What Are You Reading?

The books I am reading right now are all related to religious education and mandated by the Diocese of Richmond for all catechists, such as myself. They include the Directory for Catechesis and Legal Issues for Catechists. Aside from these mandated books and resources, I have also been reading A Year of Prayer - Co Laboring with the Living Lord - Ignatian Companions on Mission, published by the Maryland Province. I must admit that I am way behind on it, but, since there is no rush on meditation, I keep it around for those quiet moments by myself. I also started reading a book called The Purpose Driven Life - What On Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren. It is a great inspirational book that brings you back to reality and makes you realize what is really important in life.

Lucy Cruz Executive Associate Sacred Heart Parish, Richmond, Va.

Currently I am reading The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola, by Fr. Dean Brackley, SJ. I was immediately attracted, to this powerful book. His clear and profound articulation of the heart of Ignatian spirituality (the call to contemporary and ongoing discernment, his living witness to downward mobility, centering the poor of Yahweh as the source of freedom, solidarity and hope, and his emphasis on prayer as the source of authentic liberation) speaks to my heart and soul. I am also reading The Copyeditor’s Conversion: A Foreward for Skeptics, by Ellen Calmus, which will invite other readers to a transformative experience from head to heart. A must read for Jesuits and lay colleagues in today’s challenging world.

Joseph Hacala, SJ Immediate Past President Wheeling Jesuit University

I am reading Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky. I read a review of it in the New York Times and, coincidentally, it was the title for the Inigo Book Group at St. Ignatius parish so I went to the discussion group for the first time. I found the writing excellent, and the whole story of how the run up to World War II in France affected people was fascinating. I am also reading A Sacred Voice is Calling: Personal Vocation and Social Conscience, by John Neafsey. A JVC colleague sent me the book. The topic is vocational discernment, and the author draws on many religious traditions in writing an accessible explanation of the facets of discernment for young adults, something Jesuit volunteers are concerned with.

Kate Haser Executive Director Jesuit Volunteer Corps East