Faith & Life

CATHOLIC SCHOOLING

A Wealth of Learning Opportunities Await Adult Catholics

By Cathi Douglas     4/1/2019

You graduated from Catholic high school eons ago. Your kids no longer share their religion class homework with you. The only way you learn more about your faith is by reading the Orange County Catholic. 

But you want to know the answers to spiritual questions, delve into self-guided prayer, and deepen your faith based on information from authoritative Catholic sources.  

The answer? A wealth of Catholic books, articles, videos, podcasts, movies and other information available at the touch of a button or a swipe on your screen. 

At catholicompany.com you will find books on such far-ranging topics as basic faith tenets to Catholic Church history, lives of the saints, and even faith-themed adult coloring books. Fiction, classics, papal writings and inspirational books are available to select as you browse.  

One of them, “Augustine Day by Day: Minute Meditations for Every Day,” ($8.95) offers bite-size chunks of spiritual thought. Father Mitch Pacwa’s “How to Listen When God is Speaking,” ($12.95) offers insightful ways to confront challenges that prevent us from being open to God’s will. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, usccb.org, offers some suggested books regarding discernment that are of interest to all Catholics. Some of them include “The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola;” “The Story of a Soul,” by St. Therese of Liseaux; “The Imitation of Christ,” by Thomas A. Kempis; and “Fire Within,” by Fr. Thomas Dubay.  

We Are Salt and Light (wearesaltandlight.org) is related to the USCCB and notes that its website “includes resources intended as a catalyst for both the New Evangelization and the continuing development of vibrant communities living the Gospel in the United States.” The site says communities that strive to be salt and light share God’s love with others as they encounter Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit’s transforming presence. On the site, you can find countless articles, videos, blogs and more.  

If you sign into your parish’s Formed.org website, you’ll find a categorized list of content, including programs, books, movies, audio talks, audio books and Spanish content. Much of it is available free of charge. At present the site offers signups to receive via email daily Lenten meditations guided by Dr. Tim Gray. 

Matthew Kelly, founder of DynamicCatholic.com, has authored many books on Catholicism, including “Perfectly Yourself: Discovering God’s Dream for You,” and “Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose.” You can find them on his website, on Amazon, or through catholicompany.com. 

One painless way I’m deepening my spiritual life is through “The God Minute,” by Father Ron Hoye. The God Minute is a free audio podcast available via iTunes and for Android phones that includes short, reflective morning prayers based on the Divine Office. Each podcast is less than 10 minutes. I also look forward to pondering the daily reflections included in “Living Faith,” a monthly booklet offered free at most parishes.  

Whether you embark on a demanding course of study or opt for bite-sized chunks of spirituality, you will find many opportunities to grow as a Catholic with books, articles, and more – and it will cost you little more than your time.