A Literary Christmas

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NAT IONA L CAT HOL IC R EGIST ER , DECEM BER 3, 2023

A Literary Christmas Books for Everyone On Your List

P

BY M A RY B E T H E B E R H A R D

erhaps this is the year to sit with family and friends and enjoy readalouds or seek quiet solitude with a good read throughout this holy season.

This year’s book guide includes many new selections and some old favorites. With a desire to grow and appreciate the depth of our Catholic faith, enjoy this year’s selections.

Children’s Books

lives seem to be always on the go.

EWTNRC.com or (800) 854-6316 Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours & Handy Little Guide to Prayer

By Barb Szyszkiewicz These pocketsize books make perfect gifts for a stocking or a purse.

In The Handy Little Guide to Prayer, find humble nuggets of wisdom explaining Catholic prayer.

One particular phrase warranted my highlighter; when offering something up, “you return your pain into someone else’s gain.” These are a great resource for prayer time!

OSVCatholicBookstore.com

Books to Read With Children

SHUTTERSTOCK

Mary, Mother of All

By Scott Hahn and Emily Stimpson Chapman This is an incredible pairing of talented authors. The theology packed into this lyrically metered and beautifully illustrated book keeps all who are reading engaged. My teenage daughter quickly grabbed this book and placed it in her bag for babysitting. I knew we’d found another family favorite.

BONUS: Hahn and Chapman have other books available too, all via StPaulCenter.com.

I Am Earth’s Keeper

By Lisa Hendey Lisa Hendey takes readers through a beautiful morning kayak ride where senses become attuned to the world, from the sky to the sea and all the animals in between. With a strong nod to St. Francis and his humble relationship with the world God gave us, gratitude and wonder are cultivated, offering a greater appreciation for the gift of creation and a stronger desire to care for it. ParacletePress.com God Made the Moonlight

By Erin Broestl This sweet little book reads like a beautiful lullaby.

The illustrations are beautiful, and the message of love and God’s presence is peaceful and invites dialogue with little ones.

PerpetualLightPublishing.com

through the constant presence of Mary in her life and the lives of all those she loves. I love giving this to parish priests who have schools to share this beautiful story of Mary’s love with their students. CatholicVineyard.com

The Mass and the Manger

By Jennifer Sharpe Everything in this book draws readers in. The illustrations are bold and bright. The story is told in rhyme and couplet style, with little pockets for children to interact with the story; from AscensionPress.com.

BONUS: My First Interactive Mass Book, also by Jennifer Sharpe.

EWTNRC.com or (800) 854-6316 The Mother of Jesus Is Wonderfully Real

By Father Paul Murray Forward by Alyssa Bormes This book tells the story of a sweet little girl who is bullied for wearing her Mary medal to a camp. Her aunt invites her to write a letter to a dear priest friend, who responds with a loving letter that reminds us of the real presence of Mother Mary in our lives.

With practical and childlike faith, Father Murray walks his young friend

The Women Doctors of the Church

By Colleen Pressprich The Women Doctors of the Church is a beautifully illustrated, very approachable book to share with young children. Colleen Pressprich does a wonderful job detailing the four amazing female doctors of our Church: St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, writing of the relationship these women cultivated with Jesus and how they lived out their calling with joy and courage. OSVCatholicBookstore.com

Books on Prayer Habits for Holiness

By Father MarkMary Ames Often when my family visits our friends in religious life, I leave wanting to cultivate more of what they have. With baby steps, this book provides examples of how to pursue that depth of holiness in our everyday lives.

This book shows that holiness is attainable even for those of us whose

Marian Consecration for Children

By Carrie Gress This beautifully written, very approachable, tender book has it all: stories from classic literature, beautiful artwork, reflections on the saints and Scripture, as well as short but sweet discussion questions. From an adult point of view, my faith life needed this childlike refresher to draw closer to Mother Mary.

Modeling this need and devotion as parents is both necessary and meaningful to our children.

TANBooks.com Gaming and the Heroic Life

By Bobby Angel Technology and gaming have often been thought the enemy, but this book offers a vision of how gaming encourages an adventure and how that focus, control and goal can be used to grow a relationship with Jesus Christ. Bobby Angel also shows readers how relationships can grow through playing games, even ones parents can enjoy playing.

AveMariaPress.com

Books for Women Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life

By Haley Stewart This book is a delightful, thought-provok-

ing read through virtue and vice, Austen style. Using the characters from Jane Austen’s beloved novels, Haley Stewart leads the reader through a lively personal reflection. This book will warm the heart of every Austen aficionado. AveMariaPress.com

Books to Discuss With Teens/ Young Adults Blink and We’ll Miss It

By Ginny Kochis I lost many beloved winks of sleep reading this book and it was all worth it. Your teenage daughter will love it, too. Blink and We’ll Miss It draws you into the broken, raw yet beautiful life of Mae Griffin and her family. Tackling hard issues like mental health, pride and family secrets, author Ginny Kochis creates characters who live out mercy, forgiveness, courage and perseverance. The depth of friendship and love written into this story opens doors of conversation as parents learn to trust and let their children forge their own paths. I am always searching for books that are great motherdaughter reads. For those who enjoy forging bonds through book discussions, this is a great gift idea. Amazon.com Royal & Ancient By Amanda Lauer B e st- s el l i n g author Amanda Lauer weaves another beautiful historical fiction novel placed in Scotland that both young teens and their mothers will enjoy.

A young woman finds herself transported back in time, falling in love while navigating the high religious and political tensions. Author Lauer weaves themes of owning your faith, building relationships, trust and perseverance in a strong historically researched novel.

ChrismPress.com

Books for All Code Name Edelweiss By Stephanie Landsem Stephanie Landsem writes a suspenseful page-turning novel set amid early World War II Hollywood glam. As a mom who loves sharing history with my children through literature, Landsem makes it come alive with rich character development and vivid storytelling. Amazon. com Catechism of the Catholic Church: Ascension Edition Ascension launched its new The Catechism in a Year podcast after the very successful The Bible in a Year podcast. This beautiful hardbound version of the CateCONTINUES ON PAGE 19

Elderly religious need your help. Like those pictured, nearly 25,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests have dedicated their lives to serving others through praying for us, ministering to us, educating the young, caring for those who are sick and more—most for little or no pay, leaving a profound shortage in retirement savings. Your donation will make a real difference by providing essential care, medicine and other necessities. Please give generously.

Please donate at your local parish or by mail at: National Religious Retirement Office/NC REGISTER 3211 Fourth Street NE Washington DC 20017-1194 Make check payable to Retirement Fund for Religious.

Please give to those who have given a lifetime.

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retiredreligious.org Visit retiredreligious.org/2023photos to meet the religious pictured. ©2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC All rights reserved • Photo: Jim Judkis

NAT IONA L CAT HOL IC R EGIST ER , DECEM BER 3, 2023

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Christmassy Charcuterie

BY B R I D G E T M C C A R T N E Y N O H A R A

Charcuterie boards — bountiful platters of nibbles and noshes — have grazed the scene and become prominent players in the party scene for good reason.

As the holidays approach and both hosting and gift-giving are front of mind, consider offering a charcuterie board. Not only is this my favorite way to serve a party, large or small — it has also become my favorite way to gift.

What I love about gifting boards, platters and all their accoutrements is that you can easily tailor the price point to the occasion; a platter, board and goodies that will adorn it is suitable for a wide range of ages, styles and festivities.

As far as gifting goes, the options are endless and can be a delightful way to enhance a theme or play on a season. I have also

noticed, as both a host and a guest, that there is something unifying about sharing fellowship this way.

Nothing breaks the ice quite like an overflowing, beautifully arranged platter of good eats.

You can be as fancy or as casual as you’d like, but here are some of my staple items.

I try to have these (shelf-stable) items at home at all times, just in case a board is needed spur of the moment.

What you will need: A board: You can find them all over, but check out these lovely pieces made by Catholic artisans: Holy Family board, “Bless Us O Lord” board and “Do Everything in Love” board; shop online via rb.gy/awp2s7; CatholicCompany. com; and CatholicCollections.net.

Meat: For a board to be considered “charcuterie,” it must include

cured meats, staying true to its French origins. I stick with prosciutto and a spicy Calabrese salami or two. It’s always nice to have various spice levels to accommodate different tastes.

Cheese: Cheese is, arguably, the star of the show. I use up to five different cheeses on my board, usually based on what’s in my fridge. If you’re giving a board and don’t know what type of cheese the receiver prefers, try going with something classic, like a nice parmesan or a sharp, wellaged cheddar. Only go with something like goat, brie or bleu if you know they have a taste for it.

Nuts: I like to have a small variety of nuts and seeds on the board for munching. They can be raw, roasted, seasoned … whatever you like! Bonus points for roasti ng /season i ng /ca ndy i ng nuts and putting them in a mason

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jar, offering a personal touch.

Crackers/crostini: On a wellput-together board, you’ll always

find a worthy vessel for the fixings you’re serving. You can find all sorts of delicious artisan crack-

Bridget McCartney Nohara writes from Ontario, Canada.

A Journey Through Advent for Families

BY J E N N I F E R S H A R P E

The world seems abuzz with anticipation. Advent is upon us! By now, it’s likely that most of our kids have started making their Christmas wish lists. Perhaps plans are being made for relatives to come visit.

But there is more to the season of Advent than presents, parties and the warm fuzzies we get around this time each year; much more: Advent is an opportunity to encounter Christ, both in his cradle at Bethlehem and on his altar at Mass. My new children’s book, The Mass and the Manger: My First Interactive Christmas Story, explores the beautiful relationship between the first Christmas and the Mass, using inviting illustrations, rhyming text, and large fold-out flaps.

With the book as a jumping-off point, I invite you and your family to try these four activities (one for each week of Advent) to help guide you through the season, leaving the whole family more prepared to meet Jesus at Mass on Christmas Day. Week 1: A Holy Night It’s easy to picture the Holy Couple that first Christmas night, journeying through the darkness, filled with hope at the prospect of meeting the Savior. Reminiscent of that first Christmas night, as we begin our Advent journey, darkness arrives early. Some night this week, turn the lights down low and light some candles. Using basic craft supplies like black construction paper and colored tissue paper, make some simple stained-glass windows.

Encourage your children to be creative and to depict scenes from the first Christmas or from the Mass. Use a flashlight behind them to watch the scenes come to life. As you work, talk with your children about the excitement Mary and Joseph must have felt on their journey to meet Jesus and how we too have the opportunity to meet him in the Eucharist.

ASCENSION

Week 2: A Guiding Light In Bethlehem, the sky was gloriously lit up by a star. Its brightness was striking, and it drew many to come and encounter the Christ Child. Similarly, Christ, in his golden tabernacle, beckons us at all times with the light of the red tabernacle candle, yearning for us to share our hearts with him. One evening this week, take your children to the store to pick out inexpensive birthday cards (or make ones with art supplies from home) for Jesus.

Bringing the blank cards with you, take your children to adoration. As you bask in the glow of his light, spend time filling the cards out, encouraging each family member to share their hearts with Jesus. Wait to read on Christmas.

Week 3: A Joyful Celebration We have reached an apex in Advent: The season is half over. It’s time to celebrate! As The Mass and the Manger reads, “My heart, it bursts with joy.”

This week, make cookies. Depict the Baby Jesus using a gingerbread-

shaped cookie cutter, or use a flower or sun-shaped cutter and decorate it as the monstrance, with Jesus in the Eucharist inside. The same Jesus that came to dwell with us that first Christmas comes to visit us at every Mass in the Eucharist. Encourage your children to make that connection through this creative activity.

Week 4: A Time to Share When Jesus finally arrived, he changed the world forever. During this last week in Advent, help your children practice being Christ to others. Together, volunteer at a food pantry, take dessert to an elderly neighbor, or bring a meal to someone in need. As you serve others in the name of Jesus, you will find yourselves ever more ready to receive Jesus in the Eucharist on Christmas Day. Jennifer Sharpe, the author of several books for children on the Mass from Ascension Press, lives with her husband and children in Oklahoma.

READ MORE AscensionPress.com

All Creation Waits New Kids’ Book Highlights Saints’ Animals and Care of Nature

BY S U S A N N A S P E N C E R

www.psjs.edu

Advertising in the Register Generates UPCOMING ISSUES

FESTIVE SNACKS. Promote fellowship with boards full of delicious choices. Bridget McCartney Nohara photo

ers to pack into a charcuterie gift.

Don’t forget to consider if the receiver might be gluten-free and include such an option to enjoy.

Something sweet: I like to finish a board with a little sweet treat. Dark chocolate (or chocolate-covered anything) or dried fruit works well.

Bonus suggestion: If you’ve bought a board and don’t know what items to gift along with it, or are really concerned you don’t know what they like, think about buying a lovely recipe book to accompany the board. There are many books about putting together a charcuterie board that provide beautiful inspiration.

Here are a couple: Platters and Boards and Boards and Spreads (from Amazon).

Think simple, thoughtful and edible.

That combination is always sure to please. Most of all, have fun with your festive fellowship!

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When God became man, he changed the whole material, created world to have a sacramental meaning, to participate as much as each thing is able in him. His divine touch is in all of his creatures.

A new children’s picture book, Saintly Creatures: 14 Tales of Animals and their Holy Companions, by Alexi Sargeant, demonstrates beautifully this concept of the redemption of all creation, especially at the hands of humans living lives of heroic virtue. Sargeant gives simple, but engaging, hagiographies of saints from around the globe and throughout history — each of whom had a particularly special relationship with animals. Each story is accompanied by beautiful full-colored illustrations designed by Anita Barghigiani in a collage style with vining-border illustrations of various plants showing the beauty of nature.

In his book, Sargeant tells stories of saints helping animals out of difficult circumstances. The telling of the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the wolf terrorizing the town of Gubbio is particularly engaging, showing both the conversion of St. Francis and the transformation of the wolf. Other stories tell of animals assisting their saints in a spe-

WORD ON FIRE

cial way by protecting or guiding them, such as the story of the great gray dog that frequently protected St. John Bosco from attackers who disliked his good works. Also enjoy simple stories of the saints living peacefully in communion with animals, but also loving and caring for them, as God intended in the beginning (Genesis 1:26-28). The story of St. Germaine Cousin tells how she cared faithfully for her sheep, entrusting them to God each day as she went to Mass.

Sargeant’s earnest storytelling shows children the virtues each of these saints lived out, be it hospital-

ity to animals and others, perseverance in difficult tasks, kindness even when facing difficult people, and so on. With his last story, Sargeant brings the reader to the modern day, telling about Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died as a teenager in the 21st century, and his love of his pets. Sargeant tells his readers that the story of Blessed Carlo “shows us that holiness is possible — for each of us, right now!”

Susanna Spencer writes from Minnesota.

READ MORE WordonFire.org

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NAT IONA L CAT HOL IC R EGIST ER , DECEM BER 3, 2023

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JESUS AND THE OLD TESTAMENT ROOTS OF THE PRIESTHOOD Biblical scholar John Bergsma convinces readers that Jesus did, in fact, intend for a ministerial priesthood to be a key feature of the New Covenant. Item: 50731, $22.95.

PRUDENCE This virtue actually inspires practical wisdom, allowing us to choose well and to bring order into our lives. In Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly, Dominican Father Gregory Pine aims to work prudence back into the conversation and to explain how it can transform us along our path toward what really matters. Item: T2603, $16.95.

SHINING LIGHT DOLLS New to EWTNRC.com: Plush dolls of Jesus, Mary and saints will delight little ones. Also available: saintthemed puzzles and other toys; prices range from $15.97 to $27.50.

Literary CONTINUING PAGE 17 STORY

chism is formatted to read alongside the podcast, offering an approachable way to understand fundamental truths of our faith. BONUS: A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament, also from Ascension. AscensionPress.com Holy Habits From the Sacred Heart By Emily Jaminet Emily Jaminet vulnerably shares stories and valuable strategies for growing closer to the Sacred Heart.

This book is written in a small-thingswith-great-love approach but does not back down from challenging the reader to grow deeper in the virtues of mercy, forgiveness, gratitude, surrender and trust; would make a wonderful devotional for husbands and wives to share. AveMariaPress.com

More Books Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers by CNA Rome correspondent Courtney Mares, from Ignatius.com Sacred Art for Young Readers: I Believe: The Apostles’ Creed in Sacred Art for Young Children, via HolyHeroes.com For Art Enthusiasts: Sacred Art Every Catholic Should Know, from TANBooks.com, offers a selection of artistic masterpieces.

What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith Marcellino D’Ambrosio and Andrew Swafford present and explain the essential teachings of the Catholic faith in a readable, approachable way; AscensionPress.com Fan of Sigrid Undset? Learn more about the novelist in a recent biography: Sigrid Undset: Reader of Hearts, from Ignatius.com Saint’s Diary: Are you close to St. Gemma Galgani? Delve into The Diary of St. Gemma and learn about her encounters with Jesus, with Our Lady and with her guardian angel, whom she saw almost every day and would even send on errands; SophiaInstitute.com

Patron Saint Medals Find your patron saint medal or those of family and friends online at SaintsforHOPE.com, which offers Italian saint medals hand-painted in New Orleans.

More gift ideas can be found at TheDomesticMonastery.com.

Letters From the Saints Get to know your favorite saints better, meet new saints, and be inspired to live your faith.

These letters offer the perspectives of the saints — in their own words. Starting at $12 a month; from LettersFromtheSaints.com

A Garden Catechism: 100 Plants in Christian Tradition and How to Grow Them

By Margaret Rose Realy Margaret Rose Realy weaves practical guidance alongside scriptural references and the traditions of our Church. Readers will appreciate the symbolism attributed to each plant in this very in-depth garden catechism. This book makes planning and planting your garden a beautiful spiritual exercise. OSVCatholicBookstore.com BONUS: A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac, EWTNRC.com or (800) 854-6316 MaryBeth Eberhard is a married mother of eight children.

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NAT IONA L CAT HOL IC R EGIST ER , DECEM BER 3, 2023

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Give the Gift of the Mass

vidual Masses as well as triduums, novenas and Gregorian Masses (ChurchinNeed.org). Aid to the Church in Need sends the Mass offerings to bishops and religious superiors in the countries the organization serves. From there, the offerings are distributed to local priests, in keeping with their need and availability.

Spiritual Remembrances Are Readily Available Nationally

BY J O S E P H P R O N E C H E N

People requesting a Mass to be said for a particular intention at their local parish might face a long wait. In some parishes, people might have to book a Mass as much as a year or more in advance.

But individual Masses can be fulfilled sooner nationally.

Seraphic Mass Association Blessed Solanus Casey, a Capuchin priest, always recommended to people seeking healing or help that they enroll themselves, or their loved ones, in the Seraphic Mass Association, encouraging them to “thank God ahead of time” for the favors they were requesting.

“Solanus had a great affinity, a great love for the missions,” explained Capuchin Father John Pfannenstiel, director of the Seraphic Mass Association in Pittsburgh.

That continues today, with the Mass donations, also called stipends.

“We have a really wonderful network of priests in the missions who fulfill the Mass requests,” Father Pfannenstiel said. Each morning, he works to distribute close to 1,700 Masses throughout the world.

“We try to get Masses out as quickly as they come in,” he said, referring to requests for individual Masses (MyMassRequest.org).

Besides individual Masses, people can also request a novena of Masses or Gregorian Masses. Gre-

gorian Masses, a series of Masses offered for 30 consecutive days for a departed soul, comes from Pope St. Gregory the Great, who popularized the practice after he said a series of 30 Masses for a monk who then appeared to tell him he had gained entry into heaven on completion of the final Mass. The Holy See declared it an approved pious practice.

The Christmas novena of Masses is the most popular of the novenas.

Solanus Mission Association Other congregations have similar spiritual societies.

The Seraphic Mass Association in the St. Joseph Province in Detroit, where Blessed Solanus spent 21 years, is now the Solanus Mission Association (TheCapuchins.org/ solanus-mission-association).

Capuchin Brother Nick explained that because there is only one Mass per day there, the province sends the requests to their different missionaries, such as at provinces in India and Ethiopia.

Usually they are working six months out. Since this Detroit province does not have the capability for fulfilling Gregorian Masses, it refers those requests to the Pittsburgh or New Jersey Capuchin provinces.

Brother Nick says that people also request his province’s enroll-

ment cards as spiritual gifts and remembrances for both the living and deceased. They get a certificate when enrolled in the general Mass association, where they are remembered in the Masses and prayer of the Capuchin friars. Historically, there are two types of enrollments — perpetual, in a hardcover folder, and annual enrollments. The new cards without details are considered for one year, unless people specify “perpetual.”

Pious Union of St. Joseph In Grass Lake, Michigan, the Pious Union of St. Joseph (online at PiousUnionofStJoseph.org) offers individual Masses, a novena of Masses, a triduum of Masses (three consecutive Masses offered for your intentions) and Gregorian Masses.

The average lead time for the Mass fulfillments is about three months.

Most are said by the congregation’s missionary priests in India and Africa. The Gregorian Masses are offered by their Servants of Charity priests in India. The stipends are used for their ordinary living expenses and also help the priests to do their work with the poor and to meet regular liturgical expenses.

“A great avenue to have Masses offered is through the missions.

These priests depend on your Masses as their lifeline,” explains the Pious Union of St. Joseph online.

“By offering your Masses through

SPECIAL INTENTIONS. The Discalced Carmelite Community at the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin, offers one-year and perpetual Mass remembrances. Shutterstock the missions you are providing bread and wine for the Eucharist for a priest in mission countries. … The Council of Trent tells us, ‘The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Perpetual Sacrifice, is the greatest of all suffrages for the Holy Souls.’”

Marians For the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, the home of the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, the number of Mass stipends have gone up over the last five years, explained Ellen Miller, the director for special gifts.

The Marians offer both individual Masses (Marian.org/Mass) and popular enrollments (Marian. org/enrollments). The offerings for Masses, which are said by Marian

missionaries, support these priests and their missions throughout the world. Miller clarified that the Masses are not said at the shrine but that all requests are transferred “to the treasurer of the worldwide community in Rome, and he distributes them to Marians throughout the world. That means we generally don’t know where or when the Masses are being celebrated.

We can accept requests for a specific date and Mass but the person has to call us (800-462-7426).”

Marian enrollments for various occasions and remembrances are also popular and bring many spiritual benefits.

Aid to the Church in Need Aid to the Church in Need, based in New York, also offers indi-

National Shrine of Mary The Discalced Carmelite Community at the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin, offers one-year Mass remembrance cards and perpetual Mass remembrance cards (online at HolyHill.com) for a whole list of occasions and reasons, including for the deceased, birthday, sympathy, health and healing, get well, new baby, wedding, anniversary, military service and Christmas. The recipients will be remembered for one year in daily Masses by the Carmelites at the Holy Hill shrine. There are also lifetime enrollments for the living.

Call the shrine to arrange for a public Mass there at (262) 628-1838.

Miraculous Medal Shrine The Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia focuses on enrollments of various kinds of intentions and categories (online at MiraculousMedal.org).

The Masses are celebrated at the shrine by the Vincentian priests of the Eastern Province.

Joseph Pronechen is a Register staff writer.

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