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NAT IONA L CAT HOL IC R EGIST ER , DECEM BER 4, 2022

Last-Minute Gift Guide 2022 Present Possibilities

BY K AT I E WA R N E R

he Register presents more gift ideas for everyone on your list. Pick up the inspiring new title Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio: Daily Reflections for Advent, in which brief stories about and quotes from the wonderworking saint are woven with Scripture and prayer to help you experience Pio’s favorite liturgical season with greater hope and joy; order online at AveMariaPress.com or call (800) 282-1865. Messages of Light for Advent and Christmas 2022: 3-Minute Devotions, rife with Scripture, brief reflections and prayer prompts, will help families focus on the season of light in the dark of winter; available at AveMariaPress.com or (800) 282-1865.

HOLY GROUNDS. The name, and goal, of Little Way of Perfection is significant in that it’s inspired by two female saints: St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Ávila. Madeleine Sri/Little Way of Perfection

purchase is made to the international nonprofit Be Not Afraid, which supports parents carrying their babies to term following a prenatal diagnosis; https://motherandhomemarket.co/. Katie Warner is a wife, mom of four littles, home-schooler and children’s book author. She writes from Georgia. Her website is KatieWarner.com.

College Students Start Business Inspired by Prayer and Saints Religious Roast Coffee Expands Into Little Way of Perfection BY F R A N C E S C A P O L L I O F E N T O N

Catechism of the Catholic Church: The new Ascension Press edition of the Catechism is inviting, with its clean look and accessible “Foundations of Faith” approach. Countless Catholics have benefited from The Great Adventure Catholic Bible and studies, so it’s exciting to be able to see and gift this world-class teaching tool from Ascension Press this Christmas; AscensionPress.com or (800) 376-0520. Another great home gift to add as a present topper would be Lisa Hendey’s new 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath, a perfect way to begin or end any meal; written for all ages; AveMariaPress.com or (800) 282-1865. If you are gifting during the Advent season, a wonderful book accompaniment would be The Jesse Tree: An Advent Devotion by Eric & Suzan Sammons, with beautiful Jesse Tree devotions that interweave Bible passages with meditation, discussion questions, prayer and life application: perfect for individual, family, home and classroom use; order online at EWTNReligiousCatalogue.com or (800) 854-6316 (Item: 7246). Lion & Lamb book club: This is another great subscription gift for children, with three to five age-appropriate stories, emphasizing creativity, faith and character, showing up at your young one’s doorstep quarterly. You can order different boxes depending on your child’s age (“Duckling,” “Lamb” or “Lion”; we are excitedly digging into the “Lion” box), and both children and the adults who gift them will enjoy the quality book selections, which include both classics and new Catholic children’s titles, plus the neat discussion cards that come alongside; https:// catholic.store/pages/lion-lamb or (720) 295-6127. Mother & Home Market: Check out this newly launched market, with unique and theologically imbued gifts, including personal items for women, home goods, books, paper goods and seasonal items, many selections coming straight from Catholic artisans. A donation from every

hen Madeleine Sri and Caden Bennett met as students at Benedictine College, little did they know they would end up engaged to be married and co-owners of a thriving business that helps people grow in their faith through coffee. And they haven’t even graduated yet. Sri and Bennett came up with their business, Little Way of Perfection, soon after they met during their freshman year at Benedictine, a Catholic liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas. Originally known as Religious Roast Coffee, the soon-to-be-married couple’s business has grown to include clothing, accessories, stickers and more, in addition to their popular roasted coffee, available in a variety of flavors, ground or as whole beans. The two started dating the week before the country went into lockdown due to the COVID19 pandemic, and, as was the case with many others, they found themselves bored while at home. One day, Bennett had the idea to start a Catholic coffee business. And the next day he had a website, logo and business plan ready, they told CNA. Bennett explained how he felt the Lord calling him and how his own morning routine inspired the idea for Religious Roast Coffee. “I was inspired to start this company from my own prayer. Jesus kept leading me to become more CONTINUES ON PAGE 18

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retiredreligious.org Visit retiredreligious.org/2022photos to meet the religious pictured.

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NAT IONA L CAT HOL IC R EGIST ER , DECEM BER 4, 2022

Students CONTINUING PAGE 17 STORY

aware of him and let him encounter me in every moment of my day so that I could give every moment to him,” he said. “As I grew in this invitation from Our Lord, it centered around beginning my day with a morning offering so that the first thing I did each day was talk with Jesus and give him everything.” “One morning as I was making coffee and praying the Morning Offering,” he continued, “I had the idea of pairing the first thing we all do in the morning — make a cup of coffee — with also inviting God into the first moments of our day. From this came the idea of Religious Roast Coffee.” In the fall of 2020, the two launched several labels with an image of a saint on each, along with a Morning Offering asking for the intercession of that particular saint. The idea was to have people pray while their morning coffee brewed. “Nobody else had this idea at the time — now there are a few who’ve hopped on the idea — so it was so much fun to name all the different coffee flavors after different saints and invite our customers to grow closer to them in their mornings,” Sri explained. “Ultimately, we started this business to be a tool to help people grow in deeper intimacy with Christ.” “One of our favorite professors here at Benedictine said about prayer that ‘in order to pray at all times, you must first pray for a time,’ and this is really what the heart of our business is all about,” she continued. “We don’t want people to just stop and ‘check the box’ of their morning prayer by praying the Morning Offering on our bag, but we hope that it is a tool to begin a time of longer and deeper contemplation in order to be in dialogue with God for the entirety of their day.” Bennett added: “Just as the saints lived so beautifully united to Jesus in every moment from the early mornings, washing dishes, the joy of the day, and even the mundane task, so too are we called to live with Christ at all moments.” The pair will graduate this month with degrees in theology and get married soon after. Recently, they had more ideas of ways people can be reminded to pray throughout the day — such as stickers with prayers that can be

placed on a bathroom mirror — and so the company expanded from Religious Roast Coffee to Little Way of Perfection. “We then changed our brand name to Little Way of Perfection because, ultimately, what we want to do is to invite people to reach spiritual perfection through being brought further into God through prayer but also to embrace the ‘little way’ of allowing God’s grace and mercy to always work through you,” Sri said. The name, and goal, of their business is also significant in that it’s inspired by two female saints: St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Ávila. “St. Teresa of Ávila talks about the ‘Way of Perfection’ and how it is possible in this life to reach spiritual perfection, but this comes from detachment from the sinful pleasures of the world and striving for humility and pure love of God,” Sri explained. “St. Thérèse of Lisieux is famous for her ‘Little Way’ in that we are far too small to achieve sainthood on our own and we must have total abandonment to the merciful love of God. “We want our customers to be inspired by the reality that they can become a saint through loving God with your entire heart and choosing him above all things, but also to remain little and to do little things out of love and humility for God.” The different coffee flavors are also inspired by the saint featured on each bag. For example, Little Flower Cinnamon Hazelnut is said to have a floral smell — hence St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a medium roast with a sweet, buttery caramel flavor. Other roasts include Holy Family Hazelnut and Love and Roastsponsibility St. John Paul II Medium Roast. Each bag also includes a Morning Offering prayer, which reads: “Heavenly Father I offer you this day, all that I think, do and say. May everything I do begin with your inspiration and continue with your help, uniting everything in the Holy Spirit and what was done by our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.” Sri said, “We hope that our products remind people that God is present in every moment and to make every moment an offering to him.” Francesca Pollio Fenton writes for Catholic News Agency.

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Recommended Reading Editor’s Note: Register staff and correspondents recap some of their favorite books for gift-giving.

this year, at the beginning of the Church’s threeyear Eucharistic Revival, as it highlights a strong devotion to the Eucharist as the key to the spiritual life. The new, easy-to-read revised edition includes illustrations and meditations for the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross. $11; order at EWTNReligiousCatalogue.com or (800) 854-6316 (Item: 32000).

Marian & Classic Reads Meditations on Mary, Our Mother by St. John Henry Newman brings together the beautiful insights about the Blessed Virgin Mary from this saintly cardinal whose devotion to her led to his conversion to Catholicism. In easy-to-understand ways, he presents profound insights into such areas as Mary’s Magnificat and why she is truly the Mother of God. Readers can apply the insights Newman shares and teaches during prayer time or at any time. This book will surely instill a deeper understanding of Mary and inspire readers to truly see her as their Mother, turning to her in every need and loving her ever more deeply. $5; order at TANBooks.com. Champions of the Rosary by Marian Father Donald Calloway is a highly readable history of the Rosary that, as promised in its title, includes stories of the great victories achieved through the power of the Rosary. Father Calloway offers a fast-paced, fascinating read. As he writes, “Recounting the history will give people the motivation to pick up this spiritual weapon themselves.” Including a bonus of 32 color images of the Rosary in art, Champions of the Rosary is “a must-read book for everyone,” according to Nigerian Bishop Oliver Doeme; $17; order at EWTNRC.com or (800) 854-6316 (Item: 3432). A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: Since first published in 1842, this novella has become a perennial favorite. And no wonder: Its story can move the coldest of hearts. It has the light of a Christian allegory, highlighting reclamation of a soul, the importance of helping the poor, the beauty of a devoted family life, and the realization that mankind is more important than money. Available in several editions from various booksellers.

By Noted Authors Food for the Soul by Peter Kreeft, from Word on Fire: After a great debut with his volume for the Gospel of St. Luke and liturgical year C, Peter Kreeft goes through the Sunday Mass for the 2022-2023 year (Year A), focused on the Gospel of St. Matthew. Kreeft’s brilliance and originality totally come through. This is a very helpful resource for those who want to get more out of Sunday Mass. $34.95; to order WordonFire.org. To Sanctify the World by George Weigel: This work by George Weigel is a very important read not only because of the recently celebrated 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council but because Vatican II continues to be misunderstood by many and manipulated by some as a justification for ideas the Council Fathers would never have countenanced. Weigel helps one to understand the meaning and importance of the Council like no other. $32; order at EWTNRC.com or (800) 854-6316 (Item: 4318).

— recommended by Register columnist Father Roger Landry

For Homemakers The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life: This 3-volume set makes an insightful, entertaining and wonderfully resourceful gift for any young wife and mother (or wife-to-be and mother-to-be). The three volumes cover the subjects of home culture, education and housekeeping, with lots of philosophical, practical, humorous and provoking discussions on subtopics related to each. The short chapters make the book so approachable, and author Leila Lawler provides women with an amazingly comprehensive guide to living the home life and vocation well. $69.95; SophiaInstitute.com or (800) 888-9344.

— recommended by Register staff writer Joseph Pronechen

Of Church Teaching and the Saints Blessed Carlo Acutis: The Amazing Discovery of a Teenager in Heaven by Register correspondent Sabrina Arena Ferrisi is a masterpiece for all ages, printed on high-quality pages with a smooth finish — making a nice gift. The boysaint comes alive through his writing, interviews with his mother, and photographs on almost every page. There is a timeline from his birth, his death at age 15 in 2006, and the steps toward his beatification in 2020. Readers learn the habits he worked to incorporate into his life to become a saint and are given references to go to his websites and see his exhibits on Eucharistic miracles, Marian apparitions, angels and demons, and heaven, hell and purgatory. $18.95; order at HolyHeroes.com. Our Lady of Guadalupe and Her Dear Juanito by Sister Marlyn Evangelina Monge is a hard-cover children’s book that will also touch the heart of anyone reading it. Vibrant illustrations and a story that does not talk down to little ones brings to life the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s appearance to the humble St. Juan Diego, changing his life and transforming Mexico into a Catholic country almost overnight. Readers learn of their conversations, the roses growing out of season, and how Bishop Juan Zumarraga of Mexico went from doubting to believing when he beheld the miraculous image of Our Lady on Juan’s tilma. The book includes prayers and an illustrated guide to the symbols on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. $15.95; order at PaulineStore.com. The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis is a keepsake. Originally written in the 15th century, it was beloved by many saints and is the most widely read Christian devotional after the Bible. It is especially relevant

— recommended by Register correspondent Patti Armstrong

— recommended by Register correspondent Katie Warner

Gardening and Grace Margaret Rose Realy’s A Garden Catechism: 100 Plants in Christian Tradition and How to Grow Them is at the top of my list. This book is an evergreen classic that informs and entertains at the same time. The beautiful full-color illustrations are the perfect complement to the detailed content. Gardeners and non-gardeners alike will love this book, with its comprehensive blend of botany and Christian symbolism. $34.95; order at Amazon.com. Allison Gingras’ Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God is based on her own experience raising and catechizing a profoundly deaf child. Gingras explains tried-and-true methods of using sacramentals and sacred signs to teach the faith. The book is rich with Catholic tradition, practical advice and lived experiences, leading the reader into a deeper love and understanding of Catholicism. $16.95; order at AveMariaPress. com or (800) 282-1865. America’s Mary: The Story of Our Lady of Good Help: I wrote this one-of-a-kind book to chronicle for the first time America’s only Church-approved Marian apparition. Based on historical documents, testimonies, personal interviews and expert analysis, America’s Mary is a thorough account of the events leading up to the apparition, the apparition itself and thereafter. Told in narrative style, it is both engaging and informative. $15.95; order at Amazon.com. — recommended by Register blogger Marge Fenelon

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‘Box of Joy’ Gifts Include Spiritual Message and Practical Blessings to Benefit Children It is hard to know who enjoys Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy ministry more — the children who open the gift boxes filled with toys and treasures, the U.S. families who prepared those Christmas presents or the volunteers who sorted and readied those packages for shipment overseas. It seems they all have an equal share in the joy of this whimsical but meaningful project. “Having been to Haiti, Guatemala and some of the other developing countries where we distribute Box of Joy gifts, it’s the children receiving these presents who are blessed the most,” insisted Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach, the respected ministry behind Box of Joy. “Those boys’ and girls’ faces light up like ®

Christmas itself when the boxes arrive, and their smiles and laughter are infectious.” The Box of Joy ministry, which was launched several years ago, has gained in popularity among U.S. Catholics ever since. This year, Cross Catholic Outreach has been making an all-out effort to provide gifts to at least 144,500 children, with families and Catholic leaders in more than 168 U.S. dioceses taking part in some way. (See the related story below.) “Ultimately it’s the compassion of American Catholics that will make this program successful. We rely on parishes, Catholic schools and families in the U.S. to pack or sponsor the Christmas presents we send overseas, and we also involve a huge network

of volunteers to help us collect, sort and prepare those gifts for shipping,” Cavnar said. “It’s a big team effort, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helps us in this mission of mercy.” Because both toys and practical items are valued by the children in the developing world, Cross Catholic Outreach encourages donors to include both types of items in the boxes they pack. For example, socks, toothpaste, flip-flops and hats are just as celebrated and cherished by needy boys and girls as gifts that include toy cars and dolls. “Many of these children live in extreme poverty, so even items as simple as a set of hair barrettes or a pair of children’s sunglasses are considered a real treasure,” Cavnar said. A list of gift ideas is supplied to participants who take part in the Box of Joy ministry. While some items can’t be shipped overseas — candies that will melt or liquids that might leak in transit, for example — there are plenty of listed options these boys and girls would love to receive. Cross Catholic Outreach also adds spiritual blessings to each box a child receives. When gifts arrive at the National Screening Center in preparation for shipping, the ministry adds a rosary and a Christmas story about Jesus. “Ultimately, our goal is to glorify God in all we do,” Cavnar said, “so sharing the gospel is always part of our ministry’s outreaches. As we celebrate

Some children in developing countries have never received a Christmas present before — their parents are simply too poor to aﬀord a gift. Through Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy ministry, U.S. Catholics pack or sponsor gifts for those children in need. Advent and Christmas, Jesus is the greatest gift we can offer these children. He’s the source of all true joy.” Readers interested in supporting Cross Catholic Outreach’s Christmas catalog can contribute through the catalog inserted in this issue or send tax-deductible gifts to: Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC02241MUNG, PO

Box 97168, Washington, DC 200907168. The ministry has a special need for partners willing to make gifts towards the Christmas Catalog. Use the inserted catalog or consider making your gift online at CrossCatholic.org/ Christmas It’s fast, easy and secure. Thank you for sharing the joy and hope of Christmas with the poor!

Unique Christmas Catalog Created to Bless Donors — and the World’s Poor If you are like most people, your mailbox is chock-full of Christmas catalogs and sales flyers every fall. In fact, their arrival has almost become a sign of the season, like the appearance of house lights and department store decorations. This Advent and Christmas season, Cross Catholic Outreach intends to offer a catalog too — but theirs is a very different catalog with a very different

purpose. It has been designed to bless both givers and receivers by using the holiday gift-giving tradition to help the world’s poorest families. Rather than highlighting gizmos, gadgets, neckties and jewelry, the Cross Catholic Outreach Christmas catalog gives Catholics with a concern for the poor an opportunity to share the blessings in their own lives with needy families by sponsoring practical

and urgently needed items such as vitamins, milk powder, seeds for farming, access to safe water, and materials to build homes. Of course, it also offers blessings for children, including toys and sports equipment, so individuals can choose to sponsor both practical items suitable for families and gifts to bring children joy. “Like most Christmas catalogs, ours offers lots of items so donors can choose

to give something specific. That said, they can also make a general gift to address the poor’s greatest needs,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach. “When donors choose to give to the Greatest Need category, they provide us and the Catholic missions we serve the freedom to address any urgent need. The priests and religious sisters we support really appreciate that flexibility. It’s the best way to empower

their work among the poor.” This unique Christmas catalog is easy to access. Readers will find a link for it at the ministry’s website (CrossCatholic. org) or they can reach it directly by entering the web address CrossCatholic. org/Christmas. “Our hope is that everyone will be blessed by the experience,” Cavnar said. “It’s a wonderful way for us to celebrate the birth of our merciful Lord!”

Cross Catholic Outreach’s ‘Box of Joy’ Program Sends Christmas Gifts to World’s Neediest Children When you think about Christmas mornings from your past, it’s likely a few nostalgic sights, sounds and smells will come to mind — a beautifully decorated tree, brightly colored presents with secret treasures inside, the chatter of excited children eager to get the gift exchanges underway, and the mouth-watering smells of a special meal being prepared. This is the Christmas most of us have grown up with and the one we eagerly share with our children, but it is far from the experience most boys and girls in developing countries have ever known. For them, Christmas time is like any other time of the year, and its sights, sounds and smells are rooted in the extreme poverty their families endure. “On Christmas morning, most poor children from Haiti or Guatemala will wake up in a patchwork home without running water or electricity, and they would likely be expected to take care of their usual daily chores, collecting water from some distant source or doing some other household task. Theirs is a Christmas without a decorated tree, gifts or a lavish meal. In fact, some of those boys and girls have never received a Christmas present in their lives,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach, a Vaticanrecognized relief and development ministry serving poor families in the

developing world. “That’s why we established our Box of Joy program. It was created to offer a little joy and hope to the thousands of children who have none of the many blessings we enjoy during the Christmas season.” The concept behind Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy ministry is simple but powerful. Compassionate parishes, schools and families in the U.S. take a little time before the Advent season to prepare special Christmas gifts for children in need. There is also an option on the ministry’s website (www.boxofjoy.org) that allows individuals to sponsor those presents and have them packed and sent by volunteers on their behalf. This year, the program is being featured in a special Christmas catalog produced by Cross Catholic Outreach to encourage U.S. Catholics to make Christmas gift purchases that will benefit the very poor. Their catalog can be found at CrossCatholic.org/Christmas. “We are hoping thousands of additional Christmas gifts will be funded through our website and catalog this year,” Cavnar said. “The website and catalog are great options for people who just don’t have the time to pack a gift box themselves, but they want to ensure needy children are sent a gift in celebration of the season.” Cavnar added that the impact of this gift-giving ministry actually goes beyond the delivery of the Box of Joy itself. A portion of the funds donors provide to ship the boxes is used to support the overall mission work of the in-country priests, religious sisters and Catholic lay people who help Cross Catholic Outreach deliver the gifts to children in their communities. “All gift distributions are coordinated through existing Catholic ministries already serving in those developing countries,” he said, “and our intention is to help those ministries achieve their other objectives as well. That means that some ®

The families of children living in poverty in developing countries can rarely afford a special meal at Christmastime, much less the cost of toys or other treats. Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy ministry enables U.S. Catholics to bless those kids by providing them with both fun and practical presents – as well as a rosary and a special booklet about the wonderful birth of Jesus. of the funds Box of Joy donors contribute to ship the boxes goes into outreaches like feeding centers, house-building initiatives, medical care and educational programs. That’s why it is a great way to help the poor with your season gift. It blesses the children, their families and the ministry work Church leaders are doing in the community as a whole.” With Advent upon us, many will be nostalgic about past Christmas joys, and Cavnar hopes those reflections will motivate them to remember the poor and give generously to ensure their families are blessed this season too.

Be Someone’s Miracle! To fund Cross Catholic Outreach’s effort to help those in need this season, use the Christmas catalog inserted in this newspaper, or mail your gift to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC02241MUNG, PO Box 97168, Washington, DC 20090-7168. You can also scan the code with your phone to purchase your gifts online. The catalog also includes instructions on becoming a Mission Partner and making a regular monthly donation to this cause. If you identify an aid project, 100% of the donation will be restricted to be used for that specific project. However, if more is raised for the project than is needed, funds will be redirected to other urgent needs in the ministry.

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ife is easy when the news is good — but oh, when storms arise, our faith in God needs to hold us up. Aside from the usual human ups and downs, there is our health and that of our loved ones. When all is well, we tend to deflect this topic — don’t bring me down, at least not yet, while it’s not something to worry about. I get it. But I also get the beauty of Walking the Way of the Cross for Caregivers by Michelle Laque Johnson. I only wish I could add a neon sign above the title to shout, “This is for you now, not later!” Why now? Because it’s a good read — and a spiritual one, with practical advice, resources and prayers for an intimate walk with Jesus. Certainly, this can be a lifesaver and a comfort for caregivers. But the personal story of Johnson’s care of her husband, Stu, who fought cancer for eight years, is an engaging and dramatic love story, with glimpses inside EWTN, where Johnson began working in the middle of the journey. Johnson, director of communications for EWTN, has already navigated the course of a caretaker, so her advice is strong and calming. In every chapter she opens with a Scripture verse, shares part of her journey and offers a “Lesson Learned,” such as, “Make the decision to walk with God throughout this illness. When you lose your peace, renew that commitment. You will never be sorry.” Each chapter ends with a prayer and some reflection questions to make things personal. In between chapters is one of the Stations of the Cross, with deep meaning for someone carrying the cross of a loved one. Throughout the book, Johnson is a sister in Christ, holding readers’ hands. “Let me state this unequivocally: DO NOT LET ANYONE TAKE AWAY YOUR HOPE,” she directs firmly — and often doubles down on it.

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TO WALK WITH GOD THROUGHOUT THIS ILLNESS. WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR PEACE, RENEW THAT COMMITMENT. YOU WILL NEVER BE SORRY.” — MICHELLE LAQUE JOHNSON reaching out for help — especially by seeking support from others and turning to faith and prayer. Johnson also reveals how to go about getting second and third opinions and how to distinguish a good hospital from a bad one, as well as how to handle well-meaning family and friends who inadvertently can add to your burden or take on too much of it. Sharing her own experience, she encourages caregivers to carefully evaluate each situation and speak up when necessary, while also being gracious so as not to hurt feelings or lose the support that can still help. One unique aspect of being a caregiver is nurturing yourself spiritually, Johnson explains. It’s easy to tell someone to deepen their faith, but she shows readers what that can look like. In the chapter on “How to Put on the Armor of God,” Johnson suggests befriending one’s guardian angel, praying a Morning Offering, praying novenas and spiritual warfare prayers to keep up spiritual strength, journaling, frequenting the sacraments, using sacramentals and making time for

Patti Armstrong writes from North Dakota.

WALKING THE WAY OF THE CROSS FOR CAREGIVERS How to Cope Practically, Emotionally, and Spiritually When a Loved One Has a Serious Illness By Michelle Laque Johnson Maria Teresa Publications, 2022 264 pages, $15.95 To order: ewtnrc.com or (800) 854-6316 (Item: 91400) What do you do when you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious illness? How do you even begin to cope? Using The Way of the Cross as a framework for their love story, Michelle Johnson shares her heartbreakingly beautiful eightyear caregiving journey with her husband, Stu. Before being called home, Stu suffered through three bouts of cancer over eight years, had his leg amputated up to the hip, and became a quadriplegic. If you need practical, down-to-earth advice for helping your loved one carry their cross, it is in this book. If you are struggling to keep the faith during this difficult journey, this first-hand account of a real-life couple’s drama can help. As hard as it was, this journey deepened Michelle and Stu’s love for each other, and it can do the same for you. If you are currently standing at the foot of the cross, this story shows that you do not need to be afraid. Because if you let him, the One who loves you more than you love yourself will accompany you, and at times will even carry you, as you begin your own journey. Johnson, EWTN’s director of communications, encourages prospective Register readers: “The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for caregivers. This book was written to accompany caregivers in their lonely job, to give them hope, practical resources and spiritual help and, very importantly, to remind them that they are not alone. Others have walked this path, including Our Lord!”

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good spiritual reading. In the chapter on “Making the Best of Hard Times,” Johnson writes, “Working together to defeat a common enemy — your loved one’s illness — can forge an even stronger bond with your loved one. That’s just one more potential blessing in the hard times.” Practical advice is included on things that might seem mundane, like paperwork and coordinating medicine, and a primer on preparing for the funeral and the final moments of life is surely a Godsend for those facing life without a loved one on this side of the veil. Movingly, Johnson also shares her last moments with her husband. “How am I supposed to do this? How am I supposed to watch my husband die?” she cried out to Our Lord. When she surrendered her husband to God and asked for Stu’s heart to turn completely to him, “so that he can receive the highest degree of glory possible,” Johnson witnessed the grace pour out upon him as he prepared for a Mass that would be offered in his room. An epilogue and appendix, “Thirteen Saints to Walk With in Hard Times,” and a final list of resources finishes Johnson’s lived experience of support. This book took Johnson eight years to write, giving her time to reflect and organize so as to share what she learned and walk closely alongside those traveling the same path. And now, as life goes on, Johnson shares how the experience has increased her awareness of the needs of others. “And you will, too,” she encourages. “It’s not knowledge we would ever have sought but it is a gift that you and I were given as a result of our loved one’s illness and/or death.” She closes by expressing her firm Christian hope of meeting the book’s readers and her dear husband on the other side, where God “will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes, and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4).

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The M ansion and The oaks

She cites the example of doctors who treated Stu’s death as imminent when the couple still had eight more years of life together. “Doctors are not God,” says Johnson. She gives reasons for hope, regardless of the situation, and points out all the good that comes through having hope, such as exploring different courses of treatment, making better choices, enjoying a better quality of life, finding a greater purpose in life and being more fun to be around. Understanding what it’s like to shoulder so much, Johnson warns of trying to go it alone without

BY A M Y S M I T H

omething that is utterly lovely: the sea. Consequently, I enjoyed reading the latest Theology of Home book: Theology of Home III: At the Sea. As a woman whose favorite color is water-themed (aqua), I lingered on the pages showing lovely photographs of blue water. The book shows the authors’ families enjoying the beach and water and includes photos of nautical items, with a statue of the Blessed Mother perched on a nearby shelf or table here and there. Looking for a calming read? This is it. Authors Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering explain how water has accompanied and shaped humanity for eons — and how Holy Mother Church anchors its sacramental life with it. They write: “The sea draws us in but also makes us want to draw some of it into our homes. We want to live near it or at least bring its beauty inside …” I particularly enjoyed the reflection on water’s role in Jesus’ life, from calming the storm — Peace! Be still! — to that wonderful wedding miracle to the first sacrament. As the book explains: “Jesus communicates to us that water … [is] a deeply meaningful way to communicate God’s grace, healing, and love.” And, though not all of the reflections in Vol. 3 moved me, given my Marian heart, I loved the Blessed Mother-focused connections Gress and Mering included and the reassurance that Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) always aids us amid our own stormy seas. Included is a quote from Pope Benedict XVI, from Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope), that I also return to: “Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us?”

‘THE SEA DRAWS US IN …’ The third installment of the Theology of Home series focuses on water and welcome. Amy Smith photographs of Kim Baile photos in Theology of Home III: At the Sea from TAN Books; also courtesy of TAN Books

As Theology of Home III acknowledges, “… there is something ever nostalgic and new in the memory and hope of a warm day at the sea.” How the beautiful blue can quiet an anxious heart and a mind full of to-dos! Jane Austen’s novels reflect this truth, too, per the book’s

charming “Jane at the Sea” section. This book, like the sea itself, is a balm to the soul. Amy Smith is the Register’s associate editor.

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