The Broken Image: restoring personal wholeness through healing prayer by 
Introduction to Order of Mass: a pastoral resource by
An essential resource for liturgical formation of the People of God, this book offers a detailed guide to the celebration of Mass, from introductory to concluding rites.
Prayer: a History by
"This is the most stunning book on prayer that I have ever read. It will become the benchmark for every other work on the subject, present or future. The Zaleskis' massive scholarship, catholicity of interests, and clarity of presentation make this a volume to hold close to both the heart and the head." -- Phyllis Tickle, author of The Divine Hours This landmark book presents prayer in all its richness and variety throughout history, across traditions, and around the globe. Focusing on extraordinary stories of lives changed by prayer and on great works of literature and art inspired by it, Philip and Carol Zaleski map the vast world of prayer from the sacred pipe to the rosary, from Paleolithic cave art to Pentecostal revivals. They reveal the fascinating experiences of such great and sometimes surprising figures as Emily Dickinson, Bill W., Teresa of Ávila, Mohandas K. Gandhi, Samuel Johnson, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Examining prayer as petition, thanksgiving, adoration, contemplation, ecstasy, magic, and sacrifice, the Zaleskis probe the language of prayer, the fruits of prayer, its controversies, and its prospects for the future. Prayer is an informative, accessible, and entertaining narrative that will appeal to an audience of all faiths. The Zaleskis have created a work that will be the standard for years to come. Philip Zaleski is the editor of the Best American Spiritual Writing series, author of The Recollected Heart, and coeditor, with Carol Zaleski, of The Book of Heaven. He is a senior editor at Parabola and a research associate in religion at Smith College. Carol Zaleski is the author of Otherworld Journeys and The Life of the World to Come, and coeditor of The Book of Heaven. She contributes a monthly column to Christian Century and is a professor of religion at Smith College. "Prayer: A History is not only a fabulous, very readable, immensely informative and (I would even say) 'inspirational' volume. It is, to my mind, simply unmatched in the vast literature on what lies, after all, at the heart of the religious life. The Zaleskis range over history (even prehistory), art, literature, theology, and comparative religion -- a real tour de force. But throughout, they engage any reader -- specialist or not -- and never flaunt their impressive learning. They help us understand the unending human quest for meaning at its deepest level." -- Harvey Cox "Prayer is simply a wonderful book -- intelligent, beautifully written, important, inclusive, and completely useful. I wish every world leader would read it word for word today. We'd all be better for it. Carol and Philip Zaleski have been making extraordinary contributions to religion and spirituality for many years, and now they have outdone themselves." -- Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul "Everybody prays. Whether with faith-filled discipline or in the unanticipated aspiration, prompted by despair or ecstasy, calling out to the Unknown, everybody prays. Everybody who is serious about prayer will be grateful to the Zaleskis for this inspired and inspiring book." -- Reverend Richard John Neuhaus, editor in chief of First Things
Prayer: finding the heart's true home by
Best-selling author Richard J. Foster offers a warm, compelling, and sensitive primer on prayer, helping us to understand, experience, and practice it in its many forms-from the simple prayer of beginning again to unceasing prayer. He clarifies the prayer process, answers common misconceptions, and shows the way into prayers of contemplation, healing, blessing, forgiveness, and rest. Coming to prayer is like coming home, Foster says. "Nothing feels more right, more like what we are created to be and to do. Yet at the same time we are confronted with great mysteries. Who hasn't struggled with the puzzle of unanswered prayer? Who hasn't wondered how a finite person can commune with the infinite Creator of the universe? Who hasn't questioned whether prayer isn't merely psychological manipulation after all? We do our best, of course, to answer these knotty questions but when all is said and done, there is a sense in which these mysteries remain unanswered and unanswerable . . . At such times we must learn to become comfortable with the mystery." Foster shows how prayer can move us inward into personal transformation, upward toward intimacy with God, and outward to minister to others. He leads us beyond questions to a deeper understanding and practice of prayer, bringing us closer to God, to ourselves, and to our community.
Prayer and Practice in the American Catholic Community by 
Praying Through Grief: healing prayer services for those who mourn by
20 brief, practical services combining prayer, meditation, scripture, and song, as well as a small ritual which helps draw participants into the process. Each service is centered on a theme, and specific suggestions are given for occasions on which particular services might be used e.g. Spring, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, etc. The services can be easily implemented in a variety of settings (parish, senior citizen clubs, small Christian communities, and family gatherings), and allow anyone to organize prayer services designed specifically for those wrestling with grief. Praying Through Grief allows participants to acknowledge the pain they feel, to relive cherished memories, and to move toward healing. There is reason for hope, these services remind the participants; as surely as spring follows winter, new meaning and beauty can emerge from pain.
Praying Together: forming prayer ministries in your congregation by
The most popular image of prayer is an individual with eyes closed, head bowed, hands folded, and kneeling, silently communing with God. Prayer is an experience of open communion between one human being and God. But prayer experiences can and should be shared with community. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, and the Bible tells us that when two or more are gathered, God is there. Praying Together looks at the most popular and effective ways in which people are praying together in local churches today. Twenty-one prayer models are described with each model containing a plan and practical tips to consider. Some offer a personal reflection from one who has experienced transformation through the model. Several traditional models are described including prayer chains, prayer vigils, and prayer retreats as well as fresh, new ideas such as hosting Taize services, labyrinth walking, Prayer Walks, and Internet sacred spaces. No model is perfect, and the author asks church leaders to consider them all to determine which ones best meet the needs of varying congregational members. Praying Together is a much needed resource for church leaders who wish to broaden their congregational prayer efforts, to cultivate an active prayer community, and most importantly, to deepen the spiritual lives of their church members.
Seeking the Heart of God: reflections on prayer by
In Seeking the Heart of God, two of the most renowned and inspirational spiritual leaders -- Mother Teresa and Brother Roger -- combine their wisdom and experience to offer a practical, joyful celebration of the power of prayer. Prayer, though central to all denominations, remains mysterious to many. Here, the distinct yet complementary voices of Mother Teresa and Brother Roger honor prayer as the wellspring of love and compassion and illuminate it as an integral part of everday life. "In reality, there is only one true prayer, only one substantial prayer: Christ himself," writes Mother Teresa. "There is only one voice of Christ. Prayer is oneness with Christ." Mother Teresa and Brother Roger first met in 1976 in Taize, France. Several months later, in Calcutta, they collaborated on what became the first of several joint appeals for Christian reconciliation. Their mutual agenda is clear -- a passionate commitment to the alleviation of human suffering and the use of prayer as a source of comfort, strength and communion with God. In their work and travels, both Mother Teresa and Brother Roger perceived a great hunger for guidance in prayer. The result is this inspirational text of short commentaries on how to use prayer in daily life. Comprised of 12 chapters, each written half by Brother Roger, Seeking the Heart of God  is their wise and lyrical offering to those whose hunger is that of the spirit.
Counseling Depressed Women by
Why do women suffer depression twice as often as men? Susan Dunlap integrates findings from biology, psychology, sociology, and theology to discover that powerlessness is a cause of depression. Based on this understanding, she develops a pastoral theological response to bring hope to depressed women.The purpose of the Counseling and Pastoral Theology series is to address clinical issues that arise among particular populations currently neglected in the literature on pastoral care and counseling. This series is committed to enhancing both the theoretical base and the clinical expertise of pastoral caregivers by providing a pastoral theological paradigm that will inform both assessment and intervention with persons in these specific populations.
The Cry of Tamar: violence against women and the Church's response by
In this comprehensive, practical, and gripping assessment of various forms of violence against women, Pamela Cooper-White challenges the Christian churches to examine their own responses to the cry of Tamar in our time. She describes specific forms of such violence and outlines appropriate pastoral responses. The second edition of this groundbreaking work is thoroughly updated and examines not only where the church has made progress since 1995 but also where women remain at unchanged or even greater risk of violence.
A guide to the spiritual dimension of care for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia : more than body, brain, and breath by
This is a book for those actively engaged in or interested in spiritual ministry to persons with dementia. Shamy draws heavily upon her experience, making this book very personal in its approach. I appreciated this style, feeling that the anecdotes anchor the book in the realm of what can be done rather than the theoretical world of the "maybes". The main concepts of the book, those of spirituality, retained through dementia, and personal worth should be acceptable to people of most world faiths.' - Leveson Newsletter 'This is an important book that has much to offer at a variety of different levels. It ranges from deep philosophical thinking to practical recommendations... a book that should be bought, digested and used frequently.' - Christian Council on Ageing 'Contains valuable material. The passages that attempt a definition of spirituality, and the stories about persons with dementia and how they have been helped to greater well-being, are relevant and excellently done. The spirit of Eileen Shamy shines out from these pages and carries its own message of passionate concern. One of the book's greatest strengths is its stories, which are unfailingly well-told and apposite.' - Ageing and Society Drawing on her years of experience as a clergywoman working with older people in care settings, Eileen Shamy discusses how pastoral work can help to develop holistic care for those suffering from dementia and related conditions - care which involves understanding of their spiritual as well as physical needs. This sensitive and informative book provides guidelines for pastoral visits to people with dementia, showing how to empathise with, understand and support individuals during a visit. Emphasising the importance of retaining dignity and freedom of choice for people with dementia, it also presents practical advice about memory cueing and provides frameworks for leading worship for those with dementia. A useful resource for a variety of people involved in pastoral care with older people, whether professionals or volunteers, this book provides inspiration from a respected author in the field of psychogeriatric care.
Hope: promise, possibility, and fulfillment by
Every age has its difficulties-and its reasons for hope-including our own today. In this collection of essays, each author, from the perspective of their various disciplines and fields, has crafted a theology of hope for the twenty-first century. Contributors include: Book jacket.
Ministry with Persons with Mental Illness and Their Families by 
Ministry with Youth in Crisis by 
Parish Nurses, Health Care Chaplains, and Community Clergy: navigating the maze of professional relationships by
Understand the roles of these three unique professions and how collaboration can make each more effective! This is the first book to clarify the roles and interprofessional dynamics of these three professions and describe how they can best work together. Here you'll find theological perspectives on each profession, practice models of collaborative programs, and new resources to aid your professional growth. In addition, this book gives you a thorough historical overview of parish nursing and an introduction to health care chaplaincy as well as insightful analyses of the relationships of clergy and congregation to health care institutions. Parish Nurses, Health Care Chaplains, and Community Clergy: Navigating the Maze of Professional Relationships is a vital addition to your reference shelf. This unique book, written by experts in all three fields, provides: the necessary background to be an effective parish nurse, including information on spiritual formation, clinical pastoral education, and more instruction on starting a parish health ministry effective ways that the disciplines can work together in congregational health ministries to provide the best possible spiritual care successful practice models that your ministry can emulate an examination of the health care institution's role in forming the spiritual care team resources to use to increase your ministry's effectiveness Parish Nurses, Health Care Chaplains, and Community Clergy is a must for practitioners, educators, and students who will be entering these vital professions!
Pastoral Care and Counseling in Sexual Diversity by
Learn to reach out to these hidden Christians! Offering a wide variety of points of view from the welcoming to the traditional, Pastoral Care and Counseling in Sexual Diversity addresses one of the crucial issues facing the church in these shifting times. Pastors of all Christian churches, whatever their denomination or theology, are likely to be faced with pastoral care or counseling of someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered. This valuable compendium examines various ways you can meet the spiritual and psychological needs of these members of your congregation. Pastoral Care and Counseling in Sexual Diversity addresses the basic problems of sexual diversity, including definitions of sexual orientations and issues of human development. It offers wise guidance for offering pastoral care and counseling, and it provides tested solutions for the problems counselors face in dealing with these individuals. Pastoral Care and Counseling in Sexual Diversity offers thought-provoking points of view on a wide range of issues, including: changes in attitudes toward homosexuality among mental health professionals the limits of confidentiality sexual diversity in the black church a developmental model for effective treatment of male homosexuality pastoral care and the formation of sexual identity Biblical perspectives on homosexuality counseling lesbians AIDS ministries and grief counseling Pastoral Care and Counseling in Sexual Diversity is an essential resource for pastors, pastoral counselors, and therapists dealing with these vexing issues facing the Christian church in the new millennium.
Pastoral Care of the Dying by 
Theologizing en Espanglish: context, community, and ministry by
Using fresh, playful language that tweaks the pretentions of mainstream academic theology, the author covers a range of topics, from the implications of population shifts on the identity of the church, to the role of the 'everyday' or lo cotidiano in theology, and even the global phenomenon of béisbol.
Models & methods for youth & young adult ministry : ecumenical examples and pastoral approaches for the Christian Church
A Noble Quest: cultivating spirituality in Catholic adolescents by
A Noble Quest: Cultivating Spirituality in Catholic Adolescents addresses adolescent spirituality and explores and explains the various approaches and methods that can be successfully implemented to cultivate holistic Christian spirituality in Catholic teenagers. The book is chalked full of practical examples and suggestions, ministry strategies, and pastoral activities that will engage the reader toward integrating them with their own teenage son or daughter, as well as in their parish. Although the book is written for those who work directly with young people--youth ministers, D.R.E.''s, high school campus ministers, theology teachers, and coaches--the book is an excellent resource for anyone who stands by, for, and with young people: bishops, priests, deacons, lay ministers, parents, catechists, and volunteer youth leaders. The book will engage and encourage the reader on his/her own spiritual journey and can be enjoyed individually and used in small faith sharing church groups, as well. The book does not try to "re-invent the wheel," but instead provides pragmatic ways for youth workers and parents to foster a richer and more meaningful interior life within young people. It utilizes the already fertile tradition of the Christian heritage to empower Catholic adolescents in their quest for becoming more spiritual. The bulk of the book is six chapters not including a brief forward, introduction, and conclusion, which all merit reading. The Forward is written by Dr. Robert J. McCarty, the Executive Director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (Washington, DC). He discusses the importance of adolescent spirituality to American teenage culture today and the impact that spirituality has upon Church as a whole. He ends with a set of ministry challenges for Catholic youth ministry in the United States. The book''s Introduction, there are a couple of important questions asked, "Why this book?" "What is Catholic adolescent spirituality?" Both questions give a cursory answers to the question which moves the reader to ''dive deeper'' into the book and to discover the world of adolescent spirituality. The Conclusion highlights Catholic adolescent spirituality and offers pragmatic solutions and pastoral strategies for those who work with young people. The book also offers a few challenges to the U.S. Catholic Church, with respect to comprehensive youth ministry and being better at cultivating spirituality in Catholic teenagers. The book''s first chapter is entitled "Approaching Adolescents" and is a laconic examination of the period of adolescence from a physiological, psychological, and sociological perspective. The chapter looks at adolescent identity, adolescent culture, and adolescent conversion. It offers insight about the the areas that are important for American adolescents today, such as teenage attitudes and behavior. The second chapter is entitled "Defining, Describing, and Situating Catholic Adolescent Spirituality." It provides vital descriptions from various adolescent specialists concerning adolescent spirituality. This chapter highlights a number of definitions of adolescent spirituality and places adolescent spirituality in the context of the Catholic Church and comprehensive youth ministry. It also offers a few general methods for strengthening adolescent spirituality. The third chapter of the book is entitled "Strengthening Eucharistic Spirituality in Catholic Adolescents" and offers the readers 3 great ways to boaster spirituality in Catholic teenagers through the official liturgies of the Church. This being Sunday Eucharist (Mass), Liturgy of the Hours (structured daily prayer), and the Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (Eucharistic adoration). The chapter discusses the importance of engaging teenagers in prayer and the worship life of the Church. It presents pastoral strategies for each style of prayer that challenges pastors and youth ministers alike. In the fourth chapter, "The Usefulness of 12 Pastoral Practices for Cultivating Spirituality in Catholic Adolescents," the 12 virtues, traits, disciplines, and practices that have empowered Christians on their quest for greater spiritual awareness are explored. Each of the 12 practices--Bible time, contemplation, honesty, introspection, journaling, meditation, music, prayer, retreats, Rosary, spiritual direction, and time usage--are tried and true and can help strengthen spirituality in Catholic young people. The fifth chapter, "Three Appropriate Spiritual Practices for Cultivating Catholic Adolescent Spirituality," investigates 3 practices for people who work with youth may want to integrate to help Catholic juveniles become more spiritually attuned. The 3 spiritual practices--meditation, contemplation, and spiritual direction--are studied in-depth and concentrate on strategies and activities that help to foster an ardent sense of Christian spirituality. The sixth chapter, "Strengths and Limitations of the Pastoral Practices of Cultivating Adolescent Spirituality in Catholic Youth Ministry Settings," explains some of the advantages and disadvantages of solely using a model for youth ministry that focuses primarily or exclusively on spiritual attainment or spiritual awareness. It is a introspective chapter about the realities of trying to cultivate and strengthen Christian spirituality in Catholic adolescents. There is also an extensive bibliography for the student of adolescent spirituality and youth ministry, as well as footnotes that entertain further insights and reflection. Finally, there are small group discussion questions at the end of each chapter. The questions are intended to engage the reader personally, but also be be used in a group setting such as in a seminar, workshop, college classroom, or ministry setting. A Noble Quest: Cultivating Spirituality in Catholic Adolescents is an insightful and spiritual read. Being both theological and practical it challenges and exhorts Christian adolescent spirituality today. The book will find a home in academic and pastoral settings and will be in the mainstream of Catholic youth ministry and adolescent spirituality for years to come. A must read for any youth worker!
Pathways of Hope and Faith among Hispanic Teens: pastoral reflections and strategies inspired by the National Study of Youth and Religion by
Building on the largest national survey of teenage religion ever conducted, leading Catholic and Protestant experts recount in unprecedented detail the experiences of God, faith, community, youth ministry, and family among the fastest-growing segment of young people in the country--Latinos. Listen as young Hispanics describe their faith and hopes in their own words; gain understanding of the major issues affecting their religious development and life prospects; and improve your ministry or family life with insightful pastoral recommendations. Note: Please allow 7-14 days for delivery.
Poetic Youth Ministry: learning to love young people by letting them go by
Current research shows what many in the Christian community already know: young people are leaving the church. This raises important questions: Why are young people leaving? How can the church respond? Some have responded to this issue out of a posture of fear and anxiety, trying to find new ways to strengthen doctrinal beliefs or practices of faith formation and discipleship. What if the best response isn't to strengthen our theology or tighten our hold on the lives of young people? What if the best response is a posture of love that lets young people go? Using the insights of philosopher Charles Taylor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Poetic Youth Ministry argues that the church must take seriously the formative power of social and cultural patterns that shape the social imaginaries of young people. Rather than seeing the problem as young people abandoning faith, the Christian community should see the issue as young people exchanging one form of faith for another. This allows the church to approach the issue from a posture of love, calling young people to embrace their identity in the new humanity revealed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Youth Ministry in a Multifaith Society: forming Christian identity among skeptics, syncretists and sincere believers of other faiths by
In simpler, more homogenous times, youth ministry was a relatively straightforward activity. The church's youth gathered (occasionally inviting their unchurched friends from school), played together, sang together and listened together to a message from a bright, engaging youth minister, selecting from a relatively defined set of topics: "What does it mean to follow Jesus when it comes to _______?"Now Christian youth must make sense of their faith, with its exclusive claims, in light of their close friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist, "other" or even "none." And increasingly other religions are taking their cues for rooting and establishing their youth from Christian ministry practices, so that our kids are being invited to outreach events sponsored by other faiths. Veteran youth minister and researcher Len Kageler digs into the data surrounding this exciting multifaith era and offers surprising confidence that our kids can be guided into mature Christian faith while simultaneously learning to love their neighbors of other religions.
Youth Pastor: the theology and practice of youth ministry by
A youth pastor--whether paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, right out of college or right out of retirement--has a big job to do. Actually, anyone who accepts God's call to help young people grow as disciples of Christ has several big jobs to do. The youth minister must be a teacher who can communicate the essentials of the faith; a friend who can listen to and be present with young peop≤ a prophet who challenges teens to live lives of justice and righteousness; and an administrator who can manage the day-to-day logistics of youth ministry. Youth Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Youth Ministry provides a biblical and theological grounding for the many jobs a youth minister does, explains what each of these jobs entails, and helps youth pastors identify where their gifts lie and where they still need to grow. Whether you are a first-time youth minister or a seasoned youth ministry veteran, Youth Pastor gives you valuable tools for evaluating your ministry and vocation. It also serves as an excellent text for undergraduate courses in youth ministry. Table of Contents: Introduction Chapter 1 Becoming All Things in Ministry Chapter 2 Discipling Teacher Chapter 3 Evangelistic Missionary Chapter 4 Pastoral Shepherd Chapter 5 Organized Administrator Chapter 6 Bold Prophet Chapter 7 Compassionate Priest Chapter 8 Spiritual Friend Chapter 9 Equipping Recruiter Chapter 10 Visionary Leader Chapter 11 Faithful Teammate Chapter 12 Discover Your Ministry Style Epilogue: Character and Competence in Ministry Appendix: Youth Ministry Role Inventory
