiring way. Explains what parents should tell their children, when and how they should tell it, what moral and psychological dangers they must avoid, and what questions they should anticipate.
Paperback, 237 pages
12 Heart to Heart Talks
by Anonymous
Twelve heart-to-heart talks to be given by Mom to her daughters about the mysterious processes of reproducing life. Presents timeless supernatural attitude in accordance with Catholic principles. Helps Moms instruct and train their growing daughters. Places the exact words on Mom's lips. Arms girls sufficiently and supernaturally to control passions, avoid sinful occasions, and the use of the Sacraments. No crude language. Suggestions for preserving purity. Graduated structure in three parts: ages 9-12; 12-14; 14-16.
Booklet, size 7" x 4.5", 77 pages, Impr 1952
In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
by Fr. Ludovic-Marie Barrielle
Since 1533, the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius have been used by millions to deepen their Christian life. This booklet distills the wisdom of the 30-day retreat into 20 principles so you can discern the spiritual influences in your life that are from God from those that are from the devil. Father writes from 40 years of experience as a retreat master.
Booklet, size 8.5" x 5.5", 60 pages
by Helene Adeline Guerber
Tired of cringing at what's included in children's "health education" nowadays? It's good to learn about our bodies, but whatever happened to respecting them as well?
In Yourself and Your House Wonderful, you will find a refreshingly old-fashioned view of the care and keeping of you! Charming and quaint, it is suitable for reading with young children as well as for tweens who need sound advice as they journey toward adulthood.
It may seem strange to read a book about health written over a century ago, especially when there are so many excellent science books for children today. But there's so much more to understanding our bodies than just drawings and diagrams and digestion! Our bodies are the home for our souls here on earth, and they need special care beyond just bathing and brushing and keeping warm! All throughout your life you will be making choices: some as simple as what to eat or to wear; some as difficult as what to do with your life. Managing your "house" well means making wise choices.
This book is a high-quality photographic reproduction of the original 1913 edition by Uplift Publishing Company.
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 328 pages
What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains
by Nicholas Carr
Nicholas Carr’s bestseller The Shallows has become a foundational book in one of the most important debates of our time: As we enjoy the internet’s bounties, are we sacrificing our ability to read and think deeply?
Now, Carr expands his argument into the most compelling exploration of the Internet's intellectual and cultural consequences yet published. As he describes how human thought has been shaped through the centuries by "tools of the mind"--from the alphabet to maps, to the printing press, the clock, and the computer--Carr interweaves a fascinating account of recent discoveries in neuroscience by such pioneers as Michael Merzenich and Eric Kandel. Our brains, the historical and scientific evidence reveals, change in response to our experiences. The technologies we use to find, store, and share information can literally reroute our neural pathways.
Building on the insights of thinkers from Plato to McLuhan, Carr makes a convincing case that every information technology carries an intellectual ethic--a set of assumptions about the nature of knowledge and intelligence. He explains how the printed book served to focus our attention, promoting deep and creative thought. In stark contrast, the Internet encourages the rapid, distracted sampling of small bits of information from many sources. Its ethic is that of the industrialist, an ethic of speed and efficiency, of optimized production and consumption--and now the Net is remaking us in its own image. We are becoming ever more adept at scanning and skimming, but what we are losing is our capacity for concentration, contemplation, and reflection.
Part intellectual history, part popular science, and part cultural criticism, The Shallows sparkles with memorable vignettes--Friedrich Nietzsche wrestling with a typewriter, Sigmund Freud dissecting the brains of sea creatures, Nathaniel Hawthorne contemplating the thunderous approach of a steam locomotive--even as it plumbs profound questions about the state of our modern psyche. This is a book that will forever alter the way we think about media and our minds.
This 10th-anniversary edition includes a new afterword that brings the story up to date, with a deep examination of the cognitive and behavioral effects of smartphones and social media.
Paperback, size 8.3" x 5.5", 320 pages
Educating a Child: The Art of Arts
The Goal of Education, the Family and Authority
by Fr Joseph Duhr, S.J.
A must-read for all parents and educators who want to understand the role they must play as God’s co-operators in the education of children.
In this first volume (of two), Fr Duhr begins by laying out the goal of education, which is to gradually form the child physically, intellectually and morally, teaching him to master his instincts and passions, so that he will one day be capable of leading himself. Ultimately, it is to establish God as Master and King in this soul which was created by Him for His Greater Glory and destined to find its happiness and perfection in possessing Him.
Having laid the foundations, Father then describes the family atmosphere which is favorable to the blossoming of the child. Finally, he looks at authority, its origin and purpose, and how to use it in order to bring the child to what God wants him to be.
Like every good teacher, Fr Duhr knows how to make his subject matter palatable, while not watering it down in any way. He constantly illustrates his points with beautiful and entertaining stories from the real lives of parents and children, some famous (like Saint Augustine, George Washington, Daniel O’Connell, Frédéric Ozanam, Louis Pasteur and Anne de Guigné) and others not so famous.
This book is an indispensable tool for all parents and educators and is destined to become a classic in the English language.
Paperback, size 8.2" x 5.8", 328 pages